First day. First class. First crime.
Choi Hana wasn't even surprised when she was called to the principal's office before lunch.
"You've got guts," Minjae said, walking beside her like this was just a tour of a garden and not a walk of shame.
"I've got lollipops," she replied. "Same thing."
He chuckled. "I've never seen anyone roast Park Sora that fast. You know she runs the Fashion Club like a dictatorship?"
Hana blew a bubble. "She started it. I just finished it with artistic flair."
The two entered the office where Principal Lee sat behind a desk that looked more like a throne. He adjusted his glasses like a villain revealing his final form.
"Miss Choi. Mr. Jeon. Care to explain why the student council room's windows are cracked, the speaker system played gangster rap during announcements, and Sora's shoes are now glued to the floor of the girl's bathroom?"
Minjae raised a hand. "I can explain the shoes."
Hana coughed. "I can explain the rap."
They were both sent to detention.
But detention at Seoul International Elite High wasn't your average time-out. No. That would be too easy.
This was Combat Detention.
A hidden basement gym with walls lined with medieval weapons, padded sparring suits, and holographic training dummies that looked suspiciously like teachers.
"Wait," Hana said, looking around. "This is detention? Where's the boring lecture and the sweeping floors?"
Minjae smirked. "You're thinking of public school. Here, detention means you fight your way to redemption."
An AI voice crackled:
"Welcome, delinquents. Today's trial: Survive the Minotaur Maze. Good luck."
The floor shook. A door opened. Hana and Minjae were shoved inside.
"Minotaur maze? Is this a school or a gladiator arena?!" Hana shouted as they sprinted into the glowing labyrinth, the walls pulsing with eerie blue runes.
"Bit of both," Minjae replied casually, pulling off his blazer like this was just gym class.
Hana slid around a corner, eyes narrowing. "Why are you so calm?!"
"I've been in detention six times. You get used to it."
A sudden roar shook the maze. Something massive stomped in their direction.
"That's our minotaur, isn't it?" Hana asked.
"Yep."
"You have a plan?"
"Yep."
"Want to share?"
"Nope."
Out of nowhere, the Minotaur—a half-bull, half-robot creature with glowing red eyes and a rocket-powered axe—charged through the corridor. Hana barely dodged as Minjae grabbed her wrist and yanked her into a side path.
"Whoa, hands!" she yelled. "I don't hold hands unless there's food involved!"
"Unless you want to get flattened like a pancake, I suggest you let me be your knight in shining armor—just this once."
They sprinted together, ducking, dodging, laughing.
Then Hana pulled a piece of gum from her pocket—Dragon Fire Flavor. An experimental candy from her family's side hustle: magical black-market sweets.
"Cover me," she said, unwrapping the gum with flair.
"You're chewing gum?! Now?!"
"This is not just gum," she grinned. "This is justice."
She popped it in, blew a giant glowing bubble, and then—FWOOOSH!—a stream of fire shot out, lighting the corridor like a dragon's breath. The Minotaur screeched, spinning back in retreat.
Minjae stared, wide-eyed. "What the heck was that?!"
"Family recipe."
They finally found the exit, bursting through the glowing door just as the maze collapsed behind them.
The AI voice chirped:
"Trial complete. You may now return to class. Or nap. Honestly, we're impressed."
Both were out of breath, bruised, and somehow grinning.
"That was the most fun I've had in years," Hana said, popping another lollipop in.
"You're insane," Minjae replied, smiling despite himself. "And I think I like it."
They walked back to class like two war buddies who had just barely survived fantasy detention.
And from the shadows, someone was watching them through a crystal orb.
A soft voice whispered, "So… the girl has powers. Interesting."
The real game had just begun.