The divine trial realm pulsed with energy. What was once a simple challenge suddenly fractured—
CRACK.
Reality bent as a celestial figure cloaked in flowing silver stepped onto the battlefield. Their eyes shimmered with galaxies—
The Mirror Saint.
Academy Master's voice boomed from the divine watchtower:
"WARNING: A forbidden trial has been triggered. Face yourselves… or fall."
Yooha held her sword tighter. "This is bad."
The Mirror Saint's blade hovered in the air like light itself.
"Let truth unravel you."
In a blink, each member of the squad was dragged into a shared illusion realm—floating above a sea of stars. Around them, screens shimmered to life, each showing a different soul.
Jin's screen: Him, holding Yooha's hand.
"I love her. I always did."
Bo: "Knew it."
Jin: "SHUT UP!"
Yooha's screen: A child standing alone under the rain.
Her voice echoed: "Please… don't leave me behind again."
She clenched her jaw. "I'm not that scared kid anymore."
Then—
Meiqi's screen flared.
It showed a memory no one expected.
She stood in front of a shattered mirror, trying on different faces.
Her voice trembled: "If I'm not funny, or loud, or perfect… would they still stay?"
The group went silent.
Meiqi crossed her arms. "Okay, rude. But fine, I do have feelings."
Bo gently nudged her shoulder. "You're more than enough, Meiqi."
Xie Luang's screen: Him, walking away from a battlefield.
"I should've stayed… I always leave."
He Wang, shocked: "You never told us that…"
Bo's screen: A memory of him making jokes at a funeral. His smile cracked.
"I laugh… because if I don't, I'll cry."
The Mirror Saint spoke again.
"You want to be saviors? Then embrace your flaws. Accept the chaos within."
Jin stood tall.
"Then here's our truth—"
"I love Yooha."
"She loves me."
"We're still broken, but we're not hiding anymore."
Yooha joined him.
"We don't need perfection to win. We need each other."
Meiqi raised her weapon.
"And I'm done pretending too."
One by one, they all stood side by side—flawed, strong, vulnerable, real.
The Mirror Saint's form began to dissolve into sparkling silver butterflies.
He smiled faintly.
"Then go… face the war."
With a final shimmer, the illusion cracked away.
They were back—together—stronger than ever.
The Academy Master nodded.
"Now, they're ready."
To be continued…