Episode5

When they arrived at the training field, Shen Yu felt it immediately.

The ground beneath his feet was different.

It wasn’t ordinary soil—it shimmered faintly, engraved with countless magic circles overlapping one another. The air vibrated softly, responding to every breath, every movement. It felt as if the field itself was alive, made to receive magic.

“So this is a real magic training ground…” Shen Yu murmured.

The teacher stood at the center and demonstrated the spell slowly, flames gathering neatly in his palm before dispersing.

“This is basic fire magic,” the teacher explained. “Control is more important than power. Watch carefully.”

Shen Yu listened intently, memorizing every word, every movement.

“Now,” the teacher said, turning to the class, “you already know who the top students are. Shen Yu and Guo Rui—you two are the best in this class when it comes to magic.”

A wave of murmurs spread instantly.

Shen Yu froze.

So that’s why…

He glanced sideways at Guo Rui.

Guo Rui’s jaw tightened, his gaze darkening.

So that’s the reason he’s always annoyed with me, Shen Yu realized quietly. The old Shen Yu must have always been compared to him.

“Shen Yu,” the teacher called, smiling, “you’ll go first.”

Shen Yu startled. “Ah—no. Teacher, may I go last?”

The teacher blinked, surprised, then nodded. “Very well.”

One by one, students stepped forward.

Some flames sputtered weakly. Others flared too wildly. A few earned praise—but none stood out too much.

Then it was Guo Rui’s turn.

The moment he stepped onto the magic circle, the air shifted.

Guo Rui raised his hand calmly, chanting the spell with precise pronunciation. Fire bloomed instantly—clean, controlled, bright. The flames curled beautifully around his palm before dispersing without leaving a single spark behind.

The class gasped.

“Excellent,” the teacher praised. “Perfect control.”

Shen Yu watched silently.

He’s really good…

Then the teacher turned to him.

“Shen Yu.”

All eyes landed on him.

His heart pounded.

Nervous… but I can do this.

He stepped forward, standing where Guo Rui had stood moments earlier. The ground beneath his feet felt warm, almost encouraging.

He took a deep breath.

Don’t fail.

He chanted the spell exactly as taught.

Fire gathered.

Not violently. Not weakly.

It burned steadily—stronger than most, yet calm. The flames responded to him naturally, as if recognizing him.

Whispers erupted.

“He’s amazing…”

“He’s even better than before…”

“He really lived up to expectations…”

Shen Yu didn’t dare relax until the fire vanished completely.

Then—

Applause.

Loud, sincere clapping filled the field.

Shen Yu stood there, stunned.

I… did it.

Happiness flooded him so suddenly it almost hurt.

But when he looked toward Guo Rui—

No applause.

Guo Rui was staring at him.

Not annoyed.

Not angry.

But sharp. Focused.

As if he was looking straight through him.

He knows something, Shen Yu thought uneasily. Like he can tell… that I’m not the real owner of this body.

A chill crept up his spine.

What if he finds out the truth?

The thought refused to leave him even after class ended.

The carriage was already waiting to take him home.

When Shen Yu returned, the mansion felt warm and lively.

“Brother!”

A girl rushed toward him the moment he stepped inside, hugging him tightly.

“I missed you so much during camp!” she said brightly. “I heard you injured your head—how is it now?”

Shen Yu stiffened slightly.

…A sister?

She looked about two years younger than him, with bright eyes and a lively smile.

“I—it’s fine,” he replied carefully.

She suddenly pulled back, eyes widening. “Dad! Brother forgot me!”

Shen Yu panicked. “No! I didn’t forget you,” he said quickly. “I just… missed you so much that I went silent.”

She studied him for a moment—then smiled again. “Then it’s okay.”

She leaned closer and whispered excitedly, “Did Guo Rui come home with you? I wanted to see him!”

Shen Yu blinked.

She sighed dreamily. “I really like him. You should watch him properly for me, brother.”

Shen Yu forced a small smile.

So she has a crush on him…

But somehow—

That didn’t sit well with him.

And Guo Rui’s gaze from earlier still lingered in his mind, sharp and unreadable.

This new life was already becoming far more complicated than he expected.

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