The night air clung to Dante as he walked back through the academy's sprawling courtyards. Neon billboards flickered with highlights of matches he had just played in ed eclips of him sprinting past defenders, the crowd roaring as "Blaze" was painted in bright letters across the screen.
But the cheers felt distant. He could still hear Sang-hee's words far louder than any stadium roar:
"Make it chase you. Don't lose yourself. Character wins the war."
By the time he reached the dormitory, the laughter of his teammates spilled into the corridor. The Rising sStars occupied the first floor, their doors left ajar, music thumping, voices joking about Lionel's impossible block during training and Scarlet's fiery sprint that had nearly singed a goalpost.
Dante slipped past quietly. They were his comrades, his peers—but tonight he felt worlds apart. He entered his room, closed the door softly, and sat on the edge of his bed.
