Wang Jin's situation was much like a wrongfully convicted inmate's. He was charged with things he didn't do, and had to serve time in prison. And a good portion of his day would always be observed by a guard.
In this case, the prison could be attributed to the "slave-like" relationship Lilian forged with him. And the guard that observed him would be her goons and Liam.
Wang Jin was full of hope that this wouldn't break him, though. He had gone through much harsher situations before, and even escaped alive out of hell.
"Go on, my pet. I'll be waiting here for our hard-earned prize." Lilian covered her mouth, muffling her laughs.
Wang Jin did not reply, and instead continued through the tunnel.
Wang Jin grunted. "That girl, I'd rip her apart if I had the chance…"
The consequences to laying a finger on Lilian would be immeasurable. For one, being the younger sibling of the number one hero meant she was constantly in the eyes of the media.
While visits from news reporters only happened every once in a while, this didn't mean the flow of information was completely cut off. No matter how tight the security was, it was simply impossible.
Wang Jin could imagine both the media and the authorities chasing him down the moment he touched a strand on Lilian's hair.
And not to mention, Cendria. Her abnormal regeneration should have kicked in already, bringing her back to full strength. Or that was what Wang Jin thought.
Wang Jin's eyes suddenly turned to look behind him. He began juggling his sight between his central and peripheral vision slowly.
"Two… no, three? Are they here to watch me?"
It was faint, and all too subtle. If he wasn't focused on surveying the area, Wang Jin wouldn't have even noticed it.
"Fuck, no matter. I'll just go about it normally. Can't do anything to them anyway."
He could also tell that they were wearing somewhat high ranked artifacts to conceal their presence.
"But if the school only allowed students to bring one artifact… then that must mean they've been under her control even before the exam! Huh, I'm smart. Go, me."
After all, even Professor Calliope did not ban artifacts.
Wang Jin continued laughing inwardly. Slowly, he made his way through the vast network of cave tunnels in search of Limeum Crystals.
Half an hour passed. Somehow, Wang Jin was able to obtain four Limeum Crystals.
"Am I lucky or something? Who knew my bad habit would end up helping me."
This was true. Although he didn't know, during the thirty minute timeframe, Wang Jin had traveled a distance farther than most of the students' own combined.
Who knew being directionless would be an asset? Well, definitely not Wang Jin.
"Anyway, just one more and I can finally end this shit."
With spirits high, Wang Jin ran through the entire cave system once again, this time even faster than before.
Along the way, he came across some D rank beasts. They weren't too difficult; Wang Jin had already gotten the hang of the Iron Style and was able to use it in combat rather efficiently.
"Huh. Professor Calliope said that it would take much longer to master it. How am I already this good with it?"
Wang Jin's evolution speed was frightening. In just a few hours, he was already able to manifest the Iron Style immediately in less than a second.
This allowed him to defend against sudden attacks, as his hardened limbs could take most bites and scratches without a single drop of blood.
"I'm fucking smart, hmm. I should get going though."
But after a few more runs through the surrounding tunnels, Wang Jin was baffled. He hadn't found a single Limeum Crystal.
They'd usually be found in veins, too. Which meant that if there was one, there was bound to be multiple.
But even so, his endeavours in the past hour had been for naught.
Just then, a loud thud echoed throughout the entire cave system. Every student heard it, including Professor Calliope.
What's more, the sound was surprisingly close to only one person: Wang Jin.
He then smiled, before screaming into the darkness. "Oh, damn. Looks like someone's fixing for a brutal death! Where are you, you bastard! I just wanna fight!"
In response, another loud thud occured.
"I'll take that as you accepting my challenge! Just you wait, you! I'm coming."
It wasn't long before he reached the one responsible for the tremors.
Standing at over thrice his size, a giant, hairy rat stumbled in front of Wang Jin. It was much too shaggy, making it impossible to even see the skin hidden under its thick layer of fur.
Its size wasn't the only thing dangerous about it, no, no. Claws, each the size of a dagger extended from the rat's fingers. Wang Jin could tell that a single cut from that would leave him bleeding heavily.
