Records of Cosmic War

As my resting days came to an end, with the weight of Isabella's secret still lingering in my mind, I found myself wandering the camp under the night sky. The air was quiet, yet my thoughts screamed. I couldn't forget the way Clady had beaten me—effortlessly. Was he hiding his strength all along? Had he assessed me, or was his real purpose something else entirely?

"Seems like my student is troubled by something," a familiar voice sliced through my thoughts.

I turned instantly. "Senior!"

"Come on, I told you to call me by my name."

"Sorry, Erwin," I said with a small smile. "How are you?"

"Fine as always," he replied casually, stepping beside me. "So, what's weighing you down?"

I hesitated. "I don't know where to begin. So many things are piling up. And I think you've heard about my fight with a member of the Williams family."

"Yeah, the whole camp knows," he said. "Hard not to, considering how loud the flames were."

"I didn't think they'd be so powerful. To defeat us that easily..."

"They are powerful," Erwin agreed. "So powerful they can bend everything to their will. But that's not why you lost the fight."

"What do you mean?" I asked, frowning.

"You've grown weak, Judas."

I scoffed. "Are you joking? I'm faster and stronger than I've ever been."

"Then prove it," he said, stepping back. "Let's spar. Just a simple fistfight."

"Now? Are you serious?"

"What? Scared to lose?

"Fine, I already beat you once. It's not that difficult to do it again" I said, raising my fists. "Let's do this."

I charged at him, aiming a punch at his jaw, but Erwin evaded with ease. I followed with a barrage of strikes—left, right, uppercut—but he defended every move like it was a game. My frustration grew with each failed attempt.

"Come on! Don't just defend! You can't beat me by standing still!"

I tried to provoke him, but he didn't bite. He simply kept moving, calm and precise.

"Aaaahhh!" I screamed in frustration, unleashing another wild swing.

Erwin caught my fist mid-air.

"You've disappointed me, Judas."

His fist connected with my face, and before I could recover, more followed. I couldn't defend myself. My mind was a mess. I kept yelling, swinging, losing control.

"JUDAS!" Erwin roared, his voice cutting through me. "Is this what I taught you? I gave you the basics of the blade. I shared my techniques. And this—this rage—is what you've become?"

He stepped back, letting his words sink in. "You used to fight with a calm mind. You were the youngest to escape the pit. But now you're just... blind. Arrogant. You let one victory over an Alcrian cloud your judgment."

And he was right. I had let it get to my head. I forgot everything—the techniques I created, the discipline I once had. I let myself become careless, and Clady didn't defeat me. I had lost to myself.

"Thank you, Erwin," I whispered, bowing my head. "I'll never forget this."

"Then show me."

In an instant, Erwin darted behind me, aiming a strike at my back. But this time, I moved. I caught his wrist, twisted, and halted my own punch just a breath from his face.

He smiled. "You've remembered."

"Thanks to you," I said.

"But don't get overconfident again," he warned. "That Williams boy is still stronger. Even with a calm mind, you wouldn't have beaten him."

"I know," I admitted. "I still have a long way to go."

"Good," a voice called from the shadows.

We both turned as footsteps approached.

"It's good you realized," the voice repeated. It was Sai.

"Sai?"

"You can't win against the Williams with only physical prowess, no matter how good your technique is."

"Then what can we do?" I asked.

Sai stepped forward. "Sorry, I need to borrow him."

Erwin nodded. "He's all yours."

Sai led me away in silence. "Where are we going?"

"My room," he said simply.

Once inside, the lights flicked on. The room was cleaner than mine.

"You live tidy," I commented.

Suddenly, a hidden panel opened in the floor.

"Let's go."

"Wait, our rooms have hidden basements?"

"Not ours. Only mine."

The descent was silent. The basement was filled with mechanical equipment and panels—like a small lab.

"Cool..."

"You finally brought him," said a voice.

I turned. "Powell? Why is everyone sneaking up on me lately?"

"Enough jokes," Sai said sharply.

Powell looked at me with firm eyes. "Judas. From this point forward, you're part of something bigger."

You are part of our secret operation.

I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean?"

Powell exchanged a look with Sai.

"You'll understand soon," he said.

The air felt heavier. The silence around us wasn't empty—it was filled with the weight of something unknown.

Whatever was coming, it wasn't just about power anymore.

And now... I was part of it.