Kenta, Sarah, and Kaguya, having witnessed the battle from a distance, approached the scene once it had concluded. Their faces showed a mix of relief, concern, and worry as they saw Jokedone knelt on the ground, coughing up blood.
Despite the pain and defeat, Xi'an's laugh seemed tinged with a sense of bitterness as he relived his painful past. Memories of Jokedone as a friend and of his own tragic upbringing flooded his mind. He remembered how Jokedone had once stood by his side, and how he had never fully healed from the trauma of his mother's fate of being a slave only to pleasure Royals, and his father's abuse.
Despite his exhausted state, Jokedone, sensing the depth of Xi'an's troubled emotions, manages a weary smile. He spoke softly, his voice tinged with a note of understanding. "I know what you're thinking, Xi'an," he said, his words weighed down by the weight of their shared history.
"You're reliving the pain and suffering from our past," Jokedone continued, his expression filled with a mixture of empathy and sadness. "The memories of your mother, the abuse from your father, and how I was the only one who stayed by your side."
Jokedone's smile widened, his voice filled with a quiet determination. "Find peace in living, Xi'an," he said softly, his words carrying a sense of finality. "Don't let the shadows of our past consume you. Live your life with purpose and peace. That's what matters now."
Xi'an, despite his weakened state, mustered the last of his strength to rise up and kneel before Jokedone. His voice trembled with a mix of grief and remorse as he desperately pleaded for forgiveness. "Jokedone, please... I beg you, forgive me," he begged, tears streaming down his face.
Jokedone, his voice filled with compassion, spoke gently, "Xi'an, I forgive you," he said quietly. "I understand now the pain and suffering you've endured. It doesn't justify the path you've taken, but I can't hold the weight of your pain against you forever."
"You're right," Xi'an replied, his voice cracking from the mix of tears and relief. "I let my past consume me, and I became the very thing I fought against. I lost myself in my quest for vengeance, and I hurt people I never wished to hurt."
Xi'an, his heart heavy with remorse and burdened by the weight of his actions, made a final, radical decision. With a determined expression, he plunged his hand into his chest, extracting his own heart, and used his skill, "Life Change," to transmute it. The act transformed his own heart, changing its very essence.
Jokedone watched the scene unfold, a mixture of shock and compassion etched on his face.
As Xi'an calls Jokedone real name before dying "Kāiwánxiào"
Jokedone's eyes widened in disbelief at Xi'an's sudden act of transformation. He knelt by his side, his voice filled with concern and sorrow. "Xi'an, no! What have you done?" he exclaimed, his eyes scanning the changed heart with a mixture of shock and regret.
"Why would you go to such extremes?" Jokedone questioned, his voice breaking with emotion. "There must have been a different way, a better path forward. Why sacrifice yourself like this?"
Jokedone, standing beside Xi'an's lifeless form, felt a wave of sadness and a sense of finality wash over him. The weight of the moment was heaviest upon him. He knelt beside his old friend, gently closing Xi'an's eyes one last time.
Jokedone slowly got to his feet, his heart heavy with grief. He looked down at the lifeless figure of Xi'an, his mind churning with a mix of sadness and regret. "I should have been there for you, Xi'an," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "I should have been there to guide you, to help you find a different path. But I failed you, and now it's too late."
"Rest in peace, Xi'an," he whispered, his voice carrying a note of finality. "May you find the peace in death that eluded you in life." Jokedone's gaze lingered on Xi'an's face, taking in the pain and torment etched on his features even in death.
He knew that the true battle for Xi'an's soul had always been waged within himself. It was a battle for redemption and salvation, for a chance to escape the cycle of violence and pain that had consumed him. Despite the tragedy of the moment, Jokedone felt a twinge of relief knowing that his friend was finally free from the chains of his past.
Kenta and Sarah stood there in a silent, solemn tableau, watching the scene unfold with heavy hearts. They witnessed Jokedone's farewell gesture with a mixture of sadness and respect.
Beside them, Kaguya observed quietly, her expression a mix of empathy and somber understanding.
The next morning, as dawn broke, Kaguya and Jokedone stood side by side, the morning light casting a soft glow upon them. After their intense training, they shared a moment of respite.
Kaguya turned to Jokedone and spoke with a sense of finality, "Kenta and Sarah your training is complete." Her words held a sense of accomplishment and a hint of bittersweet sentiment.
Jokedone nodded, acknowledging Kaguya's words with a mixture of relief and mild disappointment. He knew deep down that the training was not complete, that there were still lessons to be learned outside the controlled environment.
"While they have reached a level of proficiency, I can tell that their training will never be truly complete. Even as they leave, they may grow in strength beyond my guidance." Jokedone replied solemnly.
