The golden gates of Radiance shimmered under the afternoon sun, the light reflecting off the pristine stone walls and the vast spires that stretched into the sky. The carriage rolled to a stop just outside the training grounds, dust kicking up beneath the horses’ hooves. The five healers stepped out, weary but proud. Yumi lingered by the door, turning back to look at Itsuki. Her soft pink eyes glowed faintly in the sunlight. “Itsuki,” she said, her voice gentle, “you made history.” Itsuki blinked, taken aback. “History?” Yumi smiled shyly, but proud. “You did what no healer ever has. The world will remember your name one day.” Itsuki blushed faintly, shaking her head. “I just… did what needed to be done.” Yumi’s smile deepened. “Exactly. That’s what makes it remarkable.” The group made their way toward the training grounds, where the sound of laughter and chatter echoed across the open field. Another carriage was already parked nearby. Hiroto’s group had arrived first. Yoshinori Raikawa stood beside Ryuji Sayo, while Aiko Hanabi and Grillin lounged nearby. The group radiated energy, a mix of cocky confidence and camaraderie that filled the air like the warmth of a campfire. Ryuji was, unsurprisingly, in the middle of telling a story, his hands waving dramatically while Aiko rolled her eyes and Yoshinori stood there pretending not to listen. Then Ryuji’s gaze caught something, or rather, someone. His jaw dropped. Aira Tatsuki was stepping out of Yumi’s carriage, pink hair glinting in the sunlight, her blue eyes soft and calm. Ryuji straightened instantly, brushing imaginary dust off his jacket. “Well, hello there,” he said with a grin, striding over. “I’ve seen a lot of beautiful girls in Radiance, but I’ve never seen one as stunning as you.” Aira froze mid-step, blinking. Before she could even respond- “Pffft-HAHAHAHA!” Aiko doubled over, clutching her stomach, laughter bursting out of her uncontrollably. “Oh my, Ryuji! You seriously used that line again?!” Ryuji turned, offended. “What? It’s a compliment!” “It’s recycled!” Aiko wheezed, wiping tears from her eyes. “You use that on every girl you meet!” Yoshinori sighed quietly, his lips twitching just enough to betray a small, reluctant smirk. Aira, to her credit, didn’t laugh but her expression was politely unimpressed. She smiled softly, her voice gentle but firm. “That’s very sweet of you… but I’m not interested. Sorry.” Ryuji’s smile faltered, his shoulders slumping in theatrical defeat. “Well,” he muttered, “can’t say I didn’t try.” He trudged back toward Yoshinori and Aiko, pouting like a scolded child. Aiko wiped away another tear, still grinning ear to ear. “Told you it wouldn’t work!” “Yeah, yeah…” Ryuji grumbled. Even Yoshinori couldn’t hold back a small chuckle. As the laughter died down, Itsuki approached them with a friendly smile, her silver staff glinting in the sun. “Yoshinori!” she called. “How was your week?” Yoshinori turned toward her, the calm in his eyes softening. “It was good. The group was solid, no disasters, thankfully.” Itsuki smiled. “That’s great to hear.” She turned toward the others, offering a small bow. “Hi. I’m Itsuki Nozomi. Yoshinori and I met during the exams, we’re friends.” Aiko’s purple eyes flickered between them, curiosity sparking immediately. Friends, huh? she thought, studying the subtle warmth between them. Are they together? she wondered. If they are, I’d better back off. But if they’re not… A mischievous grin curved her lips. “Nice to meet you, Itsuki!” she said brightly, her tone all sunshine and sugar. “I’ve heard a lot about Yoshinori’s… quiet charm.” Yoshinori groaned softly. “Aiko…” But Aiko was already filing away a mental note: I’ll make him open up to me, even if it kills me. Ryuji elbowed Yoshinori with a grin. “Looks like you’re the one getting flirted with now, huh?” “Shut up,” Yoshinori muttered, though there was the faintest trace of color rising in his cheeks. Yumi, standing off to the side, watched the cheerful chaos unfold, Ryuji pouting, Aiko teasing, Itsuki laughing, and Yoshinori trying to hide amusement. Her lips curved into a soft smile. After everything they had endured, the laughter echoing through Radiance felt like the purest kind of healing. Aira and Itsuki were still deep in conversation when the heavy sound of boots and the faint scrape of metal echoed across the courtyard. All eyes turned toward the gates. Akira Namiki’s group had returned. Lars Tanabe led the way, or tried to. His cloak was torn, his once-black hair streaked with dust and blood. Ryota Masuda leaned heavily against him, one arm slung over his friend’s shoulder for support. Behind them, Yuki Kyosei walked at a steady pace, her calm blue eyes hiding exhaustion, while Emi Tsuda trailed close, her long silver hair tangled and her steps careful. They looked like they had walked straight out of a war. Yuki gave a tired wave and a polite smile. “Hey. Looks like we