Sunlight Rage Academy wasn't what Jin expected.
Sure, it had tall towers, divine halls, and training arenas carved into mountains. But it also had rules. And ranks. And way too many people who took themselves way too seriously.
Jin yawned as he entered the main courtyard, his uniform loose, his sash untied. He tossed a mango into the air and caught it with his mouth. "So many swords, so little fruit."
Beside the announcement board, a crowd had already gathered for the First Combat Trial.
New students were being matched for sparring—a tradition to show the academy who was worth watching.
"Hey, trickster boy."
Jin turned to see his best friend, Bo Lang, lean against the wall. Bo had golden hair in messy spikes and two fans strapped to his back. "You planning to prank your way to the top again?"
"Nah." Jin grinned. "This time I'll be serious... after a nap."
Suddenly, silence swept through the crowd.
Shen Yooha had entered the courtyard.
Clad in sleek black and silver robes, her long hair tied tightly, eyes like frozen rivers—calm but deadly. She walked past the students like a ghost. No expression. No hesitation.
She wasn't holding her blade, but everyone stepped back anyway.
Bo elbowed Jin. "They say she cracked a mountain last year. With a look."
Jin raised an eyebrow, but inside, his interest sparked again. Why does she feel familiar? Like… a forgotten storm.
Then came the call.
> Match 4: Bo Lang vs Shen Yooha.
Jin blinked. "You're dead."
Bo sighed. "I knew today smelled like regret."
Training Arena – Match 4
Bo Lang stepped into the ring, fans drawn, spinning gently. "Let's keep it friendly, alright, Miss Iceblade?"
Yooha didn't respond.
Jin leaned over the railing, biting into a peach now. "Bo, just run. Fake an injury. Sneeze blood."
The bell rang.
In one second, Bo dashed in with wind-enhanced speed, fans slashing—
In the next second, he was on the ground, one fan cracked, clothes torn, and Yooha hadn't moved an inch.
Her blade, Silent Veil, was still sheathed.
The crowd gasped.
Whispers started again. "She didn't even draw." "Is that… cryptic arts?" "Ghost Gordon blood."
Jin stood still, his smile faint.
She looked up, just once, eyes brushing over the crowd… and stopped.
She saw him.
Their gazes locked for a breathless second—her eyes unreadable, his bright and amused.
Something shimmered between them.
Not fear.
Not awe.
Curiosity.
He waved at her. "That was kind of hot."
She blinked… then turned away.
Jin touched the hilt of his own blade, which was humming quietly in his hands.
The Laughing Blade had never reacted to anyone before.
But now—it giggled.
End of episode 2( continue)