After three months…
In President Go-Hyeon's office,
Suho and Park sat before the wide desk, while the president reviewed a massive file filled with notes and analyses.
The president slowly raised his eyes and said in a serious tone:
"So… the matter of that sect is far bigger than we expected."
Park and Suho exchanged a brief glance.
Park then asked,
"So… does that mean something big will happen soon?"
The president shook his head and placed the file aside.
"No. On the contrary, Earth will enter a long period of calm. Perhaps something may occur on the continent of Astarion, but here… I don't expect anything."
He paused, then added confidently:
"There's no need to worry about them. They have the Sword King, and many great warriors and mages."
After a moment, the president looked directly at Jin.
"I believe tomorrow is your final exam. What will you do afterward?"
Jin answered without hesitation:
"I'll be gone for a long time."
Park raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Entering the Tower?"
Jin nodded.
"Yes. I need to temper my sword quickly. A sword made for survival—without real combat training—won't become strong within a year or two."
Park sighed.
"But you can't rely solely on climbing the Tower. Your growth will stagnate eventually."
Jin replied calmly,
"I don't intend to."
He then drew out his Murim-style sword and extended it toward Park and the president.
No one spoke.
Both understood the meaning.
The president said in a less formal tone,
"Will you be alright? Fighters are everywhere there. There's no law—only strength."
Jin answered without averting his gaze,
"Those who choose a path… must bear it to the end."
The president hesitated before asking in a lower voice,
"You'll face situations where you'll have to kill humans. Won't that be difficult?"
Suho remained silent for a brief moment, then said steadily,
"Those who deserve death… will die."
The president stared at him deeply, then opened his desk drawer and took out a small box.
Jin opened it.
"What is this?"
"A new storage ring," the president said.
"About the size of this office. You'll need it."
Suho didn't refuse.
He smiled faintly.
"Thank you both."
He excused himself and left the office.
Outside the Association building,
Suho got into his car.
Across the street, a young man wearing a mask passed by.
He slowed slightly, studied Suho carefully…
then continued walking.
The next day…
An open mountainous region.
Sealed gates, and ground scarred with traces of battle.
Academy students emerged from the gates, burdened with injuries and exhaustion, while the area bustled with supervisors, reporters, and guild scouts.
The team appeared at last.
Shuang panted.
"Haaah… that was incredibly hard."
Aileen added,
"If Suho hadn't intervened at the end, we would've been seriously hurt."
Kevin laughed excitedly.
"Did you see him against the giant? He blocked the punch with another punch and—BOOM! It was awesome!"
Amy said admiringly,
"He's even using advanced magic now. The weapons he gave us were incredible."
Reinhardt frowned slightly.
"I didn't notice at first, but… how did he get enough mithril to forge five weapons? Honestly… he even gave me gauntlets. Does he want me to stop using a sword?"
Then he suddenly asked,
"By the way… where did he go?"
Aileen replied,
"I don't know. He gave me the key to his apartment in the city and told us to come tonight."
She glanced at Shuang and added,
"And he said to bring her as well."
In Director Elder's office…
Elder flipped through the papers.
"Your theoretical promotion exam scores are good… but full marks in law?"
He laughed.
"Do you actually plan to follow the rules?"
Jin laughed.
"At least it might get us out of trouble sometimes."
Elder suddenly looked serious.
"Suho… no, Jin. Are you ready for your journey?"
Jin stood up.
"Ready or not… I have to go."
He finished his tea.
Elder said,
"Jin… when you're ready, go to Akaran Academy. You'll need to meet its director."
Jin said nothing more.
"Yes."
He bowed, thanked the director, and left.
Outside the office, Instructor Marcus and Teacher Yura were waiting.
"Thank you both for teaching me," Jin said.
Marcus laughed.
"Teaching? You beat me in half our spars."
Yura said calmly,
"You slept through my lectures all year."
Jin smiled.
"I don't think we're teacher and student anymore… maybe older siblings."
Marcus laughed.
"Hm, that fits."
Jin looked at Yura.
"Big sister… thank you for everything."
She smiled without replying, then asked,
"Will you be gone long?"
"I don't know."
She said softly,
"Come back safely."
"Yes."
On the peak of a flat snowy mountain…
A tall man, nearly two meters and ten centimeters in height,
wearing a long wool coat, black hair streaked with gray, gazed into the abyss.
Another man emerged from the shadows behind him—dressed entirely in black, gray-haired.
Neither face was visible.
The second said,
"We've found him."
"How was he?" the first asked.
"Exactly as you described… but brighter and more natural than I expected."
"Will you act now?"
The man replied calmly,
"No… the future is still long."
In Suho's apartment in Newland…
He stood on the balcony, smoking.
In the living room sat Kevin, Reinhardt, Amy, and Martin.
The door opened.
Aileen and Shuang-Yu entered, with Lily.
"Hello."
"Hi."
Everyone stared for a moment.
Kevin asked,
"Huh… who's that?"
Aileen hesitated.
"This is—"
Jin interrupted,
"She's my daughter."
Silence.
Kevin screamed,
"WHAAAT?! How?! When?! Did you get married in middle school?!"
Reinhardt punched him.
"Shut up, monkey."
A little later…
Suho emerged from the room, dressed in his usual long-journey clothes.
He looked at his companions, then bent down and lifted Lily into his arms.
"I'm sorry, Lily… I'll be gone for a few days."
She cried.
"Don't go… Papa is bad."
He said gently,
"I'm sorry. I have to go. Papa has work."
She cried a little, then said,
"Okay… but don't be late for Lily."
"Okay."
He shook hands with his companions.
"Reinhardt, take care."
"Don't make the trip too long."
"Eat lots of burgers."
"Master your magic."
He smiled and left.
Outside the apartment, by the door…
The two girls stood, staring at the floor.
One asked in a broken voice,
"Do you really have to go?"
He didn't answer.
He looked down, expression heavy.
Their eyes filled with tears as they embraced him together—
a suffocating hug, like a long farewell.
"Don't get hurt."
"Come back to us safely."
"I promise," he said.
"I'll return safely—for you, and for Lily. Take good care of Lily… you're both Mama now."
They didn't reply.
They kissed him.
Two very intense kisses.
For the first time, Suho truly understood the meaning of love during this period.
They stepped back and stood at the door.
No words.
Only smiles mixed with tears.
Everyone knew Suho would be gone for a long time—
only Lily didn't know, unable to accept it.
Jin looked at them, smiled, and moved on.
Below the building, he looked up at the balcony.
Everyone was seeing him off.
He thought to himself,
"I'm sorry… but I have to find her."
And so…
the boy set off on his long journey.
But… he didn't know it would be far longer than he ever imagined.
End of Season One