weren’t the only ones who had a rough week.” Aira gasped softly. “You all look awful!” Ryota tried to grin, his voice hoarse but playful. “Aww, don’t say it like that. At least tell us we look heroic.” Lars snorted, half laughing, half groaning. “Heroic? You almost blew up the dungeon.” “Details,” Ryota muttered, clutching his bandaged ribs. Emi hurried forward, bowing slightly to Yumi’s group. “I’m so sorry for how we look,” she said quietly, her voice still shaky. “We just… came from an A-rank Ghoul dungeon.” Aira’s eyes widened. “An A-rank?” Linda stopped mid-snack, staring at them. “No wonder you guys look like death.” Yumi’s eyes softened, worry flickering in her pink gaze. “Y–You all survived an A-rank dungeon? That’s incredible.” Yuki smiled faintly. “We barely did. Akira had to watch from the sidelines.” That caught everyone’s attention. “She didn’t help?” Kenichiro asked, raising a brow. Lars shook his head, chuckling breathlessly. “Nope. Said it was our ‘trial.’ Almost died proving her point.” Ryota winced, half in pain, half in pride. “Totally worth it though. I mean, we killed an A-rank boss. You should’ve seen it, explosion, fire, screaming, the whole deal.” Aiko laughed from across the group, hand on her hip. “Sounds like you almost killed yourselves.” “Almost being the key word,” Lars said, forcing a grin. “Still standing.” Yuki folded her arms, sighing softly. “Barely.” Itsuki smiled gently, stepping forward. “We’re all glad you made it back.” Yuki’s eyes softened at her words. “Thanks. But what about you? I’ve heard about what you did.” Itsuki blinked. “What I did?” Yuki nodded slowly. “The village. The plague. You cured it, didn’t you?” The nearby conversations quieted for a moment. Even Lars stopped joking. Itsuki hesitated, cheeks warming. “I… I just helped. Everyone else worked just as hard.” Lars grinned, nudging Ryota weakly. “See? That’s how you’re supposed to sound humble after doing the impossible.” “Shut up,” Ryota muttered. Yumi, standing a few steps back, watched the exchange with quiet pride. The way these students, from different teams, different trials stood together, bruised but smiling, filled her heart with something she hadn’t felt in a long time: faith for the future. “Hey,” Lars said after a pause, looking around at the gathered faces. “So why are we all here anyway? This feels like the setup to something big.” Kenichiro glanced toward the gate. “Yumi said we needed to be back for something… important.” “Important?” Ryota echoed. “Like, ‘final exam’ important?” Before anyone could answer, the air itself seemed to shift. A pulse of spiritual pressure rolled across the grounds, not oppressive, but commanding. All eyes turned toward the Radiance gates. A group of figures approached five silhouettes moving in perfect formation. The crowd murmured as they drew closer. At the front walked Kaito Ishiro with a confident smirk etched across his face. Beside him was the stoic Tetsuo Shinseki. Behind them followed Jayiden, calm and unreadable; Sora Ayanami, his sharp gaze crackling with quiet arrogance; and finally, the familiar, easy grin of Shunjiro Tenzai, his presence bright as ever. The courtyard fell silent. Lars exhaled slowly. “Well,” he said, voice low, “I guess that answers that question.” Ryota straightened slightly, despite his exhaustion. “Oh, great. If Kaito’s here, that means we’re about to see something crazy.” Aira blinked, whispering to Itsuki, “That’s… the Kaito Ishiro, right? The fastest swordsman in the Light Continent?” Itsuki nodded softly, her eyes fixed on the approaching group. “And the one who loves a grand finale.” Yumi smiled faintly, her earlier words now making perfect sense. “T–Told you,” she murmured. “He never ends the exams quietly.” As Kaito and his team entered the courtyard, the gathered students turned to face them, the strongest, the wildest, the ones who always stole the spotlight. Hiroto Makabe approached him, his posture relaxed but his sharp eyes betraying curiosity. “Hey,” he said casually, “have you heard anything from Mei?” Kaito blinked, tilting his head. “Wait-” he said slowly, his grin fading into mock surprise. “Mei isn’t here yet?” Hiroto smirked. “Doesn’t look like it.” Kaito threw his hands dramatically in the air. “Unbelievable! She missed our grand entrance!” He crossed his arms and exaggerated a pout. “I even rehearsed the timing of the scarf flip.” “Scarf flip?” Hiroto chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re ridiculous.” Before Kaito could retort, Akira Namiki and Yumi Kurosawa approached, both looking amused. Akira smirked, her arms folded over her golden armor. “What’s the matter, Kaito? Your big dramatic reveal ruined?” Kaito pointed at her accusingly. “You’re just jealous no one cheers when you walk in.” Akira raised a brow, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “You’re right, they don’t cheer. They salute.” Yumi, standing quietly beside