The next day, after the weight of the tournament had settled, Sarn made her way to the canteen. Then she spotted Kyra approaching. Kyra waved with her left hand, her right holding a drink. Sarn returned the wave with her left hand, her right clutching a packet of food. This was where students came to grab their meals during the day.

  “Saryntha!” Kyra called out, fshing a wide smile. Sarn approached, giving a quick nod.

  “How’s it going?” Sarn asked.

  “Good enough,” Kyra answered, gncing sideways at her. “You?”

  As they walked side by side toward an empty table, Kyra suddenly said, “Well, I heard you made it as a Knight. Gotta give me credit for that.”

  Sarn’s smile tightened just slightly at the remark. There was something about the way Kyra said it—like it was just expected. She couldn’t help but reply, “Yeah, thanks for that.”

  “But I’m not so sure about the finale,” Sarn continued, her voice turning uncertain. “Everyone’s saying it’ll be easy, but... I don’t know. I’m not sure I trust myself with it.”

  Kyra gave her a sideways gnce, surprised by the doubt in Sarn’s voice. “Yeah, of course,” she said. “The hardest part is facing them, but they say we don’t actually have to do anything ourselves.” They found a table and sat down. “We’ll be sent to an isnd with lower Celestials, but we’ll be in groups. The seniors will manage it.”

  Sarn processed this for a moment, the unease growing in her chest. Groups? The idea made her stomach twist. But her face remained impassive.

  “Lower ones,” she muttered, almost to herself. “I haven't even seen one since i came here.We even have rankings for them?”

  Kyra shot her a surprised look. “You doubt in their existence while you are literally here,?”

  Sarn smirked, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Well, that’s a different reason.”

  Kyra leaned in, her tone turning serious. “Then be prepared for what you’re gonna see. If you lose it, you’ll be disqualified, despite everything.”

  Sarn’s face shifted slightly at that, her expression becoming more guarded. The weight of Kyra’s warning lingered in the air. This wasn’t just a test of skill—it was a test of something deeper. Will the way to join celestial Knights with Sarn's disbelief in celestials existence be just as smooth? Or something will happen that'll prove idea completely wrong?

  The day before the finale arrived quickly.

  The seniors were making their final preparations, packing supplies, and reviewing the experience they had gained. Alongside them, a few healers were assigned to accompany the students, ensuring that any unexpected injuries could be taken care of. Sofi, one of the designated healers, had once been Rowan’s teammate back when he was a student at the school.

  “Hah, at least you have something to do,” Sofi muttered, slumping slightly. “I’ll just be sitting around with no real duty.”

  “Anything can happen at any moment,” Rowan replied casually. “Just because nothing went wrong before doesn’t mean tomorrow will be the same.”

  Sofi let out a sigh. “Come on, what could possibly happen? The students are just going on a trip to observe Celestials. They’ll be in groups, with mentors leading them. There’s no real danger.”

  “You’re right,” Rowan said, his tone unreadable. “Nothing has ever happened during the finals.”

  Sofi nodded in agreement before gncing at him. “By the way, which group are you leading? The one with that girl, Saryntha?”

  Rowan shook his head. “I’d be more assured if I were. I know how na?ve she is. But the commander assigned us to different groups to avoid favoritism.”

  Sofi chuckled lightly. “Honestly? She was better off disqualified.”

  Rowan’s gaze darkened instantly. He didn’t respond. Without a word, he turned and walked away.

  Sofi watched him go, her expression shifting as she realized the weight of his silence.

  On the eve of the finale, despite her disbelief in the existence of Celestials, Sarn couldn’t shake the thought from her mind. The conversation with Kyra echoed in her ears, and she found herself wondering if she could handle what was to come. The weight of uncertainty settled heavily on her chest, and sleep eluded her. The lingering unease from that day’s conversation kept her wide awake, her thoughts racing with the possibility that everything she thought she knew might be proven wrong.