Everyone had recovered after the healing spells.
Yet all of them stood frozen in shock.
Kena whispered in disbelief,
"What… just happened?"
Kazuki was lying on the ground.
Not far from him, Ayal was also collapsed.
The students murmured among themselves.
"It was a Sword Duo…"
"But no one won…"
The battle ended with no victor.
From above, Professor Li Wei observed everything quietly.
Other professors gathered beside him.
One of them sighed.
"This didn't go the way we expected."
"I thought one of them would clearly win," another said.
"But I never imagined a student could fight an S-Rank warrior like that."
"So it was true," Li Wei said calmly.
"He really fought an S-Rank."
An hour earlier…
Professor Sun God spoke seriously.
"Kena, you will perform a Sword Duo with that boy."
"What?" Kena widened her eyes.
"You mean the one who fought an S-Rank?"
"Yes," the professor nodded.
"You weren't in the academy when the attack happened, but you've heard the rumors."
"I have," Kena said quietly.
"It still feels unbelievable."
"This was the first attack in the history of the Divine Academy," Sun God continued.
"Nothing about this is normal.
"That's why all the professors want to know…"
"What power does that boy possess?"
"What is hidden within his body?"
Kazuki shook his head.
"There's nothing obvious… but I felt something strange when I touched him."
Sun God smiled faintly.
"Then fight him. See it for yourself."
Back in the present…
Kena stared at Ayal's unconscious body.
"That aura…" she whispered.
"What was that power coming from him?"
"It wasn't normal."
Professor Sun God turned away.
"I have something to take care of."
Ayal and Kazuki lay on the ground.
Students surrounded them in silence.
"This wasn't what we expected…"
"No one won the Sword Duo…"
"Healing magic! Hurry!"
Professor Li Wei shouted,
"Treat them immediately!"
Aira ran forward without hesitation.
"I'll heal him!"
She rushed to Ayal's side.
"Ayal! Are you okay?!"
Blood covered his body.
Tears streamed down her face.
"I'm sorry… this happened because of me.
I only wanted to stay by your side…"
She gently gave him healing water.
"Please forgive me… this is all my fault…"
But Ayal didn't respond.
Her tears fell onto his face.
Someone whispered behind her,
"Don't blame yourself… this was our plan too."
"I know… but still…"
She hugged him tightly.
"I just want you to wake up…"
Darkness.
Silence.
Ayal slowly opened his eyes.
He was lying on a bed.
The room was white.
Too white.
It didn't look like the Divine World.
He looked down.
He was wearing hospital clothes.
Beside him was a window.
Outside, people walked calmly, living normal lives.
"…This looks like my world."
"Did I come back?"
His heart began to race.
Suddenly, a tray fell to the floor.
A nurse stared at him in shock.
"You're awake?! I'll call the doctor!"
Before he could speak, she ran out.
Ayal grabbed his head.
"What happened to me?"
"I was in the Divine World… so how am I here?"
His thoughts spun wildly.
He felt like he was losing his mind.
Doctors rushed into the room.
"You were in a coma," one said gently.
"A coma?" Ayal whispered.
"Yes. You were hit by a car while going to school."
"There was heavy bleeding from your head."
"You've been unconscious for six months."
"But you're safe now."
"You can return to high school soon."
Ayal stared blankly.
No emotion.
No reaction.
The doctor sighed quietly.
"Coma side effects…"
"Get some rest."
They left.
Ayal sat on the bed, staring out the window.
Was it all…
Just a dream?