Ascending to their room in the academy dormitory, which, to their surprise, remained untouched, Fu Huang wearily lowered her well-worn travel backpack to the floor. The smell of old wood and dust seemed like the coziest scent in the world right now. Yue, dropping her small bag from her shoulders, looked around the familiar walls with relief. Despite the simplicity of the setting, there was a sense of home comfort here that they had missed so much during their long wanderings.
Fu Huang silently walked to the window and opened it wide, letting in the fresh spring air filled with the chirping of birds and the distant sounds of training. She closed her eyes, allowing herself for a moment to savor this simple feeling of peace. Yue sat on the edge of her bed, thankfully kicking off her travel boots. Her feet, accustomed to tough leather and rocky trails, now blissfully sank into the softness of the old mattress.
Without a word, they began to unpack their belongings. Travel clothes, steeped in the smell of campfires and wild herbs, were exchanged for lighter and more familiar outfits. With each layer removed, Fu Huang felt not only physical fatigue but also the burden of constant readiness for danger fall from her shoulders. Yue, having changed into her favorite loose tunic, sighed with relief. It was good to be home.
Having finished with their things, they were silent for a while, each lost in her own thoughts, enjoying the quietness and safety. Then Yue looked up at Fu Huang, who was still standing by the window.
"Fu..." she called softly.
Fu Huang turned, and Yue saw in her eyes that softness that appeared so rarely, but was therefore even more precious.
"You're tired, aren't you?" Yue asked with concern.
Fu Huang nodded, without attempting to hide her state.
"The journey was long, Yue. And... what happened..."
Yue walked up to her and hesitantly took her hand.
"We handled it, Sister Huang. We always handle it, as long as we're together."
Fu Huang squeezed her hand tighter, feeling the warmth and support that always emanated from this fragile, yet so strong-willed girl.
"You know, Yue..." Fu Huang began, her voice softer than usual, "sometimes... sometimes I just want all of this to end. So that we could just live... quietly."
Yue nodded, understanding her without words. She also dreamed of this – of a world where they didn't have to constantly look over their shoulder, where they could just be sisters, without the burden of the past and the fear of the future.
They sat on Yue's bed, shoulder to shoulder. They were silent for a while, enjoying the peace.
"Remember that time in the forest when we tried to cross that turbulent river?" Yue suddenly laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. "You stepped onto that slippery stone so confidently, and then your feet slid out from under you!"
Fu Huang smiled faintly, remembering that awkward moment.
"And you tried to catch me and almost fell into the water yourself. We spent half the day walking around in wet cloaks and sneezing."
"But oh, how delicious the stew was by the campfire afterwards!" Yue sighed dreamily. "Although... remember those strange mushrooms you found? You were so convinced they were edible..."
Fu Huang winced.
"I wish I had listened to you then. The taste of that stew was... unforgettable. In Nuoding, I remember, we had terrible cooks. Sometimes the food was so strange we wondered what it was even made of."
Yue giggled.
"But you're great at cooking spatial cuts! That's much more useful in our lives."
Fu Huang lightly ruffled her hair.
"You're right about that. And remember that merchant with 'genuine artifacts'? How you exposed him! He almost cried when you explained to him that his 'magic stone' was just a painted pebble."
"He was just trying to profit from naive travelers like us back then," Yue said with feigned strictness. "But I quickly learned how to spot fakes."
They continued recalling funny incidents from their travels for a long time, interspersing them with quiet reflections and dreams about the future. In this simple, peaceful setting, they both found solace and regained strength, preparing for what awaited them ahead.
Reaching the master's office, Fu Huang knocked on the door.
"Come in," a familiar voice of Flender sounded from within.
Entering, they saw Flender sitting at his desk. His face showed relief, and next to him stood Zhao Wuji and the rest of the "Shrek Seven Devils" – Dai Mubai, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Oscar, and Zhu Zhuqing. Their gazes were full of the joy of reunion and genuine interest.
Xiao Wu immediately rushed towards them, hugging both sisters simultaneously.
"Fu Huang! Yue! How we missed you! Where have you been for so long? Are you okay?"
Oscar, smiling from ear to ear, chimed in:
"My sausages became completely tasteless without your comments, especially yours, Fu Huang, about their 'originality'!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded reservedly, but was glad for Fu's return.
"Glad to see you again. The academy without you was... quieter."
Dai Mubai walked up and clapped Fu Huang on the shoulder in a friendly manner.
"Welcome home. We saw your 'greeting' on the training ground. Impressive."
Tang San, with a slight smile, added:
"We are happy about your return. I'm sure you have many stories you can tell us."
Fu Huang felt warmth spreading in her chest from such a reception. Despite her seemingly cold exterior, she had missed these people who had become her family.
"We're happy to be back too," Fu Huang replied, allowing herself a slight smile for the first time in a long while. "And yes, we definitely have things to tell."
Flender, watching this warm reunion, beamed.
