** chapter 9:The Training**
Shioinkin stood before them with his usual stern smile.
Shioinkin: "Heheh, my boy Jin Yuan. Today, we train your reflexes!"
Beside him, a calm young man—Musukoni, around seventeen or eighteen—tilted his head.
Musukoni: "Reflexes again, Sensei? That's boring…"
Next to him, a hyperactive one with messy black hair and crimson eyes bounced on his heels.
Yusikuna: "Yeah, Sensei! We want something more exciting!"
The last of the group, a sharp-eyed young man with shoulder-length white hair and a scar beneath his left eye, crossed his arms. His name was Yuzurei, and he always looked ready for a fight.
Yuzurei: "Tch. Ridiculous."
Jin Yuan sighed softly, brushing his hair aside.
Jin Yuan: "Alright, alright. What's the plan today?"
Shioinkin: "Your training will be rough. Especially after what happened with that… castle. You must stay sharp. It might open again."
Yuzurei clicked his tongue.
Yuzurei: "That brat always gets into trouble."
Musukoni hummed quietly, as if lost in thought, while Yusikuna grinned from ear to ear.
Yusikuna: "Ha ha ha! Then let's make it interesting!"
Yuzurei: "Tch. Idiots…"
---
Hours later, the sun dipped below the horizon.
Training had ended.
Jin Yuan returned to his small wooden room, shoulders heavy with exhaustion. He opened the door quietly.
Emily was asleep—curled up on one side of the bed, her face peaceful under the dim lamplight.
For a brief moment, Jin Yuan's expression softened. His usual coldness cracked just slightly.
Then it faded again.
He washed his face in silence, water dripping from his hair.
Finally, he walked back to the bed, careful not to wake her, and lay down beside her.
The room was still.
Only the sound of the wind outside filled the silence.