Recaps

Wuling began his first term at Star Torch Academy, forming new friendships while balancing classes, a café job, and quiet acts of kindness. After an uncanny dream, an AI system bound itself to him and enhanced his abilities, while a strange mark and a capybara appeared as the story continued.

• Wuling and Aimisi arrived at Star Torch Academy, where Wuling reunited with Kakarot and Lingyang and met Xigelika, Cartethyia, and his instructors.
• Wuling started a part-time job at Bozai Cafe, met Kusaba Chisaki, and helped her rescue a disabled mother cat and her three kittens.
• Wuling dreamed of crossing black shallows toward a distant island, then woke to find that the AI Assistance System had bound itself to him and granted him enhancements and points.
• Wuling adjusted to his new strength and heightened perception, attended classes, and spent time with Cartethyia, Xigelika, and Danya.
• Abu told Wuling he no longer needed to be a savior, and a black crack-shaped pattern briefly appeared on the back of Wuling’s hand before vanishing.
• Wuling dreamed of the Rover, forgot the dream’s details, fell asleep in class, and went to Bozai Cafe, where he found a young capybara and picked it up as Chisaki arrived.

Wuling balanced café shifts and time with his friends while encountering new people and uncovering strange mysteries around the shallows. He joined the Star Society and reunited there with Phrolova, leaving them to compete under their dramatic codenames.

• Auntie Bo introduced Wuling and Chisaki to Bozai, and the two helped settle the shy baby capybara before enjoying desserts at the café.
• Wuling, Chisaki, and Aimisi found the mother cat and her three kittens, fed them, and promised to meet again to care for them.
• Wuling discovered a silent grand piano in the shallows and saw fragmented images of two people before a butterfly ornament transformed into a blue-haired woman.
• Wuling met Camellya, encountered Shorekeeper Butterfly through Abu’s system, and was pressured by Nabomo into joining the Star Society.
• Wuling helped Cartethyia reach the infirmary after she sprained her ankles, then joined his friends for lunch and a visit to the arts and crafts market.
• When Chisaki cut her leg during a café rush, Wuling treated her wound, and she asked to call him senior.
• Nabomo welcomed Wuling into the Star Society and invited him to a club activity, where he met Danya and the members awaited another new recruit.
• Phrolova arrived at the activity room, exchanged dramatic introductions and poses with Wuling, and joined him as a new Star Society member.

Wuling grew closer to Nabomo’s club members, Camellya, Cartethyia, and Phrolova while supporting his younger sister and working. The stretch ended with Cartethyia recovering from a training-related faint and Wuling returning to military training.

• Nabomo introduced Wuling and Phrolova to Principal Luosela, who promised a safety inspection of the Star Society and encouraged them to enjoy themselves.
• Christopher recruited Wuling and Phrolova for his novel, and they set limits on the roles he could write for them.
• Wuling met Camellya and Encore at Kuainiang Restaurant, agreed to spend time alone with Camellya another day, and visited their apartment.
• Wuling reassured Cartethyia that they were friends, gave her a unicorn hair clip, and told her about his parents and younger sister Aimisi.
• Changli led the students into military training, where Jiyan introduced himself as their chief instructor and spoke about his path to serving on the battlefield.
• Cartethyia fainted during training from dehydration and low blood sugar, and Wuling helped her recover in the infirmary.
• Wuling became a regular at Phrolova’s fried rice restaurant, and after she feared he was leaving, he ordered pork cutlet curry rice instead.
• Doctor Lu advised Cartethyia to eat regularly and rest, while Wuling returned to training after leaving her in the infirmary’s care.