Akira, gave a small nervous chuckle. “U–Um… maybe she’ll be here soon?” Kaito sighed dramatically, resting a hand on his hip. “She’d better be. It’s not a real Radiance finale until Mei ruins my mood.” As if on cue, a faint shimmer of blue light appeared at the gates. Mei Hoshino and her group emerged from the glow, walking in perfect formation. Mei led the way, her long lavender hair catching the sunlight, her violet eyes sharp yet calm. She wore her usual composed smile, one that managed to be both elegant and infuriating at once. “Sorry we’re late,” she said, her tone polite but cool. “Dungeon Valley took longer than expected.” Kaito put a hand to his forehead. “Of course. The drama queen arrives last.” Mei’s smile didn’t waver. She lifted her hand and snapped her fingers. A shimmer of spiritual energy flared and suddenly, a translucent barrier formed around Kaito’s head like a glowing bubble. Kaito’s mouth moved furiously behind the barrier, but no sound came out, only muffled gestures and wild pointing. “Much better,” Mei said smoothly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Peace and quiet.” Akira doubled over laughing. “Oh, Mei, I’ve missed this.” Yumi covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. “H–He looks so angry.” Mei turned back toward the gathered students, her expression turning all business. “We just returned from Dungeon Valley. My group cleared a B-rank Skeleton Dungeon. It was perfect training for defense and endurance.” Hiroto crossed his arms, amused. “B-rank skeletons, huh? Sounds like a good call for rookies.” Mei smiled faintly. “It was. They learned to block attacks instead of panicking.” Mei’s eyes flicked toward him, her tone turning teasing. “Speaking of, Hiroto, you still owe me for stealing my Ryuji.” Ryuji blinked. “Wait, what?” Mei sighed dramatically, shaking her head. “He was supposed to be mine. I could’ve made a real tank out of him.” Hiroto laughed, hands up in mock defense. “You snooze, you lose. I needed him for balance. My team’s full of maniacs.” Ryuji’s chest puffed out immediately. “He’s right. I’m essential. Look at this, the strongest adventurers in Radiance arguing about me.” Aiko rolled her eyes. “He’s never letting this go, is he?” “Never,” Yoshinori replied dryly. Meanwhile, Kaito was still silently raging in his barrier, arms waving, face red, mouthing what was almost certainly a series of very colorful words. Finally, Mei snapped her fingers again. The barrier dissolved with a faint crackle. Kaito inhaled sharply, glaring daggers at her. “You dare silence greatness?!” Mei smiled sweetly. “I saved everyone from another one of your speeches. You should thank me.” Akira grinned. “She’s got a point.” Hiroto smirked. “She usually does.” Kaito groaned, rubbing his temples. “You people are impossible.” Then, straightening, he turned toward the crowd of students. “Fine. Enough jokes. Let’s get this show started.” Mei crossed her arms, still smirking. “About time.” Kaito glanced over his shoulder at his group, Shunjiro, Tetsuo, Jayiden, and Sora and gave a short nod. The crowd of recruits gathered along the edge of the Radiance Training Grounds, the air thick with anticipation. The late afternoon sun burned gold across the field, throwing long shadows from the stone walls that encircled it. Kaito Ishiro stood alone in the center, cloak fluttering in the wind, sword drawn, his smirk calm and unreadable. The four before him, Shunjiro Tenzai, Sora Ayanami, Jayiden, and Tetsuo Shinseki took their positions opposite him, each radiating confidence in their own way. Kaito raised his voice so that everyone could hear. “Alright. Here’s your final test.” The crowd fell silent. “For the last five days, you’ve ran, fought, and survived everything I could throw at you. Now, all that’s left…” He pointed the tip of his blade toward them, “…is to prove you can land a hit on me.” Whispers rippled through the recruits. “Wait, just one hit?” someone murmured. “Sounds easy,” another said, laughing nervously. Kaito’s smirk deepened. “Don’t get the wrong idea. You only need one hit… but landing it won’t be simple.” He rested his sword casually against his shoulder. “If even one of you manages to touch me, a cut, a tap, a scratch you pass the entrance exam. But if you can’t…” His gaze sharpened, and his tone dropped. “…then you’re not ready for the world.” The words sent a chill down the field. Itsuki, standing among the spectators beside Yumi, clutched her staff anxiously. Her heart thudded as she looked at Shunjiro, who stood poised, his expression focused but calm. “Yumi,” Itsuki whispered, “what happens if they don’t pass?” Yumi blinked, glancing at her softly. “I–It’s not the end,” she said reassuringly. “If they fail the fifteen-year exams, they can try again at sixteen and seventeen. And even after that, there’s an eighteen-and-up division. So… they always have another chance.” Itsuki nodded slowly, though