The dining hall was filled with the aroma of freshly cooked food, but an eerie silence loomed over the table.
The long wooden dining table stretched across the room, illuminated by dim lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The warm glow gave a false sense of comfort, but beneath it, tensions simmered like a boiling pot of unsaid words.
Jasper sat at the farthest end of the table, his chopsticks idly poking at his food.
His mind was elsewhere.
No—his mind was on her.
Seinna.
She sat across from him, eating as if nothing had happened.
As if he hadn't shoved her.
As if he hadn't insulted her.
As if he hadn't slapped her.
Jasper's jaw tightened.
What does it take?
What should he do to make her hate him?
To make her give up?
Seinna was still talking normally, chatting with the others, occasionally throwing casual remarks his way.
But he ignored her.
He had to.
If he acknowledged her now, he knew she would win.
The peaceful facade was shattered when Aiko, a younger girl with bright green eyes and short auburn hair, suddenly spoke up.
Her gaze landed on Seinna's cheek.
"Huh? Seinna, what happened to your face?"
The entire table paused.
All eyes turned toward her.
Jasper's grip on his chopsticks tightened.
Seinna blinked, then let out a soft laugh.
"Oh, this?" She touched her cheek lightly, then shrugged. "I fell down the stairs."
She laughed again, her voice casual, almost playful.
"Nothing serious."
And just like that—everyone believed her.
Aiko let out a relieved sigh.
"Jeez, be careful next time!" she scolded lightly before returning to her food.
The conversation resumed.
But Jasper—he was stunned.
She lied for him.
She had every reason to tell them what happened, to expose him for what he had done.
But instead—she covered for him.
Why?
Why wouldn't she just hate him?
Jasper couldn't understand it.
And it was driving him insane.
Sitting at the side of the table, Kenshiro narrowed his eyes.
He had been quiet the whole time, but Seinna's words didn't add up.
She said she fell from the stairs.
But—
"There are no stairs."
His golden eyes flickered as he glanced at the others.
The rooms were all on the ground floor.
The only reason Seinna would have been near stairs was if she had gone up to the rooftop.
And if she did—
She was Seinna.
She wouldn't just fall.
Kenshiro took a silent bite of his food, his mind calculating.
There was only one explanation.
Something happened on that rooftop.
And Kenshiro had a very strong suspicion of what it was.
His gaze briefly flickered to Jasper, who was eating in deep thought.
Kenshiro sighed.
"Tch. What a pain."
But he decided to stay silent.
For now.
While the others were unaware of the silent war between Seinna and Jasper, Kai had his own struggles.
His thoughts were completely elsewhere.
"Damn it… How the hell am I supposed to beat Sensei tomorrow?"
He shoved food into his mouth but barely tasted it.
Tomorrow was the sparring match.
He had challenged his mentor—and if he lost, his reputation would take a hit.
He had been training endlessly, perfecting his techniques, but still—he couldn't shake off the nervous energy buzzing in his chest.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Jasper deep in thought.
"Hah… at least I'm not the only one dealing with something."
***
After dinner, they all prepared to sleep.
Since there were limited rooms, they spread out mattresses in the common sleeping area.
The dim candlelight flickered, casting soft shadows against the wooden walls.
One by one, the others laid down.
Jasper hesitated for a moment, but eventually, he sat on his mattress.
And, of course—Seinna was right beside him.
She acted like nothing was wrong.
She even stretched her arms with a small yawn, completely at ease.
Jasper turned to face the opposite direction.
He couldn't look at her.
His chest felt… strange.
A tight, suffocating feeling that he couldn't name.
Why?
Why wouldn't she just hate him already?
Jasper clenched his fists beneath the blanket.
While everyone else settled in for the night, Kenshiro remained awake.
His sharp eyes flickered toward the small scroll tucked inside his sleeve.
A message for the Homurakage.
His mission was complete.
But now—he had to report back.
Kenshiro sat up, his golden eyes gleaming in the dim candlelight.
He had a decision to make.
Should he tell the Homurakage everything?
Or should he keep certain truths hidden?
His fingers tightened around the scroll.
"Tch. What a pain."
For now—he would wait.
But one thing was clear.
Tonight's events had changed something.
And the storm brewing between Seinna and Jasper was far from over.
