[INT. LIGHT SCHOOL DORMS – MORNING AFTER ROUND ONE]
Sunlight filtered through divine-glass windows, casting soft golden hues across the Light School dormitories. For the first time in what felt like forever, there was no danger, no illusion beasts, no betrayal waiting in the shadows.
Just the quiet hum of a new day.
The elite ten sat gathered around the long table in their shared common room — eating, laughing softly, and letting their tired bodies begin to recover.
> Aria (smiling):
"It almost feels peaceful again…"
> Kairo (teasing):
"Let's not jinx it."
> Syleria (deadpan):
"You just jinxed it."
They all chuckled — even Lyrion, who hadn't smiled much since the attack on Veloria.
Veloria, seated beside him, glanced sideways… and blinked as Lyrion turned fully to face her.
> Lyrion (calm but focused):
"Veloria."
She looked up, heart skipping once.
> Veloria (softly):
"Y-Yeah?"
He took a small breath, as if rehearsing the words.
> Lyrion:
"I want you as my partner for the duo battle."
"I trust you. With everything."
Veloria's eyes widened. The words hit her chest like a lightning bolt.
> Veloria (flushing crimson):
"Y-Yes! I mean—of course!"
"I trust you too…"
They held each other's gaze for a few moments too long — then quickly looked away, both blushing.
> Auron (smirking):
"Well, there's one down."
---
[INT. LIGHT SCHOOL DORMS – COMMON ROOM CONTINUES]
After a few beats of silence…
> Kairo (clearing throat):
"Syleria."
The storm-haired daughter of Space raised an eyebrow.
> Kairo:
"You and me. For the duo round?"
> Syleria (grinning):
"Elemental fury and spatial chaos?" "Yeah. Let's wreck things."
She bumped her fist against his, and he grinned.
---
> Sylion (shyly):
"Aria…?"
She blinked, turning toward him.
> Aria (gently):
"Yes?"
> Sylion:
"Would you… like to be my partner for the duo battle?"
A small, warm smile spread across her lips.
> Aria:
"Only if you promise not to get shy on the battlefield."
> Sylion (blushing):
"I-I'll try."
---
> Auron (grinning):
"Cyra!"
> Cyra (raising an eyebrow):
"Hmm?"
> Auron:
"We're both gonna get partnered up anyway." "Why not beat the system?"
She rolled her eyes… but her smile betrayed her amusement.
> Cyra:
"Fine. But I lead."
> Auron (chuckling):
"We'll pretend that's true."
---
> Ray (awkward):
"Hey… Rika?"
She turned, curious.
> Ray:
"You know I've got your back. So I figured… maybe we could team up?"
Rika blinked — then smirked.
> Rika:
"You mean after all the times you got hurt saving me?"
> Ray:
"Yeah. Thought I'd formalize it."
> Rika:
"Alright. But if you try to be reckless again… I'm the one dragging you out."
> Ray (grinning):
"Deal."
---
[INT. LIGHT SCHOOL DORMS – EVENING]
Later that day, the training halls echoed once more with movement. But now… it was different.
Instead of individual survival, they moved in sync. In harmony.
Lyrion and Veloria trained in tandem — Lyrion shielding while Veloria manipulated temporal slow zones, bending time between strikes. Their flow was elegant. Trust in motion.
Kairo and Syleria sparred against aerial illusions — flame and teleportation blurring into chaos.
Aria and Sylion coordinated long-range spells with spatial redirection. Every misstep turned into growth.
Auron and Cyra tackled obstacle courses together, using terrain manipulation and nonliving weaponry to cover each other.
Ray and Rika practiced flanking maneuvers — silent signals, paired movements, and shared counters.
> Veloria (panting):
"We're really… syncing now."
> Lyrion:
"Because now, we know who's watching our back."
---
[INT. STADIUM – NIGHTFALL – ANNOUNCER'S VOICE RETURNS]
A divine chime echoed once more, signaling the end of the preparation day.
> Divine Announcer (resonant):
"Prepare yourselves."
"Round Two… begins tomorrow at dawn."
The teams stilled. A hush fell over the Light School dorm.
This time, it wasn't about surviving.
It was about proving what they could be — together.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…