Jeong Yura stood in front of him, arms crossed, her violet eyes narrowing.
Around them, the training courtyard had fallen completely silent. Students watched with growing interest, sensing the tension crackling in the air.
"You won't last a day," she said, her tone icy. "If you think this school is a playground for normies, you're mistaken."
Jinhyuk didn't blink.
> [Scanning Target: Jeong Yura
Rank: S
Specialization: Ice Element / Spatial Manipulation
Danger Level: High]
[Status: Curious | Annoyed | Mildly Threatened]
She felt it. That odd presence she couldn't explain.
"You're hiding something," she muttered. "Your aura is… empty. Too empty."
He smirked.
"You're staring awfully hard, Jeong Yura. Want my number, too?"
Gasps. Laughter. A few jaws dropped.
Even she froze.
Then her glare turned lethal.
"Instructor!" she snapped, turning to a middle-aged man at the edge of the courtyard. "Permission to spar with the new student. Light duel. Just to test his 'potential.'"
The instructor looked surprised. "Yura, he hasn't even—"
"I insist," she said coldly.
The man sighed. "Fine. Keep it clean. No fatal attacks."
Jinhyuk stepped into the circle calmly. He pulled off his hoodie, revealing a slim but lean frame—nothing like the beasts walking around the academy.
> [Warning: Combat Initiated.
Stealth Mode Active: True Rank remains hidden.
Simulating C-Rank Output…]
Yura summoned a lance of ice with a wave of her hand. "Last chance to back out."
Jinhyuk raised one hand, completely unarmed. "Ladies first."
She didn't hesitate.
She surged forward, the ground beneath her freezing. Ice lanced toward his chest, fast as lightning—
He vanished.
Gasps again.
He reappeared behind her, finger tapping her shoulder.
"You're slow."
She spun, summoning a wall of frost—but he was already gone again. A faint shimmer in the air.
> [Skill Used: Phantom Step – Qi Movement Technique (Suppressed Output)]
To the audience, it looked like teleportation.
To Yura, it was impossible.
"How…?" she muttered, sweat trickling down her temple. She released a burst of frost nova to cover the arena—but he slipped between the shards like smoke.
And then he stood at the edge of the ring.
Completely untouched.
Arms crossed.
"I thought S-ranks were supposed to be scary."
The crowd was speechless.
The instructor's eyes narrowed.
Yura's hands trembled slightly.
"You're… not awakened. But you're not normal either."
He met her gaze.
"I never said I was normal."
> [New Reputation Gained: Ghost Transfer
Students' Impression: Mysterious, Mocking, Dangerous
Jeong Yura's Impression: Frustrated, Curious, Slightly Flustered]
---
Later that night, she stared at his file.
No background. No awakening data. No former school. No combat records.
Just a single name:
Lee Jinhyuk.
And now, he was in her class.
Jeong Yura's eyes narrowed as she whispered to herself.
"I'll figure you out… no matter what you're hiding."