The wind was dry and the sky, though clear, felt unbearably heavy.
Team C stood in silence.
Captain Rikuya had just stormed off after telling them the truth , that they have only 7 days left of their life—mercilessly, effortlessly, brutally. His parting words still echoed in their heads:
"You have just seven days left."
None of them spoke. Yuzuki clutched her bladed rings, replaying her missteps.
Akito bit his lip, his fingers twitching with frustration.
Sumiyoshi, bruised and breathless, stared at the dirt beneath his feet.
Rukito stood with folded arms, mumbling to himself, "Tch… not deaf, just tired of your voices…"
And then—laughter.
Loud. Mocking. Purposefully theatrical.
From behind the training hall, Team B entered, strutting like royalty on a dirt road. Four figures walked in, casting long, arrogant shadows.
"Oh damn, not these idiots…" Yuzuki groaned under her breath.
"They're the last thing we need today…" muttered Rukito, his mood already sour.
The first two were tall, smug-faced men around 24. Their uniforms were slightly undone, as if formality was beneath them. One of them, Kaito, stretched his arms dramatically.
"So this is what embarrassment looks like in human form. Hah! No wonder Captain Rikuya looked pissed."
The other guy, Renji, smirked and nodded.
"I swear, we should start a betting pool on how long these clowns survive. I give them… a week. Tops."
A girl walked behind them. Slender build, 18 years old, hair tied in a sharp ponytail, a permanent smirk on her lips. Her name: Aira. She glanced at the exhausted Team C with narrowed eyes.
"You're a headache to the entire base. I actually… feel bad for Rikuya-senpai. Imagine training a bunch who lost to the weakest spirit form."
She turned to her younger brother who followed silently—a 16-year-old named Haruto, calm-faced and quiet-eyed, almost like he didn't belong there.
"Haruto" she said sarcastically, "be careful around them. You might catch stupidity."
Haruto frowned slightly.
"Onee-chan… maybe they're just having a rough day—"
"Zip it, Haruto," snapped Kaito. "We're here to laugh, not babysit."
Akito had had enough. He stepped forward, eyes blazing.
"You wanna laugh? Come a little closer. I'll give you something to laugh about."
Sumiyoshi cracked his knuckles.
"We're not in the mood to take your trash talk, so back off."
Aira tilted her head mockingly.
"Oh? The loser wants to fight?"
Rukito's eye twitched. His hands curled into fists.
"Just because I miss some things doesn't mean I can't hear you scream when I land a hit."
Kaito raised an eyebrow.
"Oho, deaf boy speaks."
Renji joined in.
"What's the matter? Too much volume for your ancient ears?"
Yuzuki stepped in, voice sharp.
"He's not deaf. And we don't need this childish drama right now."
Haruto, looking more and more uncomfortable, tried once again.
"Guys… seriously, this is too much. Can we not—"
"Shut it, Haruto," snapped Aira, brushing him off again.
Haruto said , Sister what with you
Suddenly, a deep voice rang out from the far corridor.
"What's going on here?"
Everyone froze.
Footsteps echoed as a tall, composed young man entered. Wearing a dark blue uniform, sharp eyes behind his glasses, the aura around him silenced the air. He was Mr. Kuroda's elder son—Team B's official leader, Taiken, deadly serious.
He looked around coldly.
"Wasting time again? I hope this isn't how you were told to plan for finding the losts book, you all have responsibilities.
Kaito and Renji immediately straightened their posture.
"No, sir! We were just… giving some 'encouragement'."
Taiken ignored them.
"Have you made the plan for the assignment?"
Aira nodded. "Yes, we'll show it tonight."
Shun's tone didn't change. "Good. Then get back to training. Now."
The four started to walk off, but before leaving, Shun glanced around once more.
"Where's Rikuya?"
Yuzuki answered quickly.
"He went out for work. He'll be back soon."
Taiken gave a small nod.
"Understood. Then no more delay. You train, too."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Team B left with an exaggerated wave from Aira, and the hallway fell quiet again.
Team C stood still.
Bruised. Emotionally exhausted. The weight of the day growing heavier.
Yuzuki muttered, "Let's just… go."
Sumiyoshi didn't say anything. Neither did Rukito. Akito clenched his fists.
They had lost badly… mocked by their peers… and were now being compared to dead men .