Just as everyone was growing a little melancholy, a cold wind suddenly swept through the courtyard.
The sudden gust howled past, rapidly freezing half the courtyard. The streamers fluttering in the wind froze in place before the weight of the Ice crystals could pull them down, hanging from their bamboo poles like dried fish.
Yet although a thick layer of Ice crystals covered the courtyard, the Elite Camp members inside it were completely unharmed, proof of the powerful control the person behind the freezing possessed. Aside from the chill in the air, it had no effect on them.
Arudo looked down at the dirty water in his basin, now frozen into a solid lump. He blinked, then cried out in delight, "Loa!"
"Hahahaha! Didn't expect that, did you? I'm back!"
With that familiar laugh, Loa leaped down from the roof and landed in the middle of the courtyard.
Facing the familiar faces around him, Loa grinned and tapped his forehead with his right hand. "Hey, everyone. How've you been?"
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
Arudo lumbered over like a Kuma, spread his furry arms, and lunged at him. "Loa! I missed you so much!"
Then—bang!
Grimy Arudo went flying. He spun through the air and plunged into the frozen artificial lake.
With Arudo dealt with, Loa nodded to his companions again. "Getting ready for tonight's party? I'll help."
Clap, clap!
"That would be wonderful!" Mingde applauded with a deadpan expression, then tapped a streamer frozen stiff as a dried fish. "But could you thaw this first? I'm in charge of hanging the streamers."
Loa: "..."
Pfft!
Minnie covered her mouth and giggled. Her laughter grew louder, spreading to the others until the whole courtyard rang with it.
On the second floor of the Training Room beside the courtyard, Zephyr sat by