Chapter 51: Farewell, Sujin
The village of Sujin buzzed with excitement, tinged with the heaviness of goodbyes. After days of celebration, festival laughter, and glowing lights, the time had come. The newly awakened youth of Sujin, including Yue and her gang, were preparing to leave for the famed Awakener Academy in the city. It was a moment many had waited for their whole lives—and a moment some feared would change everything.
Yue stood outside her house, her luggage tied neatly by her side. Her sky-blue hair fluttered in the breeze, and her gem-blue eyes sparkled with a mix of thrill and uncertainty. Her father, ever the dramatic beauty with long blue lashes, hugged her like she was still a child.
"Be careful, my little lotus," he whispered tearfully. "Don't let any city girls steal your thunder."
"They won't, Dad. I have lightning on my side now," Yue grinned, squeezing him back.
Her mother stepped forward, wrapping both of them in her strong arms. "Remember what you stand for. You're a Sujin girl. Be bold, be brave, and if someone bullies you—break their table."
Yue laughed. "Yes, Mama. I'll try to break the table only when necessary."
Meanwhile, the village square was filled with families embracing their children. Shu Fen's mother sobbed dramatically into five tissues while her father stood awkwardly in the background, quietly proud. Jia's parents tried to hide their worry with tight smiles. Even the usually silent elder, now named Elder Anzu, handed out dried herbs and whispered blessings.
The girls gathered with their travel packs, grinning and teasing each other.
"Yue, don't forget to write to us if you get famous, okay?" Tao Lin said, bumping her shoulder.
"We'll send you spicy city boys as gifts," Mei Qui winked.
"Spicy? Ew," Shu Fen stuck out her tongue. "City boys smell like car oil."
They burst into laughter, the kind that wrapped them like a warm scarf, making it hard to say goodbye.
Nearby, the boys were doing their own share of emotional goodbyes. Little Li Wei clung to Yue's leg.
"Nooo! You can't leave! Who will help me sneak mangoes from the temple garden?!"
Yue bent down and kissed his forehead. "I'll train my clone to do it in my place. You just keep flying around and pretending you're invisible."
Zhao Xun was more composed, standing with her arms crossed. "Don't get too cocky in the academy. You still lose to me in speed."
"Pfft, for now," Yue teased, flicking her forehead.
As the sun rose higher, the large wagons arrived—three in total, pulled by strong electric oxen. Each wagon was enchanted to fly part of the journey, a gift from the kingdom to villages with awakened children.
Just as they were about to board, familiar voices echoed from behind.
"Hey! Wait for us!"
Kael and a few other kids from the city who had come for the festival ran up the hill. Kael grinned. "You didn't think we'd let you have all the fun without us, right?"
Yue smirked. "You better keep up this time, Kael."
"Ha! I'm older now. I've got teleportation and charm—watch out, ladies."
"He teleports to the bakery every morning," his cousin snorted.
As the wagons lifted off the ground, the entire village waved. Banners fluttered, old men wiped tears, and women shouted blessings and last-minute instructions. The children leaned out of the wagons, shouting back promises and laughter.
Halfway through the journey, it became clear they were not prepared for how chaotic traveling with the Sujin gang could be.
Shu Fen accidentally activated her wind burst and launched all the snacks out the window. Tao Lin practiced her invisibility only to forget she was still sitting on someone's lap. Mei Qui created small illusion pranks, making it look like they were being followed by ghost goats.
Yue sat back and laughed as the others argued, teased, and giggled like children on a field trip.
They passed through valleys, gliding over forests and rivers, finally reaching the edge of the city. There it stood: The Awakener Academy.
It was a massive circular structure with towers of silver, golden domes, and a massive floating platform with elemental sigils spinning around it. Protective barriers shimmered like northern lights in the daylight. The entrance gate had words written in glowing crystal:
"For the Awakened, By the Awakened—To Awaken the World."
Everyone went silent, awed.
Even Chika whispered, "This place is huge... and it smells like magic."
Just then, a strange rumble echoed. A blue light shimmered from the top tower, and Yue's system pinged faintly in her mind.
Ding. Quest: Pass the Academy Entry Exam.
She smiled.
"Here we go."