The forest surrounding Mikay and Zack's home felt quieter now. Not empty—never that—but different, as if something vital had taken flight. Kagami, their beloved adopted son, had gone off to Drakemount Academy, stepping into the next stage of his journey.

  Mikay stood on the porch, arms crossed but smiling softly. “He’s growing so fast,” she murmured.

  Zack nodded beside her. “He’ll be alright. He’s Kagami, after all.”

  But before they could step inside, three familiar figures stood in their training field: Minna, Iren, and Leo Ferrowind.

  Mikay blinked, then tilted her head. “Well, what do we have here?”

  Minna bowed politely. “We… came to ask for training. We want to grow stronger. Like Kagami.”

  Iren gave a firm nod. “We’re ready.”

  Leo scoffed, crossing his arms. “Tch. I doubt you two could turn us into someone like him.”

  Zack raised a brow, but Mikay only smiled knowingly. “Is that so?”

  Leo didn’t back down. “Kagami’s different. You expect us to believe he learned all that from just two mages hunters?”

  Mikay exchanged a gnce with Zack, then smiled gently.

  "Before Kagami ever entered Whimwood Preacademy, we taught him everything we knew about mana and magic—how to feel it, shape it, and let it flow through the body." She paused, her voice fond. "And in return, he showed us something new—something he called chakra. He didn’t just teach us how to use it… he helped us understand mana in a way we never had before."

  Zack walked to a nearby tree, and with a calm breath, pced one foot on the bark. His boot glowed faintly—and then he walked vertically up the tree, defying gravity.

  Minna gasped.

  “What—!?” Leo’s eyes widened.

  “We trained him in magic,” Mikay said, stepping lightly onto the nearby pond. She walked across the surface as if it were marble, her mana perfectly controlled. “And he opened our world to a deeper connection through his chakra techniques.”

  Iren stared, entranced. “The Water Surface Walking… Just like he showed us.”

  Zack nded with a soft thud. “It takes focus, bance, and endurance. It’s not easy. But if you want to learn, we’ll teach.”

  Leo hesitated, then stepped forward. “You really think we can do it?”

  Mikay smiled, extending her hand. “Only if you’re ready to train like Kagami did.”

  Minna grinned. Iren tied back her hair. Leo cracked his knuckles.

  “We’re in,” he said.

  And so began the Training of the Guardian Trio—the friends of Kagami, now under the wing of the hunters who helped shape him into the warrior he was becoming.

  ---