The field was still.
Broken stone. Scorched ground.
And at the center—
Kai Ryan Korr stood frozen, crimson aura flickering… unstable.
The Principal descended.
Calm.
Unshaken.
"…Kneel."
Kai's body resisted for a fraction—
Then dropped to one knee.
A pressure spread.
Wide.
Absolute.
The Principal raised a hand.
Symbols formed—thin lines of light, circling, layering, tightening.
SEAL—!!
The air rang.
Crimson surged violently—
Then was forced inward.
Inside—
Darkness cracked.
"…You dare—" the Demon Ancestor hissed.
Chains of light coiled.
Locked.
Compressed.
"…This vessel is mine—"
"…Not anymore."
The final sigil snapped shut.
CLICK.
Silence.
Kai's aura collapsed.
Clean.
Contained.
He exhaled—hard.
"…It's… quiet…"
The Principal lowered her hand.
"…It will remain sealed. For now."
A pause.
"…Do not give it reason to wake."
Kai nodded, eyes dimmer, steadier.
"…Yes."
Behind him—
Ren Qin stepped forward.
Alive. Whole.
A faint trace of something ancient still clung to him… then faded.
Kai turned.
His voice dropped.
"…I almost—"
"Yeah," Ren cut in, easy smile returning. "You did."
A beat.
Then softer—
"…Wasn't you."
Kai's shoulders loosened.
"…I'm sorry."
Ren shrugged, then grinned.
"…Apology accepted. Also—best friend privileges remain."
Kai blinked.
Speechless.
Ren leaned in, smirk widening.
"…Wow. Look who can't talk."
A few students actually laughed—nervous, but real.
Aeris approached.
Quiet.
Composed.
Her aura was as cold as ever—
But her eyes paused on Kai for a fraction too long.
A hesitation.
Hidden.
Ren noticed.
Of course he did.
Without warning—
He reached out and took her hand.
The class froze.
"…Ren."
Aeris' gaze lifted.
Cold.
Sharp.
Temperature dropped.
Visibly.
Ren's smile held for exactly one second.
Then—
"…Ah."
He released her hand immediately, stepping back with a stiff, almost terrified grin.
"…Strategic retreat."
A beat—
Then the class burst out laughing.
Even Rex huffed.
Mina covered her mouth.
Ray looked away, shoulders shaking.
Aeris turned slightly—
And for the briefest moment—
The corner of her lips lifted.
Amused.
Gone the next second.
Back to calm.
Controlled.
Ren stared, stunned.
"…I saw that."
No response.
Kai let out a small breath.
The tension… easing.
Darius stepped forward.
Clap.
Once.
"…Enough."
Silence returned.
"…You've all grown."
A glance across the field.
"…Not equally."
A few students winced.
"…But enough."
A pause.
"…We proceed."
He looked at them—one by one.
"…In three days, you will face a friendly match against another academy."
Explosion.
"No one is stopping this daddy from dominating—!"
"We're crushing them!"
"Easy wins!"
Shameless.
Loud.
Alive.
Amid the noise—
Kai, Ren, Aeris, Rex, Mina, Ray—
stood apart.
Different.
Rex cracked his neck.
"…Finally."
Mina smiled faintly.
"…Let's see how we compare."
Ray's grip tightened.
"…I won't fall behind again."
Ren stretched, grin returning.
"…New opponents, new audience… I like it."
Kai looked forward.
Calm.
Focused.
"…We prepare."
Aeris' voice followed.
Cool.
Steady.
"…Don't be weak."
Silence.
Then—
Ren laughed.
"…That sounded like encouragement."
She didn't respond.
But she didn't deny it either.
The wind shifted across the broken field.
Something new was coming.
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