The morning air was unusually still. Jin walked into the academy hall with Bo Lang half-asleep beside him.
> "Why are you even awake?" Jin asked.
Bo yawned. "Sleepwalking. Probably."
As their group gathered in the main courtyard, an official academy guard arrived—dressed in black and gold, holding a scroll sealed with fire wax.
He opened it, voice sharp.
> "Group Trial – Moon Lotus Formation Battle. All teams are to report by sunset. Battle rules: survival and defense."
Whispers exploded around them.
> "It's happening?"
"Already?"
"I thought we'd get more time!"
Mei Qi narrowed her eyes. "Moon Lotus Formation… it's not just a battle. It's a trap layout."
Xie Luan paled slightly. "That's dangerous for uncoordinated teams."
Yooha stepped forward. "Then we'll get coordinated."
Bo Lang raised an eyebrow. "Who died and made you coach?"
Yooha just smiled, and turned to Jin. "We should assign formation roles."
Jin nodded. Calm, collected. Leader mode on.
> "Xie and Yooha handle the rear guard—stealth and range. He Wang and Mei Qi at the front. Bo Lang and Rei Han middle support. I'll move between all groups. We stay alert. We cover each other."
No one argued. Not even Bo this time.
Hours passed. They trained again. Ate together. Mei Qi quietly sharpened her blade while Xie Luan whispered strategy. Rei Han wrote symbols in the dirt. He Wang meditated with a smirk. Bo Lang snuck food and got caught. Again.
Yooha sat with Jin under the tree, their backs barely touching.
> "Do you think we're ready?" she asked.
Jin didn't speak for a moment.
> "I think we have to be."
She nodded slowly.
As sunset fell, the sky blazed orange. The academy gates opened. A glowing path led to the Moon Lotus arena.
Their first true test had come.
They stepped forward—together.
End of Episode 37( continue)