The Annual Knight Regiment Meeting had begun.
All Knight Squad One teams gathered inside a massive hall on the far side of Hanaka. The room buzzed with conversation—voices overlapping, armor clinking, confidence filling the air.
Isao walked in with his squad, eyes scanning the crowd.
They're here…
He had one goal.
Find the knights who escorted TJ's team.
Koji leaned in slightly.
"Man… this is intimidating."
Isao nodded. "Yeah… it is."
Suddenly—
"Hello, everyone."
The room fell silent instantly.
At the front stood Hope Yamazaki.
"The 15th Annual Knight Regiment Meeting will now begin."
Her calm voice carried through the entire hall.
"We are here to review our accomplishments… and prepare for what lies ahead."
Koji whispered, barely containing himself.
"I can't believe we're actually here."
Isao gave a small smile. "Yeah… it's kind of crazy."
Hope continued.
"But first… let's hear from our strongest squad."
Four knights stepped onto the stage.
The moment Isao saw them—
His eyes widened.
"No way…"
Mika noticed immediately.
"Isao…? What's wrong?"
He shook his head quickly.
"It's nothing."
But it wasn't nothing.
It's them.
One of the knights stepped forward.
"My name is Koboyashi. I represent Knight Squad One, Regiment 20."
The oldest—and strongest—active regiment.
"We have successfully placed spies inside Ravadal."
Ravadal the place where long ago everyone with Earth Power got sent.
A murmur spread through the crowd.
"While tensions between our nations continue to rise, we are doing everything we can to prevent war."
Isao stared at them.
So this is their level…
He could feel it.
Even without seeing them fight—he knew.
They were strong.
Hope smiled.
"Excellent work, as always."
She turned toward the crowd.
"And now… let's welcome our newest squad."
"Knight Squad One, Regiment 30."
There was a pause.
Endou stepped forward without hesitation.
"We will be the strongest squad in history."
Silence.
Then—
Laughter exploded across the room.
Koji groaned. "What are you doing?!"
Mika sighed. "Seriously…"
From the stage, Koboyashi smirked.
"Full of themselves already."
Endou said nothing.
He simply stepped down.
Hope cleared her throat gently.
"Well… best of luck to you all."
As the noise settled, Isao moved.
He walked straight toward Koboyashi.
"Hey."
He tapped his shoulder.
Koboyashi turned, annoyed.
"What?"
"Who are you?"
"My name is Isao Yamazaki."
Koboyashi scoffed.
"Hope's kid, huh?"
"Makes sense. Can tell by the dumb brown hair."
Isao clenched his fist slightly—but stayed calm.
"I just want to ask you something."
"Then hurry up. I don't have time for kids."
"…You escorted a squad to Pyro Island recently, right?"
Koboyashi shrugged. "Yeah. So what?"
Isao hesitated.
"…What happens there?"
"Not what people say… what really happens."
Koboyashi's expression hardened.
"Why do you care?"
"My friend got sent there."
There was a pause.
Then—
Koboyashi laughed.
"Then he's weak."
Isao's eyes narrowed.
"Listen carefully," Koboyashi continued.
"People like that don't matter."
"Worry about yourself."
He shoved past Isao.
"Or you'll end up just like him."
Isao stood there.
Silent.
"…Jerk."
He muttered under his breath.
Back at the front—
Hope spoke again.
"The council has reached a decision."
"In six months, we will hold a special training camp."
The room erupted.
"What?!"
"For what?!"
Hope raised her hand.
"There is a growing risk of war."
"And only the five most accomplished squads over the next six months will be selected."
"This training will triple your strength."
Endou's eyes lit up.
"We're going."
Koji groaned. "More training… great…"
But Isao wasn't listening anymore.
He stepped outside.
The noise faded behind him.
The cool air hit his face.
"What am I supposed to do…?"
He stared at the ground.
"TJ… training… this world…"
He clenched his fists.
"I hate not knowing what's right."
"Then figure it out."
Isao turned seeing long straight brown hair out of the corner of his eyes.
Mika stood behind him, smiling softly.
"Mika…?"
"What are you thinking about?"
Isao embarrassed
"…Everything."
She nodded.
"That's normal."
"What about the training camp?" she asked.
"It sounds amazing… but I don't know if we're ready, I doubt we would be invited."
"You won't be," she said simply.
"Unless you try."
Isao blinked.
Then smiled slightly.
"…Yeah. You're right."
Suddenly—
"ISAO! MIKA!"
Koji burst through the door.
"It's getting bad in there!"
They rushed back inside.
And froze.
Endou was on the ground.
Bruised. Bleeding.
Isao's eyes widened.
"What happened?!"
Koboyashi stood nearby.
Smirking.
"He challenged me."
"So I put him in his place."
Endou struggled to stand.
His fists trembled.
Tears ran down his face.
"…I'll get stronger."
He turned—
And walked out.
Mika followed immediately.
"I'll go after him."
Isao stepped forward.
"Why did you go that far?"
Koboyashi glared.
"Don't act like you understand."
Koji stepped in.
"You went too far."
Koboyashi scoffed.
"Then fight me."
Koji tensed.
"You're on—"
"No."
Isao stepped between them.
Koji froze.
"Even if we win," Isao said quietly, "what does that change?"
Silence.
Koboyashi smirked.
"Scared?"
Isao ignored him.
"Our squad will make that training camp."
Koboyashi laughed.
"Not a chance."
Isao turned away.
"Let's go, Koji."
Outside—
They walked in silence.
After a moment, Koji spoke.
"…How do you not get angry?"
Isao thought for a second.
"Because it doesn't fix anything."
Koji looked at him.
"If people are wrong… yelling won't change them."
Isao continued.
"You have to become better yourself."
Koji didn't respond.
But he listened.
Eventually—
"Mika!"
They found her.
"Where's Endou?" Isao asked.
She shook her head.
"I couldn't find him."
Isao looked out toward the distance.
"…He'll be okay."
"Let's head home."
That night—
Miles away from the city—
Endou stood alone.
"I'll surpass him…"
His voice trembled.
"I swear it."
Wind began to rise around him.
"Whirlwind…"
Trees shook violently—
Then—
Collapsed.
One after another.
By morning—
The forest was gone.
Only silence remained.