Si Yue stood on the edge of the upper walkway, arms folded beneath the sleeves of her robe, watching the courtyard below.
Her gaze was sharp, her posture composed—but her thoughts were anything but still.
She had seen the entire exchange.
Mel Long stepping onto the dueling platform.
Wei Ping lunging like a fool.
And then—just one step. One pivot. One sweep.
Over.
The crowd below murmured with rising uncertainty, voices blending into a haze of surprise and speculation.
But Si Yue didn't look at them.
Her eyes stayed on Mel.
What Had Changed?
Mel Long had always been loud. Lazy. A distraction.
He had thrown coins to curry favor. Interrupted classes with juvenile jokes. Picked fights for attention, not pride.
He had made her training harder. Not because he was stronger—but because he was in the way.
And now… he was quiet. Precise.
Dangerous.
Not because of raw strength, but because of control.
She hated how hard it was to look away.
The Moment She Knew Something Was Off
The day he collapsed from that ridiculous duel—laughing, arrogant, full of bluster—she'd walked away without a second glance.
He had embarrassed himself. Again. That was the story.
But then he disappeared.
And now he was back, walking beside Gu Jin of all people like they had been friends for years.
Gu Jin didn't follow anyone.
He didn't trust easily, didn't tolerate weakness.
And now Mel Long shared his firewood and his meals. That wasn't coincidence.
Later that day, she passed by the eastern garden on her way to the meditation halls.
There, beneath the shade of the spirit blossom trees, Mel was kneeling beside a younger student—a boy who looked barely twelve, struggling to control his breath during foundational Qi circulation.
Mel spoke softly, hands moving slowly in explanation. No arrogance. No smirks.
Just calm, clear instruction.
The younger boy beamed when he finally succeeded.
Mel just nodded and stood, dusting off his robe before walking away without another word.
He didn't wait for praise. He didn't brag.
Si Yue watched from behind the carved wooden lattice.
She felt her hand curl slightly at her side.
Who are you really, Mel Long?
A Thought She Didn't Want to Have
Maybe…
Just maybe…
She'd been wrong.
Not entirely—his past was undeniable. But the boy she had seen today?
He wasn't the same.
And worse… he didn't care whether she believed that or not.
That unsettled her more than anything.
From the far end of the third-floor balcony of the southern tower, a figure leaned against the pillar, half-hidden by shade and curtain.
His robes bore the embroidery of a minor council branch—not flashy, but detailed enough to mark prestige. His sleeves were long, pristine, unmoving despite the breeze.
His name was Lu Yifan.
And his eyes were cold. Calculating. Sharp.
Below, the training yard had returned to its usual tempo, but the whispers lingered.
Mel Long. Back. Stronger. Composed.
That wasn't supposed to happen.
Lu Yifan had heard the rumors of Mel's fall, of his humiliation, of his foolish challenge.
He had assumed, like most, that the young master of the Long family had begun his descent.
He should have faded. Should have stayed broken.
Instead…
Instead, he was rising. Slowly. Quietly.
And that was dangerous.
Gu Jin's presence only made things worse. An untethered brawler like him now standing beside a noble son?
It reeked of intention.
Lu Yifan's fingers drummed once against the marble balustrade.
He turned without a word, vanishing down the darkened corridor.
But his mind was already working.
Mel Long would need to be reminded of his place.
And if not… then someone would have to create a new one for him.
The rooftop of the east dormitory was quiet, blanketed in moonlight.
Mel sat with one leg drawn up, zither resting beside him, untouched for now.
Beside him, Gu Jin reclined on the tiles, hands tucked behind his head. The stars blinked lazily above.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Gu Jin exhaled. "You really shut Wei Ping up good."
Mel smirked faintly. "Didn't even need to raise my voice."
Gu Jin grunted. "You were toying with him."
Mel shrugged. "I was efficient."
Gu Jin turned his head, eyeing Mel's profile in the moonlight.
"You know you've got people watching you now."
Mel didn't reply.
"Some think you're just trying to save face. Others think you're planning something."
Mel leaned back, arms resting on his knees.
"I'm not planning anything."
A pause.
"I'm just not wasting my second chance."
Gu Jin looked at him for a long time, then turned back to the stars.
"You're not the same person I used to ignore."
A faint smirk.
"Still a pain in the ass, though."
Mel laughed—quiet and short. "You're not exactly easy, either."
A breeze rolled across the rooftop, carrying with it the scent of pine and distant incense.
Mel reached for the zither but didn't play—just rested his fingers on its strings.
"They'll try to push back soon."
Gu Jin nodded. "Let them."
Two shadows. Two brothers. Looking at a world they were no longer afraid of.