Chapter 75: Winds of Change
The faint clinking of cutlery faded as waiters moved in, quietly clearing plates from the long table. The warm scent of roasted meat and sweet pastries lingered in the air, mingling with the soft background music that now seemed too cheerful for the sudden quiet.
Lei Feng leaned back in his seat, a content smile forming on his lips.
"Anyway… thanks for the meal," he said, his tone calm but appreciative. "I'll soon be taking my leave."
Ling Mei tilted her head with a soft smile. "Where will you be going, brother?"
"I'll head to the Awakener's Association first—to get myself registered with an Adventurer's ID. After that, I'll be heading home."
"That's great!" Ling Mei clapped her hands gently. "But why don't we drop you off at the Association? Then, we can take you to a hotel to lodge."
She paused for just a second, then added with a sparkle in her emerald eyes, "See… I'll be heading to the Ventus Valley soon for my training before the Rising Star Tournament."
She turned and pointed toward him, her expression full of hope.
"I want you to come with me."
"Eh?" Lei Feng blinked, confused by her sudden invitation.
"You're participating in the Rising Star Tournament too, right? You'll finally get the recognition you deserve!" she said with excitement.
Lei Feng's brows furrowed as he raised a hand. "B-But… Senior Eira told me to stay low-key for now. I don't think participating would be a good idea."
"I think you should go for it," Eira's calm voice cut through the tension. It was the first time she'd spoken during the exchange.
Lei Feng turned to her, brows drawn tight. "Wait—didn't you say—"
"I know what I said," Eira replied, her tone even, her eyes still closed. "But you can't stay in the shadows forever."
She opened her eyes slowly, a strange glow within them. "The Rising Star Tournament could be your chance to prove yourself. I'm just one person—I can't protect you forever. But if you join one of the great powers, you'll have protection… guidance… and influence."
Lei Feng clenched his fists, her words sinking deep into his chest. "You're right. I can't keep running from destiny," He mumbled with furrowed brows. "Besides… my side quest requires me to participate in the tournament—and take first place."
"Great!" Ling Mei cheered, clapping her hands. "You'll be participating! So, brother, are you going to join me for training in the Ventus Valley?"
Lei Feng took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "Sorry… but I'll have to decline your offer."
"Why?" Ling Mei's pout formed instantly, her enthusiasm dropping like a stone.
Lei Feng gave her a bitter smile. "I have my reasons…"
Ling Mei's fists clenched slightly. "But—"
"Enough, Mei," Eira interjected, her eyes narrowing. "He has his reasons. Don't be a bother."
"No…" Ling Mei murmured, shaking her head, her expression clouded with sadness. The warmth at the table began to fade, replaced by a hush that felt too heavy for the moment.
Lei Feng could feel it—this change in atmosphere. He inwardly shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Ling Mei. I'm not the brother you once loved… but since I inherited everything about him, I'll shoulder his responsibilities too."
"Ahem…" he cleared his throat, drawing their attention. Ling Mei and Eira looked toward him in unison.
"Come to think of it… I'm not the only one who's changed a lot in a few days."
He glanced across the table, where a flickering translucent interface floated—visible only to him.
---
[Status Window: Target - Ling Mei]
Race: Human
Level: 25 (Magic Adept)
Class: Aeromancer
Bloodline: Stellar Sky-Eagle
Legacy: Aeon Zephyr's Legacy of Aeromancy
---
"Interesting... this is the first time I'm seeing 'Bloodline' and 'Legacy' appear on the status window. She must've undergone a Class Upgrade too..."
"What is it, brother?" Ling Mei asked, puzzled by his stare.
"Well, you didn't tell me you'd become so amazing. You managed to level up so much… and even underwent a class upgrade? Impressive." Lei Feng smiled. "And you didn't even tell your big bro the good news?"
"H-How do you… know?" Ling Mei stammered, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"I could tell from your aura—and the massive increase in your mana," he replied smoothly, lying without a hint of hesitation.
"He's lying to you," Eira said suddenly.
"Huh? How'd you know?" Lei Feng asked, startled.
