A strange tension settled between us and the Magica Academy students.

The cause, of course, was none other than Meiling and the twin representatives, Zen and Rune.

The twins and Meiling stood there, glaring at one another in silence.

“What’s going on?”

The teacher standing beside Zen and Rune asked, glancing at his disciples.

“…It’s nothing. Let’s go, Zen.”

“Yeah.”

With that, the twins moved on, and the rest of their group followed.

Magica Academy’s students and teachers walked past us.

“Did something happen between you and Magica Academy?” Kim Sang-sik asked.

“Let’s just say there was a little clash between magic specialists,” I replied vaguely.

At my words, Kim Sang-sik’s gaze shifted to Meiling. She was still glaring daggers at the backs of the departing twins.

“I see. Well, since you’re all competing in HAUT, your differences will come out soon enough. No need to rush it.”

He was right.

“Let’s head to the auditorium,” he said, leading the way.

A moment later—

“This is the auditorium?”

Meiling’s voice dripped with disbelief.

Before us stood a building that looked more like a grand cathedral than an auditorium.

Inside, the carpeted floors, massive tapestries, and ornate decorations took our breath away.

The vast space was divided into two levels, capable of seating at least five thousand people.

Compared to the small hall tucked inside Gwangcheon’s main building, the difference was staggering.

Still, with only six academies and their chaperones present—barely thirty people in total—using such a place for orientation felt excessive.

“Let’s head up front.”

Kim Sang-sik gestured toward the stage area on the first floor. Several students and teachers from other academies had already arrived.

As we moved forward, we saw that seats were divided by academy. Crystal sat in the center, flanked by Martial God and Magica.

“This way.”

Our seats were on the far left.

“Click.”

I clicked my tongue softly.

In Crystal’s section, Iris sat with her legs crossed, her posture radiating arrogance. Beside her sat Crystal’s vice president, Toby.

Sensing my gaze, Iris turned, spotted me—

“Click.”

—and clicked her tongue too, twisting her face in annoyance.

Disgusted, I turned away quickly, intending to head straight to my seat.

“Ah, Yein.”

I looked back to find Ao of Martial God Academy standing there, Jin Cheongryong beside her.

“You guys go ahead and sit,” Ao told her classmates in Martial God uniforms. “I’ll join you after greeting an acquaintance.”

“Alright.”

The others went to their seats.

“Yein, I’ve heard quite a lot about you lately,” Ao said with a smile.

“Indeed. Facing off against terrorists to protect civilians… I was honestly impressed after seeing the news.” Jin Cheongryong crossed his arms as he spoke.

“Not to mention, I heard your opponent was a former pro-Hunter over level 60. How in the world did you manage that?”

The truth was, with both my and Lumina’s levels in the 50s, solid gear, and Lumina’s sneak attack, we had just barely managed. But there was no reason to spell that out.

“Luck was on our side. She underestimated us, grew careless. We struck in that moment.”

“Of course. In real combat, overconfidence can overturn any gap in power in an instant,” Jin Cheongryong said, nodding in understanding.

“Perhaps you’ll be the most talked-about participant at this year’s HAUT,” Ao added with a light smile.

“No way. There are plenty far stronger than me.”

“You’re very modest.”

But I wasn’t being modest.

Strength: F. Stamina: F. Spirit: C.

To be standing here with such pitiful stats was, in game terms, nothing short of a bug.

“Well then, we’ll leave you to it.”

“See you later.”

With that, the two returned to Martial God Academy’s section.

“She really can’t resist talking to you whenever she sees you,” Meiling muttered, frowning.

“She’s just being polite because we know each other. What’s the problem?”

“…”

Meiling’s lips twitched as if she wanted to say more, but nothing came out.

“Nam Yein!”

Another voice called out.

Turning, I saw Bella.

“Fancy meeting you hereee!”

She walked over, smiling.

“You’re in HAUT too?” I asked, though I already knew.

“Yesss. Honestly, I didn’t want to come.” She sighed.

“I’d rather spend this time learning more about potions from my teacher, but the principal insisted I join HAUT no matter what…”

“You probably shouldn’t say that in front of others.”

“Eh? Why not? I already did.”

I glanced over at Ucheon Academy’s section.

Sure enough, the students there had been listening, only to quickly avert their gazes when I looked.

“…Forget it. Just keep being yourself.”

“Eh?” Bella tilted her head in confusion.

[All academy participants, please take your seats. The HAUT orientation will begin shortly.]

The announcement rang through the hall.

“Ah, I’d better gooo. See you later!”

Bella waved before skipping back to Ucheon Academy’s side.

“Let’s head to our—”

I turned back and froze mid-sentence.

Lumina, Meiling, and Seo Yui were all staring at me with strange expressions.

“Seo Yui? What’s wrong? And you two—why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s nothing, okay?”

Meiling snorted and brushed past me, Seo Yui silently following to our seats.

Lumina followed silently behind the others.

What’s with this mood? What did I do wrong?

Scratching my head in confusion, I trailed after them to our seats.

Barely two minutes had passed when a man stepped onto the stage.

He was a middle-aged man, slightly balding and wearing glasses. After tapping the microphone a few times to test it, he adjusted his papers and spoke.

[We will now begin the orientation for the 18th Hunter Academy United Training Program. I am Jang Jinseong, representative of the HAUT Executive Committee.]

