Just like this, enjoying time with the family and some awkward moments with Zhen and Na'er, one month passed by in a flash. Days of laughter, meals together, quiet training, and small adventures all blended into memories that would last forever. But now it was the last day of the vacation. In the Lei clan — one of the five pillars of the Holy Beast Empire — life was busier than usual. The clan, slightly larger than the Zhao clan, was bustling with disciples, guards, and elders. The Lei clan was proud of carrying the bloodline of the Thunder Dragon King for countless generations, and among them was Lei Wei, the third son of the First Elder. He had already spoken often to his friends Zhen and the others about his family, his clan, and the pressures he lived under.
He was sitting quietly in his room, leaning against the window frame, watching the wide and endless blue sky. A cool breeze swept across his face as he lost himself in thought. Among his two elder brothers, the eldest, Lei Ming, was always kind and considerate, a role model with a good heart. But the second, Lei Dong, carried only hostility toward Wei, fearing the younger brother might surpass him one day and take his place in the clan's hierarchy. Wei's thoughts tangled between these feelings of rivalry and affection. As he gazed higher, he saw the clouds forming shapes that sparked his memories: laughter shared with his friends Zhen, Na'er, Xue'er, Feng, and Xiatao. He imagined them all together, carefree and smiling. A warm smile spread across his own face. "I wonder how they are doing now," he whispered to himself. Then, with determination and anticipation, he added, "Today is the last day of the vacation. Tomorrow, we will meet again in the academy."
The sound of footsteps broke his reverie. An armed man in his late twenties entered, bowed respectfully, and said, "Young master Wei, the First Elder is calling you."
Wei stood, nodded, and followed. Along the corridors, disciples and soldiers bowed to him as a sign of respect. The palace of the First Elder was grand, filled with the thunder motif of their clan's bloodline. Inside, his two elder brothers were already standing before the throne. Lei Ming, at sixteen, was a rank 48 Holy Shifter — tall, calm, and composed. Lei Dong, though younger at thirteen, was already a rank 36 Holy Master, proud and sharp-eyed. Several other disciples stood by, and at the highest seat sat Lei Ting, their father, the First Elder of the Lei clan, a rank 88 Holy Monarch whose presence alone could shake hearts. Despite his power, his face carried kindness and warmth, lined with wisdom from his late forties.
Lei Wei stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Greetings, my elder brothers and father."
Lei Ming gave him a warm smile, but Lei Dong clenched his fists and gritted his teeth secretly. Lei Ting looked upon his three sons with a calm smile, his heart filled with pride. "When all of you returned from the Holy Beast Academy, each of you had made great progress."
The three sons straightened proudly, each pleased to be recognized. Then Lei Ting looked directly at Wei. "Especially you, Wei. You were only rank 10 when you entered the academy. And in one year, you have reached rank 18. That is a remarkable progress."
Wei's eyes lit up with joy. He bowed again and thanked his father. Ming also stepped forward and added warmly, "Well done, Wei. I am truly happy for you."
Wei smiled even more. "Thank you, eldest brother."
But the peace was broken by Lei Dong's sharp voice. "Father, haven't I also made progress? In one year, I raised my bond power rank by six. That is much more difficult than anything this loser has done! He is still only a Spirit Forged Master."
Ming's face darkened. "Stop it, Dong. You are going too far."
But Dong's resentment boiled over. He pointed at Wei and shouted, "Just look at him! I am ashamed to call him my brother. He's a disgrace—"
"Enough, Dong!" Lei Ting's thunderous voice shook the hall.
Dong flinched and lowered his head in fear. Lei Ting's expression hardened as he continued, "Instead of seeking attention with your arrogance, you must reflect on yourself. I am happy for your progress, but your attitude grows worse every day. Greedy, selfish, and too cocky. You forget that strength is not only for yourself but for protecting others. You look down on ordinary people, treat them like beggars. That is not the way of our clan."
Silence filled the room. Dong clenched his teeth but said nothing. Ordered to leave, he bowed stiffly and walked out, some disciples trailing after him.
