Guan Fang stood before the class with a steady gaze. "Let's begin the lesson." The classroom quieted instantly, all the students sitting upright with eager expressions. He continued, "Today, we will talk about teams."
Excitement rippled through the students. They straightened in their seats, whispers of curiosity flitting among them. Zhen and his friends leaned forward, curiosity burning in their eyes. Long Yi hadn't explained everything last night, and so this moment was filled with anticipation. Even students who usually slouched looked wide awake now.
"In our academy," Guan Fang said clearly, "teams are divided into four levels: Initial Level Teams, Intermediate Level Teams, Advanced Level Teams, and the Titled Level Teams."
Gasps and murmurs spread through the room. The atmosphere grew heavy with the weight of his words. The idea that students could rise from nothing and reach a titled level seemed almost like a legend brought to life.
A student raised his hand nervously. "Head Teacher, when can we form a team?"
"Right now, you can't," Guan Fang replied calmly, shaking his head. "Students usually form teams when they reach Rank 40 and become Holy Shifters."
Startled whispers broke out. Many of the students slumped slightly in disappointment. Rank 40 felt so distant, so unreachable in that moment.
But Guan Fang's next words drew their attention back immediately. "However… there was once a team formed when its members were still Holy Masters."
The room buzzed instantly. Zhen's eyes widened, unable to contain his curiosity. "Are you talking about Darkness Light?"
"Yes," Guan Fang nodded with a small smile. "All six members of Darkness Light were only Rank 35 to 37 when they gained permission from the academy to form a team. From that point, they grew step by step, rose to Titled Level, and earned the name Darkness Light."
Wang Xuan frowned in confusion. "But why were they allowed? They weren't Holy Shifters yet."
Guan Fang smiled knowingly, as though he had expected the question. "Because even as Holy Masters, their battle power reached the level of Holy Shifters."
"Whoahhh…" the students breathed in unison, their admiration overflowing. Some of them clenched their fists, vowing to themselves that one day, they would aim for something as legendary.
"Remember this, children," Guan Fang continued, his voice ringing across the room, "many teams form with great hopes — power, strength, even connections. Yet, many of them do not last long and are disbanded. A true team needs more than just strength."
Lei Wei raised his hand curiously. "Head Teacher, how many members can a team have?"
"Five to seven members," Guan Fang answered promptly. "A five-member team, a six-member team, or a seven-member team. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but the unity within determines the strength."
The bell rang, ending the class. But unlike usual days when laughter and chatter filled the corridors, this time, the students walked out with thoughtful faces. Their minds carried the weight of Guan Fang's words. Even Zhen and his friends found themselves unusually quiet, reflecting on what they had learned.
Later, Gu Naer searched around, looking flustered. She couldn't find Zhen anywhere. She asked Lei Wei and Shi Feng, "Where is Zhen? He was here a while ago."
"He was just here," Wei replied, scanning the area.
"Yeah, but where is he now?" Bing Xueer frowned, hands on her hips.
Naer's face grew tense with worry. "It's no use standing around. Let's find him together."
The group nodded, determination flashing in their eyes. Without hesitation, they spread out to search the academy grounds.
Meanwhile, Zhen sat alone on a wooden chair near the Blacksmith Hall. The steady hammering sounds of apprentices forging weapons echoed in the background, but he barely noticed. His mind churned with thoughts. Teacher said that we — me, Wei, Naer, Feng, Queer, and Xiatao — could become a true team. I feel happiest with them. But… will we really be able to overcome every obstacle together? What if one of us falls behind? What if we face something stronger than we can't handle? Doubts piled upon doubts.
His spiraling thoughts were broken by a calm voice. "Are you having some trouble, little man?"
Zhen snapped his head up. An elderly man stood nearby, his face gentle, his eyes like deep pools of wisdom. His long robes trailed slightly across the stone pathway, and his presence carried an odd weight. Zhen rose quickly, bowing. "I'm sorry, Elder. Is this your chair? Please, sit."
The elder chuckled softly, his laughter like a calm breeze. "No need. I was only passing by when I noticed a boy lost in thought. If you'd like, share what troubles you, and perhaps I can help."
Something about his warmth and steady gaze eased Zhen's heart. Slowly, haltingly, Zhen explained everything — the lesson, the legendary Darkness Light, his worries about forming a team, and the fear of whether he and his friends could truly last together.
The elder listened silently, his eyes never wavering. After a long pause, he asked gently, "What is your name, little one?"
"Lan Zhen," he replied.
"And the names of your friends?"
Zhen straightened, speaking with sudden firmness. "Gu Naer, Lei Wei, Bing Queer, Shi Feng, and Yu Xiatao."
The elder's lips curled into a smile. "And how did you feel as you spoke their names?"
Zhen blinked, caught off guard. "I… felt happy. Relaxed. Like my worries lightened just by saying them."
"Why do you think that is?" the elder pressed.
Zhen answered without hesitation. "Because they're my precious friends. That will never change."
The elder's smile deepened, and a strange glint passed through his eyes. His voice carried quiet strength, steady and unwavering. "Then listen well. A true team is born from trust — forged through loyalty, hardship, laughter, and the willingness to bleed together when the world turns dark. True comrades become more than allies; they become your chosen family. Those bonds… they don't break with time. They deepen. They carry you through storms, and they make your victories shine brighter."
Zhen's heart trembled. His mind filled with memories: eating together after training, laughing at small mistakes, supporting each other in difficult moments, cheering when one of them succeeded. Warmth welled inside him, and tears pricked his eyes. "Thank you, Elder… you've cleared my mind."
"ZHEN!!"
The sudden shout echoed across the courtyard. Zhen turned quickly. His friends came running — Naer in front, with Wei, Feng, Xueer, and Xiatao close behind, all of them breathless and worried.
Naer rushed up and threw her arms around him, hugging tightly. Tears streaked her cheeks. "Don't you dare disappear like that again! I was so worried!"
Feng shook his head and muttered, "Seriously, you dummy."
Wei exhaled in relief, his shoulders finally relaxing. Xiatao and Xueer both looked as though a great weight had lifted from their hearts.
Zhen smiled, his eyes still wet with unshed tears. "I'm sorry. I won't make you worry again. I was just… thinking. But now, I know what I want."
Naer sniffled, her voice soft but curious. "What is it, Zhen?"
Zhen slowly extended his hand, his expression firm. "When we reach Rank 25, the six of us… we'll form a team. Our team."
His friends froze in surprise. But one by one, their expressions softened into smiles. They extended their hands over his, stacking them together.
Together, their voices rang out strong and united: "When we reach Rank 25, we'll form a team!"
The weight of their promise bound their hearts tighter than ever. Joy surged through them, a warmth none could describe.
Zhen turned back instinctively, wanting to thank the elderly man… but the chair was empty. He was gone. No trace remained.
Confusion flickered in Zhen's eyes. Where did he go? A part of him wondered if the elder had even been real. Yet his heart brimmed with gratitude. Whoever he was, Zhen silently thanked him for showing him the true meaning of a team — and perhaps, guiding him onto the path of something greater.