Chapter 90 – Name of the Frost Brother (~2350 words)
By second month his nickname was known across dorms—not insult, not sneer. Whenever problems erupted, whenever students overheated, whenever fights grew unbearable, shout rose: "Find Frost Brother." He had become quiet support not recognized in banners or boasts but in every exhausted sigh of relief when air cooled.
One evening, returning from drills, Tang San walked beside him. "They call you Frost Brother now. It is not mockery—it is trust." Leng Xue chuckled softly. "Better title than useless fool once." His words mirrored old scars, but eyes glimmered steady. Tang San grasped meaning though not story, and nodded respectfully.
Recognition spread further after rescue in forest mission. An outer supply group of merchants attached to Shrek stumbled into spirit beast ambush. Xue and others on duty responded. Flames failed, weapons stuck, but his frost veil spread massive, shielding group until instructors arrived. Merchants bowed, crying gratitude later. Gossip spilled into city—rumor of frost boy who shielded mercenaries with calm aura.
Shrek elders met that night. Flender smirked knowingly. "The frost who waited outside our gate now warms inside villagers' hearts by cooling air. Perhaps monsters take many forms indeed." Zhao Wuji raised glass, booming, "He is no genius, but he is monster enough by never falling."
Thus, quiet boy too old, too weak for original rules earned seat truly. And Tome glowed brilliantly within: Status Achieved: Accepted Monster. Clan Creed recognized outside bloodline for first time. Heritage anchored.
Leng Xue looked at Shrek gates that night, remembering when they were slammed shut against him. Now he walked freely, villager and student whispering same respect. He bowed head, whispering inward toward unseen Ancestor Tian—himself of first life. "We waited. Root is set. Frost endures among monsters