Night fell over the academy base.
After the battle with Selis, the team returned to their dorm—tired, sore, but alive.
Laughter echoed through the halls.
Kevin kept retelling the moment Bihoo pretended to die, exaggerating the drama.
"AND THEN—he just blinked open his eye like some drama king!"
Nisa tossed a pillow at him. "You're next if you don't shut up."
Later, as the team settled down, someone knocked on the outer door.
Lara opened it—
And standing there was a calm, tall figure with storm-gray eyes and a slight smile.
> "Long time no see," he said. "I'm Kaien—Kevin's older brother."
Lara blinked. "Uh… right. The ghost sibling. Kevin said you were lost in a simulation portal for 6 years."
Kaien chuckled. "That's the dramatic version. Can we talk?"girls..!
The Talk – Kaien & the Girls
Kaien sat down outside under a tree, lantern light flickering.
Only Mira, Lara, and Nisa followed. The boys stayed back, distracted with gear polishing and Kevin's chaos stories.
Kaien looked at each girl carefully—like he could see more than just the surface.
> "You three... You shine in ways the others don't realize yet."
Nisa frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Kaien leaned back. "You're all hiding things. Not secrets. But feelings. Fears. Unspoken truths."
Mira shifted nervously. "Did Kevin tell you something weird again?"
Kaien smiled gently.
> "I'm not talking about the boys. I'm talking about you three… and the hearts you're trying so hard to guard."
He turned to Mira.
> "You act strong and carefree… but you're terrified of falling for someone who might leave."
To Lara:
> "You push everyone away, but it's not pride. It's guilt."
And then to Nisa:
> "You keep saying you don't need love… but your eyes betray you every time Bihoo walks by."
Nisa looked away, flustered.
Kaien stood slowly, brushing his coat.
> "Just promise me one thing. When the next trial comes… don't lie to yourselves."
Before they could ask what he meant—he vanished into the trees like mist.
The girls sat in silence.
Mira: "…Okay. What the actual—"
Lara: "How did he know that?"
Nisa: "...I think I hate him."
They all laughed, awkward and shaken.
But none of them could sleep that night.
Kaien's words echoed in their minds.
To be continued…