The moment they stepped into the mess hall—
Silence.
Clatter.
A spoon fell to the floor.
Every student turned.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"That's them—"
"The representatives—"
"Iren…!"
"Kael!"
"Riven!"
"Sylven!"
Then—
Chairs scraped loudly.
Students rushed forward and surrounded them in seconds.
"Your fight was insane!"
"How did you block that final strike?!"
"Riven, that phase-step was unbelievable!"
"Sylven, can you really transfer stamina?!"
Questions fired from every direction.
Kael smiled politely, answering calmly.
Sylven gave short, humble replies.
Riven smirked. "Heh. You should've seen the other guy."
Iren scratched the back of his head.
"We just did what we had to."
More cheers.
More praise.
The atmosphere burned with excitement.
---
Then—
Grrrrrrr…
A strange, low sound echoed in the sudden pause between voices.
Silence.
Everyone froze.
A chair creaked.
Someone whispered—
"…Demons?"
A few students instinctively stepped back.
The air tightened.
Iren blinked.
"…Relax."
He placed a hand on his stomach.
"That was just me."
Beat.
"I'm hungry."
Silence.
Then—
"PFFFT—!"
Riven burst out laughing first.
"Hahahaha! You scared them with your stomach?!"
Even Kael covered his mouth.
Sylven shook his head lightly, smiling.
Around them, tension shattered.
Laughter filled the hall.
Even from across the room—
Lyra, still seated alone at her table, allowed herself a small smile.
"…Idiot."
But there was warmth in it.
---
Soon everyone returned to their seats.
The noise of dinner resumed.
Plates clinked.
Voices rose again.
But now—
When people looked at them—
It wasn't curiosity.
It was admiration.
---
After dinner—
Students began leaving one by one.
The hall grew quieter.
Iren stood from his seat.
"Hey."
The others looked at him.
"We've got one month."
Kael nodded.
"Yeah."
"If we're fighting as five… we should actually understand each other."
Riven leaned back. "You saying we don't?"
"I'm saying we don't enough."
Silence.
The firelight flickered across their faces.
"We should meet in the central hall tonight. Talk. Discuss strategies. Weaknesses."
Sylven was the first to respond.
"…That's reasonable."
Riven shrugged. "Fine. I'm in."
Kael gave a firm nod. "Let's do it."
Decision made.
None of them noticed—
At a distant table—
Lyra had heard everything.
And she lowered her gaze thoughtfully.
---
Later that night.
The academy slept.
Moonlight stretched across the stone corridors.
The four gathered inside the central hall.
Tall windows. Long shadows. Quiet air.
Before they could begin—
Footsteps echoed.
A teacher appeared at the entrance.
"What are you four doing here at this hour?"
Kael stepped forward respectfully.
"We're discussing strategy for the Inter-Academy Matches."
The teacher studied them.
Then nodded slowly.
"…Good. Just don't overdo it."
He left.
The doors closed again.
Thud.
---
Iren turned to face them.
"Alright. First—"
Creeeaaak…
The hall door slowly opened again.
All four heads snapped toward the entrance.
A silhouette stood there.
Long hair.
Calm posture.
Sharp eyes.
Lyra.
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Then—
"Iren."
Her voice was steady.
"…Can we talk?"
The room fell silent.
Riven raised an eyebrow.
Kael glanced at Iren.
Sylven observed quietly.
Iren hesitated.
"Now?"
"Yes."
She didn't move.
Just watched him.
"…It won't take long."
A few seconds passed.
Then Iren sighed lightly.
"…Fine. Five minutes."
He turned to his teammates.
"I'll be back."
Riven smirked faintly. "We'll time you."
Kael crossed his arms thoughtfully.
Sylven said nothing.
Iren walked toward the door.
As he passed Lyra—
She stepped aside.
The door closed behind them.
Click.
Inside the hall—
Silence lingered.
Riven leaned forward slightly.
"…What do you think that's about?"
Kael exhaled slowly.
"Strategy?"
Sylven's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Or something else."
Outside—
Moonlight washed over the corridor.
---