"Recognition is a double-edged sword. With fame comes expectation—and enemies."
The Aftermath of the Ranking Assessment
The results of the ranking test spread through the academy like wildfire.
Joshua Lim—once considered average—had just been revealed as a 5-star hybrid warrior.
At seventeen.
Something unheard of.
By the next morning, the academy wasn't the same.
Wherever Joshua went, whispers followed.
"Did you see his test yesterday? He cleared twenty waves—twenty!"
"A 5-star at seventeen… this is beyond talent, it's monstrous."
"Is he the strongest student in the academy now?"
"What even is a hybrid? I thought you could only be an Aura user or a mage, not both!"
Joshua walked through the halls, hands in his pockets, completely unfazed.
He had expected this reaction.
Recognition was inevitable.
What mattered now was how he would handle it.
As he passed, some students looked at him with awe—others with suspicion.
Some even with jealousy.
But Joshua?
He just kept walking.
Until—
The Teachers Take Notice
Before Joshua could make it to class, a familiar voice called out.
"Joshua Lim."
He turned to see Instructor Zhao, arms crossed, his sharp eyes watching him carefully.
"You're coming with me."
Joshua raised an eyebrow but followed without protest.
Soon, he found himself inside the instructors' lounge, surrounded by several of the academy's top teachers.
Among them was Madam Wei, an agility specialist, and Professor Lan, a master of magic theory.
And at the head of the room—
The Principal.
A man who rarely showed interest in individual students.
Joshua leaned against the wall, waiting.
Instructor Zhao spoke first.
"You already know why you're here."
Joshua smirked. "Because I made history?"
Professor Lan sighed. "He's cocky."
Madam Wei chuckled. "He has the right to be. A 5-star at seventeen? The last person to reach that level before adulthood was a national-level hunter."
The Principal finally spoke, his voice calm, measured.
"Joshua Lim. Do you understand what this means?"
Joshua met his gaze. "That I've put a target on my back?"
A faint glint of amusement flickered in the Principal's eyes.
"…Clever. Yes, exactly that."
There was a pause.
Then, the Principal leaned forward.
"From this point on, your growth will be watched. By your peers. By your instructors. By those beyond this academy. Some will want to recruit you. Others will want to test you. A few… may even want to eliminate you."
Joshua tilted his head slightly.
"Eliminate?"
That meant politics.
It meant power struggles among noble families, military factions, and global hunter organizations.
It meant danger.
Joshua grinned.
"Sounds fun."
The Principal studied him for a long moment before speaking again.
"You will be given an opportunity," he said. "Something beyond the standard academy curriculum."
Joshua's interest piqued. "What kind of opportunity?"
The Principal smiled slightly.
"You'll find out soon enough."
The Student Body's Reaction
By lunchtime, Joshua couldn't even eat in peace.
Students approached him one after another—some congratulating him, others fishing for information.
Even the upperclassmen—hunters older than him—were now paying attention.
At one table, Joshua saw Lin Hao, the 4-star swordsman he had fought before.
His expression was a mix of resentment and frustration.
Across the room, Wei Cheng was grinning.
"Damn, man," Wei said, dropping into the seat across from Joshua. "I was expecting you to do well, but this?"
Joshua smirked. "Disappointed?"
Wei snorted. "More like relieved I didn't have to fight you in the test."
Joshua chuckled, stretching his arms. "You would've done fine."
"Sure, if by 'fine' you mean 'getting my ass kicked in ten seconds.'"
Joshua was about to respond when—
A shadow loomed over the table.
"Joshua Lim."
Joshua looked up.
Standing there was Xin En.
His past-life wife.
The one who had betrayed him.
For a split second, Joshua's body tensed.
But outwardly?
He simply leaned back, expression unreadable.
"Can I help you?"
Xin En smiled sweetly. "I just wanted to congratulate you."
Joshua didn't respond immediately.
He knew this smile.
This wasn't genuine.
This was calculated.
The same false kindness she had used in his past life.
Before she stabbed him in the back.
He forced a polite smile.
"Thanks."
Xin En tilted her head. "You know… I never really noticed you before. But now, everyone's talking about you. You've become very impressive."
Joshua's smirk didn't reach his eyes.
"Ah. So that's what this is."
She was testing the waters.
Trying to see if she could get close to him now that he had power.
Before Joshua could respond, another voice cut in.
"…Is there a reason you're standing here?"
Xin En turned, slightly startled.
Lee Sung En stood nearby, arms crossed, her violet eyes cool and sharp.
Joshua raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Xin En smiled politely. "I was just congratulating Joshua."
Sung En's gaze didn't waver. "You've been doing that for a while now."
Xin En's expression twitched ever so slightly.
Joshua almost laughed.
"She's not even trying to hide her irritation."
Xin En finally stepped back. "Well then, I'll see you around, Joshua."
Joshua didn't respond, simply watching as she walked away.
As soon as she was gone, he turned to Sung En, smirking.
"Didn't know you cared so much, Princess."
Sung En scoffed. "I don't."
She glanced toward the group of girls still watching him from across the room and clicked her tongue.
"…But I don't understand why they're suddenly interested in you now."
She frowned slightly, a strange look crossing her face.
A feeling she didn't quite recognize.
"It's annoying."
Joshua grinned.
"Jealous, are we?"
Sung En's face immediately reddened.
"What? No!"
Joshua chuckled. "Sure, sure."
She huffed and turned away, clearly flustered.
Joshua leaned back in his chair, smirking.
"This is getting interesting."
End of Chapter