The three of them arrived at Dormitory 207, and Zhao Mu unlocked the door with a key.
The moment the door opened, the sight inside made Zhao Mu's eyes light up.
It was indeed a four-man room, yet it was spacious: each had a loft bed over a desk, plus a decent-sized balcony outside.
Facing south, the room was flooded with light—far larger than Zhao Mu's bedroom back home.
As expected of Qingfeng Camp, a place that trains elites; the living conditions were top-notch.
Before long, however, Zhao Mu and the others locked eyes with a boy washing socks in a steel basin by the French window.
Dressed in black, the boy looked thin; his messy hair resembled a stray dog's.
Hearing them enter, he turned—pitch-black pupils, a dazed look in his eyes.
Recalling the registry list, Zhao Mu smiled. "You're Lu Yan?"
The boy in black nodded and stood—tall and lanky, about Zhao Mu's height.
"Mm."
He eyed the trio, gave a slight nod, and grunted from his throat.
The three stared back; the guy was stingy with words.
Zhao Mu rubbed his nose. "I'm Zhao Mu; the little fatty here is Meng Qiuer, and the big-eyed kid is Zhuo Yun."
Meng Qiuqiu bounded over, hand outstretched. "Just call me Qiuqiu. Roommate Lu Yan, we'll be brothers for years—glad to meet you!"
His enthusiasm flustered Lu Yan, who waved his hands awkwardly before shaking.
Zhao Mu picked the other window bed and tossed his gear onto it.
Standard bedding made quick work; Lu Yan slid the sock-washing basin under his desk.
Plainly shy, he looked uneasy with so many strangers around.
Luckily, Meng Qiuqiu was a natural ice-breaker.
While Zhuo Yun helped him huff and puff his mountain of stuff into the wardrobe, he beamed, "We're brothers now—let's introduce ourselves!"
With that, he rattled off his own details.
A direct scion of the Jiangnan Meng Family—his father the third son of the current head.
Zhuo Yun kept it short: his grandfather was a Guest Elder of the Meng Family; his father, a Captain in the Demon Sealing Army.
Zhao Mu shrugged. "You two are high-born; I'm just a commoner. My parents died on the battlefield—War Orphan raised by my aunt."
All eyes then turned to Lu Yan.
Lu Yan's neck stiffened, face reddening.
After a long mumble he whispered, "I'm Lu Yan… from Ningwu City."
Zhao Mu thought he'd misheard.
"You're from Ningwu City?"
Ningwu and Lujiang sat at opposite ends of Jiangnan Province—north and south.
Usually students enrolled in the nearest Military Martial Specialization School; crossing the province took pull.
Like Meng Qiuqiu and Zhuo Yun.
Who'd have thought Lu Yan did too.
"But Wulian Camp in Ningwu is itself a top school. Why travel all the way to Qingfeng Camp?"
Meng Qiuqiu asked, puzzled.
Lu Yan twisted his fingers, silent and clearly embarrassed.
Zhao Mu laughed. "No worries—if not for this twist of fate, we'd never have met."
He glanced at Meng Qiuqiu, curious.
Meng Qiuqiu had used money power to room the three of them together—so how had Lu Yan landed here?
Meng Qiuqiu leaned close and whispered, "This Lu Yan is one of this year's A-Rank Talent Holders admitted to Qingfeng Camp."
A gleam flashed in Zhao Mu's eyes.
"A-Rank?"
In all Lujiang City he hadn't heard of a single A-Rank Awakened this year.
Even B-Rank prodigies like Shao Han and Shen Moran were rare enough for special admission.
What gift could merit an A-Rank rating?
Zhao Mu studied Lu Yan again—tall, yet timid as a deer.
He exhaled. "Qiuqiu, you sure know how to pick roommates."
Meng Qiuqiu grinned proudly. "Of course!"
Lu Yan spoke little, but envy flickered in his eyes while the others chatted.
When questioned, he answered in monosyllables or stayed mute.
Zhao Mu didn't mind—everyone's different; no need to force cheerfulness.
With the room set, Meng Qiuqiu opened a duffel and poured out a heap of snacks.
"Come on, brothers! From now on, all your snacks and drinks are on me!"
He boasted; the fancy wrappers were brands Zhao Mu had never seen—clearly premium goods.
"Then I won't be polite!"
Zhao Mu laughed, grabbing a treat.
Seeing Lu Yan's shyness, Meng Qiuqiu stuffed an armful into his hands.
"Don't be shy—good stuff tastes better shared! Heh!"
Lu Yan nodded, picked out a Strawberry Pudding, eyes sparkling.
One spoonful and a blissful smile spread across his face.
The other three exchanged glances and grinned.
"Sweet tooth, huh? Try this Chocolate—it's amazing!"
The quiet Lu Yan soon succumbed to Meng Qiuqiu's sugar-coated offensive.
On check-in day the main task was learning Qingfeng Camp's rules.
electronic wristbands vibrated, pushing every regulation to the cadets.
Zhao Mu glanced—it was a mass message from Instructor Xie Yingxue.
"Tomorrow 07:00, Training Field 3. New cadet orientation—do not be late."
With plenty of time, Zhao Mu still had plans: find the Third-Class Jin Hai Master Bu Yanhuan had mentioned.
It was one of the few connections he could use here.
Just then a knock sounded.
"Hello, anyone in?"
The voice was familiar—Zhao Mu recognized it as Jin Xiangcheng.
He opened the door to find Jin Xiangcheng beaming.
"Maya! Zhao Mu! So happy to see you—we're in the same New Recruit Camp batch. Please look after me, big shot."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)