Pant… pant… gasp… huff… puff…
Ito bent forward, hands on his knees, sweat dripping freely from his brow."That's… enough for today…" he panted. Straightening up, he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, catching his breath."Now… time to find Captain Zeth and ask about the tournament."
He wandered through the training grounds and down a winding corridor, glancing into every open hallway and shadowed corner. But no matter where he looked, the captain was nowhere to be found. Just as he turned toward the west wing—
A sharp voice rang out behind him.
"Ito. What are you doing skulking around here?"
He jolted and spun around."Vice-Captain Sylas!" Ito exclaimed, standing straight like a startled recruit.
Sylas stood with arms crossed, one brow raised in suspicion."If you're looking for Captain Zeth, he's out on business. Speak."
"I wanted to ask about the Knight Festival tournament," Ito said quickly. "I know it's supposed to be for students only… but I was hoping maybe there's a way I could still enter?"
Sylas's expression softened ever so slightly."You may be part of the First Squad now, but you haven't been officially registered in the Supreme Knights' system. Technically, you're still a student."
Ito's eyes lit up."Wait—so I can join?"
Sylas gave a small nod.
"Yes!"
He threw a fist into the air and beamed. "Thank you, Vice-Captain!" With a hurried bow, he dashed down the hall, excitement burning through his fatigue.
Sylas remained behind, watching him go. Slowly, his sharp features eased, and something distant flickered in his eyes—a memory, soft as mist.
—"You want me to let Ito know he's allowed to take part?"Zeth had stood with his arms folded, gaze firm."Yes. I'll be away on a mission."
Sylas had hesitated. "But with bounty hunters still watching him…""He needs this," Zeth replied calmly. "It's part of his growth."
A long pause."…Understood."
The memory faded, and sunlight filtered through the tall windows, streaking across the polished stone floor. Shadows shifted like echoes of unspoken thoughts.
"He trusts that boy more than anyone…" Sylas murmured under his breath. "Even more than himself."
Only fifteen hours remained before the Knight Festival began.
The academy buzzed with energy. Laughter echoed through the courtyards, voices rose in excited chatter, and the scent of roasted nuts and warm bread drifted from the kitchens. Students raced about, hanging banners dyed in vibrant squad colors. Magical lanterns floated midair, casting a soft glow over the campus as festival charms hummed with faint energy.
In the central courtyard, Sara and Shion worked with their classmates, hands busy tying silk sashes and rune-laced decorations.
"Hey, Sara," Shion called as she adjusted a levitating lantern. "Are you entering the tournament too?"
Sara didn't look up as she knotted a ribbon. "If Ito's joining, then I'll be there."
Shion smirked. "Wow, you really like him, huh?"
Sara's hand paused mid-knot."…It's not like that." A faint blush crept up her cheeks. "We're just… family."
Shion laughed softly. "Relax. I'm teasing."She paused, her expression turning distant. "I haven't decided if I'm entering."
Sara turned to her, sunlight brushing gold across her features. "Why not come with us?"
Shion blinked. "Huh?"
"This is our last year. After this, we'll be scattered—different squads, different lives. We might not get another chance like this. Let's make a memory."
For a moment, Shion said nothing. Then slowly, a smile crept across her lips.
"…Alright. I'll join."
As the afternoon faded into evening, the academy transformed into a realm of flickering lights and shimmering color.
With five hours left until the festival's official opening, magic pulsed in the air—subtle, quiet, electric. Across all twenty-five nations, scrying crystals were being set up. Flags unfurled. Excitement stirred.
In the soft breeze, a single green petal drifted from the sky. It danced lazily through the air, riding invisible currents… and landed gently atop Ito's head.
"Huh?" He reached up and plucked it—a tiny four-leaf clover.
He held it up to the light."Back in my old world, these meant luck… and hope."
A small smile touched his lips as he tucked it carefully into the inner pocket of his cloak.
"Ito."
He froze.
The voice was calm, quiet—familiar.
He turned.
"…Zaydan?"
Zaydan stood a few steps away, arms crossed, a relaxed smile tugging at his lips.
"Been a while," he said. "You here for the festival too?"
Ito scratched the back of his head. "Nah, just picking up Sara. But… this place is crazy now."
"You can look around," Zaydan said, gesturing. "You were a student here once, right?"
Ito laughed. "Yeah… guess I was."
Zaydan stepped forward. "Come on. Let's take a walk."
The academy grounds had been transformed.
Floating lanterns glowed like stars, casting soft light on cobbled paths. Enchanted instruments played music that drifted like wind across water. Sweetbread, roasted meats, and honeyed fruits filled the air with festival warmth.
Booths lined the walkways, displaying magical trinkets, rune games, and food stalls glowing with spellcraft. Students moved like ripples through a dream, their laughter and chatter painting the night.
"There you are!" Shion called, jogging over, arms full of glowing pebbles. "Come watch Sara—she's destroying every game."
They rounded a corner to find Sara standing by a rune-dart stall. She flicked her wrist—three darts, three bullseyes. The stallkeeper gawked.
A student whispered, "Is she enchanted?"
"No," Ito said, unable to hide his smile. "That's just Sara."
Game after game, Sara breezed through them all. She solved enchanted puzzles in seconds, won rare prizes on sheer luck, and helped younger students summon magical light creatures—creating a phoenix that soared above the crowd.
Shion narrowed her eyes as Sara landed six rings on floating crystals. "Okay, that one was rigged."
Surrounded by music, magic, and warm laughter, Ito felt something shift. Watching Sara—calm, kind, unwavering—he felt a quiet admiration bloom into something more.
For a fleeting moment, the world slowed.
And under the lantern-lit sky, with the festival alive around him, Ito made a silent vow:
Tomorrow… I'll fight.Not just to win—But to stand beside them.