Morning returned to Soren Town like nothing had ever gone wrong.
The broken arena was sealed. The tournament banners were taken down. And yet, the air still carried a quiet tension — the kind that lingered after danger passed but never truly left.
Riku adjusted the strap of his new belt as he walked toward the academy grounds.
Bolt stayed inside the Core pouch this time, his presence faint but steady.
> Spirit form… just like Toma said.
For once, it felt… right.
---
[Scene 1 – A Different Kind of Silence]
Inside the classroom, students whispered instead of shouted.
Everyone who had fought in the tournament was here.
Some had bandages. Some had tired eyes. Some carried pride they didn't try to hide.
Riku took his seat.
A moment later, Mira Saen entered.
She moved quietly, like she didn't want to disturb the room — yet the moment she stepped in, Riku felt it again.
That faint pull.
Not lightning.
Not pressure.
Something closer to… listening.
She sat one row ahead of him.
Bolt's voice echoed faintly from the Core pouch:
> That girl… she doesn't just sense energy. She hears it.
Riku frowned. "Hears…?"
---
[Scene 2 – The Girl Who Hears Cores]
During break, Mira stood near the window, holding her repaired Core.
Riku hesitated — then walked up.
"Hey… about yesterday. Thanks for the birthday wish."
She turned, surprised. "…You felt that?"
"Felt what?"
She looked at the Core in her hand. "Your resonance changed. It was warmer. Less violent."
Riku blinked. "You can tell that just by listening?"
Mira nodded. "Some people see Cores. Some control them. I hear them."
She met his eyes.
"And yours… is loud. But not broken."
Riku didn't know why, but that sentence stayed with him.
Before he could reply—
A sharp ding echoed through the academy speakers.
---
[Scene 3 – The Announcement]
All students were called to the main hall.
Teachers. Officials. Tournament staff.
A tall representative stepped onto the stage.
"Attention. This announcement concerns all participants of the Soren Spirit Cup."
The room tensed.
"After review, we have decided the following—"
He paused.
> "Every fighter who participated in the tournament has PASSED."
Gasps erupted.
Toma spun toward Riku. "ALL of them?! That's insane!"
The official continued.
"The interruption was not the fault of the fighters. Your performances proved your potential."
The screen behind him lit up.
> NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE SELECTION MATCH
Participants: All qualified Spirit Masters
Format: 3-PERSON TEAMS
Goal: Decide who will represent the country on the global stage
The hall exploded with noise.
Teams. Strategies. Rivalries igniting instantly.
Riku felt his Core thrum faintly.
A new stage.
A bigger one.
---
[Scene 4 – Three Is Not a Coincidence]
Toma leaned in, eyes shining. "Three-person teams… that means—"
Riku nodded. "We'll need one more."
They both looked forward.
Mira stood quietly, watching the screen — her Core humming softly, like it was responding to something only she could hear.
She turned.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Bolt whispered from the pouch:
> Storms don't form alone. They gather.
Riku exhaled slowly.
"This is just the beginning," he said.
Outside, the wind picked up.
Not violent.
Not calm.
Waiting.
---
🌤️ End of Chapter 15
Next: Chapter 16 — "A Team Is Chosen"
> Everyone passed.
Three must stand together.
And the world is watching again.