Chapter Summaries

Wuling and Aimisi left for Star Torch Academy, where they began registration after Yangyang came to see them off. Aimisi clung to Wuling and concealed her romantic feelings for him as they entered their new life together.

• Aimisi made breakfast for Wuling and privately wished their relationship could be more than siblings.
• Wuling and Aimisi left home for Star Torch Academy, and Yangyang met them outside to say goodbye.
• Yangyang asked Aimisi to look after Wuling, while Aimisi asserted that she knew him best and stayed close to him.
• Wuling and Aimisi arrived at Star Torch Academy and joined the freshman registration line.
• Aimisi secretly worried that other people and new experiences might draw Wuling away, while Wuling saw her only as his little sister.

Wuling and Aimisi moved into their separate dormitories at Star Torch Academy, where Aimisi’s romantic feelings for her brother remained unspoken. After she left, Wuling met his first roommate and recognized him as Rover, who recognized Wuling as Lao Ka.

• Wuling and Aimisi received their campus cards and dorm keys, learning that their rooms were far apart.
• Aimisi worried that Wuling might grow closer to someone else, but he reassured her that no one could replace her as his little sister.
• Aimisi inspected Wuling’s dorm room, made his bed, and asked him to have breakfast with her the next morning; Wuling agreed.
• Aimisi hugged Wuling goodbye and returned to the women’s dormitory, leaving him alone with lingering thoughts about her attachment to him.
• Wuling’s first roommate arrived, and he and Rover recognized each other as Lao Ka and Rover.

Wuling reunited with Kakarot in their Star Torch Academy dorm, then discovered that Lingyang had been assigned to their room as well. The chapter ended with Wuling and Kakarot teasing Lingyang by tickling him, while Wuling suggested continuing their mock physical examination.

• Wuling and Kakarot recognized each other in dorm room 307 and joked about their past encounters.
• Kakarot noticed a floral scent and teased Wuling for wearing edelweiss perfume, but Wuling denied his suspicions.
• Lingyang arrived at room 307, and all three recognized one another by their online handles.
• Wuling pounced on Lingyang, and Kakarot held his hands while Wuling tickled him.
• After Lingyang recovered, he accused the two of teaming up to bully him, and Wuling asked if he wanted to continue the examination.

Wuling, Kakaro, and Ling Yang got lost on the way to the cafeteria and met Xigelika, a Royi student who guided them there. When Kakaro brought up her position among the Secret Sun Six Seats, Wuling noticed her insecurity and reassured her, and the group reached the cafeteria together.

• Wuling, Kakaro, and Ling Yang realized they had followed the signs into the woods instead of reaching the cafeteria.
• Xigelika met the lost freshmen, introduced herself, and offered to guide them to the cafeteria.
• Kakaro bragged about the roommates' friendship, while Ling Yang revealed that Wuling and Kakaro had pranked him that morning.
• Wuling asked whether Xigelika was Royi, and she explained that her early, distinctive mark reflected her talent and standing.
• Kakaro mentioned that Xigelika could be a candidate for the Secret Sun Six Seats, and she admitted she barely felt worthy of her position.
• Wuling reassured Xigelika and changed the subject, then she led the three roommates out of the woods to the cafeteria.

Wuling, Lingyang, and Kakarot treated Xigelika to lunch after she guided them out of the back mountain, then exchanged WeChat contacts and discovered that Wuling and Xigelika studied in the same department. After Xigelika left, Kakarot teased Wuling about her, and the three boys planned to study the campus map before their afternoon class meeting.

• Wuling, Lingyang, and Kakarot insisted on treating Xigelika to lunch to thank her for guiding them out of the back mountain.
• The four students added each other on WeChat, and Wuling secretly saved Xigelika under the contact name Dekopon.
• Xigelika and Wuling discovered they were both in the Labelle Department and agreed to help each other with their studies.
• Xigelika left to attend to her afternoon plans, and Kakarot teased Wuling about his new connection with her.
• Wuling dismissed Kakarot's teasing and suggested that the three boys return to the dorm to study the college map before their class meeting.

Wuling attended his first Labelle Department class at Star Torch Academy, where his new counselor, Changli, explained the university rules and upcoming military training. As the freshmen began introducing themselves, the shy girl seated beside Wuling was called on next.

• Wuling arrived at classroom 201 and took his preferred seat by the back-row window.
• A shy girl asked to sit beside Wuling, and he told her the seat was empty.
• Changli introduced herself as the Labelle Department counselor and reviewed campus rules, study requirements, and two weeks of military training starting the following week.
• Changli began a round of student introductions, and the girl beside Wuling was next to speak.

Cartethyia struggled through her self-introduction, but Wuling quietly offered her tissues and helped ease her embarrassment. After Wuling delivered an unusually long introduction, Cartethyia laughed, and his gentle response reassured her before class ended.