He bowed his head politely, prompting a round of light applause across the hall.

[First, let me explain the schedule. HAUT will begin on September 5th and continue for two weeks.]

He pressed a remote, and a holographic calendar appeared above the stage.

[During those two weeks, all participants will be staying at a dedicated HAUT training ground located on the outskirts of the city.]

“What? We’re not commuting back and forth?” Meiling blurted out.

“It’s basically the same as living in the dorms, just in a different location,” I whispered back.

[The curriculum of HAUT can be broadly divided as follows.]

The calendar shifted into a list of programs projected in glowing letters.

[The programs will be divided between team-based (squad) participation and individual participation. Evaluations will likewise be separated into team and individual results, with scores later combined. The top three individuals and the best overall team will receive awards.]

My ears perked up at the word “awards.”

Rewards from HAUT were the kind you couldn’t forge with my abilities alone. They were among the most important things I needed to secure this time.

[Additionally, some HAUT programs may be observed by external guests. Please keep that in mind.]

Observers.

That was another key element of HAUT.

The “external guests” he mentioned were investors or donors—business magnates or influential guilds who had helped fund HAUT.

They attended these programs to scout Hunters they might sponsor.

For most applicants, securing a sponsor quickly was invaluable. Sponsors could cover equipment costs, supply resources, and even ensure job placement later in guilds or organizations they owned.

But I wasn’t looking for a sponsor with deep pockets.

I could craft my own gear, and tuition was already paid many times over thanks to my item sales.

No—what I wanted was the right sponsor.

The orientation continued, outlining more details and cautions.

[…From the start of HAUT, contact with the outside world will be impossible. Also note: if any personal fights occur outside of official sparring, both parties will be immediately expelled from the program. If there are any questions up to this point, please feel free to ask.]

A hand went up from Crystal Academy’s section.

It was Toby.

“What exactly are the rewards?”

[The awards will be officially revealed on the opening day of HAUT by the chairman himself. Please be patient until then. Any other questions?]

This time, a hand rose from Ucheon Academy.

“If someone gets badly hurt or their condition becomes really poor, can they leave the program midwayyy?”

Of course it was Bella asking.

Clearly, she was already looking for an excuse to slip out of HAUT.

[You needn’t worry. A medical team of professional Hunters will be on standby at all times, prepared for any injury or emergency.]

Bella’s face darkened. Exactly as I expected.

Then suddenly—someone beside me raised their hand.

Meiling?

What on earth was she about to say?

[Yes, please ask your question.]

The host turned his gaze toward her.

“If you kill your opponent during a spar, will there be penalties?”

In that instant, I swear every student and teacher’s eyes in the hall snapped toward us.

Unbelievable…

I buried my face in my hands. What kind of middle-school-edgy nonsense was this?

Lumina sat beside me, her face crimson as she curled into herself. Seo Yui closed her eyes, shutting the world out entirely.

Kim Sang-sik appeared composed, but a bead of sweat rolled down his cheek.

[As I explained, medical staff and instructors will be monitoring every spar. Such a situation will never occur. Any further questions?]

No one else raised a hand.

[Then, this concludes the orientation. Chaperones, please step up to the stage for a brief discussion.]

Teachers rose to head forward, including Kim Sang-sik. His face was as expressionless as ever, but there was a stiffness to his stride.

I turned toward Meiling.

“Hey, Meiling.”

“What.”

“I know you’re mad at Rune and Zen, but was that kind of question really necessary?”

“I just asked what I was curious about. What’s the problem?”

“Haa…”

I sighed.

“That’s some impressive company you’ve got.”

The mocking voice scraped at my nerves.

There stood the one person I least wanted to deal with.

“Well, what else would I expect from the so-called heroes who saved civilians from terrorists?” Iris smirked down at me, clearly spoiling for a fight.

I looked away, refusing to rise to the bait.

“Oh? Ignoring me now? How very high and mighty.”

“Iris.”

Seo Yui rose to her feet.

“Been a while. How have you been?”

Her tone was warm, soft.

It made sense—after all, Iris was one of those who had helped rescue her from Valhall, and she had been the one to ensure the Valhall children were accepted into Crystal’s orphanage.

“…I’ve been well. You look healthier than before.”

The edge in Iris’s voice dulled.

“Do I? Well, I suppose it’s only natural—I couldn’t exactly look worse than I did back then.”

“True. I’m grateful, Iris. To you and your squadmates. Thank you.”

“Kh—… Hmph. Then let’s both do our best at HAUT.”

“Of course. See you there.”

With that, Iris returned to Crystal Academy’s seats.

“Yein, did that help?” Seo Yui asked, turning to me.

“Yes. I’m glad you were here, senior. Thank you.”

She smiled at my words.

And I meant it.

For some reason, whenever Iris was involved, I couldn’t control my temper. If not for Seo Yui disarming the situation, I might have let her provocations get the better of me.

Just then, Kim Sang-sik returned to us.

“Let’s go back.”

Following his lead, we headed for the parking lot and returned to Gwangcheon.

The days passed quickly afterward.

The second semester’s classes were, objectively speaking, slightly harder than the first. But for us, it hardly mattered.

Every one of us was already level 55.

In the world of Latessae, that was a level ordinary Hunters reached only after years of activity following graduation.

No wonder the classes felt trivial.

We drifted through them until, finally, September 5th arrived.

The start of HAUT.

(End of Chapter)

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