The next Morning, Jack woke slowly.
For a few seconds, he lay still, staring at the low wooden ceiling above him, listening to the steady rhythm of his own breathing. There was no sharp pain. No crushing pressure in his chest. Only a deep, lingering tiredness—heavy, but calm, like the body finally releasing everything it had been holding onto.
Sunlight crept in through the window, brushing against the edge of the bed.
"You're awake," the village medic said after noticing the movement. "That's good. You've recovered well. You pushed yourself far past what you should have, but your condition is stable now. You're free to go."
Jack nodded quietly.
After dressing, he secured his bracelet around his wrist and reached for Turt, who rose without a sound, steady as always. Together, they moved toward the door.
The moment Jack opened it, something collided with his face.
He stumbled back in surprise as a familiar weight landed against him, warm and frantic. Soft fur brushed his cheek before he could react, followed by rapid, clumsy licking.
"Haha—hey," Jack laughed, instinctively lifting the creature into his arms. "I'm fine. I'm fine."
Fenix pulled back slightly, eyes bright and alert, tail swaying with unmistakable energy.
"Arr… Arr."
Jack smiled faintly, holding it closer for a moment longer than necessary.
Only then did he notice the others.
Sera stood a short distance away, arms crossed tightly. Ray was beside her, expression calm but unreadable. Rayden stood just behind them, hands folded behind his back.
Jack straightened.
"Hey," he said lightly. "Looks like everyone's here."
Sera's restraint broke instantly.
"What was that supposed to be?" she snapped. "Do you have any idea how reckless—"
Her voice faltered.
Jack didn't interrupt. He could see it now—the tension in her shoulders, the way her hands trembled slightly. Whatever anger she was trying to show, it couldn't hide the worry underneath.
"I'm sorry," Jack said quietly. "I didn't think it would turn out like that."
The hallway fell silent.
Ray stepped forward before Sera could say more. His voice was calm, controlled—very different from the heat of the arena.
"What matters is that you're standing here now," he said. "Yesterday is over."
Rayden gave a small nod in agreement.
"Yes," he said. "There's no need to dwell on it further."
He then produced a folded letter and handed it to Jack.
"This is for you."
Jack accepted it, glancing down at the seal.
"A travel permit," Rayden continued. "It grants you passage through the Kush Mountains."
Jack absorbed the words without reacting immediately. His fingers tightened slightly around the paper.
"Thank you," Jack said.
Ray spoke, "Before you both head out," he said, "come home with us. At least have breakfast. You've got a long journey ahead."
Jack didn't hesitate."Yes."
They followed Ray back to his house.
The moment they stepped inside, Ray's mother greeted them with her usual warmth, her voice bright and welcoming as she ushered everyone in. The heaviness left behind by yesterday's battle eased, if only slightly, replaced by the simple comfort of a shared meal.
Breakfast was soon laid out, and everyone took their seats around the table.
For a while, no one spoke. Plates were filled, food passed quietly from hand to hand. Then Rayden broke the silence.
"So," he said, "how do you plan to travel from here to Grane City?"
Jack paused, considering."I haven't decided yet."
Sera set her utensils down."I checked earlier this morning," she said. "Once we cross the Kush Mountains, we'll reach a forest zone. From there, there are two routes to Grane City. One goes straight through the dense forest. The other is a connected route, but it passes through wetlands."
She glanced at Jack."The second route is safer, but it'll take about an extra day."
Jack thought for a moment before replying."Then we'll take the straight route."
Sera nodded in agreement."We need to reach Grane City by the day after tomorrow."
Rayden leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful."The direct route is fine," he said. "But be cautious. There's a divergence point where the two paths split. That area is often covered in thick fog. If you're not careful, it's easy to lose your sense of direction and stray off course."
Jack inclined his head."Thank you for the warning."
Sera echoed the thanks with a small nod.
As the conversation settled, something else came to Jack's mind.
"…Where's Evan?" he asked suddenly. "Have you seen him?"
Sera looked up."He left yesterday," she said. "Right after your battle. While you were still in the infirmary."
Jack frowned slightly."He didn't come by?"
She shook her head."No. But he asked me to pass along a message once you woke up."
Jack's gaze sharpened."What did he say?"
Sera hesitated, then spoke."He said… we will meet again in Grane City."
She wrinkled her nose slightly."And he was smiling. That weird smile of his. I don't like his attitude."
Jack was quiet for a moment.
Then he said only one word.
"…Okay."
"Don't think about him now," Jennie said gently. "Focus on your journey to Grane City."
Ray nodded in agreement.
Jack watched them both for a moment before replying quietly,
"Yeah…"
Breakfast soon came to an end. The warmth of the meal lingered, but the sense of departure slowly replaced it. Jack and Sera gathered their things, making the final preparations to leave the village behind.
Ray and Rayden accompanied them to the village gate on the far side, where the road stretched outward toward the distant mountains.
As they stopped, Jack glanced at Ray, something suddenly occurring to him.
"Aren't you planning to participate in the Battle Stages?" he asked.
Ray was silent for a moment.
Then he shook his head lightly.
"No. I've dropped out."
Jack turned toward him, surprised.
"Why?"
Ray looked ahead, his expression calm but thoughtful.
"Watching my battles—with you, and with Evan—I realized something," he said. "I'm not strong enough yet. Not for what's out there."
He let out a quiet breath.
"There are too many battlers beyond this village who are far stronger than me. If I go now, I'll only fall behind."
Jack listened without interrupting.
"So I'm staying here for a while," Ray continued. "I'll train. Learn more. Then, after a few months, I'll leave the village and travel the world… to fight strong opponents."
He glanced back at Jack, a faint smile forming.
"Opponents like you."
Jack didn't reply right away.
Instead, he stepped forward and held out his hand.
"Alright," he said simply. "But next time, we fight again."
Ray's eyes widened, the seriousness breaking instantly into genuine excitement.
"Of course," he said, grasping Jack's hand firmly. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Rayden stepped forward then, handing a small bundle of packed food to Sera.
"This should last you through the journey," he said. "It may not be much, but it will help."
Sera accepted it with a grateful smile.
"Thank you," she said. "We really appreciate everything you've done for us."
Jack nodded in agreement, offering his thanks as well.
Ray crouched down in front of Turt and Fenix, his voice softening.
"You two take care of yourselves too."
Turt gave a low, steady sound.
Fenix chirped in response, tail flicking once.
With nothing left to say, the group shared a final look.
Then Jack and Sera turned and began walking down the road, the village slowly receding behind them as quiet farewells hung in the air.
As his steps carried him forward, Jack's thoughts drifted.
Yesterday's battle replayed faintly in his mind—not the victory, but the realization it had brought with it.
I'm not ready yet.
Whatever awaited him ahead was far greater than what he had faced so far.
Another thought surfaced.
The dream.
The darkness.
That strange light.
His chest tightened slightly.
What was that?
Jack's gaze hardened as he continued walking.
"I'll find out", he thought. "No matter what it takes".