• Cartethyia nervously introduced herself to the class while Changli encouraged her to take her time.
• Wuling noticed Cartethyia holding back tears and offered her tissues, which she accepted with a quiet thank-you.
• Wuling gave a lengthy introduction about his preference for a quiet life, and Cartethyia involuntarily laughed.
• Cartethyia apologized in a panic, but Wuling told her it was fine and admitted his introduction had been strange.
• Changli ended class, and the students began gathering their things and leaving.

Wuling walked Cartethyia from the classroom to the east district girls' dormitory, reassuring her and giving her an extra pack of sunscreen for the coming military training. He suspected she came from a poor family but kept the guess to himself as they parted on warm terms.

• Wuling waited for the corridor to empty, then left the classroom with Cartethyia and slowed his pace so she could keep up.
• Cartethyia thanked Wuling for lending her a tissue and not blaming her for laughing at him, and he accepted her thanks casually.
• Wuling and Cartethyia walked together toward the east district dorms, and he shielded her from the passing crowd.
• At the fork by the girls' dormitory, Wuling gave Cartethyia an extra pack of sunscreen for military training, which she accepted gratefully.
• After Cartethyia entered the dormitory, Wuling guessed she was from a poor family and decided not to tell anyone.

Wuling found a part-time job at Bozai Coffee and agreed to start the next day after discussing the flexible shifts, pay, and training with Auntie Bo. He learned he would work alongside Kusaba Chisaki, then left with a free drink and accidentally took the dorm’s air conditioner remote.

• Wuling searched for nearby part-time work and called Bozai Coffee to arrange an interview.
• Wuling met Auntie Bo, who explained the server duties, flexible schedule, overtime pay, insurance, and training.
• Auntie Bo told Wuling that Kusaba Chisaki, another Star Torch Academy first-year, had also accepted a server job and would start tomorrow.
• Wuling accepted the job, toured the shop, and agreed to return the next day.
• Wuling discovered on his way back that he had taken the dorm’s air conditioner remote, leaving Kakaro and Lingyang without it.

Wuling returned to the dorm after accidentally taking the AC remote, then told Calcharo and Lingyang that his new part-time job would keep him away in the afternoons. Their gaming session ended in repeated failures, leaving Calcharo to pay for dinner.

• Wuling found dozens of missed calls from Calcharo and Lingyang and hurried back to the dorm, where he found them using portable fans.
• Wuling apologized for taking the AC remote, turned on the air conditioner, and explained that he would leave for work after classes and likely miss afternoons in the dorm.
• Wuling asked whether Calcharo or Lingyang knew Kusaba Chisaki, but neither recognized her name.
• Wuling, Calcharo, and Lingyang played a hunt against Arkveld, but Calcharo's missed attacks contributed to their quest failures.
• Calcharo promised to pay for dinner if they failed again, and Wuling and Lingyang later thanked him over the meal he bought.

Wuling had breakfast with Aimisi before rushing to his first class, where he met Cantarella, the lecturer for his basic courses. The chapter left him intrigued by her teaching and looking forward to her psychopharmacology elective.

• Wuling met Aimisi for breakfast, and she told him that Chisaki’s full name was Kusaba Chisaki and that Chisaki was his part-time coworker.
• Aimisi described Chisaki as shy and reserved, and Wuling promised to look after her at work.
• Wuling arrived at class shortly before it began and sat beside Cartethyia, who offered him a tissue.
• Cantarella introduced herself as the teacher for Wuling’s basic courses and taught the freshmen English using examples from pharmacological texts.
• Cantarella invited students to enroll in her Thursday psychopharmacology elective, and Wuling found himself looking forward to it.

Wuling explored the cafeteria’s unusual trial dishes, then found Cartethyia eating alone and sat with her. After he noticed how little food she had, he told her to wait while he went to get something.

• Wuling saw the cafeteria’s cheap, strange “Innovative Cuisine” and spoke with Danya, a pink-haired senior who explained the dishes were fresh experimental meals.
• Wuling declined to try the innovative dishes and chose a regular meal.
• Xigelika questioned Danya about eating the unusual food, and Danya said it was the best choice for her family’s circumstances.
• Wuling found Cartethyia eating plain rice and greens alone, asked to sit beside her, and noticed her small meal.
• Cartethyia said she did not have a big appetite, and Wuling told her to wait while he went to get something.

Wuling shared red-braised pork with Cartethyia, whose gratitude deepened as they ate together and exchanged WeChat contacts. Calcharo and Lingyang mistakenly believed Wuling had found a girlfriend, and they confronted him about his lunch when he returned to the dorm.

• Wuling invited Cartethyia to share his red-braised pork, and she accepted, moved by his considerate gesture.
• Calcharo and Lingyang arrived late, saw Wuling and Cartethyia sharing food, and watched them resentfully from another table.
• Wuling and Cartethyia finished lunch, added each other on WeChat, and parted at a crossroads.
• Wuling returned to his dorm unable to recall what he had forgotten, where Calcharo and Lingyang confronted him about his feast.

Wuling explained to Calcharo and Lingyang that he had shared lunch with Cartethyia because she was struggling financially, then attended his afternoon classes. After class, he went to Bozai Cafe to help Cartethyia with her new part-time job and met a quiet girl there.