"Hmph! There's no way a kid like you could lie in front of me and expect it to go unnoticed," Eira huffed, folding her arms.
She's terrifying… Lei Feng inwardly groaned before turning back to Ling Mei. "Alright, I won't tell you how I know. It's a secret. But you've gotta tell me—why'd you keep such big news from me?"
"It wasn't intentional…" Ling Mei sighed. "I actually wanted to surprise you… but it slipped my mind. I've had a lot on my plate lately."
She rubbed her temples, her smile fading. Her bright expression shifted into something wearier, older.
Lei Feng leaned in slightly. His voice softened. "What's wrong, Mei?"
"Her laughter didn't feel genuine… I knew something was off."
Ling Mei lowered her head, her fists tightening against her jacket.
"Should I tell him...? No. It's a family matter. He's no longer part of the Ling Clan. I shouldn't burden him."
But even as the thought crossed her mind, her instincts wavered.
"Still... not telling him feels wrong."
Just then, a breeze swept past her ear. "Go ahead. Tell him."
Eira's voice echoed faintly on the wind—comforting, gentle, yet firm.
Ling Mei sighed deeply.
"It's the Masaru Clan," she said finally, voice barely above a whisper. "They sent a marriage proposal to my family… to have me engaged to Masaru Genji."
The name hit Lei Feng like thunder.
His body surged forward, hand slamming the table hard. A surge of killing intent erupted around him, shocking both girls into silence.
"What the hell are you doing?" Eira snapped.
"I'm sorry," Lei Feng murmured, pulling his hand back. "I… didn't mean to. My body moved on its own."
He looked down, a bitter smile on his lips.
"I may not be Ling Chen… but the hatred he felt for Genji is burned into my bones."
Eira's gaze narrowed sharply. "That killing intent… it was real. Just how much has he endured to possess a presence like that? And his hatred toward Genji… it's far deeper than I thought."
Ling Mei gave a bitter smile. "I know you hate him, brother. I do too. I can't stand the way he looks at me. It makes my skin crawl."
"I'm sorry for interrupting," Lei Feng said after regaining his composure. "Please continue."
"The Masaru clan made an offer my family couldn't refuse. They tried to force me into accepting the proposal," Ling Mei said quietly, bitterness lacing her tone.
"Those bastards…" Lei Feng muttered under his breath. But the anger didn't feel like his own—it came from somewhere deeper.
"Ahem," he coughed awkwardly. "So, what did you do about it?"
Ling Mei looked at him calmly. "I rejected them, of course."
Lei Feng blinked. "But… it can't be that easy, right? Won't they keep pestering you?"
"They will," came a third voice—Eira's again, clear and unwavering.
Lei Feng turned to her. "You know something?"
"They're stubborn, those elders. But let them try. I'll deal with them," Eira said confidently.
Lei Feng smiled. "You know… when I first met you, I thought you were cold, rude. You called my dream a dead dream, my training a waste of time. You told me I'd never surpass Level One."
"I did," Eira said, calm as ever. "Because it was the truth. Push-ups weren't going to get you to the top. And they didn't."
"They were my foundation!" Lei Feng snapped.
"Easy, now…" Ling Mei chuckled nervously, watching their banter.
Eira smirked. "I don't regret my words. I'm not a saint. I'm kind to those I deem worthy—and you didn't earn my attention back then. But I helped you in secret, didn't I?"
Lei Feng nodded slowly. "I get it now. Mei believed in me because she saw potential. That's why she supported me—when no one else did."
"I've always believed in you!" Ling Mei beamed.
Eira's eyes turned serious. "Listen, Lei Feng. The pain you've endured, the hate and hardship—it all shaped you. But don't let it consume you. You have power now. Potential. You have to decide what you intend to do with it. The choice is yours."
"The choice is mine…" Lei Feng repeated softly.
"I never really thought about that…"
And for the first time, in the quiet after the storm, Lei Feng didn't feel like a boy lost in someone else's fate.
He felt like a man standing at the edge of his own destiny.