The morning sun rose above Reikosha Academy, painting the large towers and training grounds with warm light. After several days of missions, battles, and constant pressure, the academy finally felt peaceful again.
Students walked through the halls, talking and laughing as usual, unaware of the battles that happened far away from them.
At the entrance of the academy, four figures slowly walked through the gate.
Kairo Kurosawa stretched his arms while looking around.
"Ahhh... we're finally back."
He smiled slightly, taking a deep breath.
"It feels different coming back here."
Tyouro walked beside him with a huge grin.
"Of course it feels different! Because we became stronger!"
He raised his fist proudly.
"Especially you, Kairo! You went from the weakest guy in the group to someone who can actually surprise people!"
Kairo scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Come on, Tyouro... don't make it sound like I was completely useless before."
Tyouro laughed loudly.
"But you were!"
Kairo froze.
"..."
"Hey!"
Tyouro laughed even harder.
"I'm joking! I'm joking!"
Yura walked behind them, shaking her head.
"You two are still the same."
She looked at Kairo for a moment.
"But..."
Kairo noticed.
"What?"
Yura looked away.
"You really did change."
Kairo became quiet.
He knew what she meant.
Before, he was always afraid. He doubted himself. He thought everyone around him was too far ahead.
But now...
He still had fear.
He still had doubts.
However, he wasn't running away anymore.
"I still have a long way to go," Kairo said softly.
Kimimaru walked beside them silently, his hands inside his pockets.
Tyouro looked at him.
"Maru, you're unusually quiet."
Kimimaru glanced at him.
"I'm always quiet."
"That's exactly why I'm asking."
Kimimaru ignored him and continued walking.
Tyouro smiled.
"See? You secretly care about us."
Kimimaru stopped for a moment.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Definitely yes."
Yura covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Even Kairo smiled.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
A peaceful day.
A day where they weren't fighting monsters.
A day where they weren't risking their lives.
Just friends walking together.
Inside the Reikosha faculty building, Shougo Takahano watched the students from the window.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"They're growing."
Behind him, Griffin crossed his arms.
"Kairo especially."
Shougo nodded.
"He still has many weaknesses."
Griffin smiled.
"But?"
Shougo looked outside.
"But he doesn't give up anymore."
A quiet silence filled the room.
Griffin chuckled.
"You know, when you first met him, did you really think he would become like this?"
Shougo shook his head.
"No."
He smiled slightly.
"That's why I'm interested."
Griffin looked surprised.
"You?"
Shougo turned around.
"Kairo isn't strong because he was chosen by destiny."
"He is strong because he keeps choosing to stand up."
Meanwhile, inside the training area, Kairo held the Black Spartan sword while practicing his movements.
Slash.
Step.
Turn.
Another slash.
His movements were much cleaner than before.
His breathing was calmer.
His eyes were sharper.
However...
He suddenly stopped.
His expression changed.
Something felt strange.
Not danger.
Not an enemy.
Just...
A strange feeling.
"Kairo?"
He looked back and saw Shougo standing there.
"Sensei?"
Shougo walked closer.
"Your movements are improving."
Kairo smiled.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Shougo looked at the Black Spartan.
"But don't become overconfident."
Kairo laughed.
"I know."
Shougo stared at him.
"Do you?"
Kairo paused.
Then smiled.
"Okay... maybe a little."
Shougo sighed.
"At least you're honest."
Later that afternoon, the squad gathered at a small restaurant near the academy.
Tyouro was already eating multiple plates.
"Wow! Being stronger makes food taste better!"
Yura looked at him.
"That doesn't even make sense."
"It makes sense to me!"
Kairo laughed.
Kimimaru silently drank his drink while watching them.
Although his face showed nothing...
He stayed.
He listened.
He was there.
And nobody noticed the smallest smile that appeared for only a second.
Far away from Reikosha Academy...
In a place hidden from the world...
Ancient ruins remained untouched for thousands of years.
No humans.
No animals.
No sound.
Until...
A small crack appeared on the ancient stone wall.
A strange energy leaked from inside.
The air became heavy.
Something that had been sleeping for countless years...
Was slowly beginning to awaken.
A voice echoed through the darkness.
"Finally..."
"After all this time..."
"We return."