her worry didn’t ease. “Still… I hope they don’t have to wait another year.” “They won’t,” Yumi said quietly, her voice steady for once. “Not that group.” Out in the field, Kaito motioned with his sword, a teasing grin playing on his lips. “Well? Show me what you’ve learned.” The crowd erupted into cheers. Among the spectators, Lars and Ryota were the loudest, despite barely being able to stand on their own. “Let’s go, Sora!” Ryota shouted, voice hoarse. “Hit him in one shot! Show him who’s boss!” Lars laughed weakly. “Yeah! Make that smug bastard eat dirt!” Akira appeared behind them, arms crossed, golden armor gleaming faintly in the sun. “Really?” she said dryly. “That’s your advice?” Both boys turned, startled. “A–Akira!” She raised an eyebrow. “You two can barely stand, yet you’re cheering for someone to blow all their energy in one attack?” Ryota rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, I mean… it’s Kaito. You’d have to go all out to even land a scratch.” Akira’s eyes narrowed slightly, though her tone remained calm, that teacher’s edge sharpening her words. “And what happens when you miss?” Neither of them answered. She stepped closer, her voice low but cutting through the noise of the crowd. “If you pour everything into one attack and it fails, you’ve just become dead weight. In a dungeon, in a raid, in a real fight that mistake doesn’t cost you points. It costs lives.” Lars swallowed hard. Akira continued, her tone softer now, almost reflective. “Power isn’t about using all your energy at once. It’s about knowing when to use it and when to hold back.” She glanced toward Kaito in the field, her golden eyes narrowing. “You think he’s just strong because he’s fast? No. He wins because he never wastes a single movement. Every strike has purpose.” Ryota looked down, the weight of her words settling in. Akira placed a hand on Lars’s shoulder. “If you two want to survive long enough to fight alongside people like him… you’ll have to learn that too.” She turned back toward the field, her ponytail whipping lightly in the breeze. “Now watch. You might actually learn something.” Kaito lowered his stance, the air around him shimmering faintly with energy. “Come on then,” he called, his grin widening. “Show me the strength I trained.” Across from him, Shunjiro and his team readied themselves blades, fists, and spirit alike. The crowd went silent again, holding its breath. Sora didn’t wait for a signal. He exploded forward in a blur, his right fist coated in radiant spiritual energy. Dust kicked up beneath his feet as he swung wide, aiming straight for Kaito’s ribs. Kaito’s blue eyes tracked every movement. He had been expecting this. Sora’s first strike cut through air. Kaito stepped aside like a whisper. Another swing, a rapid follow-up dodged again, effortlessly. He weaved through the blows, cloak rippling around him, his movements fluid and mocking. “Predictable,” he murmured. Sora gritted his teeth. Adaptation’s useless against someone like him… he’s too fast. He swung again, desperate to catch Kaito off-balance but Kaito was already gone. In a single motion, Kaito stepped left, sliding into Sora’s blind spot. “Strike three,” he said, almost playfully. Then came the counter. His fist slammed into Sora’s ribs clean, precise, and devastating. The impact sent Sora skidding backward, a trail of dust following him as he gasped for breath. Before the dust could settle, Tetsuo charged next. His hands hit the ground with a thunderous crack, summoning two massive stone pillars that shot up from the earth, aiming to crush Kaito between them. The ground trembled but Kaito was already moving. He ducked under the collision, the two pillars smashing together with a deafening boom that sent shards of rock flying. Tetsuo leapt through the debris, his right arm hardening to stone. With a roar, he came crashing down with a fist infused with spiritual energy and sheer weight. The air split from the force. Kaito rolled aside just in time, the fist slamming into the ground where he’d been standing a heartbeat ago. Dust filled the air. Kaito stood, brushing off his cloak, clicking his tongue. “You got my coat dirty,” he muttered. In the blink of an eye, he dashed forward, a streak of orange light. Before Tetsuo could even raise his arms, Kaito’s palm struck him square in the chest, sending him flying backward into the dirt. The impact echoed like thunder. Then Jayiden moved. He was a blur of motion, his dual katanas drawn in a fluid cross slash. The feral edge in his movements made him look less like a fighter and more like a beast hunting prey. Kaito twisted, sidestepping each strike with flawless precision, his movements so clean it felt like he was dancing through the chaos. Jayiden’s frustration grew with every miss. His swings got sharper, faster, but still, nothing landed. He snarled and charged his blades with spiritual energy, the air crackling around