The training ground was unusually quiet.
No chatter.
No chaos.
Just the faint sound of wind brushing past the open hall.
Jay stood at the center of the mat.
Barefoot.
Still.
Calm.
Across from her—
The old master.
His posture relaxed… but his eyes sharp.
Watching.
Always watching.
Around them, Section E gathered.
Cin leaned against the wall, arms folded.Kit sat on the edge of the bench, restless.Mayo stood still, unusually focused.Felix watched in silence.MJ, Kevin, Thyme—quiet for once.
And Keifer—
Standing closest.
Eyes only on Jay.
The old master stepped forward.
Slow.
Measured.
"No holding back," he said.
Jay nodded.
"I never do."
Silence.
Then—
He moved.
A sudden step forward—
A strike aimed straight for her shoulder—
Jay shifted slightly.
Barely an inch.
The strike missed.
He followed instantly—
Sweep.
Jay lifted her foot just enough—
Avoided it like it wasn't even there.
A second attack—
Faster this time.
Punch. Turn. Kick.
Jay didn't block.
Didn't counter immediately.
She simply moved—
Minimal.
Efficient.
Untouchable.
Kit whispered, "…She's not even trying."
Mayo murmured, "…No. She's controlling everything."
Then—
Jay stepped in.
Closed the distance.
Her hand caught his wrist—
Twist—
Pivot—
Controlled throw.
The old master hit the mat.
Not hard.
Not rough.
Perfectly controlled.
Respectful.
Silence filled the hall.
Then—
The old man laughed.
Low.
Genuine.
He stood slowly.
Looked at her.
Long.
Carefully.
"…You've improved."
The words were simple.
But heavy.
Too heavy.
Keifer's brows furrowed.
"…Improved?" he repeated.
Kit frowned. "That doesn't even make sense."
Mayo's gaze sharpened.
"…Say that again."
The old master didn't look at them.
Only at Jay.
"The last time I saw you…"
"…you were still holding back your instincts."
Silence.
Complete.
Jay didn't deny it.
Didn't react.
That was enough.
Keifer stepped forward slightly.
"…Last time?"
No answer.
The old master finally turned—
Not to Jay.
But to Section E.
His voice calm.
Too calm.
"You all work under her…"
"…and yet, you don't even realize it."
Everything stopped.
Kit blinked.
"…What?"
MJ laughed nervously. "Okay, that's not funny."
Felix didn't speak.
His eyes slowly shifted to Jay.
Mayo straightened.
"…Explain."
The old master spoke again.
"The League you serve…"
"…the one you report to in shadows…"
"…the one whose leader you've never seen…"
He paused.
Then looked at Jay.
"…is her."
Silence.
No reaction.
Because no one could process it.
Keifer stared at Jay.
Searching.
"…Jay?"
Jay exhaled softly.
Then stepped forward.
No hesitation.
No fear.
"You weren't supposed to find out like this."
That was enough.
Kit stepped back. "No way…"
MJ shook his head. "This is insane…"
Cin muttered, "…It actually makes sense."
Felix closed his eyes briefly.
"…Of course it does."
Mayo looked at her.
"…You're the Queen?"
Jay met his gaze.
"yes....
Keifer stepped closer.
"…We've been working for the League for years."
His voice tight.
"…Even Gorya… Kanning… Aum…"
Jay nodded.
"I know."
Kit snapped. "YOU KNEW?!"
Jay looked at him calmly.
"I know everything that happens in my League."
Silence again.
Jay's voice softened slightly.
"You think I didn't know why you joined?"
Keifer frowned.
"…Then say it."
Jay didn't hesitate.
"You didn't join for power."
"You didn't join for control."
A pause.
Then—
"You joined to protect me."
The words hit hard.
No one spoke.
MJ looked down.
Kit clenched his jaw.
Felix didn't deny it.
Keifer's voice dropped.
"…You knew that?"
Jay nodded.
"And your families.
The air shifted.
Cold.
Serious.
Jay's tone changed.
"There's someone out there…"
"…someone strong enough to force all of you into the League."
Mayo muttered, "…So it wasn't just us…"
Jay continued—
"Someone who's been insisting…"
"…on destroying Section E."
That changed everything.
Cin straightened.
Felix's fists clenched.
Keifer's eyes darkened.
"…So we've been reacting this whole time."
Jay nodded once.
"Yes."
Kit stepped forward.
"So what? We wait for him to make the next move?"
Jay shook her head.
This time—
Her voice was different.
Cold.
Decisive.
"No."
She stepped forward.
"Now we hunt."
Silence.
Then—
MJ smirked. "Finally."
Cin cracked his knuckles. "Been waiting for that."
Felix: "We go offensive."
Mayo: "…Good."
Keifer stood beside Jay.
"Talk."
Jay didn't hesitate.
"We track everything."
"Every move he's made."
"Every contact. Every shadow."
She looked at all of them.
"He's been watching us."
Pause.
"Now we watch him."
Jay's voice sharpened.
Commanding.
"Cin, Kit—surveillance."
"Felix, Mayo—League data."
"MJ, Kevin, Thyme—external contacts."
No hesitation.
Everyone nodded
Keifer looked at her.
"…And me?"
Jay met his gaze.
For a moment—
No queen.
Just Jay.
"You stay with me."
Kit smirked. "Of course he does."
Keifer didn't react.
"…Good
The old master smiled faintly.
"A queen who walks among her people…"
"…and warriors who choose her."
He looked toward the horizon.
"Your enemy has no idea what's coming."
Jay turned toward the exit.
Light falling across her figure.
Her voice calm.
Cold.
Certain.
"He wanted to destroy Section E."
A pause.
Then—
"Now we find him…"
"…and end it."