"Well, that's great! Let's sit down and talk about everything in order. Tell us what happened to you during these ten months."
The atmosphere in the office filled with the casual joy of old friends reuniting. Questions poured out one after another, interrupted by laughter and exclamations of surprise, as Fu Huang and Yue shared some moments of their adventures, omitting the most dangerous details and focusing on the funny and interesting incidents.
"And remember when we tried to make stew from those glowing mushrooms?" Yue recalled with a laugh. "Oscar would definitely appreciate their 'original' taste!"
Oscar grimaced.
"I hope they tasted better than they looked. My edible sausages are much safer!"
Fu Huang chuckled.
"Safer, definitely. But some of those mushrooms had rather... unusual properties. It's a pity I didn't have enough tools with me to study them."
"You were doing alchemy during your travels too?" Tang San asked with interest, whose knowledge of herbs and poisons was quite extensive.
Fu Huang nodded.
"In the place where we got my fifth spirit ring... the conditions were... specific. But there were unique plants and minerals. I made some interesting progress in the field of alchemy. Some of it could be useful."
She took out several small vials with multi-colored liquids and several hermetically sealed jars with powders from her backpack.
"Here, for example," Fu Huang handed one of the vials to Tang San. "This is a concentrated regenerative elixir. It acts much faster than regular herbal infusions. And this," she showed a jar with shimmering blue powder, "is a catalyst that can enhance the effect of some poisons, but requires very careful handling."
Tang San's eyes lit up with interest. He carefully took the offered samples, examining them with professional curiosity.
"This is amazing! I've never seen anything like it. You've done incredible work."
"I thought this knowledge could be useful to the team," Fu Huang replied modestly. "I have a few more recipes and samples. Later, I can give you more detailed notes."
Fu Huang, noticing Tang San's lively interest, added:
"Besides these fast-acting remedies, I have developments that require longer application but can have a sustained effect. For instance," she took out a small clay pot with a thick green paste, "this is a concentrated extract from rare forest herbs. With regular addition to food, it gradually strengthens the physical body and increases resistance to negative environmental effects. The effect won't be noticeable immediately, perhaps after six months to a year, but over time it can significantly improve endurance and the body's overall condition."
She handed the pot to Flender.
"This could be useful for all academy students. If a small amount is added to their daily diet, it will lay a solid foundation for their future training. In Nuoding, I remember, we had terrible cooks. Maybe this will help them become stronger, even if the food stays the same."
Flender took the pot with interest, opened it, and cautiously sniffed it. The herbal aroma was rich and fresh.
"That sounds promising, Fu Huang. We'll definitely implement it. What else did you find?"
"I also have a recipe for a special mixture for training baths," Fu Huang continued, taking out a bag with dried herbs and crystals. "These components promote faster muscle recovery after intense training and prevent the accumulation of lactic acid. Regular use of these baths will allow students to train more intensively and with less risk of injuries in the long term."
She handed the pouch to Zhao Wuji, knowing about his intense training methods.
Zhao Wuji accepted the pouch with enthusiasm, feeling its contents.
"Now this is useful! My old bones will thank you for this, girl!"
Fu Huang smiled slightly.
"And the last thing for today," she took out several small amulets, woven from thin silver threads with tiny, shimmering stones embedded in them. "These amulets don't directly increase spiritual power, but when activated, they can create a temporary protective barrier. However, their energy is limited. One amulet can absorb only one full-power attack from a Soul Saint, or up to three attacks from a Soul Emperor. After use, the amulet requires a long recharge – about a week, during which it will be practically useless. The amulet must be activated manually by concentrating a small amount of spiritual power on it. It doesn't work automatically."
She handed several amulets to Flender for him to distribute among the junior students, specifically emphasizing the rules of their use and limitations.
"These amulets can give younger students extra reaction time in a critical situation and prevent serious injuries from strong, but unexpected attacks. Knowing their limited power and the need for manual activation, they will also learn to approach defense more consciously and not rely solely on passive means."
Flender listened carefully to the explanation and nodded understandingly.
"Fu Huang, this is an invaluable contribution to the development of our academy. Your knowledge and developments will help not only current but also future generations of students. We greatly appreciate your contribution."
The evening continued in a warm and friendly atmosphere, filled with conversations, memories, and discussions of future plans. The return of Fu Huang and Yue was not only a joyful event but also brought with it new opportunities to strengthen Shrek Academy.
Evening descended upon Shrek Academy, enveloping the grounds in soft twilight. After dinner, which was filled with lively but casual conversations, the "Shrek Seven Devils" gathered in the dormitory's common room. Oscar, true to form, cracked one simple joke after another, eliciting a condescending smile from Zhu Zhuqing and hearty laughter from Xiao Wu. Dai Mubai and Tang San, settled by the fireplace, engaged in a quiet conversation, discussing the nuances of training and the potential of Fu Huang's new alchemical developments.
