The reddish sky had dimmed into violet shades, and the faint wind brushed past the trees that surrounded the city’s entrance.

Elysia stood quietly, brushing the dust from her cloth while watching Jin and Edwin step out, their faces covered in sweat.

Cecelia rushed forward, eyes wide with relief.

"Jin, Edwin, you’ve returned safe," Cecelia said, exhaling deeply as if she had been holding her breath for hours.

Jin leaned against a nearby boulder, still trembling slightly.

"We... barely made it out," he muttered.

Elysia walked closer. "What happened inside?" she asked.

"It was... some kind of illusion," Jin replied, rubbing his face.

"I saw a battlefield—a war against demons. I was wearing a crown, leading soldiers... I don’t know how, but it felt real. Every strike, every wound—it felt like I was living it."

Cecelia’s face softened with understanding. "Just like what I saw," she said.

"I was trapped in a vision too. I saw... my home burning, and people screaming. But when I tried to save them, they turned into shadows and vanished."

Elysia’s eyes widened a little. "What about you, Edwin?" she asked, turning toward him.

Edwin shook his head. "Nothing happened to me," he said firmly. "I didn’t see or feel anything.

Just darkness, until Jin started screaming."

Elysia lowered her gaze thoughtfully.

(It happened to Jin and Cece... but nothing happened to me or Edwin. Why?) she wondered.

(Could it be connected to something else? Maybe... the ancient coin?)

Her eyes flickered with a realization.

(Did Kael have one? That old man in the shop said he only trades with ancient coins... and Kael was the only one who seemed calm when we discussed secret zones.)

"Elysia?" Cecelia called.

Elysia blinked and smiled faintly. "We need to leave. It’s getting dark," Cecelia added, pulling her cloak cloth.

Elysia nodded. "You’re right. Let’s head back before something else happens."

The four of them began walking down the dirt path that led back to Elaris City.

The sun had almost vanished behind the horizon, and the forest around them hummed with faint, eerie whispers.

The sound of rustling leaves echoed through the quiet path, and the faint light of glowing fireflies danced along the edges of the road.

Jin was unusually quiet. His eyes kept darting around, as though he still saw fragments of that illusion in the corners of his vision.

Edwin walked beside him, occasionally glancing his way.

"You alright?" Edwin asked.

Jin let out a deep breath.

"Yeah... just trying to shake it off. That illusion—it wasn’t just a dream. I could feel everything. The blade in my hand... the blood on my armor. It was like I really lived that life."

"What did you see exactly?" Edwin asked, curious.

Jin’s eyes darkened slightly. "A battlefield filled with demons. Their skin was black like smoke, and their eyes burned red. I was fighting them—no, I was commanding others too. Soldiers in silver armor, following my lead."

Elysia glanced back as he spoke, listening silently.

"I remember holding my twin swords," Jin continued.

"Every swing cut through a wave of demons, but no matter how many we killed, more kept coming. The ground was covered in fire and ash. And then... I saw him."

"Who?" Cecelia asked softly.

Jin’s hands trembled slightly.

"A man... not a demon. He was human, but his power was terrifying. He wore a black cloak and a crown that glowed faintly red. He walked through fire like it was nothing. When our swords clashed, I thought I could win—but his strength was... overwhelming. It felt like fighting death itself."

Elysia frowned. "And then?"

"Then, everything vanished. I heard Edwin shouting my name. The next moment, I was at the entrance again."

When they finally reached the outskirts of Elaris City, the distant noise of laughter and shouting reached their ears.

Warm lights flickered from a corner street ahead.

Elysia narrowed her eyes. "What’s that noise?"

As they walked closer, the smell of alcohol and roasted meat filled the air.

They turned the corner and saw a group of second-year students gathered near an open tavern yard.

Several tables were lined up under the lantern light, bottles and mugs scattered everywhere.

The students were laughing loudly, some of them already half-drunk. Their uniforms were loosened, sleeves rolled up, and weapons leaned against the nearby wall.

One of them noticed the group approaching and waved lazily. "Hey—look who’s here! The first-years who went ghost hunting!" he said with a drunken grin.

Cecelia frowned. "They’re drinking? At this hour?"

Another student with messy blond hair laughed. "Of course! We just finished our dungeon assignment. Time to celebrate our victory!" He raised his mug, spilling some ale on the table.

Elysia crossed her arms. "Victory? Or just an excuse to drink?"

The student smirked. "Maybe both, beauty. Care to join us?"

Jin sighed. "Ignore them," he said.

"They’re just drunk."

But one of the second-years, "Wait, aren’t you the one who fainted during last month’s sparring match? The ’Twin Sword Prodigy,’ was it?"

A few others laughed.

Jin clenched his fists but didn’t respond.

Edwin quickly stepped between them. "You’d better shut your mouth," he said firmly. "You’re drunk."

He chuckled, clearly enjoying the reaction.

"Easy there, rookie. We’re just having fun."

Cecelia tugged Jin’s sleeve. "Don’t," she whispered. "It’s not worth it."

Jin exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down. "Let’s just go."

"Second-years need to learn some manners," a voice cut through the laughter and drunken chatter.

The noise died instantly. Everyone turned toward the source.

Standing under the dim lantern light was Kaigaku—the Rank 2 student of the second year.

Kaigaku wore his academy cloak loosely, his black hair tied behind his neck, and a short blade strapped to his hip.

"Kaigaku..." one of the drunk students mumbled, sitting up straight immediately.

Kaigaku’s gaze swept across the group, then rested on the tall student who had been mocking Jin earlier.

"You think being a second-year gives you the right to insult juniors?" he asked quietly. The tone wasn’t loud, but every word carried weight.

"N-No, sir," the student stammered, lowering his head.

Kaigaku walked past the tables. "The academy trains warriors, not fools who can’t control their tongues."

He glanced at Jin, Elysia, and the others. "You four—ignore them. Not all second-years are this careless."

Elysia gave a faint nod. "Thank you."

"But.... "