Unspoken Bonds and Silent Power

As Sistine stormed into her room, a heavy sigh escaped her lips. Her eyes, glassy with unshed emotion, lingered on the door before she closed it gently behind her.

> "So… he's still afraid of himself," she whispered, the sadness in her voice deep and lingering.

She collapsed onto her bed, burying her face into the pillow. Her anger wasn't just at Kaito—it was at herself, for not reaching out sooner.

---

Meanwhile, under the dim moonlight, Kaito trained with silent resolve. His breath was steady, fists sharp, and every movement precise. The tournament was only a month away—and he wasn't going to be left behind.

---

Three weeks later

The campus buzzed with excitement as students lined up at the tournament enrollment station. Among the crowd, Kaito and Raibaru stood side by side. Neither spoke a word—but in their minds, one thought echoed loud and clear:

> "Let's end this… and see who truly stands at the top."

They parted without a word, yet a tension crackled between them like electricity in the air.

---

As Kaito turned down a hallway, he collided with someone. He looked up, stunned—it was Sistine. The same bright eyes, the same grace… but a sadness lingered in her expression.

"I-I'm sorry," he muttered and quickly walked past her.

But then—he felt a gentle tug on his jacket. He stopped. Sistine had grabbed him.

"Come with me," she said, her voice trembling.

---

They sat in the cafeteria, quiet at first. Then Sistine slammed her hand on the table.

"Why are you ignoring me?!"

Kaito looked away.

"I... I am sorry "

"Do you think a simple sorry can fix everything?" she snapped.

Her voice cracked.

"Did I do something wrong? Are you angry with me? Just say it!"

"No!" Kaito blurted. "You didn't do anything. I just… I didn't have the courage to talk to you. I was afraid you had started to hate me."

Her lips parted, and tears welled in her eyes.

"I could never hate you, idiot. I thought you had started to hate me."

She stood up and threw her arms around him.

> "It wasn't your fault. It was just… an accident. None of us had control over what happened."

Kaito held her tightly. "Then stop crying… please. I am here with you and I will not leave you again."

She sniffled, then smiled faintly. "You better not be lying…"

---

That night, under the silver moon, Kaito trained alone once again. Sweat glistened on his brow, but his focus was elsewhere.

> "What is this feeling… when I fight Raibaru? My body feels lighter. I can see split seconds into the future. My movements flow without thought."

---

Elsewhere, Raibaru stood on the cliff edge of the academy grounds, wind brushing his hair.

> "What is this? When I clash with him… it's like we enter another plane."

Both came to the same silent conclusion:

> "It's awakening… But awakening to what?"

---

At the top of the academy, in the shadows of the Principal's office—

"The time is near," the Vice Principal said, glancing over a set of glowing files.

"We've identified four candidates strong enough to serve as vessels," he continued. "Kaito Delima. Raibaru Kurai. Manabu Kino… and Bhavya Manavay."

The Principal leaned forward, eyes narrowing.

> "Then we must act. Before it awakens on its own."