• Wuling told Calcharo and Lingyang about Cartethyia's situation and asked them to keep it secret.
• Wuling and his friends discussed their instructors and morning classes before heading to afternoon lessons.
• Wuling attended programming and introduction to computer science, where Yuanwu and another teacher taught the classes.
• After class, Cartethyia left to familiarize herself with her part-time job, and Wuling went to Bozai Cafe.
• At Bozai Cafe, Wuling saw a black-haired girl reading the employee guidelines, and they met each other's gaze.

Wuling and Kusaba Chisaki began their first shift together at the café, learning the workflow and gradually becoming comfortable as partners. After Chisaki successfully served a table for the first time, Wuling praised her, and she responded with shy warmth.

• Wuling met Kusaba Chisaki, and she asked him to call her Chisaki.
• Auntie Bo explained the café's equipment, drinks, and service routines to the new workers.
• Wuling and Chisaki familiarized themselves with the café and straightened the tables and chairs.
• When academy students arrived, Wuling carried the first tray of desserts and drinks to their table.
• Chisaki volunteered to serve the next table and carefully delivered the order.
• Wuling praised Chisaki's steady work, and she accepted his praise shyly.

Wuling and Chisaki finished their café shift, and Chisaki felt increasingly at ease with him. On their way back to campus, they found a disabled mother cat and her three hungry kittens, and Wuling left to fetch help while Chisaki stayed with them.

• Wuling and Chisaki worked smoothly through the café’s busy hours, then finished cleaning and received their pay from Auntie Bo.
• Wuling and Chisaki left the café together and heard a cat and kittens crying in a nearby alley.
• They found a frail mother cat with a missing hind leg, one blind eye, and three shivering kittens huddled in a cardboard box.
• Chisaki worried that the cats were hungry and cold, and Wuling said he would return soon after going to get something for them.
• Chisaki stayed nearby as the mother cat gradually relaxed, and she thought of how her parents had protected her when she was bullied as a child.

Wuling and Chisaki made a warm shelter and fed a mother cat and her three kittens, then walked back to the academy together. They exchanged WeChat contacts, and Chisaki blushed when Wuling saw her nickname, “Wicked Eye of the Evil King,” before they said goodbye for the night.

• Wuling lined a cardboard box with a bath towel while Chisaki lifted the mother cat and her three kittens out and then settled them back inside.
• Wuling fed the mother cat shredded boiled chicken and explained that the towel-lined box would keep the family warm through the night.
• Wuling and Chisaki walked toward the academy, and Chisaki thanked him and offered to pay him back for the supplies.
• Chisaki and Wuling added each other on WeChat, and Wuling read her nickname aloud, making her blush and stammer an explanation.
• Chisaki sent Wuling eighteen yuan and fifty cents, and they parted after agreeing to see each other tomorrow.

Wuling returned to the dorm just before curfew and learned that a wealthy heiress had transferred into his department, though he showed little interest. After chatting with Aimisi about rescuing a mother cat and her kittens, he went to bed thinking about how they had someone to protect them, unlike him.

• Wuling arrived at the dorm, reassured Calcharo and Lingyang that he had not been delayed by anything serious, and heard about the Motali Family heiress transferring to Star Torch Academy.
• Wuling read the campus forum post about the heiress but said her arrival had nothing to do with him.
• Wuling told Aimisi that he and Chisaki had rescued a mother cat and three kittens, and Aimisi thanked them.
• Wuling joked with Aimisi about the heiress's appearance, then said good night and went to bed after showering.
• Wuling thought enviously of the kittens as the mother cat held them safely in their shelter in the alley.

Wuling dreamed again of walking across the blue shallows, following piano music toward a distant island where an indistinct figure waited. He woke before reaching it, convinced the dream was not ordinary and that he would eventually discover its truth.

• Wuling continued his long journey across the shallows as the black water beneath him gradually turned clear blue and the piano music grew stronger.
• Wuling spotted a floating island at the far end of the shallows and hurried toward it.
• Wuling glimpsed a slender figure standing on the island before the dream ended and he woke in his dormitory.
• Wuling wondered what the shallows, piano music, and waiting figure meant, then decided to get up and eat.

Wuling discovered that an AI Assistance System had bound itself to him and met Abu, its physical manifestation. After opening his beginner’s gift pack, he gained enhanced physique, sharper perception, crisis prediction, and 100 points, leaving him feeling stronger and more alert.

• Wuling heard system notifications and learned that the AI Assistance System had successfully bound itself to him.
• Abu appeared before Wuling, introduced itself as the system’s physical manifestation, and said Wuling was unusually special.
• The system unlocked its interface and offered Wuling a beginner’s gift pack, which he opened.
• Wuling received Basic Physique Enhancement, Perception Amplification, Daily Crisis Prediction, and 100 initial points.
• Wuling felt his body grow stronger and his senses sharpen, noticing details he had previously overlooked.