A day after the trial, Jin sat in a tree on the edge of campus, peeling lotus seed buns with one hand, tossing stones at squirrels with the other.
His blade, Laughing Blade, rested on a branch beside him, snickering softly like it had heard a joke no one else could.
"Can't believe Bo still can't sit properly," he muttered. "Yooha's technique was so sharp I felt the sting from up here."
A voice cut through his peace.
> "Jin Hoshin. Son of tricks and mockery."
He looked down to see a tall student in polished robes, face sharp, arrogant, two spirit tigers behind him. His name: Qin Yuren, son of an elite noble family.
"Sup, kitty prince?"
"I challenge you to a duel," Yuren said. "Tomorrow. Noon. Arena Twelve. Prove your worth—or go home in disgrace."
Jin blinked. "That's a lot of big words for someone who hasn't even fought Yooha."
"She is beneath me."
A pause.
Jin jumped down and landed with a soft thud. His eyes—usually playful—darkened.
> "Wrong answer."
Sunlight Rage Arena – The Next Day
The crowd was larger than usual.
Bo Lang sat with a neck brace, Xie Luan beside him munching snacks. Shen Yooha watched from the shadows of a column, expression unreadable.
Jin entered the ring wearing mismatched boots, chewing on mint leaves, blade resting lazily across his shoulders.
Yuren summoned twin tigers, flame circling them.
"You'll regret mocking the Qin bloodline."
Jin chuckled. "You'll regret waking me up."
The duel began.
Yuren's tigers lunged, flames roaring—
But Jin vanished.
Reappearing behind them mid-air, spinning, he tapped both tigers on the head with the flat of his blade. They froze, meowed… and ran off the field.
The crowd gasped.
Yuren growled, striking with a chain of sun-fire spears. Jin deflected each one with lazy spins, dodging like he was dancing.
Then with one clean move—
He whispered to his blade, "Laugh."
The Laughing Blade released a wave of chaotic energy, reality bending slightly as time hiccupped.
Yuren was flipped into the air, pants half-burned, pride shattered.
Jin caught him mid-fall, patting his head.
"Next time, just bring snacks."
Outside the Arena
Yooha walked away before the cheering ended.
But her lips… curled slightly.
> Just a tiny smile.
And Jin saw it.
"Gotcha," he whispered.
End of episode 3( continue)