The sky over Bo City High was especially clear that morning, the winter wind sharp enough to sting the cheeks of the first-years huddling near the field. Today marked the beginning of the annual exam cycle. A month earlier, many of these students had been terrified; now everyone walked with forced confidence, hoping no one would notice how nervous they were.
Xu Mang entered the courtyard casually, hands tucked in his pockets. The Frost Star Wolf peeked from under his jacket hood, eyes narrowing at the noisy crowd.
"Behave," Xu Mang whispered.
The wolf sank back in, leaving only a faint trail of icy mist.
The teachers herded everyone into formation. It was the first test of the day: star control demonstration. The Principal and several department heads stood on a raised platform with clipboards.
Mo Fan jogged over, panting. "Bro, I'm either going to pass dramatically or explode dramatically. No in-between."
"You'll pass," Xu Mang said.
"How do you know?"
"Because I invested a billion yuan into you."
Mo Fan clutched his chest. "When you put it that way, now I HAVE to pass!"
Xu Mang shook his head and walked to stand near Lu Jun, who offered him a small nod. His white tiger pendant glimmered faintly, responding to the exam's high tension.
"They seem excited," Lu Jun said quietly.
"They're terrified," Xu Mang corrected.
Lu Jun smiled. "I suppose that's normal."
The testing began. One by one, students stepped forward to activate their stars. Some shone brightly, some flickered, some collapsed halfway through. Every failure earned groans or snickers from the crowd.
Then Zhang Xiaohou's name was called.
Houzi stepped up, visibly shaking. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Xu Mang watched carefully—the boy's footwork, his stance, the placement of his fingers. Even now, the training Xu Mang gave him was visible: steadier breathing, sharper focus.
Zhang Xiaohou raised his hand.
The first wind star lit.
The second spun swiftly.
The third hummed in perfect rhythm.
The fourth fell into alignment.
Students gasped.
"That's four stars!"
"When did he get so good?"
"Wasn't he behind two months ago?"
Zhang Xiaohou held the fourth star for three full seconds before it dispersed.
He bowed quickly to the judges, face flushed, and hurried off the platform.
Mo Fan grabbed him immediately. "Houzi! That was insane!"
"It was nothing," Zhang Xiaohou stammered. "I just… trained…"
Behind them, Mu Bai's eyes narrowed into thin slits. That look of calm superiority cracked for a moment.
Xu Mang crossed his arms. "Pressure achieved," he murmured.
Mu Bai was next on stage. As expected, his performance was clean.
Five ice stars, crisp and flawless.
Students applauded, whispers rising excitedly.
"That's the Mu Clan for you!"
"No one can beat that this year!"
"He's a monster—"
Mo Fan leaned close to Xu Mang. "He's so smug right now I can smell it."
"Let him enjoy it," Xu Mang said.
Mo Fan blinked. "Why?"
"Because it won't last."
Finally, Mo Fan's name was called.
A hush fell over the students. Some had been waiting to laugh. Others were curious. A few were genuinely supportive.
Mo Fan stepped forward, rolled his shoulders, and pointed his right hand at the sky.
Xu Mang sent a subtle pulse of stabilizing mana into the air.
The first lightning star lit like a sparkler.
The second snapped into place.
The third glowed intensely.
The fourth star wavered—
Mo Fan's eyes widened.
"Come on… come on…"
The star clicked.
The crowd erupted.
"He did four!"
"Since when?!"
"No way—"
Mo Fan stood frozen for a moment, staring at his own hand like he wasn't sure it belonged to him.
Then he grinned with every tooth in his mouth.
"YES! I AM A GENIUS!"
The teachers scribbled quickly on their sheets. Even the Principal raised his brows.
Xu Mang turned away, satisfied.
Lu Jun leaned slightly closer. "That was you helping him, wasn't it."
"Partially," Xu Mang replied.
Lu Jun's eyes softened. "You care about them more than you admit."
"I care about the future," Xu Mang corrected. "They are part of it."
The testing continued through the morning, but Xu Mang barely listened. His attention drifted toward the barrier walls far beyond the school, where faint disturbances rippled through the mana field. Something was testing the city defenses. Not yet attacking… but approaching.
Lu Jun followed his gaze. "The pressure… feels heavier lately."
"It will only increase."
"We'll be ready," Lu Jun said.
Xu Mang didn't respond.
Being ready was not enough.
They needed to be overwhelming.
He looked at Mo Fan celebrating with Zhang Xiaohou. At Mu Bai pretending not to stare. At the teachers acting proud. At the students cheering their first real achievements.
None of them had any idea what was coming.
Xu Mang exhaled and tightened his clasp on the Frost Star Wolf.
Time was running out.
He would prepare them all.
He would make them strong.
He would change every outcome.
Even if it meant rewriting destiny piece by piece.