The dorm was alive with noise—laughing, unpacking, chaotic energy bouncing off the high ceiling. Mei Qi and Bo Lang were already arguing about bunk beds. He Wang had claimed the kitchen like it was a battlefield. Xie Luan was cleaning a corner quietly, while Rei Han stared out the window, deep in thought.
Jin sat on the arm of the couch, flipping through a map of the academy's terrain zones.
Then Yooha stepped forward, brushing hair behind her ear, her voice calm but firm.
> "We should train," she said.
Everyone turned.
> "Our first match could be sudden. We won't win if we stay like this—unprepared. I'm not trying to take over, but... I've seen how things can go wrong fast."
Her gaze moved to Jin for a moment. Trusting.
Jin closed the map and stood up, his presence immediately shifting the mood.
> "She's right."
The room quieted.
> "We don't know the battle rules yet, or what type of teams we'll face. But if we don't move now, we'll just be another group of names to forget."
He looked at each of them.
> "We train tomorrow. Early."
Bo Lang groaned. "You sound like a war commander."
> "Then don't make me act like one."
He Wang stretched. "I'm in. Let's not embarrass ourselves out there."
Mei Qi sighed. "Fine. But I'm not doing laps."
Xie Luan gave a small smile. "I'll spar with you, Yooha. Just don't go easy."
Jin smirked. "Everyone prepare tonight. Tomorrow morning—we start becoming a real team."
That night, the air outside was filled with tension and quiet hope. Jin sat near the window, staring at the moon.
He wrote briefly in his small leather-bound journal:
> "They listened. They chose me. I won't let them fall."
End of Episode 35( continue)