The peaceful atmosphere of Reikosha Academy continued after the squad's return from their mission. For most students, it was just another normal day filled with training and classes, but for Kairo Kurosawa, everything felt different. The same halls he walked through before no longer felt like a place where he was the weakest person. He knew he still had a long journey ahead of him, but for the first time, he could feel that he was actually moving forward.
Kairo stood alone inside the training field, holding the Black Spartan tightly in his hand. The heavy sword that once felt impossible to control now moved according to his will. His movements were faster, his swings were more precise, and his eyes followed every mistake he made instead of ignoring them.
"Again."
Kairo took a deep breath and swung the sword forward.
The blade cut through the air with a sharp sound.
He stopped for a moment and looked at his own hands.
"Before... I couldn't even imagine being able to do this."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"But I'm still not strong enough."
Behind him, a voice suddenly spoke.
"Good answer."
Kairo immediately turned around and saw Shougo standing there calmly.
"Sensei! How long have you been there?"
"Long enough to see you talking to yourself."
Kairo became embarrassed and looked away.
"I wasn't talking to myself... I was just thinking."
Shougo walked closer and looked at the Black Spartan.
"Your control has improved. Your body has adapted, your reactions have become faster, and your ability to calculate your opponent's movements is becoming sharper."
Kairo smiled.
"Really?"
"Yes. But..."
Shougo's expression became serious.
"Do not misunderstand your improvement. Becoming stronger does not mean you have reached the top."
Kairo became quiet.
"I know."
Shougo looked at him.
"Do you?"
Kairo lowered his head slightly.
"I used to think that if I just became stronger, everything would be solved. That if I had enough power, I could protect everyone."
He tightened his grip on the sword.
"But I learned something. Strength alone isn't enough."
Shougo nodded.
"Good."
Kairo looked surprised.
"That's it?"
"What else should I say?"
"I don't know... maybe give me a long speech or something."
Shougo stared at him.
"You're expecting too much from your teacher."
Kairo laughed.
For a moment, Shougo's expression softened.
"You are different from before, Kairo."
Kairo looked at him.
"Different?"
"Before, you wanted strength because you were afraid of being weak. Now, you want strength because you have something you want to protect."
Kairo remained silent.
Those words stayed in his mind.
Later that day, Kairo returned to the training field where Yura and Tyouro were practicing.
Tyouro immediately noticed him.
"Kairo!"
He ran toward him.
"Come on, fight me again!"
Kairo stepped back.
"Already?"
"Of course! I need to know if I can still beat you!"
Yura sighed while watching them.
"You two really never get tired."
Tyouro pointed at her.
"You say that, but you're watching."
Yura looked away.
"I just want to see how much you improved."
Kairo smiled.
"Alright."
The two prepared themselves.
Tyouro's body started releasing a powerful energy, the air around him becoming heavier.
Kairo held the Black Spartan and focused.
The atmosphere changed.
Even though they were only training, both of them understood something.
They weren't the same people who first entered Reikosha.
Tyouro rushed forward with his usual overwhelming power.
Kairo moved.
The moment Tyouro attacked, Kairo predicted the direction and stepped aside.
Tyouro's fist missed.
"What?!"
Kairo quickly moved behind him and placed the sword near his shoulder.
Tyouro froze.
Yura's eyes widened slightly.
"He predicted it..."
Tyouro turned around and smiled.
"You're really annoying now, Kairo."
Kairo laughed.
"Is that a compliment?"
"No!"
Everyone became silent.
Then Tyouro smiled.
"But yeah, it is."
Meanwhile, Kimimaru stood on top of one of Reikosha's buildings, looking over the academy.
The wind moved through his hair as he remained silent.
Below him, he could hear the voices of his teammates.
Tyouro's loud laughter.
Kairo's nervous replies.
Yura's complaints.
A normal scene.
A peaceful scene.
Kimimaru closed his eyes.
For someone like him, moments like this were strange.
He wasn't used to being surrounded by people.
He wasn't used to having people who waited for him.
But somehow...
He remained there.
He didn't leave.
At night, Shougo stood outside the academy looking at the sky.
Something felt different.
Not something he could explain.
Not an enemy nearby.
Just a feeling that the world was slowly changing.
The strongest people weren't always the ones who announced their arrival.
Sometimes...
The most dangerous things were the ones that waited quietly.
Shougo looked back toward the academy.
"For now..."
A small smile appeared.
"Let them enjoy their peace."
Inside the academy, Kairo laughed with his friends, unaware that the peaceful days they had were slowly becoming something precious.
Because somewhere far away, something ancient was beginning to move again.