And worse of all, the rat's obnoxious size was crowding the narrow cave tunnels. It acted very much like a plug.
Wang Jin grinned. "Goddamn. You're one hell of an ugly bastard. Guess I gotta teach you a lesson."
Without any further hesitation, Wang Jin charged forward.
Unfortunately for him, his options in battle had been greatly reduced thanks to the penalties Professor Calliope set on her students. She was always watching through the academy watch.
The moment anyone used a spell or outputted abnormal amounts of mana, she'd disqualify and fail them immediately.
Being the obviously lighter of the two, Wang Jin was able to get close to the rat without any problems.
The beast had already started thrashing about, throwing its weight into the walls, threatening to make the whole tunnel system collapse.
Instantly, Wang Jin hardened his right arm with the Iron Style and struck a thick part of the rat's body.
"Heeeeekkk!"
The rat shrieked in response. A sudden wave of energy, perhaps adrenaline, overtook it and it struck Wang Jin.
It was all too fast, uncharacteristic of the rat's large structure. Thankfully though, Wang Jin was able to guard himself in time.
"Hot damn, this thing really is useful!" He exclaimed.
Another swipe was aimed at him. This time, Wang Jin was able to react accordingly and emerge unscathe with a backflip.
Taking advantage of the rat as it was recovering, Wang Jin threw a flurry of punches, all directed at one spot. The increasing pressure from the fists constantly moving made it feel more painful.
In a final effort, Wang Jin raised his hand, having gathered enough energy to knock out the rat.
But instead of letting it end, the rat's anger only grew. It lashed forward, aiming to get its teeth in between Wang Jin's head.
And while Wang Jin was able to react to this, the unexpected happened. He felt a sharp pain emerging from his chest, and he fell to the ground kneeling.
"Fuck, I really should've went to the infirmary first before heading to class. This fucking hurts!"
Even if there was no blood, the injuries Wang Jin had sustained from Lilian's beatdown earlier was enough to leave a few bruises. And although most of them had healed, the more major ones didn't.
"And you just happened to pick right now as the best time to emerge, you fucking injury?" Wang Jin spat curses at his chest.
Anyone who saw him would think he was crazy.
But really, who else was there? The rat, maybe. But the only thing in its mind at this point was to destroy the human in front of it.
Thankfully, Wang Jin was able to recover and leap out from danger just as it neared him.
The pain was still there, and it was throbbing, but it was by no means enough to impede his movement.
"Gotta end this quickly." Gritting his teeth, Wang Jin hardened his limbs once again.
The rat too, was visibly injured from the punches the human had dealt him earlier, and looked much weaker.
As a last ditch attempt to kill Wang Jin, the rat let out a blood curdling scream and began thrashing about.
It was visibly angrier than before, making its movements much more fearsome.
The sound of rocks crumbling and falling to the ground happened around the whole area.
Almost no place was safe as large boulders shot down from the ceiling.
But Wang Jin wasn't hiding and waiting it out. Instead, he ran with all his might through the rain of rocks.
His reaction speed was at its peak, and he used this to dodge out of the way just before the rocks slammed down on him.
With every step he made towards the rat, its screams only got louder. It was as if the grim reaper was heading for it.
Finally, Wang Jin reached the rat. As the rocks continued falling, he raised his hand and muttered,
"Goodnight, fucker."
And with one last punch, the rat was down and out for the count.
Tired, Wang Jin fell to the floor. He was visibly sweating, and felt like he couldn't move anymore.
It was only now that he was able to take in what he had just done. In his head, it felt as if he was dancing through the rain of rocks, using them as stepping stones to make his way to the rat.
"I really did that… what the hell, I'm awesome."
It was only at this point that Wang Jin noticed a small glint at the corner of his eye.
"Hah! Limeum Crystals. And lots of them. Looks like this fucker was hoarding em. Oh well, enough for me."
"Sure, good job. Too bad for you, prick."
