Weeks later, Flender devised team trial to prepare students. Groups of five were pitted against crafted challenges in nearby forest. Tang San's team gathered with Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, Oscar. A gap remained—they needed one more.
Flender, hawk eyes gleaming, announced without drama: "Your team will try with frost boy."
Mubai frowned, unimpressed. Hongjun laughed crudely. "This one? He can freeze drinks, not enemies." Ning Rongrong hid uncertain smile. Only Tang San remained thoughtful. So Leng Xue joined.
The trial unleashed them against constructs and spirit beasts in forest at dawn. The front surged—Mubai leading roars, Hongjun blasting flame. Tang San weaved grass nets, Oscar shouted recovery sausages. Yet patterns broke quickly: beasts came in waves, coordination faltered.
It was slow frost veil spreading behind that allowed team to re‑form pace. When beast lunged too quickly, frost hindered steps; when flame threatened to consume Oscar's robe, Xue's cold aura dispersed it just enough. He never shouted, never boasted, but his patient circle became silent pivot for entire group.
By nightfall, team stood exhausted yet unhurt. Flender noted silently the unusual result. Without frost boy, they likely would have collapsed in chaos. Mubai grudgingly admitted after trial, "You're not flashy, but you made it possible." Hongjun only snorted, but Tang San gave small approving nod.
Leng Xue said little, eyes only reflecting aurora hidden behind clouds. Inside, words repeated: clan above self, frost above flame. He was more certain than ever this life was not accident; he was here to bind storms together