That Night – Sarutobi Dormitories
The trio sat around a fire, still dressed in their uniforms.
"Did you see Lady Raika at the parade?" Hageshi asked, leaning back with his arms behind his head. "Absolute goddess. I swear, she winked at me."
"She wasn't looking at you," Yagumi said coldly.
"I dunno… Could've been me. Maybe she likes the smart ones."
Xzavier stared into the fire. "What happens now?"
"Now?" Hageshi replied, tone shifting subtly. "Now we train until we drop. Missions begin next week. Real ones. Dangerous ones."
"People die on those missions," Yagumi added bluntly. "We're not students anymore."
Xzavier didn't respond.
He looked at the flame flickering from his fingertip—something that had always been with him. Something he never fully understood.
Not yet.
But someday, he would.
And when that day came…
The world would burn.