"245…"
Tia muttered as he turned the key and pushed the door open.
Click.
The door creaked slightly, revealing a neatly furnished room.
Two beds.
Clean.
Simple.
It looked like no one had stayed there for a while.
Tia stepped inside slowly.
His gaze drifted toward the window.
From there—
He could see the academy grounds…
And beyond it—
A part of the city stretching into the distance.
"…Not bad."
He dropped his bag on the floor.
Then got to work.
By the time he was done—
The sun had already begun to set.
Tia stood at the center of the room.
Breathing lightly.
Sweat clung to his forehead.
His eyes moved across the now spotless space.
"…Much better."
A faint hint of pride crossed his face.
"Two days until the entrance ceremony…"
He stretched slightly.
"…Might as well explore the city."
He grabbed his jacket.
And headed out.
"This place is brighter than I thought…"
Tia walked through the streets.
Lights filled the city.
Voices echoed around him.
The cool night breeze brushed against his skin.
The scent of spicy beef lingered in the air.
For a moment—
It felt peaceful.
Then—
Thud.
Tia bumped into someone.
Hard.
"Hey! Watch it!"
"Sorry, I didn't see you—"
He froze.
His eyes widened slightly.
…No way.
Of all people…
Why here…?
Damn my luck…
I forgot he got admitted too…
I have to run… quick…
"…Tia Xu."
The voice was slow.
Amused.
"What a pleasant surprise."
Tia looked up.
Standing in front of him—
Li Chan.
A wicked smirk resting on his face.
Tia's expression flattened instantly.
"…Pleasant?"
He let out a small scoff.
"…You're still just as irritating
As before."
Then—
The air shifted.
Bam!!!!
Tia's back slammed into the wall.
Hard.
Pain flared in his back.
He lifted his head.
His eyes dark.
Locked onto them.
"Hold him down," a voice came.
Footsteps closed in slowly.
"It's been a while since we played together, Tia…
Am I right?"
Tia said nothing.
But his gaze shifted.
Calculating.
…Three in front.
Two behind.
"These guys…"
A quiet breath escaped him.
"…will make my life hell in this academy…
…if I let them be."
"Hold him now!"
They lunged.
Too slow.
Tia moved.
He dropped low—
Their hands grabbed air.
In that instant—
He slipped through the gap.
Heading down the streets.
"What are you all doing?!"
"Catch him, you idiots!"
Li Chan's voice tore through the street.
Furious.
"Bring that bastard back!"
Footsteps exploded behind him.
Tia ran fast.
But—
They were still close behind him.
"Huff… huff…"
His breathing grew heavier.
But he didn't stop.
Just at the point of getting caught—
He pushed through—
Ding.
A bell rang.
The bar fell into view.
Inside were many hunters seated, some celebrating a successful dungeon raid—
Laughing—
Some slumped over—
Drunk.
Others whispering on various topics—
Gossiping.
Tia didn't hesitate.
He moved straight to an empty table.
Sat.
Pulled his hood over, lowering his head.
Heart pounding.
Those guys ain't foolish enough to make a scene here…
Right…?
Tia's fingers tightened slightly under the table.
He turned slightly.
From the corner of his eye—
He caught them.
Oh shit… I'm gone.
Ring!...
People moved in and out.
Noise filled the space.
Then familiar footsteps.
They moved from table to table.
Searching.
Then they stopped.
At a table—
Five men sat together.
Weapons resting within reach.
Li Chan stepped forward.
"I'm looking for someone.
So cooperate with me and raise your heads," he ordered.
Silence.
None of them said anything.
Li Chan's brows furrowed slightly.
Two of his lackeys stepped forward, ready to force them.
Then a voice came.
"Hey, get lost before I lose my patience."
One of the men spoke.
He was huge.
Tan skin. Tall. Large muscles hidden beneath his clothes.
His weapon leaned against his chair.
Li Chan's expression darkened.
"How dare you talk to me like that?"
He stepped closer.
"Do you even know who I am?"
A pause.
Then—
Laughter.
Low at first.
Then spreading across the table.
"Kid," the man said, grinning.
"Looks like you're new around here."
"I suggest you go home…"
"…and do some homework."
Li Chan's jaw tightened.
He clicked his tongue.
"Let's go."
He turned.
His two lackeys followed.
They moved deeper into the room.
Scanning.
Then—
They spotted someone.
At the far end.
They approached.
"Remove your hood," Li Chan said coldly.
Silence.
"Hey, didn't you hear what he said—"
One of them stepped forward.
"Remove—"
"Stop."
A voice cut in from the counter.
Lazy and calm.
His back faced them.
"I think it's time you leave…"
"…you all have overstayed your welcome here."
A pause.
Tia let out a quiet breath.
Relief washing through him.
Li Chan clicked his tongue again.
"…Tch."
And just like that—
They left.
Tia leaned forward slightly.
Resting his arms on the table.
It would've been a mess if they caught me…
A cup was placed in front of him.
Warm.
Milk.
"Here."
"It's on the house."
The same voice.
The man sat across from him.
"You can deceive others…"
He spoke calmly.
"…but not me…"
A pause.
"Student Tia…"
"…Am I right?"
Tia froze.
His eyes widened beneath the hood.
How…?
Slowly—
He raised his head.
"Mr. Lee."
A flicker of shock crossed his face—
Then vanished.
"Mr. Lee, I—"
"I didn't see anything."
Mr. Lee cut him off.
"Now hurry up and leave."
And just like that—
Mr. Lee stood up.
And walked away.
"…Haah."
Tia exhaled softly.
Why…?
Reporting me would've benefited him…
So why didn't he…?
Let's just go.
Then—
Noise rose behind him.
He didn't mean to listen—
But some words caught his attention.
"Did you hear about this year's recruits?"
"And their entrance ceremony?"
The voice lowered.
"They only want 1,000 students…"
"…out of the 5,000 admitted."
"No way."
"That's brutal."
"That's not even the worst part."
Tia's ears sharpened.
"Normally, it's just an obstacle test…"
"Or a one-on-one battle."
"But this time…"
"They're bringing back the Hero's Test."
Silence.
"What?!"
"That test was scrapped decades ago!"
"Almost no one passes it!"
"The highest score ever was just 60!"
"Calm down…"
"They said it's because of a particular student."
Tia leaned back.
Thoughts racing.
So that's how it is…
I'll have to prove my worth in this damned academy.
He turned—
And walked out.
From the corner of the room—
Hidden in darkness—
A figure sat.
Covered in a long black hood.
Watching.
A smile slowly formed.
"I've finally found you…"
The smile deepened.
"Things are about to get interesting."