him. But before he could even bring them down, Kaito vanished. In the next instant, he was beside Jayiden, his hand already cocked back for a punch. “Five days,” Kaito said quietly, voice cutting through the sound of clashing steel. “And you’ve been holding back this whole time.” Jayiden’s eyes widened. “What-?” Kaito’s fist connected with his jaw before he could finish the thought. The blow sent him crashing into the dirt, blood splattering across his lips. Tetsuo slammed his palms to the ground again, summoning a wave of shifting stone that rippled like liquid toward Kaito. Kaito grinned. “Finally.” He sprinted forward, on top of the moving wave. Each step left a flash of light as he ran along the crest of the stone, leaping from wave to wave, his movements graceful and taunting. Dust and energy filled the air as Jayiden groaned, rolling onto his side, blood dripping from his mouth. Shunjiro stood at the edge of the field, watching. His fists clenched at his sides. Every attempt was useless. How am I supposed to land a hit on him… when I can’t even control my own power? “Shrimp!” Sora’s voice snapped him out of it. Shunjiro blinked. “What?” Sora wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, forcing a grin. “Are you at least thinking of a plan, or are you gonna wimp out?” Shunjiro exhaled slowly, then shook his head. “Attacking one by one isn’t working. We need to hit him together, box him in so he can’t move freely.” Sora nodded, cracking his knuckles. “I like the sound of that. Don’t know if rock boy and furball can follow orders though.” “They’ll listen,” Shunjiro said firmly. “I know Tetsuo will.” Jayiden pushed himself to his feet, tasting iron in his mouth. “…Blend in,” he muttered, recalling the shadowy voice that had haunted him. His grip tightened on his swords. “Forget that. I’m killing him.” Kaito’s smirk returned as the four regrouped, their eyes burning with renewed determination. “That’s more like it,” he said, resting a hand on his sword hilt again. “Let’s see if you can make me move this time.” Sora and Tetsuo charged first. Tetsuo slammed his palms into the ground, stone bursting upward in thick slabs that stacked into rising platforms. He launched himself high, fists coated in stone and energy. Below, Sora sprinted, his body a blur of motion, one fighter descending from above, another rising from below. “Now!” Sora shouted. They converged. Kaito ducked low, his movement so fluid it barely disturbed the dust. His legs slid across the stone floor, sweeping under Sora’s legs tripping him in one effortless motion while Tetsuo came crashing down, his stone fist colliding with empty ground. The impact split the ground. Before Tetsuo could recover, Kaito spun upward in one smooth, lethal motion. His cloak snapped behind him as he drove forward, the movement clean and fluid, no wasted effort, no hesitation. Two rapid punches landed square across Tetsuo’s back, one to the shoulder, the second to the spine. Tetsuo hit the ground hard, the air leaving his lungs. But Kaito barely had time to breathe. Shunjiro and Jayiden were already moving. Shunjiro came in first, fists glowing faintly as he threw two sharp punches. Each strike carried his entire heart behind it. This was his moment. Every bit of training, every wound, every failure, it all led to this single chance to prove himself. But Kaito read him like a page. He stepped back just enough for both punches to sail through empty air. The wind from Shunjiro’s swings whipped Kaito’s scarf around his neck, but not a hair on his head moved out of place. Before Shunjiro could recover, Jayiden came spinning in, twin katanas carving through the air like streaks of silver lightning. The sudden burst of movement forced Kaito to shift his stance, eyes narrowing. For the first time, he couldn’t just sidestep. He drew his katana. Steel clashed, a blinding flash. Jayiden’s blades collided with Kaito’s in a flurry of sparks, the shockwave rattling the field. Jayiden grinned through the pressure, forcing Kaito to stay grounded. “Finally,” Kaito muttered under his breath, parrying another slash. Sora rejoined the fray, darting through Jayiden’s swings. He weaved between the slashing blades, his fists flickering with energy as he tried to land a clean hit. Kaito’s blade sang. In one continuous rhythm, he deflected Sora’s punches and Jayiden’s swords, every movement precise, economical, perfect. Tetsuo rose again behind him, summoning a solid wall of rock to block Kaito’s retreat. “Nowhere to run,” Tetsuo growled. Kaito smirked. “Finally learning to corner your opponent. Good.” The four pressed in energy flaring, dust swirling, hearts pounding. Kaito’s grin widened. “But you’re forgetting something.” The orange glow along his blade brightened. He exhaled, his aura expanding like heat from a forge. “I can amp it up too.” An eruption of radiant energy burst from his sword, his entire body enveloped in a brilliant