Chapter 22: The Original Trio Returns!

As Kyra's team settled into her sleek Nova Mirage Cruiser,

they followed closely behind Kyrin's

Shadow Reaver, a powerful and stylish ride that cut through the

streets of Neo-Kyoto like a predator. Inside the Reaver,

the atmosphere was far from calm.

Rin, never one to miss an opportunity for some

teasing, leaned forward from the back seat and grinned. "Hey Kyrin, I

gotta ask — why were you blushing and acting all nervous around Kyra back

there?" His tone was full of mischief.

Kyrin's hands tightened slightly on the steering

wheel, his face flushing again at the question. "It's… it's not like

that, Rin," he muttered, though the heat creeping up his neck betrayed

him.

Blaze, seated next to Rin, raised an eyebrow and

smirked. "Ohhh, it's exactly like that, isn't it?" he teased.

"C'mon, man — you were stammering like a rookie on his first mission.

Spill it!"

With a deep sigh, Kyrin finally gave in. "Alright,

alright! You guys are my closest friends, so I guess I can tell you."

He paused for a moment, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "The first

time I met Kyra… my heart just started pounding like crazy. It was this…

different kind of feeling — something I'd never experienced before. It was like

I'd found my soulmate, you know?"

The car went quiet for a moment, the weight of

Kyrin's confession settling in. Then Blaze broke the silence with a loud

whistle. "Sheesh, bro! That's deep. You've got it bad."

"Yeah, I know," Kyrin muttered. "The

problem is… every time I try to talk to her; I just freeze up. I get so nervous

that I can't even put two words together. It's… frustrating."

Rin grinned wide. "So, you've been

carrying a torch for her for seven years and still haven't made a move?"

"It's not that simple!" Kyrin

protested. "We were always so focused on training and missions back

then. And after the exams… well, we went our separate ways. I didn't think I'd

ever see her again."

Blaze leaned forward with a gleam in his eye. "Well,

you've got a second chance now. And after these exams, we're gonna help you

score big time, my dude."

Rin nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yeah,

we're your wingmen now. No backing out."

Despite himself, Kyrin couldn't help but chuckle.

"You guys are ridiculous."

"But we're not wrong," Blaze

pointed out with a grin.

As their laughter filled the car, the towering

silhouette of Senjuro's

mansion finally came

into view. The sprawling estate was even more impressive up close, with its

elegant architecture and expansive grounds. The gates opened smoothly as the

convoy pulled in, and the group knew their stay here was going to be

unforgettable — not just because of the exams ahead, but because of the

friendships, old and new, that were already starting to grow even stronger.

As they were about to enter the mansion's grand

gates, Kyrin suddenly slammed the brakes on the Shadow Reaver,

bringing the car to a screeching halt. The atmosphere shifted instantly from

playful banter to tense alertness. Without missing a beat, Kyrin turned to

Senjuro in the passenger seat.

"Senjuro, give me my revolver."

Senjuro blinked in surprise but didn't hesitate.

He reached into the compartment and pulled out Kyrin's sleek Crimson Vail MK-IV, a

custom revolver powered by Prismal

Flux. With a smooth motion, Kyrin snatched the weapon and stepped out

of the car, his eyes locked on the gates.

Before anyone could ask what was happening, Kyrin

raised the revolver and fired several precise shots toward the entrance. The

sharp cracks echoed across the estate grounds. Blaze and Rin exchanged alarmed

glances, their hands instinctively reaching for their own weapons — but just as

they were about to step out, a voice interrupted them.

"It's been seven years, Kyrin, and you

haven't changed a bit."

The figure of a boy — no older than fourteen —

stepped out from behind the gates, brushing off bits of stone and debris from

his jacket. His face wore a half-annoyed, half-amused expression, and his

golden eyes gleamed with familiarity.

Kyrin smirked, twirling the revolver once before

holstering it. "Like you've changed. Still short, still annoying."

The boy scowled. "Still reckless, still

shooting first and asking questions never."

Senjuro, still sitting in the car, finally broke

the confusion. "Uh… Kyrin? Who exactly is this kid?"

Kyrin turned to him with a lopsided grin. "This

kid? Meet Zyren Higer — my frenemy and the last member of our old team."

Rin's eyes widened. "Wait — you're saying

he was part of your original team?"

"Don't let the looks fool you,"

Kyrin said. "Zyren's a prodigy — the deadliest A-rank assassin in

Eclipse history. He's been making everyone else look bad when he was eight."

