The academy had never felt this quiet before.
For the first time in a long while, there was no tension in the air.No cracks in the sky. No trembling ground.
Just wind… and peace.
Kai sat on a wooden bench in the garden, his arm still wrapped in bandages.Across from him, Nyari leaned back slightly, watching him with a soft smile.
— You know people still get scared when they see you, right?
Kai narrowed his eyes.
— They're exaggerating.— It's not like I fought a god or anything…
Nyari nudged him with her shoulder.
— You're not a monster.— You're my Kai.
Kai looked away, slightly embarrassed.
— Don't say it like that… I'm not used to it.
Nyari leaned closer, lowering her voice.
— You will be.— Because I'm going to keep saying it.
Kai's heartbeat skipped.
For a moment, everything felt… normal.
Inside his mind, Kai spoke quietly:
— Jinwi… how are you holding up?
Jinwi responded instantly, cold and precise as always:
"Post-battle integrity: 98%.Light Deity status: dormant.Threat level: low."
Kai exhaled.
— So… nothing to worry about?
"Incorrect."
Kai raised an eyebrow.
— What now?
"Your emotional attachment has increased.This enhances control over my power.…It is illogical."
Kai smirked.
— Let's call it love.
"Emotion detected: irrational.Result: effective."
Nyari glanced at him.
— Jinwi again?
— Yeah… still talking.— But I think he finally gets it.
Nyari smiled.
— As long as you're both okay… that's enough.
Later that day, Dorum and Selvan showed up with food.
— Hey!— We're celebrating surviving a god, remember?
Selvan crossed his arms, still in disbelief.
— I swear I still don't get how this guy punched a god and lived.
Kai shrugged.
— Luck. Maybe.
Dorum smirked.
— And love.
Both Kai and Nyari froze for a second—then instantly looked away.
Selvan burst out laughing.
— Ohhh this is getting good.
— Shut up.
Nyari laughed first.
Then Kai followed.
It was the first time his laughter didn't carry any weight.
That night, the academy rooftop was calm.
The wind moved gently across the open sky.
Kai and Nyari sat side by side, watching the horizon.
— Kai…
— Yeah?
— Do you think things will get easier now?
Kai stayed silent for a second.
— As long as gods exist… no.— But if you're with me…
He turned slightly.
— I can handle anything.
Nyari leaned her head against his shoulder.
— Then I'll stay.
— In your darkness…— And in your light.
Kai closed his eyes.
The darkness doesn't feel heavy anymore.
Jinwi responded quietly:
"Emotional stability increased.Combat efficiency rising."
Kai smiled faintly.
— Thanks, Jinwi.
"No gratitude required."
Nyari lifted her head slightly.
— Kai?
— Yeah?
— I love you.
Kai didn't hesitate this time.
— I love you too.
— Now… and always.
For a moment…
The sky shimmered.
A thin line—where light and darkness touched—
appeared across the horizon.
Then—
It flickered.
Just once.
Kai's eyes opened slightly.
"…?"
But it was gone.
As if nothing had happened.