CTS TIME: RE250.05.29 – 11:45 PM
Before laying down for the night, Seinna sat at the small wooden desk in their temporary hotel room, her fingers flying over the holographic interface of her ISA-issued wristwatch.
The screen displayed a highly classified transmission window, glowing faintly in the dim candlelight.
Her silver eyes scanned the final report, ensuring every last piece of data was attached.
Mission Summary: Research on Kasai Clan
Energy Signature Analysis: Ryuji Inazuma's Transformation
Observations on Local Politics: Daimyo Conflict & Power Structures
Unusual Findings: Dragonis & Infernum reaction to Nyxarion energy
Additional Notes: Field observations of Kenshiro's Akarugan
Seinna took a slow breath.
With a final tap—the encrypted files vanished into the ether, traveling across the stars back to ISA HQ.
"Report sent."
She leaned back, stretching her arms.
But her thoughts lingered.
"Ryuji Inazuma… your power is unnatural. Even your own people don't understand you."
A small smirk tugged at her lips.
"But I will."
And with that—she powered down her interface, closed her eyes, and rested.
***
Meanwhile—in the heart of Hikarashi Village—
Inside a dimly lit, circular office, the Homurakage sat alone at his grand wooden desk, his sharp eyes scanning multiple floating holographic reports.
The flames of the lanterns flickered, casting long shadows against the stone walls, the room heavy with an eerie silence.
The faint glow of a transmission screen flickered to life.
A message from the Interstellar Space Agency (ISA).
The automated voice echoed in the quiet chamber.
"Thanks-giving message from ISA HQ. We express gratitude for the cooperation between the Hikarashi Shinobi and the ISA, strengthening our bond through mutual research and support. Special appreciation is extended for assisting our Hyperion Defender, Pro Hero A-Ranker, Seinna Frostveil."
The Homurakage's fingers tapped against the desk.
His expression remained unreadable.
But in his mind—questions swirled.
"Seinna Frostveil… Just how much do you truly know?"
Before he could ponder further—a shadow flickered within the room.
A masked figure knelt before him.
The ANBU Messenger.
The ANBU shinobi's mask reflected the dim candlelight, his presence barely disturbing the air.
The Homurakage's voice was calm but firm.
"Ryuji Inazuma's transformation… the seal on him is loosening."
The ANBU's head tilted slightly.
"Concerning."
The Homurakage nodded.
"Not just concerning—dangerous. His power is beyond what we expected. And now, the ISA has their eyes on him."
The ANBU's voice was quiet yet sharp.
"Seinna Frostveil has shown an unusual level of knowledge about us."
The Homurakage exhaled slowly.
"She does."
"And two outsiders wielding swords as powerful as legendary blades."
The ANBU's masked face remained unreadable.
"They are not normal travelers. Their strength surpasses most Genin. Perhaps even some Chunin. ISA knows too much about us. And if they know our weaknesses—"
The Homurakage raised a hand, cutting him off.
"I understand your concern. But ISA has been an ally for years. They have helped us in times of crisis. I do not believe they will betray us."
A pause.
The ANBU, still kneeling, hesitated.
"And yet… we cannot ignore the possibility."
The Homurakage's gaze darkened slightly.
He knew the ANBU's words held truth.
Seinna Frostveil was not an ordinary researcher.
She was far too knowledgeable.
She had spoken the Kasai Clan's prayer in perfect form—flawless, as if she had lived among them.
Even the Temple Priests struggled to recite it so accurately.
And yet, she—a foreigner, a Hyperion Defender—had spoken it effortlessly.
It was not normal.
The Homurakage's fingers tightened against his desk.
"We will proceed with caution. Watch them closely. But do not act unless necessary."
The ANBU gave a short bow.
"Understood."
And with that—he vanished into the darkness.
Alone again, the Homurakage closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair.
The glow of the transmission screen still flickered before him.
Seinna Frostveil…
Jasper Tyros…
Serena Blackspire…
These three outsiders had become wild cards.
They had done nothing wrong.
But they had proven to be unpredictable.
He could not trust them.
Not fully.
With a slow breath, he reached for a new scroll.
A blank one.
One that would hold his next message.
And this time—it would not be sent to ISA.
Instead, it would be sent to another ally.
One who had been watching from the shadows all along.
"If ISA truly knows our weakness… then we must ensure they never use it against us."
He pressed his brush to paper—and the next move was made.