After their thrilling first victory, Jin's team was officially ranked. Their win sent waves through the academy. Students whispered, professors watched closely, and challengers started forming plans.
But the team? They were just... exhausted.
In their shared dorm suite, Bo Lang was soaking in a magical hot tub he "borrowed" from the alchemy lab.
"Ahh~ victory feels better with bubbles," he sighed.
"Those aren't bubbles," Meiqi said, pointing. "That's soap from the laundry."
Bo blinked. "Explains the itch."
Rei Han meditated on the balcony, while Xie Luan practiced sigil carving with He Wang. Jin sat at the table, pen in hand, scribbling in his private journal again.
[Jin's Journal Entry]
"We won today. But why does it feel like something's coming? Yooha fought like she had something to prove. I see her... looking at the moon when no one's watching. Like she's somewhere else."
"And... is it just me, or do her eyes glow sometimes?"
Just then, Yooha walked in, hair wet, a towel over her shoulder.
"You writing about me again?" she asked, not looking.
Jin blinked. "W-what?"
"You were staring," she said calmly, flopping onto the couch.
"Hey, I stare at Bo too," Jin defended.
Bo winked from the tub. "You better."
Later that night, Headmaster Rei summoned all team leaders. The next trial was announced—"The Wind-Walk Labyrinth." A multi-tier illusion maze that not only tested strength… but revealed hidden truths.
Jin was intrigued.
But Yooha's expression shifted. Cold. Focused.
In the shadows, she whispered to herself, "No… not that place again."
The wind that blew past her carried a voice—faint, chilling:
"Come back to me, daughter of dusk…"
End of Episode 39( continue)