Morning sun spilled through the academy fields, bathing everything in golden light. Birds chirped cheerfully. It was the perfect day to suffer.
Jin stood tall in the field, holding a wooden staff.
> "Okay. Warm-up. Ten laps around the field."
Bo Lang flopped to the grass. "I'm warm just standing here."
> "Up," Jin said.
Bo rolled over with a groan. "I feel faint. Mei Qi, carry me."
Mei Qi kicked a pebble at him. "Do I look like your maid?"
Meanwhile, He Wang was already sprinting—showing off. "Come on, slowpokes! Losers don't get dinner!"
Rei Han casually jogged beside him, smiling like a polite ghost.
Yooha stretched, her energy calm and focused. She glanced at Xie Luan beside her.
> "Race you," she said.
Xie blinked. "Eh?"
Too late—Yooha took off with a teasing laugh. Xie Luan chased her, flustered but determined. Jin watched them go, unable to hide a small smile.
After the warm-up, they broke into pairs.
Bo Lang picked Meiqi for sword practice—then immediately regretted it when her first swing knocked him into a bush.
> "Mercy! I'm just a civilian!"
Mei Qi rolled her eyes. "You talk too much."
Yooha practiced silent footwork with Xie Luan, both moving gracefully like a quiet dance. Xie Luan tripped once—but caught himself, cheeks pink.
Jin sparred with Rei Han, their blades clashing softly, each reading the other's movements. There was no need for words—just respect in silence.
Then came He Wang.
> "Time for a real challenge!"
He swung his blade high—and missed. Jin sidestepped, calm as ever.
> "Try again."
He Wang blinked. "You dodged? How dare you."
Everyone laughed.
Training ended with them collapsing in the grass, sweaty and laughing.
Bo Lang had a twig stuck in his hair. "This... was the worst day of my life."
Mei Qi drank water. "You say that every day."
Yooha laid back, looking at the sky. "We'll get better. I can feel it."
Jin stood silently, looking at them—his team. Misfits, warriors, weirdos… friends.
> "We'll win," he said simply.
They all looked at him—and for once, no one argued.
End of Episode 36( continue)