orange glow. The heat rolling off him distorted the air, shimmering like a mirage. Jayiden swung both blades, but Kaito’s next block sent a shockwave across the ground. The force of his spiritual aura pushed Jayiden back, his boots skidding through the dirt. Sora leapt away, shielding his face from the heat. Tetsuo gritted his teeth and raised both arms, summoning three massive boulders above Kaito’s head. He dropped them. The stones fell like meteorites, each one heavy enough to crush a carriage. Kaito tilted his head up, eyes glinting gold. “Cute.” He swung once. A single arc of searing orange light erupted from his blade, slicing clean through all three boulders in one breath. The shards exploded in every direction, raining molten dust across the field. From the debris, Shunjiro appeared, his form descending fast, almost ghostlike. Kaito turned his focus to Tetsuo, unaware of Shunjiro above him. For a heartbeat, Shunjiro felt it, the stillness, the perfect moment to strike. He dropped from the sky, aiming for Kaito’s head. But at the last second, Kaito’s instincts flared. He twisted, narrowly dodging Tetsuo’s counterpunch and Shunjiro’s dive in the same movement. His blade followed through in a rising arc, a single clean motion that tore through Shunjiro’s sleeve and nicked his shirt. Shunjiro landed, stumbling back, eyes wide. Kaito exhaled, his grin fading into something sharper, focused. That was close. He couldn’t sense Shunjiro’s presence until he was already above him. How did he vanish like that? But there was no time to wonder. Jayiden was already back on his feet, blood still staining his lips. He clenched both blades, their edges humming with power as he poured everything he had left into them. Twin arcs of spiritual energy crackled at the tips. Kaito’s eyes narrowed. Jayiden roared and swung both swords outward, releasing two blinding crescents of power that tore through the air in an “X” formation, the ground splitting behind them. Kaito’s grin returned. “Good. Now you’re fighting me.” He raised his blade, his orange aura flaring bright, and in one motion, unleashed a slash of pure radiant force. The golden arc met Jayiden’s twin slashes midair and crushed them. The resulting explosion sent dust billowing across the field, a wave of heat rolling over the spectators. When it cleared, Kaito was still standing unscathed, sword glowing with molten light. Jayiden fell to one knee, panting, his swords smoking. Sora clenched his fists. “If that didn’t hit him… what hope do the rest of us have?” Then he smirked to himself, standing tall again. “Guess we don’t got a choice. I’m not retaking the exams next year, I’d be too embarrassed to show my face.” Jayiden barely had time to catch his breath before Kaito moved. One instant, he was standing at a distance, the next, he was there. A flash of light, a blur of motion. Kaito dashed forward with such speed that even the dust lagged behind him. His blade carved a blazing arc through the air, the sound sharp enough to make the spectators flinch. “I know you’re far stronger than that,” Kaito said coldly, his words slicing the silence just as his blade sliced through Jayiden’s chest. The strike wasn’t deep, just enough to draw a line of blood across his torso but the effect rippled through the entire arena. Jayiden stumbled back, eyes wide, a shocked breath escaping him as he clutched the wound. The crowd gasped. “K–Kaito!” Yumi’s voice trembled, her pink eyes wide with worry. Her healer’s instinct flared immediately, but Akira’s hand on her shoulder stopped her. “Wait,” Akira murmured, her yellow eyes narrowing. Yumi hesitated. “B–But he’s bleeding!” Across from them, Mei Hoshino sighed, folding her arms. “That idiot,” she muttered. “Kaito always finds a way to take things too far.” Hiroto chuckled under his breath, though his tone carried quiet understanding. “No… he’s testing them. He doesn’t hit unless he believes they can take it. He sees something in this group.” Akira’s gaze remained fixed on the field, her voice low and even. “Or he’s pushing them to see if they’ll break first. Either way…” a faint smile tugged at her lips, “his squad’s come a long way in four days.” Down on the field, the mood had shifted. Sora, Tetsuo, and Shunjiro stared, stunned, as Jayiden steadied himself, blood seeping between his fingers but defiance still burning in his eyes. Kaito turned toward the remaining three, his smirk returning sharp, confident, and dangerous. “Come on,” he said, resting his blade over his shoulder. “You still need one hit. Don’t tell me you’re done already.” The crowd murmured, torn between awe and disbelief. Sora stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Shunjiro. “Well,” he muttered, “I guess he’s done playing nice.”  