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Chapter 46 - *Chapter 46: After the Storm*

*Chapter 46: After the Storm*

- **Stunned Silence & Hopeful Shouts:** As Li Wei collapsed, Xiulan clutching him, the entire arena froze. For a moment, no one even breathed. Then, slowly, students and teachers surged forward—the shield gone, the truth undeniable. Whispers turned to applause and then jubilation. The headmistress was first to kneel by Li Wei, her voice trembling with pride. "You were brave even before power chose you." Elders nodded, fading into mist, but leaving the sense that history had turned a page.

- **The Price of Power:** In the infirmary, Li Wei awoke bandaged head to toe. The healing from the elements kept him alive, but scars remained—both on his body and spirit. Each movement felt electrified, like every atom inside him hummed with fire, wind, water, and stone. Xiulan hardly left his side, reading quietly or holding his hand, always watchful for pain or doubt in his eyes. Nightwatch never let him feel alone, even bringing schoolwork so he wouldn't fall behind (Mei Fen threatened to personally haul him to every class, while Jin Ming just grinned and patted his shoulder).

- **Rivals & Schoolmates Change:** The Silver Serpents, once smug, now treated Li Wei—and all of Nightwatch—with wary awe. Lin Yu apologized publicly, his bravado gone, and offered a hesitant handshake, admitting: "You fought fairer than any of us ever did." The other teams of the academy whispered legends about Nightwatch; once just rumors, now living proof that courage and trust could shape fate.

- **Nightwatch Reforged:** In quieter moments, Li Wei confessed to his friends his fear: *What if the power drives me apart from you? What if being Chosen means being alone again?* Mei Fen hugged him fiercely. "Then we'll be alone together, dummy." Jin Ming joked, "Besides, you can't dodge me in sparring forever." Bao Yu and Yan promised to help him learn to control the elemental gifts, making training a daily ritual for all.

- **A New Chapter Begins:** The headmistress announced before the whole school: "Let every student know—the Nightwatch are not rulebreakers or cheats, but this school's champions. Their courage has tested every shadow this world can throw." The school's respect wasn't instant, but day by day, more classmates stopped them in hallways, asking questions or simply saying "thank you." Trust, once broken, slowly mended.

- **Xiulan & Li Wei's Quiet Moment:** On the academy roof, under starlight, Xiulan leaned against Li Wei's shoulder. "Does your heart still hurt?" she asked softly. "Only because it's too full," he replied, finally smiling. He pulled her close; the team watched from below, hopeful, knowing real battles—and real healing—had only just begun.

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