Yuna was just about to step forward.
Arthur had finished his session, wiped the sweat from his face, and was clearly about to leave the training chamber.
Before she could call out—
A loud, excited shout rang through the facility.
"Oh my God—YUNA AKATSUKI is here!"
The voice cracked with disbelief.
For half a second, the room went silent.
Then—
Chaos.
"The Yuna Akatsuki?!"
"The world’s best martial artist?!"
"No way—she’s really here!"
People surged toward her instantly, eyes glowing with excitent. Phones were pulled out, hands raised, voices overlapping.
"Miss Yuna! Can I get an autograph?"
"Please, just one photo!"
"I’ve watched all your matches!"
Hotel staff rushed in, forming a barrier with practiced efficiency, holding the crowd back before it could overwhelm her.
Yuna clicked her tongue sharply.
"Hurry it up," she snapped. "These assholes are blocking my view."
Even her irritation only made the crowd more excited.
"She’s so cool..."
"Even when she’s angry..."
anwhile—
Arthur stepped out of the training chamber, breathing heavily.
Every muscle scread.
His shirt clung to his back, damp with sweat.
’Damn... that was rough,’ he thought.
He noticed the crowd gathering near the entrance.
"Woah," he muttered. "Looks like a celebrity showed up."
He craned his neck slightly, trying to see over the heads.
Then shrugged.
’Whatever. Not interested.’
His stomach growled loudly.
He froze.
"...Yeah. That’s more important I’m starving anyway."
"Let’s order sothing good. I don’t have to worry about money anymore anyway."
Without another glance, he walked out of the training facility.
Behind him, the crowd was slowly dispersed by staff.
When things finally cald down, Yuna looked toward the training chamber again.
Empty.
Arthur was gone.
She stared for a mont.
Then clicked her tongue.
"Tch."
She muttered a curse under her breath saying." These fuckers ca in th way."
Yuna turned away, irritated.
Later—
Arthur returned to his floor, stretching his sore shoulders.
As he walked down the hallway, he stopped.
Aaron was standing outside his room.
Waiting.
Arthur frowned.
"...Hey."
Aaron turned instantly, eyes lighting up.
Then he leaned closer, studying Arthur’s face.
Very closely.
Arthur’s eye twitched.
"What."
Aaron blinked.
"Your aura changed you look stronger sohow." he said honestly. "You were already good-looking, but now... you’re even more attractive."
Arthur stared at him.
Silence.
Then—
His eye twitched as he said.
"Just to confirm sothing,Before you co any closer."
"You are a man, right?"
Aaron recoiled.
"What does that an?! Of course I am! Want to show you?!"
Arthur imdiately turned and reached for the door.
"I’ve heard enough."
"From now on, keep a ten-ter distance between us."
He tried to shut the door.
Suddenly—
Aaron grabbed it.
The door stopped halfway.
Arthur pushed back, muscles tightening.
"Let go, you womanly bastard," Arthur growled.
"I am a guy, alright?!" Aaron snapped back. "And I have sothing important to tell you!"
Arthur pushed harder.
"Say it from there!"
They both stopped.
As they exhaled.
Slowly, they released the door.
Arthur crossed his arms.
"Speak."
Aaron straightened.
"I’m leaving today," he said. "Soone is coming to pick up."
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"That’s it?"
"Yes," Aaron said quietly. "Aren’t you going to say goodbye?"
Arthur scoffed.
"I saved your ass. What more do you want?"
He sighed.
"...Alright. Alright. Goodbye. Happy?"
Aaron’s shoulders slumped.
"I would be," he said softly, "if you ca to see off."
Arthur rubbed his temples.
"Hey, man, I’m hungry as hell, okay—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
A deep, rhythmic thudding filled the air.
As loud sounds started coming from outside as if a plane was taking off.
Aarons’s eyes widened.
Arthur turned toward the balcony.
The sound grew louder.
Engines.
Rotors.
Outside, the sky darkened as shadows passed over the hotel.
Helicopters.
Large ones.
And beyond them—
A sleek airship hovered into view, runes glowing along its hull.
Arthur stared.
"...You didn’t ntion this part."
Before Aaron could answer—
Footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Hotel staff hurried toward them.
One of them bowed deeply.
"Excuse ," she said politely. "Are you Aaron Vale Valmont?"
Aaron nodded.
