The Gray Wing dormitory was quiet that night.
Exhaustion after the day's intense emotions had left most students deeply asleep as soon as they touched their pillows. However, in the room shared by Ren, Min, Taro, and Liu, excitement still kept them awake.
Ren sat cross-legged on his bed, his mushrooms pulsing with a soft glow that dimly illuminated the room. The light was sufficient to distinguish the expressions of Taro and Liu, who looked at him with admiration and camaraderie.
"So," said Ren, addressing Liu, "how was your battle? We couldn't see it even though ours was short because it had also already ended when we arrived at the other arena."
Liu smiled, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. He seemed very different from the bitter and distant student he had been at the beginning of the semester.
"Twenty seconds," he responded with evident pride. "We were right behind you in the global time record. It was... incredible."
