The trio sat quietly outside the training hall. Haruto stared at the sword on his back, Yuki swung her legs while humming, and Hinaru sat cross-armed, eyes closed.

A sudden voice broke the silence.

“You three. I’ve been sent to deliver a message.”

They looked up. A young boy, older than them by a few years, stood before them. He wore the uniform of a field messenger — his badge marked with the Akaari symbol.

“The higher-ups want to see you.”

“Huh? Why now?” Yuki blinked.

Hinaru stood up, brushing dust off his uniform. “She’s right. Why us?”

The messenger shrugged. “I’m just a messenger, not a strategist. But the orders are clear — you're to head to Kageha Village immediately. A Yamari has been reported. C-rank threat.”

“Wait, already a mission?” Haruto asked, standing up.

“Yes. You’ll go now, with basic travel supplies. After completing the mission, you’ll stay at the Third Pillar outpost near Kageha. A commander will meet you there. Two days later, you’ll leave for Akaari HQ.”

Without further explanation, the messenger turned and left, cloak fluttering behind him.

---

Their journey began not long after. The road to Kageha Village wound through dense forest paths and quiet ridges. The wind was cool, rustling the trees as they walked.

Yuki, skipping ahead, filled the air with chatter.

“So—do you think the Yamari’s gonna be, like, a big one? What if it has tentacles? Or a long tongue? Ew, what if it talks? I swear if it talks, I’m running—wait, no, I’ll kick it first—”

“Will she ever stop talking?” Hinaru muttered under his breath.

Haruto didn’t respond. His eyes were glued to the ground… or rather, to the strange sword strapped to his back.

Yuki twirled and turned to him. “You excited for the mission?”

“…Yeah,” Haruto said, voice low.

Hinaru glanced at him, sensing the weight in his silence.

He spoke calmly, “Do you remember what you said? Back at the Academy?”

Haruto looked up.

“You said… even if you got a weak sword, we’d train together and become strong.”

Haruto paused, then smiled slightly. “Yeah… You’re right. We’ll train.”

For the first time in a while, Hinaru smiled back — faint, but real.

The three continued forward, into the unknown.

End of Chapter 8.