The academy shook once more.
But this time...
The Ghost Killers charged first.
"FOR MR. STONE!"
The cry echoed across the ruined battlefield.
Students.
Teachers.
Veteran Ghost Killers.
Everyone rushed forward together.
Daniel led the charge.
His sword was wrapped in a calm black aura.
Behind him—
Mary.
Felix.
Noah.
Lucy.
David.
Lily.
Zoya.
The Great Eight moved as one.
McLone watched them silently.
"So..."
"This is the hope he left behind."
She lifted her crimson spear.
"Then show me."
BOOOOOM!!
Daniel's sword collided with her spear.
The explosion shattered the ground beneath them.
Mary appeared on McLone's left.
Her blade flashed.
McLone blocked.
Felix descended from above like lightning.
His punch struck McLone's shoulder.
For the first time—
She stumbled.
Only half a step.
But everyone saw it.
"NOW!"
Noah slammed both hands onto the ground.
Massive stone chains burst from the earth.
They wrapped around McLone's legs.
Zoya instantly froze them.
Ice climbed her armor.
Lily's enchanted arrows exploded around her.
David shouted every movement.
"She's breaking free!"
Daniel didn't hesitate.
He rushed forward.
His sword sliced through the air.
CLANG!
McLone barely blocked.
A crack appeared on her crimson spear.
Her eyes widened.
"...Impossible."
Daniel looked directly at her.
"My master once told me..."
"He said weapons reflect the heart of the one holding them."
He tightened his grip.
"And your heart is beginning to break."
McLone smiled bitterly.
"You really did inherit him."
She released a violent burst of crimson energy.
BOOOOOM!!
Everyone was thrown backward.
Daniel rolled across the shattered courtyard.
Mary crashed into broken stone.
Felix coughed blood as he forced himself back to his feet.
Lucy immediately ran to him.
"I'm okay..."
Felix lied.
Lucy sighed.
"You're terrible at lying."
Despite everything...
Felix laughed.
McLone breathed heavily.
For the first time since arriving at the academy...
She was exhausted.
Her armor was cracked.
Blood ran down her forehead.
One arm trembled.
Daniel noticed.
"So..."
"You can bleed."
McLone looked at him.
"And so can you."
Daniel glanced at his own body.
Cuts covered his arms.
His shoulder still bled from earlier.
His breathing was becoming heavier.
Neither of them could continue much longer.
Suddenly...
The Executioner roared.
Seeing McLone cornered, he charged toward Daniel.
His gigantic axe descended.
Before it could strike—
CLANG!
Bill blocked it.
"You'll have to get through me first."
The Executioner growled.
"You've already lost your friend."
Bill's eyes hardened.
"I won't lose my students too."
The two veterans disappeared into another fierce clash.
Back in the center...
McLone slowly stood straight.
She looked around the battlefield.
The Ghost Army had nearly collapsed.
Most of her soldiers had fallen.
The academy, though devastated...
Still stood.
She closed her eyes.
Then laughed quietly.
"So this..."
"...is defeat."
Daniel remained silent.
McLone opened her eyes again.
"I underestimated humans."
She looked toward the place where Mr. Stone had vanished.
"Especially him."
For a moment...
There was respect in her voice.
Then she lowered her spear.
Everyone froze.
Daniel frowned.
"What are you doing?"
McLone smiled.
"My mission failed."
"I will not waste more lives."
The remaining Ghost Soldiers stopped fighting.
Confused murmurs spread across the battlefield.
Even the Great Eight didn't move.
McLone looked directly at Daniel.
"The next enemy..."
"...will not show you mercy."
She threw a small black crystal onto the ground.
It shattered instantly.
A crimson portal slowly opened behind her.
The surviving Ghost Soldiers began retreating.
The Executioner looked toward Bill.
"This isn't over."
Bill answered calmly.
"I know."
The Executioner stepped into the portal.
One by one...
The Ghost Soldiers disappeared.
Finally...
Only McLone remained.
She looked at Daniel one last time.
"When we meet again..."
"I hope you've found the truth about your sister."
Daniel's eyes widened.
Before he could ask anything—
McLone stepped backward.
The portal closed.
Silence.
Complete silence.
The Academy War...
Was over.
No cheers echoed across the battlefield.
No one celebrated.
Students looked around at the destroyed academy.
Teachers searched for survivors.
The wounded cried out for help.
Daniel slowly walked to the place where Mr. Stone had made his sacrifice.
He knelt.
On the broken ground...
He found something.
Mr. Stone's old silver pendant.
The one he had always worn around his neck.
Daniel picked it up carefully.
He held it tightly in his hand.
Bill walked beside him.
For a long time...
Neither of them spoke.
Then Bill quietly said,
"We're going to bring everyone home."
Daniel nodded.
A single tear fell onto the pendant.
"Yes."
"We're bringing him home too."
The wind carried the last silver particles across the battlefield...
Like Mr. Stone was watching over them one final time.
To Be Continued...