After team trials, whispers among Shrek teachers grew louder. Flender, always cunning with keen sense for value, muttered during meeting, "The frost boy lacks raw talent. But he changed pace of whole group without drawing attention. That is not ordinary." Zhao Wuji grinned bearishly, remembering how his punches slowed against frost bind. "Stubborn stone. He'll never lead charge, but no enemy bows easily when he holds field."
Even small words reached ears of students. Some mocked still—calling him ghost drifting. But Ning Rongrong, sharp from observing support tactics, quietly admitted near Tang San, "Without him, my boosts would have failed mid trial." Tang San only replied, "Sometimes roots unseen are strongest." Her eyes softened faintly.
One evening, Flender approached Xue directly while he trained alone, circle of frost veiling training stones. The dean asked bluntly, "Why do you train without rest, knowing you'll never catch their flashy strength?"
Xue bowed slightly, answering calm. "Because frost does not chase fire. Frost waits. If my clan roots eternal, then patience stronger than talent. I am not here to shine, Dean. I am here to endure, to learn soil, to widen path home."
Flender studied him long, glasses glinting, then laughed quietly. "You sound like a relic, boy. But maybe monsters need relics too." He walked away, but approval ghosted in his gait.
Leng Xue closed eyes under stars, Tome glowing within, inscribing quietly: Recognition by Authority Secured. Secondary Integration Stabilized.