*Chapter 44: Under the Weight of the Lanterns*
Night fell heavy over Jade Spirit Academy. The magical projections still lingered in the corridors—chilling images of Nightwatch's secret battles replaying every time someone brushed the enchanted halls. Students gossiped in half-whispers: "Did you see them duel in the catacombs?" "Li Wei was really chained like that?" Teachers offered tight nods—or watched with wary eyes. Now their every move felt exposed, judged.
In the common room, the team gathered—tired, raw, changed. Jin Ming paced until Mei Fen yanked him to the fire. "Sit. We're all here," she said, voice fierce. He slumped, staring at his hands, bruised and uncertain.
Yan sat next to Bao Yu, who fidgeted so badly he almost dropped his tea. "I never wanted anyone to know," he muttered. "Now everyone thinks we're…cheaters or monsters." Yan squeezed his hand—not speaking, just letting her steady grip and gentle presence say what her words wouldn't.
Li Wei and Xiulan stood by the window, sharing a quiet moment. He pressed his forehead to hers. "If we lose, I'll be fine—I just don't want you to regret standing beside me," he whispered, voice hoarse. Xiulan cupped his cheek, eyes shimmering with determination. "We rescued each other before. We'll do it again. No one else's opinion matters." For a moment, the rest of the world faded.
As the night dragged on, the pain crept out: anger and embarrassment, even flashes of doubt. Jin Ming ranted about Lin Yu's smug grin and unfair sabotage. Mei Fen confessed she was terrified of failing in front of everyone—and even more afraid of what it'd feel like to lose her new family. "We made our choices," she choked, "but I want to stay, together. I'm not giving up."
One by one, they opened up—losses, longings, the fear of becoming outsiders again. But every time someone faltered, another teammate reached out. Stories turned to inside jokes. Yan started retelling the tale of their very first adventure, and laughter slowly snuck in. The warmth in the circle grew until even Bao Yu looked up and grinned.
By the last hours of darkness, Nightwatch made their pact: If everyone sees us, let's give them the real us. No masks, no shame. Tomorrow, they would walk into the Gauntlet as themselves—flawed, exposed, but holding each other up.
Li Wei caught Xiulan's hand, interlacing their fingers, and whispered, "We'll face it together. All of us." Mei Fen squeezed closer to Jin Ming, Yan and Bao Yu exchanged a shy, determined look, and the last of their fear faded into the firelight.