The morning felt different.
Not because the dojo had changed—
But because everyone inside it knew something was ending.
Kevin stood in the training yard, wooden sword resting at his side.
Carina stretched quietly nearby.
Kuina already stood in position, waiting.
Koshiro arrived without announcing himself.
As always.
He looked at all three of them for a long moment.
Then spoke.
"…Training has reached its conclusion."
Carina blinked.
"…Huh? That's it?"
Kuina didn't react outwardly—but her grip tightened slightly.
Kevin simply nodded.
"…Understood."
Koshiro continued calmly.
"…You have learned what this place can give you."
He turned his gaze to Carina first.
"…You are no longer unstable."
Carina pointed at herself.
"…That sounds like faint praise again."
Koshiro replied.
"…It is truth."
Then he looked at Kuina.
"…Your growth is steady. Your foundation is strong."
Kuina lowered her head slightly.
"…Not enough."
Koshiro did not disagree.
"…Not yet."
Finally, his gaze landed on Kevin.
Longer this time.
Heavier.
"…You are not a student of this dojo anymore."
Silence.
Carina blinked.
"…Wait, what does that mean?"
Koshiro answered without looking at her.
"…It means he has already surpassed what I can correct."
Kuina looked at Kevin immediately.
No surprise.
Just confirmation.
Kevin replied calmly.
"…I understand."
Koshiro stepped forward slightly.
"…You all will leave."
Carina frowned.
"…Just like that?"
Koshiro nodded.
"…The sea does not wait for training to end properly."
A quiet wind passed through the dojo.
The same wind they had felt for years.
But now—
It felt final.
Kuina finally spoke.
"…Then I will go too."
Carina turned slightly.
"…Of course she says that…"
Kuina continued.
"…I will not stay here while you leave."
Her eyes moved to Kevin.
"…Either of you."
Kevin looked at her.
Then nodded once.
"…Good."
Koshiro watched this exchange quietly.
Then spoke one final time.
"…Before you leave."
He looked at Kuina.
"…You will have one last match."
Kuina didn't hesitate.
"…With him."
Kevin answered immediately.
"…Yes."
Carina exhaled slowly.
"…Of course there's a final boss fight before leaving…"
The training yard cleared.
No students.
No interruptions.
Only the three of them remained.
Kuina and Kevin stepped into position.
Not as strangers.
Not as teacher and student.
But as rivals shaped by the same years.
Carina stepped back slightly.
Watching closely.
Koshiro stood still.
Observing everything.
"…Begin."
Kuina moved first.
Faster than ever before.
No hesitation.
No wasted motion.
Kevin blocked immediately.
Clean.
Controlled.
Their clash echoed across the yard.
This time—
There was no holding back in intent.
Only precision.
Kuina pressed forward.
Every strike sharper than before.
Kevin responded without retreat.
Matching her directly.
Carina watched, wide-eyed.
"…They're not testing anymore…"
"…They're finishing something…"
Kuina shifted her stance mid-exchange.
A rare adjustment.
A breakthrough attempt.
Kevin saw it immediately.
Countered without delay.
Their swords met again—
And separated.
Silence.
Kuina stood still.
Breathing steady.
No frustration.
Only realization.
"…Still ahead."
Kevin lowered his sword.
"…Yes."
Koshiro closed his eyes briefly.
Then spoke.
"…That is enough."
The wind passed through the dojo one last time.
The training was over.
Not just for today—
But for all of them.
Carina looked at both of them.
"…So… we're really leaving now."
Kevin turned toward the sea.
"…Yes."
Kuina followed his gaze.
"…Then I will see it myself."
Koshiro stepped back slightly.
"…Go."
No sadness.
No ceremony.
Just acceptance.
Because the sea was calling again.
And this time—
They would answer it together.