"...Yes."
The staff straightened.
"Your family has arrived."
Outside the hotel, the sky thundered.
On the Grand Arcania Hotel’s , Skyport—a high-altitude landing platform reserved for nobles, guild leaders, and foreign dignitaries—was sealed off as multiple helicopters hovered in formation, rotors chopping the air with deafening force.
At the center of the platform, the largest airship descended.
Its hull was forged from reinforced silver alloy, layered with combat-grade enchantnts rather than ornantal runes. The design was lean and aggressive, built for speed and durability instead of luxury. This was not a ship ant to impress civilians—it was ant to survive war.
The ramp lowered.
A woman stepped out.
Blonde hair tied into a high ponytail swayed behind her as she walked forward with confident, grounded steps. Her beauty was sharp, not delicate—defined by discipline rather than elegance. Her physique was athletic and perfectly balanced, powerful legs, a narrow waist, fists that spoke of endless hours of training.
She wore a fitted combat uniform of white and deep blue, flexible armor plates reinforced at vital points. No excessive decoration. No jewelry.
Only function.
Her presence alone pressed down on the air.
This was a true martial artist.
Julia Vale Valmont.
The strongest of her generation in House Valemont.
The mont her boots touched the platform, heavily ard guards poured out behind her, forming a disciplined periter.
Julia’s eyes scanned the area instantly—habitual, sharp.
"Split up," she ordered calmly. "Room 402. Bring my brother here safely."
"Yes, Miss Julia!" the guards replied in unison.
One guard hesitated. "Miss... what about you?"
Julia cracked her neck slightly.
"I’ll be fine."
Before anyone could take another step—
A figure blocked her path.
Pink hair.
Relaxed posture.
Gray eyes that carried quiet danger.
Yuna Akatsuki.
Julia’s guards imdiately stepped back.
No hesitation.
They knew exactly who stood before them.
Julia’s eyes widened for half a heartbeat—
Then she moved.
She rushed forward and bowed deeply, fist pressed to her chest in a martial salute.
"Master Yuna," Julia said respectfully. "I didn’t know this facility belonged to you. I apologize for the intrusion."
Yuna raised an eyebrow.
"I’m not your master," she replied coolly. "I taught you one technique. That doesn’t make your master."
Julia straightened, eyes burning with conviction.
"You are the only person who ever fought my father toe to toe," she said firmly. "Not even elders of my house could do that."
She bowed again.
"Even if you deny it now, I will make you acknowledge soday.so you will have no choice but to beco my master."
Yuna smirked.
"We’ll see."
Julia allowed herself a small smile, then turned serious.
"My brother was kidnapped months ago," she said. "He contacted us recently. He said soone saved him... and that he’s here."
Yuna studied her posture, her breathing, her stance.
A real fighter.
Finally, she stepped aside.
"Go," Yuna said. "Family cos first."
Julia bowed once more. "Thank you."
At that mont—
Three figures ca sprinting across the platform.
Two girls with identical maroon hair—twins—followed by a boy with auburn hair. All three wore training outfits and were clearly out of breath.
"Miss Yuna!" the twins shouted together. "We’re sorry we’re late!"
The boy bowed deeply. "Please forgive us!"
Yuna didn’t even turn.
"Hundred laps, After breakfast" she said flatly.
Their faces drained of color.
"Yes, ma’am!" they yelled as their shoulders slumped.
"...Your disciples?" Julia asked.
Yuna scoffed.
"No," she said. "I’m training them under my guild master’s orders."
She paused.
"But they’re my students though unofficial."
Julia smiled faintly.
"...I see."
Yuna looked away slightly.
’So I might still have a chance.’
Then—
"Sister!"
Julia turned sharply.
Aaron ran toward her, eyes shining, face pale but alive.
"Aaron!"
She crossed the distance in an instant and pulled him into a tight embrace.
Her hands trembled for just a second before she steadied herself.
"You idiot," she whispered. "Do you have any idea how worried we were?"
"I’m sorry," Aaron said, voice cracking. "I really am."
Julia pulled back, inspecting him quickly, checking injuries out of habit.
Then—
She noticed soone standing beside him.
A boy with dark hair and red eyes.
Calm.
Quiet.
Watching everything with unsettling composure.
Julia’s gaze sharpened.
"...And you," she said slowly.
"Who are you?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers