Character Quote
Sato Sayaka: "I once thought that hitting the bullseye was the end point. But it wasn't until I met you that I realized true archery is about piercing through my own confusion."
Dongyun Academy · Longyachang · Dusk
This is a specially approved "One-on-One Tactical Combat." Participants: Archery Department Head: Hōdō Saya
Magic Department Head: Yagami Ao
The observation area is silent, with individuals such as Tendō Kyōichi, Shirakawa, and Gōzenji Retsu in attendance. Even instructor director Feng Ke rarely makes an appearance. Everyone knows this is Saya's final trial as the leader of the archery department's reconstruction and a crucial battle for Yagami Ao to decide whether to acknowledge its evolution. "Start!" Arrows are released in an instant. In the Extreme Clash of Arrows and Illusions, Saya takes the first shot, unleashing three consecutive Wind-Breaking Recurve Arrows. Their curved trajectory slices through the night like electric serpents, aimed directly at Yagami Ao's position. Yagami Ao remains still, but with a light flick of his fingers, he uses a card illusion to resolve the arrows with a swirling motion. Paper and arrows clash, entangle, and dodge in midair, producing a collision so fast it's nearly impossible to discern with the naked eye. "Wind path reading...failure?" Shirakawa exclaims in shock. "He made the arrows' airflow 'negate themselves,'" Yūdō Karuha says, frowning. Yagami Ao's interference with the illusion isn't about forcibly deflecting; it causes the arrows to lose their direction on their own. This is an extreme form of "psychological counter-archery." Without a word, Saya shifts her stance, entering the "Resonant Step Shooting Style," her breathing, heartbeat, and arrow force forming a trinity. The second wave of arrows erupts. Her arrows scatter like "the voices of emotional resonance," locking onto every predicted movement path of Yagami Ao.
[Heart's Target: Arrow Spirit Awakening]
Ye Jian Cang finally spoke. "You have finally learned to aim without relying on your eyes."
Sha Ye bit her lip, her gaze fixed ahead. "You taught me, didn't you?"
A memory flashed by—the year she lost the Archery Competition. Ye Jian Cang had calmly said, "You didn't lose because of your archery skills, but because you didn't believe in your own arrow."
Now, she poured her trust into the arrow.
—Release, Arrow Spirit: Resonance Style: Heart's Target!"
Her entire aura shifted in an instant. Three streams of thoughts flowed at her fingertips and condensed into the will of an arrow, ready to be shot. This arrow was herself, as well as all her past choices.
"Ye Jian, catch the arrow!"The arrow shot out like a heartbeat, piercing through illusions and residual light. It evaded all interference cards and was directly aimed at Ye Jian Cang's chest. However, Ye Jian Cang stood still, smiling slightly. "I caught it.At that moment, he did not use magic nor defend himself. He simply stood at the arrow's endpoint, and the arrow stopped three inches from his chest. The tip vibrated in the air but did not advance further.
"This is not a duel; it's a response," Sha Ye said, tears welling up.She understood. Ye Jian Cang had long acknowledged her archery. He was just waiting for her to truly step out of the shadow of her past.
[Post-Battle · Under the Dusk]
The battle ended without a decisive victory, yet there was a clear conclusion.
Ye Jian Cang said to Feng Ke: "The archery skills of the Bow and Arrow Department are no longer remnants of the old system. They can now face illusions independently."
Feng Ke nodded.
Huang Tang Sha Ye took off her arm guard, turned to look at the empty audience seats, and murmured, "Dad... I am finally no longer the child who could only imitate you."
The final chapter of archery draws to a close.