The next morning, the academy was buzzing with whispers.
Rumors of a violent late-night clash had already spread—training grounds scorched, pillars cracked, and two top students limping away in silence. But when anyone asked Kael or Ryuu, they both gave the same response:
"Just a friendly spar."
No one believed it.
Kael lay in his dorm bed, arm wrapped in bandages, staring at the ceiling. His whole body ached, but it wasn't just the physical pain—it was the weight of everything: the tournament, Veyron, the fight with Ryuu.
A soft knock.
Tetsu poked his head in."Yo, champ. You alive?"
Kael gave him a tired smirk."Barely."
Tetsu walked in, hands behind his head."Friendly spar, huh?"
Kael chuckled."Yup. Totally friendly. Just a few broken ribs between friends."
Tetsu sat on the edge of the bed."You two really went off. You good?"
Kael paused, then nodded."Yeah… it was needed. He got it out of his system. So did I."
Meanwhile, in another dorm, Ryuu sat cross-legged on the floor, his sword resting across his lap. His knuckles were bruised, one eye slightly swollen.
Hana stood in the doorway, arms crossed."You're lucky I don't slap you for being reckless."
Ryuu (without looking up):"Don't worry. Kael hit me enough for both of you."
Hana sighed."So it wasn't about the tournament, was it?"
Ryuu finally met her gaze."No. It was about… everything else."
She softened, stepping inside and sitting across from him.
Hana:"You know… none of us see you as lesser, Ryuu."
Ryuu (quietly):"I know. But I needed to prove it to myself."
Later that evening, the team regrouped in the academy courtyard—Kael and Ryuu both walking slow but upright.
Eri (deadpan):"If you two are gonna blow up half the training yard next time, at least send me a memo. I'll bring popcorn."
Tetsu (grinning):"Yeah, or a referee."
Kael and Ryuu exchanged a glance—just a small nod of mutual respect.
They didn't need to explain.
The scars said enough.
Kaede (watching from a distance, arms folded):"Good. They've reached that point."
One war was over.
But far greater storms loomed just beyond the horizon.