Blades clashed. Magic howled. And the once-pristine arena now cracked under the fury of the Grand Battle.
Jin darted through a wave of enemies, Silent Wind flaring in his hand. Sparks flew. His coat was ripped. Blood trickled from his shoulder — but his eyes were clear. Focused.
Not far away, Yooha moved like a phantom, her blade Silent Veil cutting through spell-casters. Fireball after fireball flew at her, but she didn't flinch. Her aura pulsed with golden rage, each strike clean and filled with grace.
"YOOHA, TO YOUR RIGHT!" Jin shouted.
She ducked, spun, and slammed the hilt of her sword into an enemy's jaw. "Thanks!"
Bo was in the center, fighting off three opponents at once — his fists glowing with explosive qi, his grin wide. "Who wants a piece of this fried dumpling?!"
But his laughter was a little too loud… a little too hollow.
Meiqi landed beside him, bleeding from the lip. "Quit yelling and help, idiot!"
Bo's fist lit up, knocking one opponent out cold. "I am helping! Humor is the strongest weapon!"
But when he turned away — for just a second — his smile cracked. His eyes darted toward the sky.
"You promised you'd be here to watch me win…"
A memory flashed: A soft voice, a warm hand on his head. "My little thundercloud… always laugh. Even when you cry."
Gone now.
Forever.
He clenched his jaw. "No time to mourn."
Meanwhile, Han and He Wang were being pushed back by a mysterious masked warrior — fast, skilled, and utterly ruthless.
"Who is this guy?" Han hissed, blocking another strike.
He Wang's eyes narrowed. "Not on any academy roster."
Suddenly, the warrior's blade slashed He Wang across the side. Blood spurted. He dropped to one knee.
"HE WANG!" Jin shouted, racing toward him.
But before he could reach them, a massive explosion erupted in the sky. A black phoenix — a forbidden spell — soared over the battlefield, casting shadows of fear.
Academy alarms blared. "CODE BLACK. ANCIENT TECHNIQUE DETECTED. SHIELD LAYERS FAILING."
The ground trembled.
Yooha ran to Jin's side. "This isn't just a battle. Someone's using this match to unleash something darker."
"Something ancient," Jin murmured.
He stared at the sky — and saw it.
A second red moon.
Rising.
Too soon.
Too fast.
Bo finally stopped moving. His hands were shaking. "Jin… your father's scroll. It warned you, didn't it?"
Jin slowly nodded. "The moon will turn red twice…"
Yooha's voice broke. "Once for love… once for blood."
Then came the scream.
Meiqi.
She was surrounded. Trapped.
Bo's eyes widened. "NO—!"
He moved without thinking, body crashing through spells and blades, shielding her.
BOOM!
Silence.
The dust settled.
Bo stood still.
Breathing hard.
A sword was lodged in his side.
Meiqi screamed. "Bo—!!"
He chuckled, blood dripping from his mouth. "Damn… guess I'm the punchline now, huh?"
He dropped to his knees, turning to Jin and Yooha with that same goofy grin.
"Don't cry, okay? I hate awkward goodbyes."
His smile faltered… just once.
Then—collapsed.
To be continued...