With their training now officially concluded, Jokedone and Kaguya stood silently, taking a moment to reflect on the journey they had shared. The training had pushed them to their limits, tested their boundaries, and molded them into stronger individuals.
Kaguya spoke once more, her voice tinged with a sense of pride and satisfaction. "You've done well, Jokedone," she said softly. "Your guidance and dedication have shaped Kenta and Sarah into remarkable fighters. Their journey may continue beyond us now, but the foundation you've laid will serve as a strong basis for their growth."
"You've both grown immensely," Kaguya affirmed, a proud smile on her face. "Though the path ahead may be difficult, I believe you are now better equipped to face whatever challenges come your way."
As they continued their conversation, a sense of somber reflection settled upon Jokedone. The realization that their time together was drawing to an end weighed heavily on his mind. He struggled to hide the subtle hint of melancholy in his eyes.
Jokedone nodded in agreement with Kaguya's words. "Your training may be complete, but your journey is only just beginning," he said, his voice filled with a mix of encouragement and caution. "Embrace the future with determination and never forget the lessons we've shared."
Kaguya placed a reassuring hand on Jokedone's shoulder, sensing his slight melancholy. "Cherish the moments we had together, Jokedone," she said, her voice gentle and full of understanding. "Change is inevitable, and parting is a bittersweet part of life."
Kaguya and Jokedone watched as Kenta and Sarah absorbed their words, a sense of determination and resolve in their eyes. They knew that while their training might have come to an end, the true test of their abilities lay ahead in the unpredictable chapters of their lives.
"It's time for you to start anew," Kaguya said, a touch of wisdom in her voice. "Take what we have taught you and forge your own path forward. Remember that life is about growth, resilience, and facing challenges head-on."
Sarah's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her words filled with a mixture of uncertainty and resolve. "Thank you, both of you, for everything," she began, her eyes meeting theirs with a mix of determination and vulnerability. "Your training has been challenging, but I know it has made us stronger."
Kenta's firm yet grateful voice followed, reflecting his own mixed emotions. "I never thought we'd come this far," he confessed, his eyes reflecting a mixture of awe and determination. "You've pushed us beyond our limits and shown us what we are truly capable of."
Kenta, standing beside Sarah, his voice tinged with respect and gratitude. "We will make sure your teachings don't go to waste," he said firmly, his eyes meeting Jokedone and Kaguya's. "We'll face whatever challenges lie ahead with the strength we've gained from your training."
Jokedone and Kaguya exchanged a proud glance, their hearts swelling with a mixture of satisfaction and sadness as they listened to Kenta and Sarah's commitment. They could see the determination and potential in these young individuals who were now on the cusp of forging their own destinies.
Kenta and Sarah, with a mixture of gratitude and respect, offered a final farewell bow and wave to Jokedone and Kaguya. Their eyes held a mixture of determination, hope, and a touch of nostalgia. It was the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
"Farewell," Jokedone replied quietly, a mix of emotions in his voice. "May your journeys be filled with triumph and growth. Never forget the lessons we have shared."
Once Kenta and Sarah had departed, Kaguya turned to Jokedone, a contemplative expression on her face. She hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Jokedone, are you confident that we are ready for the upcoming 2nd Celestial War?" Kaguya's voice carried a tone of concern as she posed the question. The weight of the battle that loomed ahead was not lost on them, and the stakes were high.
Jokedone's expression hardened, his muscles tensing involuntarily as the question struck a nerve in him. "Ready and confident? No, not at all," he confessed, his voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and resignation. "In fact, far from it."
Jokedone, his gaze steady and resolute, pondered her question. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding, "I believe we have done everything in our power to prepare for this war," he said solemnly. "But true readiness can only be tested once the conflict unfolds."
He paused, a flicker of vulnerability visible in his eyes, "We have trained hard, gathered allies, and devised strategies, but the chaos of war is unpredictable. We can only trust in our abilities and adapt as circumstances demand."
Kaguya nodded, her eyes filled with a mix of understanding and determination. "We have a responsibility to ensure they are adequately prepared," she said firmly. "They have shown great potential, but they need more time, more experience. We can't send them into battle half-ready."
Jokedone's expression mirrored Kaguya's determination. "Agreed," he said firmly, his voice steady. "They need more time to grow, to hone their abilities and gain more experience. Rushing into battle unprepared would only lead to unnecessary casualties."
Kenta and Sarah, after their training, have grown significantly in strength and abilities. Their exact stats can vary based on their growth during training, but they have generally:
Status: Kenta
rank: UR+
Strength: SR+
Speed: USR+
Endurance: SR+
Intelligence: B+
potential: SSR+
Ability: Light/Dark Style
Status: Sarah
Strength: SSR+
Speed: SSR+
Endurance: SSR+
Intelligence: S+
potential: S+
Ability: Auto battle mode
~End of Volume 3.