The night was unnaturally quiet.
The stars above Sunlight Rage Academy shimmered brighter than usual, as if the heavens were watching... holding their breath. The Seal War was hours away.
Inside the training dome, Jin stood in the middle of a battlefield simulation—blindfolded, shirt drenched in sweat, blade hovering in perfect balance.
Yooha watched from the edge. She didn't say anything. She didn't need to.
Even after all the battles, scars, and storms, Jin Hoshin was still fighting—not just to win, but to protect everyone.
He was becoming something more. Something divine.
"Five more seconds and I'll cut you," he muttered.
Bo threw a rock toward him. Instantly, Jin's blade moved—slice—and the rock split cleanly in two mid-air.
Bo whistled. "Okay okay, Laughing Blade 2.0. Chill. Save some god-rank for tomorrow!"
He Wang stepped in. "Where's Yooha?"
Yooha leaned against a wall. "Right here."
Her hair was tied loosely, her twin blades floating in the air behind her—responding to her emotions like they had souls. She hadn't smiled in hours.
Meiqi, arms crossed, looked over the group. "We've never fought like this before. This is… it."
Xie Luang nodded. "Final match. Final enemy. No backup. No rerun."
Bo raised a cup of spicy instant noodles. "Then let's do something dumb… Let's make a wish."
They stared at him.
"…A wish?" Jin asked.
"Yeah." Bo grinned. "If we survive this madness, if we win—let's wish for something impossible."
He Wang smiled slightly. "I want… peace."
Meiqi whispered, "A world where kids don't have to be weapons."
Xie Luang said, "A tomorrow where we sleep in until noon."
Bo grinned. "I want a hundred noodle brands to name products after me."
Yooha didn't answer. She looked up at the stars.
Jin turned toward her. "Yooha?"
She looked at him slowly, voice soft. "If we survive… I want to live."
He reached out, gently brushing her hand.
They didn't say anything.
But he leaned forward and whispered:
"We will."
Later That Night – Dorm Rooftop
Yooha sat alone. Her mind was restless. So many battles… so many losses. She hugged her knees, staring at the moon. "Are we really strong enough?"
Footsteps. Jin sat beside her, quiet at first.
Then he held out a small paper charm. "This is for you."
"What is it?"
"A protection sigil. It used to belong to my mother."
Yooha looked at him. "Jin…"
He leaned in, eyes searching hers. "Don't die tomorrow. That's an order."
She chuckled faintly, brushing her finger over the charm. "Same to you."
The moonlight caught his face just right, and in that moment, she leaned closer.
"I—" she began.
But he kissed her softly before she could finish.
"…I love you," he whispered.
She froze.
Then smiled.
"I love you too."
Elsewhere – Deep Underground
Ghost Gordon stood before a black gate carved in ancient language.
His disciple kneeled behind him, silent and cold.
Gordon touched the gate.
"They've grown strong… especially her. The Silent Veil."
He smiled darkly.
"Then let them come. Let them taste the death they were born for."
TO BE CONTINUED… IN EPISODE 76: "Clash of Blood and Light"