The afternoon light poured through the academy's stone arches as Jin walked quietly toward the Circle Registration Hall, list in hand. His name was already written at the top — below it, five others.
Bo Lang. His loud-mouthed best friend with lightning reflexes and a knack for comedy under pressure.
Meiqi. The healer girl with a calm demeanor and a quiet intensity that saw everything.
Rei Han. A blade user with cold eyes and a loyalty that never wavered once earned.
He Wang. A half-spirit strategist with a dangerous calm and a mind built for war.
Yooha. The mystery.
And then, finally…
Xie Luan.
Jin clenched the paper a little tighter. That last name hadn't been easy.
Bo walked beside him, slurping on a candied plum stick. "So, this is it? The Dream Team?"
Jin gave a soft hum of agreement. "Or the disaster squad."
As they entered the registration chamber, Xie Luan was already waiting. He stood near the window, arms folded, wind flicking at the edges of his robes. When Jin approached, he turned, sharp gaze locking with his.
"You really chose her?" Xie's voice was calm, but the air shifted — subtle currents curling around his boots.
Jin raised an eyebrow. "You mean Yooha?"
Xie didn't answer right away.
"She's strong," Jin said, shrugging slightly. "That's reason enough."
Xie's eyes narrowed. "You don't know her like I do. She's… dangerous. To herself. To the ones close to her."
"I can decide that for myself," Jin replied coolly, stepping forward to hand the list to the registrar.
Before the list could be taken, the heavy doors opened.
Yooha stepped inside — quiet, confident, dressed in black and red, with her sword strapped to her back. The moment she entered, the room seemed to breathe differently.
Xie turned sharply. "When did you agree to join his team?"
Yooha's eyes met his. "I didn't."
She looked at Jin. "But I will."
The room froze for a second.
Then, she walked past Xie without a word and stood beside Jin.
Bo let out a loud "Oooooooh."
Jin handed the list over. "Our Circle is complete."
The registrar marked their names. "Circle registered.
Room 13-C — east dorm villa."
As they left the hall, tension trailed behind them like a shadow. The group had formed — but balance had not.
Back in his room, Jin scribbled into his journal.
> Xie doesn't trust her. Yooha hides something. I hide more.
But maybe that's what makes a team.
We don't need to be perfect — just strong enough to survive what's coming.
And find the truth… about him.
End of Episode 33( continue)