The courtyard was quiet after Mira's test. Dust still hung faintly in the air where Jayden's sword had cracked the ground, but the shieldbearer herself stood as steady as ever, unruffled even after the storm she had endured.

That was when Kiyomi stepped forward.

She moved with the easy grace of someone entirely at home under watching eyes. Her three tails swayed slowly behind her like drifting smoke, each motion too deliberate to be idle. Her sapphire eyes glittered with humor as they locked on Cain.

"My turn," she said softly.

Cain studied her in silence. He had fought alongside Kiyomi only briefly before. Just enough to know she was dangerous in a way the others were not. She relied on neither brute strength nor raw speed. Deception. Illusions. Precision. That was her strength.

He nodded once. "Show me."

Kiyomi smiled faintly, as though that was exactly what she had wanted to hear.

She walked toward him without a hint of tension in her shoulders, every step measured but light, her tails moving with hypnotic rhythm.

"Stand still," she said. "I will make this quick."

Cain stayed where he was, curious what she planned to do.

Kiyomi moved faster than most people could track.

One moment she was in front of him. The next, gone.

The air shimmered faintly as her figure split into a dozen copies circling him. They moved in perfect synchronization, each one so real even their shadows looked convincing. Some walked. Others ran. One even leaned lazily against a tree as though watching the others work.

Cain's eyes narrowed.

An illusionary strike came from behind. He turned sharply, only for the attacker to dissolve into smoke. Another came from the right, blade flashing, but it too vanished the moment he blocked it.

The real Kiyomi was among them. Somewhere.

She lunged from his left this time, tails streaming behind her, but Cain shifted just enough to make her miss. She retreated instantly, circling back with a little smirk curling across her lips.

Then she was simply standing there in front of him.

"Too slow, Boss," she said sweetly.

Cain felt something tug lightly against his shirt.

He glanced down.

The top button was gone.

He had not even felt her take it.

Kiyomi was holding something between two fingers, her smile turning just a little more amused.

"You should guard your valuables better," she teased, giving him a little wink.

Cain frowned instantly, which only seemed to amuse her further.

Before he could speak, a low growl cut through the courtyard.

Jayden.

She stood stiffly, ears flat against her head, tail bristling, crimson eyes locked on Kiyomi with growing hostility.

The wolf girl did not like the fox girl.

Not one bit.

Kiyomi, of course, only looked more entertained. She twirled what looked like the button once between her fingers, then flicked it lazily back toward Cain.

He caught it without looking, opened his hand, and froze.

A small rock sat in his palm.

The button was nowhere to be found.

Cain's frown deepened. Illusions could fool the eye, yes. But he had felt that catch against his fingers when he grabbed it. He had been certain the button was real.

Kiyomi only smiled, three tails swaying slowly behind her. Her sapphire eyes danced with mischief.

Jayden's growl deepened. Her hand drifted toward her sword as her glare sharpened, but Cain lifted a hand slightly to stop her.

Kiyomi laughed softly, the sound carrying just enough warmth to make it clear she was enjoying herself. "Do not look so grim, Boss. Just a little fun."

Cain dropped the rock and exhaled slowly.

"Impressive trick," he admitted.

Kiyomi tilted her head, smiling like a cat that had stolen the cream. "So am Iin?"

Cain hesitated. He did not like games like this. But he could not deny the skill behind them. Illusions were one thing. Making him doubt reality itself with nothing but sleight of hand and timing was another. What really bothered him though was that he could somehow tell that the personality she was displaying wasn't her real one.

If she couldn't trust him, why should he trust her. He was about to tell her she was not welcome when he thought about it again. They needed a fifth and she was undoubtedly highly skilled.

"Reluctantly," he said at last.

Kiyomi's grin widened. "Reluctantly accepted is still accepted."

Cain gave her a flat look. "Return the button."

She flicked something toward him again.

He caught it automatically, eyes scanning the object in his palm.

This time, it was the real button.

It had been there the entire time.

Cain realized then she had never taken it to begin with. Not once. She had only made him believe she had, wrapping trickery in trickery until even he was caught off guard.

His eyes lifted back to hers.

Kiyomi's sapphire gaze sparkled with quiet amusement.

Jayden looked like she was a moment away from putting a sword through the fox girl's illusions just to wipe the smile off her face.

Cain pocketed the button with a sigh, deciding he did not want to know how many layers of deception she had stacked into that single performance.

"You are in," he said finally.

Jayden bristled instantly. "Are you serious?"

"She is useful," Cain said simply.

"She is trouble," Jayden shot back.

Kiyomi smiled sweetly at her, tails swaying slowly behind her. "Do not be jealous, little wolf. I only play around."

Jayden's growl sharpened, low and warning, but Cain cut in before the wolf girl could snap.

"We need someone who can deceive our enemies," he said. "Not each other. Keep the games off the battlefield, Kiyomi."

The fox girl's expression softened slightly, though that faint teasing curve never left her lips. "Of course, Boss. But no promises about inside the bedroom~!"

Cain gave her a long look, knowing full well that promise would be bent sooner rather than later.

But for now, the team was set.

But it was one that was a makeshift powder keg that could blow at any time.

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