It was that voice. It didn't sound feminine, so Wang Jin automatically ruled out Lilian. He immediately dropped his pouch filled with crystals and raised his hand instinctively to block.
Suddenly, a sharp pain assaulted his back, and Wang Jin's body was flung past the rat's body.
Someone had kicked him with so much force that he was launched over twenty meters!
Eventually steadying himself, Wang Jin spat out a mouthful of blood and spit and stared up at the perpetrator.
"I was wondering why the air smelled foul. It's the assaulter."
It was Liam and his goons. The one who had kicked Wang Jin was only one of them!
"The fuck are you on about?"
"Don't play dumb with me. Lilian told me everything. You're already a peasant who's an honor student, and if that wasn't enough, you throw your hands around like you own the place."
"A good beatdown should show you your worth."
Wang Jin raised his fists in response.
But really, what could he do against multiple people?
The rest of it was all a blur from then on. When Wang Jin came to, he saw Liam and his goons on top of him, kicking him, beating him in just about every inch of his body.
Wang Jin felt miserable. His whole body was hurting, and if that wasn't enough, he felt as if blood was pouring out of every single one of his pores.
"Wha…" Bruised and battered, Wang Jin struggled to make words.
Luckily for him, the attack had already ended. The next thing he saw was Liam grabbing onto his hair and bringing his face close to his.
"You listen to me. You are nothing. You are nothing to me. Ingrain that thought into your head."
Wang Jin did not respond.
After seeing him virtually unmoving, Liam scoffed and dropped him.
"Hah. A weakling will always stay a weakling. Let's go, boys."
"I'll be taking this, peasant. Lilian sends her regards." Liam waved the pouch filled with Limeum Crystals in front of him, before disappearing into the darkness with the rest of his goons, laughing.
With nobody else but himself, Wang Jin forced his body to sit upright. He leaned onto the sturdy wall behind him, sighing.
"Hah… this reminds me of the old days."
***
"Alright, that should be it! Let's count heads. Everyone line up." Professor Calliope clapped her hands.
By now, around three hours had passed, and everyone was able to obtain the required five crystals.
"Twenty one…huh? Lilian, where's your partner?" Shiloh questioned her, confused.
"I'm sorry to say, Professor… but he abandoned me! We were attacked by beasts, and the moment he could, he left."
"What?! Is that true?"
"...yes! I was terrified." Lilian's crocodile tears, which looked oddly real, came out.
"How dare he! Wang Jin will be punished for this."
And as if he was waiting for it, the moment his name was called, Wang Jin's body walked out from one of the tunnels.
His body was still very much bloodied, but he could at least stand. However, it didn't take a genius to know that he was practically limping.
However, despite seeing this, Professor Calliope chastised him with a strict tone.
"Cadet Wang Jin! Where have you been?" I have heard news that you abandoned your partner? Is this true?"
Wang Jin was about to plead the negative, but stopped.
He saw multiple faces staring at him from the crowd of students. He instantly recognised them.
"...yes."
"How… dare you! That's it, I'm failing you, Wang Jin. I expected more from you! Even Professor Shib and the Crimson Maiden recommended you."
Whispers immediately flooded the class.
"Huh. Abandoning Lilian? Serves him right."
"I told you he was all bark and no bite. Who'd believe he actually did something during the invasion?"
"I bet he bribed someone. He must've wanted the glory too."
"Hah! He's the only one who didn't pass!"
The whole class laughed at him, save for Donna and Denzel, who looked at him with expressions of regret.
"As an honor student, I expected more from you, Wang Jin. I have to say, I am disappointed. Now get yourself to the infirmary, we're heading back."
***
A considerable amount of time passed after this. It was now night, and classes had ended.
"Hah… right I did promise to have dinner with Donna tonight. I wonder why I'm not as keen about it as I was before."
With a heavy sigh, Wang Jin got up from his bed and went to his wardrobe. Within a few minutes, he was able to get himself dressed.