Fu Huang and Yue took a seat on the old, worn sofa, pressing close to each other. Yue, with eyes burning with delight, enthusiastically told Xiao Wu about meeting an unusually talkative monkey in a tropical forest they encountered during their journey. Her gestures were animated, and her voice occasionally broke into laughter, infecting Xiao Wu with her merriment. Fu Huang only occasionally inserted witty comments, watching the scene with the corner of her lips touched by a slight smile. In this atmosphere of relaxed communication, she felt the binding tension of the past months gradually dissipate, yielding to a long-forgotten sense of warmth and belonging.
Zhu Zhuqing, having pulled herself away from Oscar's unsuccessful attempts to make her laugh, cast a fleeting glance at Fu Huang. Sympathy and understanding of what they had likely gone through flickered in her eyes. Dai Mubai, noticing her gaze, quietly nodded, sharing her feelings.
Tang San, breaking away from his conversation with Mubai, turned to Fu Huang:
"You mentioned some unusual properties of the mushrooms you found. Do you plan to study them in more detail? Perhaps there are other useful alchemical compounds hidden there."
Fu Huang thoughtfully looked at the fire in the fireplace.
"Perhaps later. Right now, I just want some peace. But I did make some notes. As soon as I have more energy, I'll share them with you."
Oscar, not giving up, suggested playing some silly game, but his suggestion was lost in the general hum of quiet conversations. A rare atmosphere of serenity prevailed in the room. It seemed they could all finally exhale after the trials they had endured and simply enjoy each other's company within the walls of their home academy. Even the usually reserved Fu Huang felt the ice in her heart melt a little under the influence of this warm and friendly atmosphere.
The next morning at Shrek Academy greeted its inhabitants with soft sunlight and the quiet singing of birds. Fu Huang woke up early, but this time she did not leave the room until Yue woke up.
"Good morning, Sister Huang," Yue mumbled sleepily, stretching.
"Good morning, Yue," Fu Huang replied with a slight smile. "How about a little training before breakfast? Just to loosen up."
They went down to one of the training grounds, not yet filled with other students. Their sparring was calm and measured, more like refining known techniques than an intense fight. Fu Huang carefully watched Yue's movements, gently correcting her stance and suggesting more effective ways to use "Glimpse of the Future" in conjunction with physical attacks. In their interaction, there was not only the bond of sisters but also the relationship of an experienced mentor and a diligent student.
After finishing their training, they headed together towards Tang San's laboratory. Fu Huang knew about his interest in her alchemical developments and wanted to offer her help.
They found Tang San bent over a table, strewn with scrolls and flasks. He looked thoughtful, occasionally scratching his chin.
"Good morning, Tang San," Fu Huang greeted him.
"Fu Huang! Yue! Good morning," he replied, looking up. "I'm a bit stuck here with a reaction. I think I'm missing some important detail."
Fu Huang walked up to the table and carefully examined Tang San's notes. Yue looked over her shoulder, trying to understand the complex symbols and formulas.
"Try changing the order of adding these components," Fu Huang suggested, pointing to two flasks with multi-colored liquids. "I think the sequence might affect the catalytic effect."
Tang San pondered for a moment, then cautiously followed Fu Huang's advice. To their surprise, the solution in the flask slightly changed color, signaling the beginning of the desired reaction.
"Incredible!" Tang San exclaimed. "You're right! I didn't even think of that. Thank you, Fu Huang."
They spent some time together, discussing various aspects of alchemy. Fu Huang shared her observations and experience gained during her journey, and Tang San offered his theoretical knowledge. Their collaboration was quiet and fruitful, filling the academy morning with an atmosphere of calm scientific pursuit.
After a productive morning filled with training and joint work with Tang San, Fu Huang and Yue spent the rest of the day in quiet solitude. They settled in the academy library, burying themselves in the pages of old books, occasionally exchanging quiet remarks. The atmosphere around them was calm and peaceful, as if time had slowed down, allowing them to enjoy the long-awaited tranquility.
Meanwhile, Flender, having finished his morning affairs, strolled unhurriedly around the academy grounds. He watched the junior students from a distance, who were enthusiastically performing exercises. Their movements were more energetic, and fatigue seemed to come later than usual. Flender couldn't help but notice the positive effect of Fu Huang's green paste on their endurance.
Then his gaze swept to the training ground, where several senior students were performing intense exercises with less than usual stiffness, and after finishing, they headed to the barrels with the herbal infusion. Flender smiled, realizing how valuable Fu Huang's contribution to the recovery of their students had turned out to be.
In the evening, as the sun began to set, painting the sky in warm hues, Flender saw Fu Huang and Yue returning from the library. They walked unhurriedly, talking quietly about something. Relaxation and serenity were felt in their movements. Flender felt a wave of gratitude. Their return brought not only the joy of reunion but also tangible benefits for the entire academy. The calmness that reigned that day seemed like a deserved reward after long months of anxiety and uncertainty.