The sun slowly sank behind the hills, painting the sky in orange, red, and purple. As the last light faded, darkness gently covered the academy. A cool wind blew across the empty arena, carrying the smell of dust and burned magic.
The long, exhausting day had finally come to an end.
One by one, students left the arena. Their faces were filled with emotion—some looked excited, some worried, others simply tired. Their bodies ached, their clothes were torn, and their minds were still stuck in the heat of the battles they had seen.
But not everyone returned to their dorms.
Carol was taken straight to the medical center. Her body had been pushed beyond its limits. Every muscle was torn, her energy completely drained. The Triaina's power had been too much for her human body to handle.
She lay unconscious on a stretcher, her face pale, lips dry, and breath slow. Even the strongest healers looked serious as they worked on her.
But those who saw her fight would never forget her courage.
Despite the pain, despite the backlash, she didn't give up. She stood tall against Rajin, refusing to fall. That bravery touched everyone who watched her. Even if she lost the battle, she had won their respect.
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Far away from the noise and lights, deep inside the quiet forest, Ryuu sat by a still, moonlit lake.
He was alone.
The water was calm, like glass, showing a perfect reflection of the stars above. The moon glowed softly in the sky, lighting up the trees with silver. The forest was peaceful. No shouting, no battles—only the soft sound of leaves rustling in the wind and insects singing in the grass.
Ryuu sat on a large rock near the edge of the lake. He rested his arms on his knees and stared into the water, deep in thought. His heart felt heavy. So much had happened today. So many questions swirled in his mind.
Snap!
Suddenly, a stick broke behind him.
Ryuu turned sharply. His eyes narrowed.
"Who's there?" he asked, ready to move if needed.
A gentle voice replied,
"Ryuu-kun, it's me."
Ryoko stepped out from between the trees, her white hair glowing like moonlight. Her red eyes shone calmly in the dark. Ryuu let out a breath of relief when he saw her.
"Ryoko-san… you scared me,"
He said, standing up a little straighter.
"What are you doing out here so late?"
Ryoko walked over quietly and sat beside him on the rock.
"I could ask you the same thing," she said softly, looking at him with a faint smile.
Ryuu looked up at the sky and gave a tired smile.
"I couldn't sleep,"
he said.
"I was walking around and found this place. It's peaceful. The moonlight on the lake made me stop and sit for a while."
He took a deep breath, his eyes still on the stars.
"It's nice… quiet. Feels like a different world."
Ryoko looked at him gently. "Are you nervous about tomorrow's battle?"
Ryuu looked at her face for a second, then smiled—though this time, it was smaller… more honest.
"Yeah… I am. A lot, actually."
He paused for a moment, then continued.
"After seeing Rajin and Carol fight today, I realized how far behind I really am. They were amazing. Strong, fast, skilled... Carol even used the Triaina, knowing it would hurt her. And Rajin? He didn't hold back at all."
Ryuu clenched his fists slightly.
"Until now, I was just fighting using instinct. I've been lucky because of my physical strength. But watching them made me realize… that's not enough. I don't understand my magic. I don't even know what the Azure Flame really is. If I keep going like this, I'll lose. Or worse."
He looked down at the water, the reflection of the moon dancing in his eyes.
"I wanted to run away, honestly. I still do. But… when I saw Carol push past her limits, fighting until her body gave out... I felt something shift inside me."
He looked at Ryoko, his voice steady.
"I don't want to keep running. Not anymore. I want to face it, no matter how scared I am."
Ryoko smiled gently. A bit of tension left her shoulders. She turned her gaze toward the sky. Together, they watched the stars in silence, side by side, as the lake reflected their quiet moment.
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The darkness faded slowly, chased away by the light of a new day. Birds chirped in the trees, and golden sunlight spread across the academy like a warm blanket.
It was the final day of the Inter-Division Competition.
Excitement filled the air.
Students and teachers began gathering early at the arena. Whispers ran through the crowd—who would win? What surprises would the final match bring?
Soon, both the Second and Fourth Divisions marched into the arena. Their steps were proud, eyes focused, hearts pounding.
The students from the First and Third Divisions sat in the stands, ready to watch the last and most important battle.
Tomoki Naoto walked to the center of the stage. His voice rang out loud and clear.
"Dear students, you've all seen the incredible talent and power in this year's battles. Every match has been a display of strength, heart, and growth.
And now, it's time for the final match of the Inter-Division Competition—between the Second and Fourth Divisions!"
He raised his hand to announce the beginning—when suddenly—
"Wait!"
A deep, powerful voice echoed through the arena, cutting through the air like lightning.
Gasps filled the stands as Shinju Hayato appeared in the center of the stage, his long coat fluttering slightly with the breeze. All eyes turned to him, confused.
He raised his hand calmly.
"As you've seen, the battles have become intense. Some attacks have even damaged parts of the arena. To ensure the safety of the audience and preserve the arena, I've made a change."
A few murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"The final battle will take place in the central forest," Shinju continued. "There, I've set up a high-level protection array.
This will prevent damage and allow the fighters to go all out. Don't worry—we've placed crystal-clear CCTV cameras across the entire forest. You'll be able to watch every moment from the arena screens."
Tomoki nodded slowly and motioned for the teams to prepare.
Everyone was surprised by the sudden change.
In the crowd, Shigeru narrowed his eyes at Shinju, suspicion flickering in his gaze.
(What are you planning, Shinju...?)