Night fell, but the academy didn't sleep.
High above the Twilight Academy, nestled within a hidden chamber carved from celestial ore, a great eye opened—pupilless, ancient, and far too intelligent.
The Sky-Eater stirred.
Within the depths of a sealed mountain cavern, invisible to even the elders, Han Li stood alone—his hand pressed against a cracked ancient tablet glowing faint blue.
"It's watching again," he whispered.
Behind him, Li Tian hovered like a ghost, arms folded, silver hair swaying.
"You should've killed it," Li Tian muttered. "Back then."
Han Li's expression didn't change. "Back then, I thought sealing it would be enough."
A low, growling hum resonated through the walls. The Sky-Eater's dormant mind brushed the edge of Han Li's spirit.
It remembered.
---
Elsewhere, within the academy's inner court, noble families convened in their private towers.
The Zhao clan's matriarch gazed through her crystal mirror, her grandson—Zhao Ling—fighting valiantly in Class D. She exhaled slowly.
"If that mad janitor truly trains him… then our name may be restored."
In the Meng family's dark hall, a patriarch whispered to his trusted guards. "Make sure no one touches Meng Ruo during the next round. If she gets injured, heads will roll."
At the same time, a letter sealed in dark gold ink flew from the Bai family's eagle—directed to a forbidden sect.
---
Back in Class D's training ground, Han Li stood beside a blackboard scribbled with battle formations. His students were exhausted but focused.
"I've taught you how to fight," Han Li said, "but you must learn how to win."
"What's the difference?" Shen Yu asked.
Han Li raised a brow. "Fighting is what fools do. Winning is what monsters do."
In the far distance, the Sky-Eater blinked again.
And smiled.