The academy's grand hall trembled with energy. Light from the hanging lanterns flickered across the crowd of young warriors gathered before the Spiritual King.
"The third challenge… will begin tomorrow."
A wave of gasps and murmurs swept through the students.
Ryju tensed.
Already?
"We need to prepare," he muttered.
"There it is," Uzuki said coolly, stretching like a cat that just smelled blood.
"This is going to be fun," Kenji grinned.
Misa's eyes narrowed. "We need to be ready."
"That will be all," the Spiritual King said, before turning and slowly walking away, his robes whispering across the polished floor.
Later, inside the eastern corridor of the academy, Team One made their way through the stone halls. The building was bustling—teams whispering strategies, some resting, others staring off into space, already lost in tomorrow's fear.
"Hey, Uzuki!" Ryju called out, spotting him leaning against a column near the training hall.
Uzuki turned, wearing a sharp grin. "Well, look who it is. Team One in the flesh."
Then, stepping forward from the shadows behind Uzuki, came a boy—thin, wiry, and short. His black hair hung in uneven strands over his eyes that didn't blink enough.
"So," the boy said, voice quiet but unnervingly clear, "this is Team One."
Ryju flinched a little at the coldness in his tone.
"Uh… who are you?"
The boy's lips curled into a slow smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Daigo."
He took a step forward, hands in his sleeves, body relaxed—but something about him made the hallway feel colder.
"I've heard a lot about you," Daigo continued, his voice like a whisper from somewhere too close. "You're strong, right? That's good. I'd hate to break someone fragile."
Tetsuya placed a hand on Daigo's shoulder, trying to reel him in. "Easy, Daigo. We're not fighting yet."
Daigo didn't respond. He just kept smiling, tilting his head ever so slightly—like he was analyzing which bone would snap first.
Hiroto crossed his arms. "Ignore him. That's just how he is. He scares people for fun."
Uzuki chuckled. "Don't be fooled by his size. Daigo's spiritual energy is like a viper's bite—quiet and fatal."
"Words are weapons," Daigo finally said, voice even softer now. "But pain… pain is the punctuation."
Just then, Kenji strolled in.
"Well, well. Is this a gathering or a funeral?"
"Kenshiro," Kenji nodded. "I hope you all ready."
"I could say the same," Kenshiro replied.
"You all better be ready," Takeshi said, eyes narrowing at Uzuki's team.
Appolo flexed his fingers. "I'm ready to make something beautiful—with fists."
Moments later, Misa and her group approached.
"Is this destiny?" Misa asked, half-smirking.
Azar waved. "Sup."
Goro grinned. "Taro! What's good, bro?"
Taro fist-bumped him. "All good."
"You pumped?"
"Hell yeah."
Then Helia spotted Misa. "Oh… it's you. Rei, right?"
Misa frowned. "No. Misa. Try again."
Helia blinked. "Then who's Rei?"
"That would be me," Rei said, stepping forward.
"Oh," Helia mumbled. "Sorry."
Misa folded her arms. "Ready to get wrecked again?"
Helia gave a slow shrug. "I don't really plan on it."
Uzuki waved. "Alright, we're done here. Come on, team."
As they turned to leave, Daigo glanced back. "You all have such nice faces," he said softly. "Try to keep them that way tomorrow."
No one spoke as he disappeared into the shadows with the others.
"…What was that?" Taro whispered.
Kenji gave a tight chuckle. "That's Daigo. Scary guy, right?"
Helia followed him. "Creepiest one of the bunch."
Ryju looked over at Misa. "You all vanished earlier."
"We were watching from the back," she said. "But we're leaving now."
Azar saluted. "Tomorrow's war. Rest up."
As the hall emptied and the lanterns swayed above, Team One stood in silence.
Ryju clenched his fists.
Daigo… Uzuki… everyone's ready. So we better be too.