The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 89: A Letter from Lyra

The wind brushed the silence as Zen stepped off the path into the edge of the forest. The night stretched around him, calm yet humming with something unknown. The stars above blinked like distant eyes, silent witnesses to the weight in his chest.

Kael and Diliya were together now. Peaceful. Happy.

Zen had smiled when they laughed, shared meals, and dragged him into festival games. But a part of him—it felt... quiet. Distant. Watching.

That part thought of Lyra.

He didn't know what this emotion was, not really. But seeing Kael and Diliya like that—it pulled at something deep inside him. Something unsaid.

> [System: Online.]

A sleek white bird—a magic falcon, carrying a silver tube strapped to its leg—circled overhead. Its eyes shimmered with faint mana.

> [System: Incoming Magical Courier Falcon – Signature Verified. Sender: Lyrielle Caelivara]

Zen raised an eyebrow. "She sent a bird?"

The falcon swooped down and perched on a nearby stump, extending its leg.

Zen removed the letter. The bird gave a sharp nod before vanishing into a portal of pale light.

> [System: Magic Courier Tier I – Used for inter-academy secure messages. She really wanted you to get that.]

Zen smirked as he opened the scroll.

>"You absolute idiot. You're not writing me? What, did you die or just forget I exist? If you did die and no one told me—I'll find a way to kill you again. Anyway, I heard some nobles are training in secret. Obviously, I couldn't let them get ahead, so I've picked up a few new tricks. You better be impressed. And—ugh—I miss you, okay? There, I said it. I miss you so much it's annoying."

— Lyra.

A tiny smirk twitched at the edge of Zen's lips.

"Tch. That girl. Still loud, even on paper."

> [System: Emotional response detected: elevated heartbeat. Raised body temperature. Classification: longing.]

"Nex," Zen called softly, his voice barely louder than the night breeze.

"I need to get stronger."

> [System: User's current level: 20. Current skills: Sword Slash, Ice Bloom, Sword Art – Silent End, Chronofreeze, and new skill: Gravebind/Bonebound Summon. Available summoned slots: 3.]

"No," Zen shook his head. "Not just stats. Something deeper. Push me."

> [System: Emotional instability detected. Source: Lyra Caelivara's letter. Confirming mental state...]

A moment of silence passed

> [System: Shadow Trial Unlocked – Initiating Forbidden Training Program: Tier 1]

> [System: Beginning synchronization with Shadow Trial parameters. Initiate combat simulation in 3... 2...]

• Secret Training Begins

Zen stepped into the mist of the Trial. Shadows closed around him, taking form—replicas of those he'd fought. Of himself. Of things he feared.

From the darkness came a monstrous wolf, stitched from flame and bone.

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Zen didn't flinch.

He dashed forward—using Froze Time to halt the beast's first lunge. A faint shimmer froze the air around him. For three seconds, the world stopped.

One...

He moved behind the beast.

Two...

Ice Bloom erupted from his blade, launching a storm of icy needles into the wolf's exposed spine.

Three...

Time snapped back. The beast roared in agony.

Zen followed up with Sword Slash, and with a roar of focus, unleashed Sword Art – Silent End—his blade humming like a bell as it tore through the creature.

The beast collapsed.

Its body blackened, then dissolved.

> [System: Target defeated.]

Zen exhaled. Sweat clung to his brow.

He wasn't done. Not yet.

> [System: Shadow Trial – Stage 1 complete. Next stage unlocking in 12 hours. Warning: Mental strain detected. Recommend rest.]

Zen sat beneath a dying tree as the shadows began to fade.

Above him, the stars blinked again—familiar. Cold. Distant.

But within, he felt something stir.

Resolve.

Soon... it would be time to return.

To the academy.

To Lyra.