Si-Woo's heart felt lighter than it had in weeks as he watched Z fly away. The bond between them was unbreakable, a promise that they would face the challenges of the world of Ondur together. He felt a strange comfort knowing that the creature was out there, a piece of him now soaring among the clouds, he knew he would see Z next class.

With a newfound sense of purpose, "I'm going to make the most of his upcoming school break." Si-Woo thought " I have so much to learn about his rare and powerful bondmate, and I know just where to start—the public Ondurian library." The thought of spending his couple days off in the quiet solace of the library, surrounded by ancient texts and dusty tomes, filled him with excitement. It was the direct opposite of the chaotic streets of the city where he had grown up, where you scarcely see people with books, and knowledge was often found in the whispers of those who dared to speak the truth.

...

"They appear more resolute in their training today," Minho mused, hurling the rubber-like balls at them. "Their bond seems to have strengthened, evident in how they move in unison, attempting to predict each other's moves during the combat drills. They make a formidable duo, each deciphering the other's strengths and weaknesses while under constant assault."

But as the siblings retreated to the sidelines, panting and sweating, their expressions were anything but triumphant. "The air around them was thick with unspoken tension," Minho thought, "Their movements are jerky, as if they were trying to shake off an invisible burden. It was unlike them to be so distracted during training."

He approached cautiously, his eyes scanning them for any signs of injury beyond the bruises from the spar. "What happened at the academy today?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern. But the siblings remained silent, their eyes downcast.

The silence was an unsettling difference from the usual banter that filled their training sessions. Ha-Yoon's knuckles were white as she balled up her fist, and Si-Woo's eyes were distant as if he were lost in a world of his own. It was unlike them to hold back, to not throw themselves into the fight with the same fiery determination that had earned them Minho's respect, the day before.

"Well, that's enough for today," Minho said finally, his tone firm but tinged with something else - something softer. He had seen the look in their eyes before, the one that spoke of pain and anger so intense that it could only be born from personal battles, not the ones they faced in the ring.

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"But Minho," Ha-Yoon protested, her voice laced with exhaustion. "We can keep going."

Minho's eyes searched their faces, his grip tightening on the balls. "No," he said firmly, "You two need to sort out whatever is eating at you. A clear head is more important than a few extra spars."

Ha-Yoon opened her mouth to protest, but the words died on her lips. She knew he was right. The fear and anger from the day's events were still coiled around her heart, a tight fist that squeezed tighter with every breath. She nodded, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

Soaring on Lemmy, Si-Woo gazed contemplatively at the blue sky. "Minho is right," he thought. Passing through the portal, Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon walked home under the moonlit sky in silence.

Finally, as they approached their home, Si-Woo broke the silence with a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry, Ha-Yoon. I wasn't strong enough to stop them from hitting you." His voice was a low murmur, filled with regret and pain. Ha-Yoon looked at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It's not your fault," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "My mom once told me people like that are just scared. And they lack understanding."

They reached the door to their restored house, the warm glow of the lights inside beckoning them. Ha-Yoon took a deep breath and looked up at Si-Woo, her eyes searching his. "But as your big brother, I was supposed to protect you," he continued, his voice cracking. "I was supposed to keep you safe, and I couldn't even do that."

Tears spilled down Ha-Yoon's cheeks, and she looked down at her feet. "But who will protect you?" she whispered, her voice shaking. "You're always so strong, Si-Woo, but who's there to protect you?" Si-Woo looked at his sister, the weight of his failure heavy in his chest. He didn't have an answer.

But Ha-Yoon did. She took a deep, shuddering breath and met his gaze, her eyes fierce. "I want to get stronger too," she declared, her voice gaining strength. "I want to protect you just like you do for me. I don't want anyone to ever look down on us again."

Si-Woo stared at his sister, his own eyes filling with tears. He had never seen her so determined, so fiery. He knew then that she had found her own source of power, her own reason to fight. And in that moment, he realized that together, they could overcome anything.

Si-Woo grabs her hand. "We'll do it," he said, his voice firm. "We'll train harder, learn more about this world, and master the serein. We'll become each other's protectors that we were meant to be."

The next day, with the academy closed for a couple of days, they took the opportunity to explore the city of Ondur. The streets were alive with vibrant colors and sounds, some shops floating serenely in the air. The siblings walked hand in hand, taking in the sights, the sounds, and the smells. The air smelled of exotic fruits and flowers, the wind carrying with it whispers of secrets from the floating islands that surrounded them.

As they strolled through the marketplace, Ha-Yoon suddenly remembered the gold coin pouch Minho had slipped into her backpack before they left the training session. She had forgotten about it in the rush of the previous day's events. "Si-Woo," she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Look what I found!"