The sunlight over Sunlight Rage Academy shimmered with an odd chill, as if even the rays were anxious. After the academy's grand tournament matches wrapped up, the atmosphere shifted. What started as friendly competition now felt like the prologue to something deeper, older, and far more dangerous.
The arena crowd still buzzed from excitement, but Jin Hoshin's attention had long drifted. He leaned on the railing of the top stands, his normally playful expression shadowed by unease. Below, a cloaked figure had briefly appeared after the final match—unannounced, faceless, and gone in a blink. But Jin had seen it. The symbol on their chest, shaped like a broken star, matched one he'd once found hidden in his father's journal.
"That figure… could it be someone from his faction?" Jin thought. "Why here? Why now?"
Behind him, Bo popped up, grinning. "Don't zone out, hero. You're not that cool yet."
Jin blinked, snapping back. "You still crying over losing that bun-eating contest?"
Bo gasped, horrified. "She cheated! Who breathes fire naturally?!"
Yooha approached, her presence instantly calming, though her sharp eyes still held mystery. Xie Luan walked beside her, arms folded, quiet as ever. There was an unspoken truce between the two now—after all, they'd both declared defeat in their battle, and their mutual respect had been witnessed by all.
"The headmasters are calling," Yooha said softly. "They're announcing something big."
In the Grand Hall, an eerie silence settled as the Headmistress of Sunlight Rage Academy raised her hand. Her robes glowed with divine runes.
> "A Divine Tracing Challenge will begin in seven days."
A collective gasp echoed across the hall.
> "Only those with divine heritage may enter. Those who survive… may gain answers, or become answers themselves."
Jin's breath hitched. Everyone turned, whispering, scanning the crowd. Divine blood? In this academy?
He lowered his head, trying to disappear. But Yooha's gaze found him.
"You alright?" she asked, standing close enough that their arms brushed.
"I'm great," he lied. "Just thinking about... failing gloriously."
Bo smirked. "Failing? You've got main character syndrome. You're gonna stumble into winning."
As the students filed out, rumors swirled like storms. Some were excited, others terrified. But Jin felt hollow inside.
Back in his dorm, Jin locked the door and opened a hidden drawer. Inside was a crumpled piece of parchment: a page torn from a journal—his father's. The emblem on it was unmistakable.
> A crescent serpent swallowing the sun.
The same one the cloaked figure wore.
"I'm getting close, aren't I?" Jin whispered to himself. "But I'm not ready... not yet."
That night, the red moon above Sunlight Rage Academy began to dim. Shadows crept along the wind. And far beneath the arena, an ancient altar pulsed with light for the first time in centuries.
End of episode 28( continue)