Lei Ting then turned to Ming and Wei. "Tomorrow, you both return to the academy. Stay healthy and safe."
Both sons nodded firmly. Then Lei Ting looked at Wei. "Wei, you may go. I must speak privately with your elder brother."
Wei bowed once more and left, followed by guards. As the doors closed, Lei Ting asked softly, "Ming, don't you think Wei is unusually happy to return to the academy?"
Ming chuckled, his eyes soft. "I think so too, father. I believe Wei has made friends there who make him feel at home."
Meanwhile, in the bustling market stalls of Star City, Shi Feng and his cousin elder brother were wandering among vendors, each holding a lollipop. The colorful stalls, the chatter of merchants, and the laughter of children filled the air. Feng's cousin turned to him and said, "Feng, after we go home, you must start packing your things."
"Why?" Feng asked absentmindedly, licking his lollipop with delight.
"Because you're going back to the academy tomorrow."
Feng's eyes widened as if the world had crashed down on him. "OOOOOOH NOOOOO! Why didn't you tell me earlier?" he cried dramatically, throwing his hands in the air. He spun on his heel and sprinted back toward the market stalls.
"Where are you going now?" his cousin shouted after him.
"To buy more lollipops!" Feng called, his voice echoing between the stalls.
His cousin sighed but smiled faintly. "For me?"
"No, for my friends at the academy!" Feng's voice came back cheerfully.
The cousin stopped, his shoulders dropping slightly. "Oh…" he murmured, a little hurt, though proud that Feng valued his friends so much.
Elsewhere, in the icy halls of the Bing clan, inside the mansion of the second elder, Bing Xue'er was busy packing her belongings with a bright smile. The room glowed faintly from crystals of ice energy embedded in the walls. Her older sister, Bing Ruoshui, entered quietly, watching her little sister fold clothes with unusual excitement. Ruoshui chuckled. "Xue'er, it's only been one month. Do you really miss them so much?"
Xue'er looked up, her cheeks glowing. "Yes, I do. They are my friends, after all."
Ruoshui tilted her head, slightly startled. She had never seen her younger sister so openly happy about anyone outside their clan. The warmth in Xue'er's voice was genuine, carrying a depth of bond that made her older sister curious.
In a small, modest house on the eastern side of Star City, Yu Xiatao carefully placed her books and robes into a small trunk. Her mother and little sister came into the room. "Xiatao, are you preparing for tomorrow? You'll return to the academy?" her mother asked gently.
Xiatao turned and nodded with a smile. "Yes, mother."
Her little sister blinked in surprise. "Big sis, I've never seen you smile like this before."
"That's because I'm going to see my friends again," Xiatao replied softly, a rare sparkle of happiness in her eyes.
"Are friends really that wonderful?" the younger one asked curiously.
Xiatao patted her head tenderly. "Yes. Friends are wonderful. They give you strength you can't find alone."
Her mother watched silently, her heart relieved. She hadn't seen her daughter so alive in years.
In the Lan household, the warm scent of fresh sweets filled the air. Zhen and Na'er were busy folding their robes and preparing their supplies when Lan Xin entered the room, carrying a tray with neatly arranged sweets. "Zhen," she said lovingly, "I baked these. Take them with you and share them with your friends."
Both Zhen and Na'er looked at the sweets and smiled brightly. Na'er clapped her hands happily. "I'm sure Xue'er, Xiatao, Wei, and Feng will love these!"
Zhen nodded firmly, his eyes filled with determination. "Yeah, they'll love them. We'll give them together."
Lan Xin stood in the doorway, watching the two children prepare. She smiled faintly, her heart full of both pride and a mother's quiet worry for the days to come.
And so, on the final day of the vacation, across the clans and houses of Star City, each of the young friends prepared for their return to the academy. Their hearts, though scattered across the empire, were bound by a shared anticipation and joy. The thought of meeting again after a month filled them with warmth and excitement — a reminder that bonds of friendship were perhaps the strongest power of all.