The sun rose over Heavenly Academy with golden light, but the mood was subdued.
The three brothers—Arjuna, Yudhisthira, and Bheema—stood at the central courtyard, their bags packed, dressed not in academic robes but traveler's cloaks. They were about to leave, not as students, but as disciples of a demigod.
Before them stood Rael, arms crossed, his face unreadable.
"I'm sorry I couldn't prove myself," Arjuna said, his voice quieter than usual. "But I will. Next time you see me, I won't lose again."
Rael didn't smirk, didn't scoff. He just extended his hand.
"You better not," he said. "Next time, we're finishing what we started."
They clasped wrists, not hands. It was a warrior's farewell.
Yudhisthira gave one last nod to Instructor Catherine, who merely placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Lead well."
And with that, the three departed from the academy.
Everyone thought the matter was over here, and they should now focus on next year.
But, three Days Later…
