The sun rose over the quiet hills, sending soft golden light through the trees. Ozaki's team woke up to the annoying buzzing of bees and flies. Everyone rubbed their eyes, stretched, and gathered around for breakfast. The smell of roasted bread and hot herbs filled the air.
But something felt off.
Nobody said a word while eating.
Usually, they joked or argued. But today, silence hung between them like fog.
Ichiha scratched his messy hair, looking confused. "The other day," he began, breaking the silence, "we were talking, and you said something weird. You mentioned that if you had used 80% of your power, you would've won. Or wait—was it a draw you said?"
Everyone turned toward Yamato, their eyes full of curiosity.
Yamato didn't flinch. He casually chewed on his food, then said with a small smirk, "Yeah, that's true."
Ichiha's face twitched. He leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "That's a big lie. You knocked all of us out of our God Forms with just 2%! Not just one of us—all of us!"
Lumei raised an eyebrow at Yamato, clearly suspicious. "Yeah," he added. "I've been meaning to ask you about that."
Yamato swallowed his bite and leaned back, a calm smile on his face. "The thing is… when I'm angry, know that I am me… and not me."
Everyone froze for a second. Then they all glared at him with a mix of confusion and annoyance.
Sora rolled her eyes and said, "You're just stupid. How did I ever make you a friend?"
That was it. The silence broke.
They all burst into loud laughter—clapping shoulders, leaning back, holding their stomachs. Even Ichiha wiped away a tear from laughing too hard.
But not Ozaki.
He stood still, eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at Yamato. The others didn't notice, but Ozaki was wary. Something about Yamato's power… bothered him.
After a while, Ozaki raised his hand. "Now listen."
The laughter stopped. Everyone straightened.
Ozaki's voice was calm but firm. "I'll be paying each of you 3,000 Flicks for completing this mission."
Yamato's face instantly lit up with joy. "Wait, what?!" he yelled, jumping to his feet. "That's enough to feed me for five months!"
He laughed, holding up five fingers. "Normally, I get paid 600 Flicks after risking my life. And now I'm getting five times that?"
The others smiled and chuckled. Even Sora gave him a thumbs-up.
They packed their gear and prepared to continue their journey, cheerful and joking once again. But Ozaki's eyes lingered on Yamato. Something still didn't sit right.
---
Back in the Sealed Realm
Deep within the dark realm, inside the temple surrounded by frozen time, six of them stood under the watchful eye of Master Regns.
Faint lightning danced above them, still and silent. Vines crawled along the ruined pillars, and the air was heavy with power.
Regns stepped forward in his black robes, arms behind his back.
He spoke clearly. "Today begins your official training under me. I will make each of you stronger, but understand—this won't be easy. The mission Ozaki went on is a matter of life and death. And this world still needs protection."
The students raised their fists and shouted together, "The world!"
But Seouk frowned and asked, "Wait… you told us this training was for protecting the country, not the whole world."
Regns raised an eyebrow and replied calmly, "The world, the country—what's the difference when danger comes?"
The group mumbled among themselves. Kiro looked like he was about to speak up, but Regns raised a hand to his chest and said, "Shhh. No questions."
Then he pointed to the stage. "First match—Mira vs Leah."
Mira grinned. "Finally. Time to beat someone."
Leah's eyes widened. She clenched her fists. She had never liked Mira and didn't want to lose to her.
"Step forward," Regns said.
Both girls walked onto the cracked court. The other students took a step back, giving them space.
Regns lifted his hand and said, "Begin."
Mira's voice rang out first, steady and strong: "Case Form: Form 1, Blade of Lightning!"
A burst of red-orange electricity exploded around her. In her hand, a wild jagged blade crackled with power.
Leah followed quickly. "Case Form: Form 1, Blade of Light!"
A white glowing saber formed in her hand, clean and bright.
Leah charged first, her body moving with grace and speed. She swung left, then right, then an upper slash.
Mira moved like water. She blocked each strike, lightning trailing her limbs, her eyes calm and focused.
CLANG! Their blades met with a spark, the ground shaking slightly under the pressure.
Mira twisted her body and slashed diagonally, forcing Leah back. Leah panted, her energy draining.
Renji whispered, "Mira's not even serious yet…"
Leah gritted her teeth. "I'm not done!"
She ran forward again.
Mira spun to the side. THUD! She struck Leah's blade at the hilt, then slammed her knee into Leah's side.
"Ugh!" Leah stumbled back, her blade flickering.
Mira stood still, her blade glowing. "You can't hold that form much longer."
Leah screamed and charged blindly.
Mira dropped her first form. Her blade disappeared.
She whispered, "Case Form: Form 2… Black Lightning Arrow."
The light dimmed.
Shadows swirled into Mira's hand, forming a red lightning bow. She pulled an arrow—black and wild, full of chaotic lightning.
The students stepped back, stunned.
Leah froze. "What is that…?!"
Mira didn't answer.
She released the arrow.
BOOM!!
The Black Lightning Arrow blasted through the court like a storm. It tore through the ground, leaving behind a scorched line.
Leah barely raised her sword.
The arrow hit.
A black explosion rocked the temple. Vines burned. Dust flew everywhere. Static jumped across every surface.
When the smoke cleared, Leah lay on the ground—body shaking, aura gone.
Her sword was nowhere in sight.
Master Regns stepped forward.
"That is enough. Winner—Mira."
Mira lowered her bow. The lightning faded. She didn't smile. She didn't gloat.
They all stared at her, a mix of fear and amazement in their eyes.
Regns muttered quietly, "She's evolving… faster than expected."