He glanced sideways at Shunjiro. “Hey, how’d you sneak up on him earlier?” Shunjiro blinked. “What?” “When you dropped from above he didn’t sense you. How’d you do that?” Shunjiro frowned, thinking back. “I don’t know… maybe he just didn’t notice me. Maybe I’m too weak to be detected.” Sora snorted, laughing despite the tension. “Heh. Sounds about right.” Shunjiro rolled his eyes. “Real encouraging.” Sora grinned, cracking his knuckles. “I’m serious. Whatever that was, do it again. Make him lose track of you and give him a good surprise.” Shunjiro shook his head. “He’s watching me now. I doubt I can surprise him twice.” Sora’s grin widened. “Then we’ll make him watch someone else.” The two exchanged a silent nod. Across the field, Kaito watched them closely, his blade still humming faintly with orange light. His smirk softened just slightly, admiration hidden behind the arrogance. Good, he thought. That’s the look I wanted to see. The air vibrated with tension and then chaos erupted. Sora lunged first, lightning-fast and reckless, his fists glowing with blinding spiritual energy. He darted left and right, his movements unpredictable, every punch echoing like an explosion as he closed the gap. Kaito parried, deflected, and sidestepped, his blade a streak of orange light that whistled through the air. Sparks flew with each clash. Kaito barely moved his feet, his precision effortless. Jayiden came in next, blood still drying on his chest, his twin blades a blur of silver arcs. “Not this time,” he hissed, spinning low as Sora leapt over him. Their combined strikes created a flurry of motion, fists, blades, and light weaving together in perfect chaos. Kaito flowed between them like molten metal, bending but never breaking. He blocked Sora’s hook with the back of his blade, twisted, and ducked beneath Jayiden’s cross-slash. The ground cracked beneath their feet, chunks of stone flying as the pressure of their spiritual energy collided. Then Tetsuo entered the fray. He slammed his hands down, summoning jagged stone spikes that burst upward like a tidal wave. Kaito leapt onto one mid-rise, his movements still impossibly calm. From there, he spun kicking off the stone, driving his knee into Tetsuo’s chest, sending the larger boy stumbling back. Jayiden’s blades sliced upward, Sora’s energy-charged fist came from the other side, both aiming for Kaito’s midsection. Kaito twisted his sword, deflecting Jayiden’s attack, then spun under Sora’s punch, the motion so clean it almost looked choreographed. The blade flickered once and Sora’s sleeve split open from the air pressure alone. “Keep pushing!” Sora shouted, sweat flying from his brow. They moved as one, strikes raining down from every angle. Kaito ducked, turned, and weaved, his scarf snapping in the wind. His eyes burned gold, his aura pulsing hotter and brighter with every movement. The field was a storm of energy now. Dust filled the air, chunks of stone scattered, and the crowd could barely follow what was happening. Kaito’s smirk widened as he parried yet another attack. “Good,” he said over the chaos, his voice steady despite the storm. “Now you’re starting to look like warriors.” Then Kaito pivoted, his blade cutting through the air in a fiery orange arc that sent all three of them flying back at once. Sora hit the ground, rolling. Jayiden’s blades dug into the dirt to stop his slide. Tetsuo slammed a stone wall behind himself to absorb the impact. The dust settled. Kaito exhaled slowly, lowering his blade. “Not bad,” he said, scanning the three exhausted fighters before him. “But not enough.” He didn’t realize it yet, but one fighter was missing. The crowd didn’t either. Not until the faintest ripple of displaced air shimmered just above him. For a single heartbeat, everything went silent. Then Shunjiro fell from the sky. He dropped like a shadow through sunlight, no aura, no sound, no warning. His energy was faint, almost nonexistent, drowned out by the chaos of his teammates’ attacks. By the time Kaito sensed him, it was too late. “What?” Kaito barely managed to whisper before Shunjiro’s fist connected squarely with his chest. The impact echoed across the training grounds, a single, solid thud that cut through the roaring silence. It wasn’t the strongest hit. It didn’t even make Kaito stumble. But it was clean. A hit was a hit. The crowd froze. Even the wind seemed to stop. Kaito looked down slowly at the fist pressed against his chest. The grin faded from his lips, replaced with something else, surprise, then… pride. Shunjiro stared up at him, panting, his arm trembling from the effort. “I… hit you,” he said breathlessly, as if even he couldn’t believe it. Kaito blinked once then let out a soft chuckle. “You did.” He stepped back, lowering his blade. The orange glow around him dimmed, returning to a soft shimmer. The crowd erupted. Cheers, laughter, disbelief all of it blending into a single wave of noise that rolled through the courtyard. Yumi’s eyes widened in relief. “He did it…” Akira smirked faintly. “He actually pulled it off.” Mei sighed, crossing her