He wore a large green sweater, some dark pants, and bright white shoes. Once again, this was a testament to how unfashionable he was.
With the abnormal outfit successfully put on, Wang Jin made his way out of his dorm and went out into the street.
It was a chilly night today. The evening wind could even be felt indoors, and as such Wang Jin found it right to wear a sweater.
"Brr… good thing I'm prepared. Now, where did she say we would meet?"
The meeting place was, coincidentally, right in front of the restaurant they were dining in.
By the time Wang Jin had arrived, Donna was already there, she was already seated in one of the tables beside the window.
Spotting Wang Jin outside, she waved at him to enter.
The restaurant itself wasn't too fancy. It felt a lot like one of those family diners you'd see people go to a lot.
"Hey."
With a solemn expression, Wang Jin greeted Donna and sat opposite her.
"Good evening. How have you been faring lately?" Donna replied with a worried expression.
"Hmm. Fine."
"I see. Well then, would you like anything to drink? I will take care of the cost, so order whatever you want."
With no change to his expression, Wang Jin replied apathetically, "Cool. I'll have lemon water, I guess."
Eventually, the beverages had arrived. During the time that they were waiting, neither person spoke a single word. They merely stared at each other for a few seconds before looking somewhere else.
Finally, Donna was the first to speak up.
"Is there anything happening to you?"
"What, you care about me now? Don't worry about it."
Ignoring his rude tone, Donna kept pressing him.
"Are you sure? You don't look okay."
"I told you, I'm fine. Is this all you wanted to talk about? If that's it, I'm gonna head home." Wang Jin got up.
Instead of replying to him, Donna brought out something which caught Wang Jin's eyes.
It was a packet of cigarettes.
"You smoke? Never seen you do it."
Donna giggled slightly. "Only sometimes. I find it helps in calming me down. Do you want to try?"
"Nah, no thanks."
"Do it." Donna urged him.
"No, really, I'm okay…" Wang Jin replied.
"Do it." She kept pressing him.
"...fuck, fine, I'll do it. Just this once. Give it to me." Wang Jin stretched out his hand to receive it.
"Haha. Not here, though. Outside. We're not allowed to smoke inside."
Standing up, Donna made her way outside, telling Wang Jin to follow her.
They eventually stopped at an empty bus stop. Under the cold embrace of the night sky, Donna pulled out a cigarette.
Lighting it, she placed it in her mouth. After a few seconds of inhaling the smoke, she breathed it out.
All the while, Wang Jin stared at her with a surprised expression.
"You a pro at this? You look like you've done it many times." He commented.
"I've told you, it was just every now and then. Here, now it's your turn. Place it in your mouth."
"Alright, alright. I can do it myself." Taking the cigarette from Donna's hands, Wang Jin placed it in his mouth.
"Mind giving me a light?"
"Of course." Taking out a small lighter, Donna lit the tip of the cigarette.
Remembering how Donna did it, Wang Jin tried mimicking her smoking.
He took a somewhat deep breath and allowed the smoke to accumulate in his cheeks.
The feeling was… surprisingly nice. His cheeks felt tingly.
Then, he let out a puff of smoke.
"Very nice. You're good at this, Wang Jin." Donna praised him.
"Thanks. This feels awesome. You're right, this is calming…"
"So? Will you finally tell me what happened?"
"Nothing happened. Really. It's nothing."
However, Wang Jin's answer was unchanging. No matter how much Donna pressed him, his reply never changed.
"I see. Then, I won't force you. But just remember,…" Just then, Donna's cigarette went out, and she threw it in front of her, into the road. "A cold attitude doesn't fit you. Leave that to other people."
"As far as I'm concerned, a positive, cheery Wang Jin is better than the one I'm seeing right now. I like the normal Wang Jin." Donna smiled.
"Hah. Now you're making me feel bad. I'll keep that in mind."
Seeing that this talk was fruitful, Donna got up and prepared to leave.
"I'm glad we were able to have this talk. Goodnight, Wang Jin."
"...yeah. Goodnight, Donna. Thanks."