Location: Korea Academy of Hunters – Day Before the Midterm Field Exam
Rina sat by the window in her dorm, staring out at the training fields. Her long silver hair was tied back, her uniform crisp, her mana signature elegant and pure.
Yet her mind was far from calm.
Because of him.
That…ugly, awkward transfer student.
Jinhyuk.
---
She closed her eyes, trying to push the thought away.
> "Why do I care? He's just a background character. Weak. Fat. Forgettable."
But he wasn't.
Not anymore.
---
One Week Ago
She'd passed him in the halls—ignored him, as always. But just as she turned the corner, her instincts flared.
Her mana reacted.
Just slightly.
That shouldn't be possible.
Her spiritual core was precise. Refined. It never misread power.
Unless…
Unless he wasn't what he appeared to be.
---
Today
Her communicator buzzed.
> [Group Notice – Class A-1]
Midterm Field Exam begins tomorrow. All students must form teams of 3-5. Survival rate expected: 74%.
She frowned. "No team… again."
Everyone was too afraid to get in her way. She was top-ranked. Prideful. Untouchable.
---
She stood and grabbed her coat.
Time for some air.
---
The Training Grounds – Night
She found herself walking the perimeter of the academy's forest zone, deep in thought.
Then—
A sudden spike of corrupted mana.
Her instincts screamed.
A figure burst from the woods—a rogue hunter. Twisted. Ferocious. His eyes glowed red with demonic influence.
"Give me your core, princess," he snarled.
---
Rina's body moved before her mind did.
A flash of light.
A clash of steel.
But he was strong. Too strong. An A-rank with bloodthirst-fueled power. Her spell fizzled under his assault.
He lunged.
She was caught.
---
But Before the Blow Landed—
A shadow fell between them.
The hunter's strike stopped mid-air, deflected by something she couldn't see.
A figure cloaked in black armor. Face hidden behind a cracked mask. Twin daggers laced with violet runes.
The rogue hunter screamed.
Then silence.
Just a falling body. And crimson.
---
The masked man turned to her.
Rina staggered. "W-Who…?"
But he said nothing.
Just nodded—once—and disappeared into the trees like smoke.
Her heart thundered.
> "That aura… That movement. It felt like…"
> "…Jinhyuk?"
---