arms. “Kaito’s gonna brag about this one for months.” Hiroto laughed under his breath. “He’s proud of them. You can see it in his face.” And it was true. Kaito sheathed his blade slowly, his grin returning not the mocking kind, but something genuine, something earned. “Well done,” he said softly, his voice carrying over the cheers. “That’s how Radiance is born in chaos, in teamwork… and in one lucky punch.” Shunjiro collapsed to his knees, breathing hard, but the smallest smile crept across his face. He did it. The boy no one saw coming, the one with no flashy powers to be noticed, had just landed a blow on the fastest man in Radiance. The cheers from the crowd still echoed across the training grounds, a chorus of disbelief and celebration. Dust swirled gently in the sunlight as Kaito lowered his sword, pride shining in his eyes. Shunjiro remained on one knee, chest heaving, his hand pressed against the dirt. His heartbeat pounded in his ears not from exhaustion, but from the realization that it was over. He’d done it. He’d landed a hit. Before he could fully catch his breath, a familiar voice called out across the field. “Shunjiro!” He looked up just as Itsuki Nozomi sprinted from the sidelines, her long black hair flowing behind her, her silver staff in her hand. She dropped to her knees beside him, smiling so brightly it nearly outshone the setting sun. “You did it!” she laughed, breathless. “You actually hit him!” Shunjiro blinked, surprised, then let out a weak chuckle. “Yeah… I guess I did. Still don’t know how though.” Itsuki giggled, the sound full of relief. “You don’t need to know how, you just did it. That’s what matters.” She held out her hands, light blooming from her palms as she began to heal him. Warmth spread through his chest and arms as the aches and bruises faded. Shunjiro felt strength returning to his limbs, his exhaustion melting away. “That’s… amazing,” he murmured, looking at her with a small grin. “You’re a lifesaver, literally.” Itsuki smiled softly. “Just doing my job.” For a moment, they stayed there in the fading light, healer and fighter, both shining in their own way. “Seriously,” Shunjiro said, still grinning. “Didn’t think you’d be the first one running out here.” Itsuki laughed lightly. “Well, someone had to make sure you didn’t pass out.” He chuckled. “Yeah, fair.” Before either of them could say more, a shadow fell over them. “About time you stood up.” Shunjiro looked up to see Yoshinori Raikawa standing nearby, his expression calm but his lips curved in a faint smile. He extended a hand down. Shunjiro grinned, gripping it firmly as Yoshinori helped him to his feet. “Yoshinori. Wassup my man?” “Not much,” Yoshinori said, brushing off his coat. “Just ready to take the next step.” Shunjiro nodded, eyes gleaming. “Yeah… me too.” They shared a brief, mutual look, quiet understanding between young warriors who’d both come far. Then came the familiar voices of chaos. “Let’s gooo!” Sora shouted as he jogged over, throwing an arm around Shunjiro’s shoulders. “I knew you’d do it, shrimp! Totally believed in you the whole time.” Shunjiro snorted. “Oh yeah? ‘Cause last time I checked, you said I’d be lucky to even hit the guy’s shadow.” Sora blinked, pretending to think. “…Well, I meant that as motivation.” Behind them, Tetsuo lumbered over, his trademark grin wide as ever. “Hey, hey! The plan worked, didn’t it? I told you teamwork, baby.” Sora pointed at him. “My plan. You just did the distracting.” Tetsuo crossed his arms. “Exactly, the important part.” Shunjiro rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. “I mean… it was just one punch.” “Yeah,” Sora said proudly, “but it was the punch.” Laughter rippled through the group. Even Kaito, standing a few paces away, couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his students, who were stronger than when they started. Akira stepped beside Yumi, arms folded as she watched them. “They’re rough around the edges,” she said, “but I’ll admit… Kaito’s team learned faster than I thought.” Mei smirked faintly. “You mean they survived him.” Hiroto chuckled. “Same thing.” Yumi’s smile was soft, pride glimmering in her eyes. “This year has some special rookies.” The sun began to dip behind the walls of Radiance, bathing the training grounds in gold. Kaito turned. “Alright,” he said, voice carrying easily over the noise. “That’s enough standing around.” The murmuring crowd quieted. “The fifth day’s done,” Kaito continued, his tone steady but edged with pride. “You’ve all bled, fought, and survived more than I expected, honestly.” A faint grin tugged at his lips. “Now let’s see if you can stand through the part that actually matters.” He turned toward the building’s massive double doors at the far end of the field, sunlight glinting off their engraved Radiance crest. “Everyone, meet in the Great Hall for the ceremony. Don’t drag your feet, this is the moment you’ve been fighting for.”