Zyren rolled his eyes. "I don't need your

flattery, Kyrin. I'm just here because I knew you'd eventually show up and

cause chaos. Like always."

Blaze stepped out of the car, whistling low. "This

is gonna be one hell of a team reunion."

"Oh, you have no idea," Kyrin

muttered.

The gates opened fully, and everyone filed inside.

Senjuro's mansion was as lavish and imposing as expected, with polished marble

floors and walls lined with intricate, glowing tech displays. As they entered

the grand hall, the tension began to ease — but one thing was clear: with Zyren

Higer back in the mix, things were about to get even more interesting.

As everyone freshened up and gathered in the

spacious living room of Senjuro's mansion, the air was filled with an odd sense

of nostalgia and anticipation. The room was sleek and modern, filled with

advanced tech and warm lighting, but it was the people inside who made the

space come alive. Old friends reunited, new alliances formed — there was

something special in this moment.

Kyrin, always the

one to break the silence, leaned back on the plush couch and smirked. "Let me guess — you're a trainer now, aren't you?"

he asked, his eyes locked on Zyren Higer, who sat cross-legged on the armchair

opposite him.

Zyren rolled his

eyes but couldn't hide the hint of a grin. "Yeah, Kyrin. Believe it or not, they trusted me with a team."

He stretched out his arms with exaggerated flair. "My team consists of Akira Valtoris, Hiroshi Takeda, and Akio

Renjiro."

At the mention of

those names, Senjuro's eyes widened. "Wait,

what?! The original trio is training our team?" he asked, his voice

full of disbelief and excitement.

"The one and only," Zyren confirmed,

looking entirely pleased with himself.

Rin whistled low

under his breath. "Damn. We've got some

serious firepower lined up for these exams."

The room buzzed

with energy as everyone realized the gravity of the situation. This wasn't just

any group of assassins preparing for the Eclipse Agent Exams — this was a

gathering of some of the most skilled and promising fighters in Neo-Kyoto.

As they talked,

Kyra stood up, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Alright, I'm taking my team out. We need to pick

up some new gear. Can't have them going into the exams underprepared."

She turned to her team — Mirae, Taro, and Kaito — and gestured for them to

follow. "Let's hit the Eclipse Syndicate

Hub. The latest tech just dropped, and I want us armed to the teeth."

Kyrin, trying very

hard to maintain his composure, just nodded, though his eyes lingered on Kyra a

second longer than necessary. Blaze, ever the observer, noticed and elbowed him

in the ribs. "Dude. You're not subtle."

"Shut up, Blaze," Kyrin muttered, his

face heating up.

As Kyra and her

team left, Zyren stood up as well, brushing off his jacket. "I'm heading out too. Need to meet my team and

finalize our strategy." He adjusted the strap of his utility bag and

gave Kyrin a knowing look. "Don't screw

up, Vyvron. The exams aren't going to wait for your love life."

Kyrin groaned as

Zyren sauntered off, laughing under his breath.

When the room

finally quieted down, Senjuro leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "Today was insane. We reunited with all our old

friends, and now we're about to take the most important exams of our lives."

He looked around at the remaining group — Kyrin, Rin, and Blaze — and smiled. "We'll train together, fight together, and win

together. As one team."

The others nodded, the weight of his words settling over

them. This wasn't just a test — it was a battle for their future. And they were

ready.

By noon, everyone had gathered around the long

dining table, laughter and conversation filling the air. The aroma of the

delicious spread before them only added to the warm atmosphere. Plates were

passed around, and soon everyone was digging in, savoring the meal while

sharing jokes, stories, and memories. It wasn't just the food that made the

moment special — it was the sense of unity and excitement they all felt.

As the chatter

quieted down, Kyrin stood up, tapping his glass lightly to get everyone's

attention. His expression turned serious but enthusiastic. "Alright, listen up, everyone. Starting tomorrow,

training begins. We're going to prepare you for the Eclipse Agent Exams — and

not just to pass them, but to dominate them. We'll teach you the skills,

strategies, and mindset you'll need to succeed."

The room fell

silent for a moment before a wave of agreement swept over the group. Nods and

determined expressions replaced the easy smiles from earlier. They all knew

what was at stake, and the idea of intense training only fueled their

motivation.

As the meal continued, the sense of purpose didn't take away from the

joy of the afternoon. If anything, it brought them closer — united not just by

friendship, but by the shared goal ahead. They laughed, planned, and dreamed of

what was to come, knowing tomorrow marked the beginning of something bigger