Chapter 19: Before the Storm
The warm sunlight filtered through the trees as Synoh, Lux, and Yuta gathered near the riverside, their swords resting by their sides.
Training camp had officially begun — a final preparation before the daunting Knight Academy Final Exam.
Synoh leaned back against a tree, a teasing smirk on his lips.
"You know, Lux," he said casually, "Princess Akane is really beautiful... No wonder you fell in love with her."
Lux nearly dropped the waterskin he was holding.
"I never said anything about loving her!" Lux snapped back, his cheeks faintly pink.
"I just promised to support her dream, that's all!"
Yuta, sitting cross-legged nearby, burst into laughter.
"Denial is the first step, Lux," he teased.
Synoh chuckled and nudged Lux with his elbow.
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone... yet."
Lux grumbled something under his breath but couldn't help smiling. These moments of lightheartedness felt rare after everything they'd been through.
---
As the sun climbed higher, the training camp roared into full motion.
Everyone, from seasoned prodigies to struggling trainees, pushed their limits under the watchful eyes of the instructors. Sweat, steel, and magic filled the air.
Yuta trained harder than ever, driven by a fierce determination to protect his comrades this time — no more regrets.
Lux made a decision that surprised many:
He stepped down as temporary leader for the camp missions.
"I want to focus on keeping everyone safe," he told Synoh. "Leading... it's better if you do it, Synoh. You're sharper at strategy."
Synoh, caught off guard but hiding it well, accepted the role.
"I'll use everything Synix taught me," he muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on the sword hilt.
With Lux by his side and Yuta growing stronger, Synoh was ready to lead.
He began drawing out plans, positioning patrols, creating shifts, preparing strategies as if the camp itself was a battlefield.
Because he knew —
The real storm was coming.
And they had to be ready.