Hyunwoo slid the dorm door open, the faint creak of the hinges announcing him before he stepped inside. The room was dim—only the soft glow of Vale's lights through the window painted the floor.
Team NOVA was already there. Jisoo sat cross-legged on her bed, spinning her chakram idly on her fingertip. Jaemin leaned against the wall, arms folded, his sharp eyes tracking Hyunwoo the moment he entered. Jiwon was the only one sitting properly, staff resting across his knees as if he had been waiting.
Hyunwoo barely made it two steps in before Jisoo spoke, her voice casual but edged.
"You've been wound tight ever since the Paladin fight. Like... tighter than usual. We're supposed to be celebrating surviving that thing, remember?"
Hyunwoo glanced at her, then at the others. Their faces weren't mocking or light—they were serious, questioning.
Jaemin pushed off the wall, his tonfa clinking as he adjusted them at his side. "She's right. You didn't even stop to breathe after the fight. Straight to running around Beacon, slipping off to Ozpin's tower, coming back late like nothing happened. You're moving like we're already at war."
Jiwon finally raised his head, his calm voice carrying weight. "Hyunwoo... we're your team. If something's going on, you don't get to carry it alone. Not anymore. So tell us—why do you act like the time isn't right to chill? What are you seeing that we don't?"
The room went still, their words pressing down harder than any fight.
Hyunwoo stood there a moment, jaw tightening, shadows cast across his face by the dim light. His eyes flicked between them—friends who had chosen to stand with him, yet didn't know the storm he already saw on the horizon.
He exhaled slowly, then finally spoke, his voice low.
"...Because it isn't the right time. Not when people like her are already moving. Not when Vale's about to be hit harder than it's ever been. You think Beacon is a safe place to laugh and waste time, but I've seen enough to know better. If we wait until it's at our doorstep..." He shook his head, eyes sharpening. "...we'll be too late."
His words left the air heavy.
Jisoo frowned, the chakram falling still in her hand. Jaemin muttered under his breath, "...so you do know something." Jiwon didn't speak right away, but his gaze stayed locked on Hyunwoo, searching.
The silence stretched, the air in the dorm thick. Hyunwoo's words lingered like a shadow over all of them.
Jisoo leaned forward, brow furrowed. "Then tell us. If you're carrying this weight alone, it'll break you—and drag us with you whether we know or not. So stop hiding it."
Hyunwoo's gaze lingered on her, then swept across Jaemin and Jiwon. All three of them were serious now. No smirks, no light words—just determination.
He closed his eyes for a moment, then exhaled sharply.
"...Once I tell you, there's no turning back. You'll be dragged into something bigger than Beacon, bigger than this tournament, bigger than anything we've faced. If you know their names, if you know their faces—you'll be targets, just like me."
That warning hung heavy in the room. Jisoo's chakram slipped against her palm as her fingers stilled. Jaemin's jaw tightened, but he didn't look away. Jiwon, steady as ever, only asked quietly: "Are you saying it's worse than the Paladin?"
Hyunwoo opened his eyes again, the green glow in them sharp under the dim light.
"Yes. Much worse."
He reached into his pocket, pulling out his scroll. With a flick, three images lit the screen: Cinder Fall, Mercury Black, Emerald Sustrai. Their faces glowed in the darkness like ghosts.
"These three are here in Beacon. They claim they're from Haven, but I know they're not here as students. They're here to destroy this kingdom from the inside. And the Paladin?" He lowered the scroll slightly, his tone cutting sharp. "That was just the beginning. They'll come for more—Dust, weapons, machines. Enough to make Vale fall apart before it even realizes it's under attack."
The three NOVA members stared at the images in silence.
Jisoo finally broke it, whispering, "Then... this is war."
Hyunwoo's grip tightened around the scroll.
"Not yet. But if we're not careful, it will be. That's why I said the moment you know... there's no going back. You're part of this fight now. Whether you want it or not."
The room fell quiet again—no one moved, no one looked away.
One by one, his teammates nodded.
Jiwon first, firm and unwavering: "Then we fight with you."
Jaemin next, crossing his arms, voice rough but resolute: "If they're after Vale, they'll have to go through us."
Finally, Jisoo, her chakram spinning again with a sharp metallic whir: "Guess chilling can wait. Let's hunt them."
Hyunwoo's expression softened for only a second—then hardened again.
"...Good. Because from here on out, there's no turning back."
