Southland University, Green‑Shade Athletic Field.
A torrential autumn rain, carrying a chill. After a long while, the downpour finally ceased, and the freshman military drill review came to an end.
The sky was a hazy gray, the air damp yet refreshing. The reputation of the Peerless Prodigy truly lives up to its name.
Rainwater lingered on the earth, and occasionally swallows and sparrows skimmed low across the ground.
Even on the rubberized faux‑grass of the Green‑Shade Athletic Field, beads of water still clung and slowly fell... As shoes trampled across the track, students and teachers around the field gradually left in small groups.
Silence.
Almost everyone was silent.
Even though that streak of deep blue had long departed, even though the first place in the military drill review had already been announced, even though President Victor Zhang’s closing remarks rang out strong and clear... none of it mattered.
It could not be stopped. Monica Zhang, pale and exhausted, stood quietly among the formation.
Nothing could ever overshadow the tranquil brilliance of that deep blue.
In moments of calm, it soared grandly. In the wind and rain, it shone with courage. In the hush that fell over the field, Peerless Andrew Han remained steadfast and serene.
They breathed heavily in melancholy, exchanging glances, lamenting that they could not be like him, yet thrilled to have witnessed such a scene today.
Their hearts stirred with envy, brimming with admiration, yearning for this moment and this feeling, awed that such things truly exist in the world. The Student Council Vice President watched in silence, unable to muster any words.
"Tell me,"
"How can there be such a free soul in this world?" Vivian Xu whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief.
With a sigh that seemed tinged with disbelief, one by one they left the Green‑Shade Athletic Field. Yet some could not quell their curiosity, their gazes drifting now and then toward the formation standing under the tent at the finish line.
Who, Ethan Tang wondered, could possibly have been so fortunate to walk beside them?
Zoe Li gazed at the formation, her emotions conflicted and deep.
...
Review stand.