For the first time since arriving—
There was no morning drill.
---
No shouting.
No running.
---
Instead—
A simple announcement echoed through the dorm halls.
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"You have one day."
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Instructor Darius Varn's voice was calm.
---
"Use it wisely."
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"Supplies. Equipment. Preparation."
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"Or waste it."
---
---
Leaving the Academy
The gates of the academy opened slowly.
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Students poured out.
Groups formed instantly.
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Some excited.
Some cautious.
---
Adrian stepped out alone.
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The air outside felt… different.
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Less controlled.
---
More real.
---
"…Finally," a voice came from behind.
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Bruno Hale walked up, stretching.
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"I thought they were gonna make us run even on rest day."
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Adrian glanced at him.
---
"You're still alive. Be grateful."
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"…Barely."
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Another voice joined—
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"You're heading to the city?"
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Felix Arden.
---
Calm as always.
---
Adrian nodded.
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"Good," Felix said.
"You'll need better equipment soon."
---
"…And maybe information."
---
---
The Capital Streets
The city was alive.
---
Shops lined the streets.
Merchants called out loudly.
Crowds moved endlessly.
---
Nobles.
Commoners.
Guards.
---
A completely different world from the academy.
---
Bruno's eyes widened.
---
"…This place is amazing."
---
"Try not to get scammed," Felix replied calmly.
---
---
The Encounter
They stopped near a weapon shop.
---
Blades displayed neatly.
Armor polished.
---
Adrian's gaze moved across them.
---
Too early.
---
He didn't need upgrades yet.
---
Just understanding.
---
"…You're here too."
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A calm voice.
---
Adrian turned.
---
Seraphina.
---
Standing near the counter.
---
Examining a blade.
---
---
Bruno immediately straightened.
---
"…Oh."
---
Felix just observed quietly.
---
---
Adrian stepped closer.
---
"Didn't expect you to waste time here."
---
Seraphina didn't look at him.
---
"Preparation isn't a waste."
---
She lifted the blade slightly.
---
"Or do you plan to fight unprepared?"
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Adrian smirked faintly.
---
"I prefer efficiency."
---
Now she looked at him.
---
"…Then don't fall behind."
---
---
More Faces
The shop door opened again.
---
Heavy footsteps.
---
Victor Falken walked in.
---
"…Figures," he muttered.
---
His eyes swept the room.
---
Then stopped—
---
On Adrian.
---
"Trying to catch up?"
---
Adrian didn't react.
---
"No need."
---
Victor scoffed.
---
"We'll see how long that confidence lasts."
---
---
Near the entrance—
Another figure stood silently.
---
Leonhart Vale.
---
Watching.
---
Not speaking.
---
---
The air shifted slightly.
---
Tense.
---
Competitive.
---
Even outside the academy—
It followed them.
---
---
The Incident
Outside—
A sudden commotion.
---
"Thief!"
---
A merchant shouted.
---
A boy ran through the street—
Fast.
Desperate.
---
Clutching something tightly.
---
People moved aside.
---
Guards too far.
---
---
Bruno blinked.
---
"…Should we—"
---
Before he finished—
Adrian moved.
---
Not fast.
---
But precise.
---
He stepped forward—
---
Adjusted his angle—
---
And—
---
Intercepted.
---
The boy stumbled—
---
Almost fell—
---
But Adrian caught his wrist.
---
---
No force.
---
No aggression.
---
Just control.
---
---
"…Let go!" the boy snapped.
---
Adrian's grip didn't tighten.
---
"…You won't get far like this."
---
---
The boy froze.
---
Breathing heavily.
---
---
For a moment—
Neither moved.
---
---
Then—
The boy's resistance faded.
---
---
Adrian released him slowly.
---
---
The merchant arrived moments later.
---
Angry.
---
Relieved.
---
---
"Thank you—"
---
Adrian had already stepped back.
---
No interest in praise.
---
---
⚙️ System Activation
> [System Notification]
Hidden Quest Completed: Controlled Intervention
Resolve a situation without unnecessary force
Reward:
Control +1
Reputation +8
---
Adrian glanced at it briefly.
---
…Not bad.
---
---
Observation
From across the street—
Seraphina watched.
---
Silent.
---
---
"…You didn't overpower him," she said as she walked closer.
---
Adrian shrugged.
---
"Didn't need to."
---
---
A brief pause.
---
---
"…Most would have," she added.
---
"…Most waste energy."
---
---
Her gaze lingered for a moment.
---
Then—
She turned away.
---
---
Victor clicked his tongue.
---
"Pointless."
---
But he didn't move either.
---
---
Leonhart's eyes narrowed slightly.
---
"…Control," he murmured.
---
---
Return
The sun began to set.
---
Students slowly returned to the academy.
---
The energy had changed.
---
Less relaxed.
---
More focused.
---
---
Because now—
---
They had seen the world outside.
---
---
Final Hook
As Adrian walked back through the gates—
---
A notification appeared.
---
> [New Quest Available]
Climb the Rankings
Reach Top 5 within 14 days
Reward: ???
---
Adrian stopped briefly.
---
Then—
A faint smile appeared.
---
"…Good."
---
---
His gaze lifted—
---
Toward the academy.
---
Toward the ranks above him.
---
---
"…Let's begin."
---
---