Hyunwoo leaned back against the dorm wall, his scroll screen still glowing faintly before he flicked it shut. The tension in the room was so heavy it almost felt like the walls themselves were listening.
"Their eyes are on me," Hyunwoo said quietly, almost to himself. Then louder, to his team: "That's the only advantage we've got. They think I'm the problem. Which means they're underestimating you three."
Jiwon's brows furrowed. "You're saying... we stay in the dark. Move while they're focused on you."
"Exactly." Hyunwoo nodded once, green eyes glinting under the faint light. "The moment they realize Team NOVA is more than just my shadow, they'll close every opening we have. But right now? You're invisible to them. Use that. Be my eyes when mine can't see. Go where I can't without raising alarms."
Jaemin tilted his head, a smirk tugging at his mouth despite the gravity. "So you're the bait, and we're the blade in the dark. Not bad. Finally puts my momentum shift to good use."
Jisoo spun her chakram once, catching it effortlessly. "If they think we're just kids tagging along with you, that's their mistake. We'll carve out their blind spots."
Hyunwoo studied them carefully. Their faces showed no hesitation, only resolve. A small weight lifted off his chest.
"...Good. But remember this. Don't chase glory. Don't pick fights you can't win. Gather information, follow the trail, and disappear before they notice you were ever there. If they find out about you... the whole game changes."
Jiwon gave a rare smile, faint but steady. "Then we'll play ghosts. Silent. Precise. Gone before dawn."
Jaemin leaned back with a lazy shrug, though the fire in his eyes betrayed him. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't get yourself killed being the distraction."
Jisoo's tone softened, though her gaze was sharp. "If you're the one carrying all their attention, then you better carry it well. We'll handle the rest."
For a moment, the dorm room felt almost like a war council. Four young hunters-in-training, already speaking like soldiers.
Hyunwoo pushed off the wall, straightening his jacket. His voice was calm, but underneath, the weight of his words pressed down on all of them.
"Then it's decided. I'll be the storm they watch. You'll be the shadows they ignore. And when the time comes... we strike together."
The team nodded, no one backing down.
And just like that, Team NOVA had found their role—not just Hyunwoo's teammates, but his unseen edge, sharpening in the dark while all eyes fell on him.
____
The Next Day, during Glynda Class
The clash of metal and aura still echoed in the sparring hall as Pyrrha Nikos lowered her spear, a sheen of calm composure on her face. Team CRDL lay scattered in defeat, groaning, while students whispered in awe.
"Impressive as always, Miss Nikos," Glynda said crisply. Her eyes scanned the room. "We have time for one more spar before class ends. Any volunteers?"
The room was quiet. Students shifted uneasily, some avoiding her gaze. Then her eyes landed on Blake. "Miss Belladonna. You'll step forward."
Blake stiffened, shadows under her eyes betraying her fatigue. But before she could answer—
"I'll go."
Mercury Black's voice cut through the silence, smooth and confident. He rose from his seat, stretching languidly, smirk tugging at his lips. "But not against her." His gaze slid across the room and stopped.
"Kim. You and me."
The hall murmured with sudden energy. A ripple of curiosity and unease passed through the students.
At the mention of his name, Hyunwoo's eyes narrowed slightly. Across the bench, Jaemin leaned in, whispering low enough that only NOVA could hear.
"...Is he testing you?"
Hyunwoo didn't look away from Mercury. "Seems like it."
Jisoo's chakram spun idly in her lap, her sharp gaze fixed on Mercury. "That's not a friendly spar. He wants to see something."
Jiwon frowned slightly . "Or show something."
On the arena floor, Mercury bounced lightly on his heels, hands tucked casually in his pockets. "What do you say? Or are you afraid to scuff those boots?"
Hyunwoo exhaled slowly, rising to his feet. His teammates watched him with mixed concern and anticipation. Without another word, he stepped onto the platform.
Glynda's brow furrowed. "Mr. Black. I asked for balance in partners, Mr Kim is someone who never lost during sparring, even against Miss Nikos herself."
Mercury shrugged. "That's what make it interesting. Balance is boring." His green eyes flicked to Hyunwoo, then back to Glynda. "Besides, I think we'll all learn something from this."
Hyunwoo adjusted his stance, spear resting loosely in his hand. His expression was calm, but his voice carried enough edge for Mercury to hear.
"...Careful what you wish for."
The crowd leaned in.
Glynda's riding crop tapped against the floor. "Very well. Begin."
_____
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