The academy was unusually quiet, but the air crackled with tension. Earlier that morning, the headmaster's announcement echoed through the halls.
"All academies will enforce new rules starting tonight. No more alliances during the upcoming Grand Battle. Every one fights alone. The match starts tomorrow at dawn."
Whispers spread like wildfire.
Jin's heart pounded. "No alliances? That changes everything."
Yooha met his gaze, her usual calm replaced by steel determination. "Then we train harder. No excuses."
Bo stretched with a mischievous grin. "Guess it's time to see who's really the strongest."
The training grounds were alive with movement. Everyone clashed swords, arrows whistled through the air, and instructors barked orders.
Jin and Yooha sparred fiercely, their blades singing a deadly duet. Each strike and block sharpened their skills—and their connection.
Between the blows, their eyes locked—brief, electric.
"You're holding back," Yooha teased, ducking a swift strike.
Jin smirked. "Only because I don't want to hurt you."
A blush crept onto her cheeks, but before she could respond, Bo shouted from the sidelines, "Less flirting, more fighting!"
As the sun dipped low, casting fiery hues over the training ground, exhaustion settled in.
In the quiet of the dormitory, Jin found Yooha sitting by the window, gazing at the crimson sky
He swallowed his nerves. "Yooha… I've been hiding something."
She turned, eyes wide but steady.
"I don't want to hide anymore," Jin said, stepping closer.
Her breath hitched. "Me neither."
Their hands brushed—electricity sparking through them.
Just as Jin was about to speak again, a soft noise from outside caught their attention.
A shadow slipped past the window, eyes glinting with secrets.
Jin's grip tightened. "We're not alone."
Yooha nodded, heart racing. "Tomorrow won't just be a battle for the academy… it's something bigger."
They exchanged a determined glance.
Together, they prepared to face whatever came next.
To be continued…