With Elder Suma's intervention, the third trial continued as planned—though Yasuo's sword strike had disrupted the wind spirits for a moment, making this year's passing rate unusually low.
Besides Yasuo, only three others completed the final trial.
After rescuing Yasuo, the Sword Guard felt conflicted. His heart ached for his shattered sword, yet he couldn't quite figure out how to feel about Yasuo. Meanwhile, Elder Suma insisted on taking this boy under his wing.
"He may carve out a path entirely his own," Suma murmured thoughtfully as he looked at the fragments of the sword scattered across the ground.
Yasuo, however, knew nothing of this. When he awoke, the familiar ceiling above him gave away his location.
"So, they brought me home?"
As soon as he came to, Yasuo opened his system interface to check his rewards—he had a vague memory of seeing red before losing consciousness, and he was certain something had touched his face.
"Bonus Quest My Way of the Wind completed."
"Quest Rating: A. Reward: Mask of the Blood Moon."
"Mask of the Blood Moon: Wear it, and you shall see more."
"Skin system activated. Blood Moon Set quest is now active."
"The Blood Moon Set includes the Mask of the Blood Moon, Blood Moon Pauldron, Blood Moon Chest Armor, Blood Moon Greaves, Blood Moon Boots, Blood Moon Bloodblade, and Blood Moon Hair Dye."
(Wait... hair dye?)
"Collect the full Blood Moon Set to activate the Blood Moon state."
"Keep up the good work—create joy with heart."
Yasuo blinked at the familiar phrase. Something about it always made him feel like it needed a sarcastic response.
Forget it, he thought.
He opened the skin system tab to find a new "appearance" option. All slots were blank except for one—his Mask of the Blood Moon.
But he didn't put it on just yet. Satisfied that he'd regained his strength, he swung his legs over the side of the bed, intending to stretch and walk around.
The sound of Yasuo moving caught Yone's attention. His brother hurried into the room, crossing the floor in quick strides to reach the bed and put a hand on Yasuo's shoulder.
"Don't push yourself," Yone warned. "Elder Suma said you need to rest."
"I'm fine," Yasuo replied, shrugging nonchalantly. "What about you? Did you pass the third trial? I'm afraid I might have caused a bit of a ruckus."
Yone nodded. "I passed. The wind spirits paused for a moment, but afterward, everything continued as usual. Can you tell me what happened? Elder Suma wouldn't say, and there were no signs left at the scene."
"I just swung a sword," Yasuo replied casually, "and it must have stirred up something with the wind spirits. It is, after all, Spring Bloom—when spirits are most active."
Yone didn't look fully convinced, but he respected the privacy around certain topics, and Yasuo and Elder Suma's silence told him enough. He didn't press further.
"Do you want something to eat?" Yone asked, changing the subject. "You still look a little pale."
"Got any porridge?" Yasuo asked, realizing he was indeed feeling a bit empty.
"Wait here," Yone nodded. "That's what I made this morning."
While Yasuo sipped his porridge, their mother finally returned from her morning chores. She was relieved to find Yasuo awake, and her concern faded as she watched her son, who seemed perfectly healthy, joking and teasing as if nothing had happened.
After three bowls of porridge, Yasuo's stomach was finally full, and Yone brought up the plan to depart for the Wind School. Due to Yasuo's condition, their departure had been postponed to three days after the trials—or rather, two days from now.
When the time came, Yasuo, Yone, and the other two youths who had passed would travel with Elder Suma and the Sword Guard, leaving their village behind and journeying to the Wind School.
Yasuo's mother, though proud, couldn't hide her tears when it came time to discuss her sons' departure. Her thoughts drifted to both Yone's and Yasuo's fathers. Throughout her life, everyone she cherished had eventually left her and this small village.
Sensing the heavy mood, Yasuo piped up with his usual light-heartedness, "Why don't I talk to Elder Suma? Maybe I can bring you along to the Wind School too?"
"Not necessary," she replied with a shake of her head. "With the fields leased out, I'll just need to tend to the village teahouse. Without you two around, maybe I'll finally get some peace and quiet."
Despite her words, Yasuo saw her discreetly wipe away a tear as she turned and left the room.
"If it were possible, I'd stay here forever," Yasuo thought. "Here, the air smells of spirit essence, and everything's peaceful. It's the perfect life."
But he knew the storm brewing across the ocean. Even a village farmer could not hope to escape Noxus's iron grip once it arrived.
In the face of such danger, the Wind School wasn't just an option; it was a necessity. With a blade in his hand, perhaps he could stand a chance at protecting this peace.
Yasuo laid back down, his thoughts heavy with responsibility, while Yone quietly read through his Wind School notes.
Two days later, Yasuo and Yone began their journey to the Wind School under Elder Suma's guidance.
"Elder Suma, are we walking there?" Yasuo asked as they set off.
"I still feel a little faint. Could I ride in a cart instead?"
"A horse, maybe? Or a llama—really, I'm not picky!"
Elder Suma, usually calm and composed, couldn't hold back any longer. He turned, exasperated.
"Be quiet!"