"Some battles are fought with swords. Others… with words and stolen glances."
Hunter Academy – The Morning After
The morning sun filtered through the academy windows, casting a warm glow over the dormitories.
Sung En sat at her desk, staring blankly at the textbook in front of her.
She hadn't turned a page in ten minutes.
Her mind was still stuck on last night.
On Joshua collapsing. On how she had stayed by his side until morning.
On how, for the first time, she had chosen to care.
A sharp knock on her door snapped her out of her thoughts.
Before she could react, the door swung open.
Jiang Yue strode inside, grinning like she had just uncovered the greatest secret in the world.
"You stayed overnight at Joshua's dorm, didn't you?"
Sung En froze.
"…I—What?"
Jiang Yue smirked. "Don't play dumb. Wei Cheng and I went looking for you this morning. You weren't in your room. And then guess who we found looking suspiciously well-rested in his dorm?"
Sung En felt her face heat up.
"It's not like that!" she snapped. "He was an idiot and collapsed, so I—"
"Stayed with him," Jiang Yue finished, her grin widening.
Sung En scowled.
Jiang Yue sat on the edge of the bed, resting her chin on her palm.
"So? How was it?"
Sung En groaned. "It was—nothing. He was just reckless, and I didn't want him to die overnight. That's all."
Jiang Yue nodded sagely. "Of course. And the fact that you were staring off into space thinking about him just now?"
Sung En gritted her teeth.
"I hate you."
Jiang Yue laughed. "No, you hate that I'm right."
Before Sung En could throw a pillow at her, another voice entered the room.
"Ah, so it's true," Wei Cheng said, leaning casually against the doorway.
Sung En turned sharply. "You too?!"
Wei Cheng smirked. "Hey, I didn't say anything. I just think it's interesting."
Sung En buried her face in her hands.
Jiang Yue patted her on the back.
"It's okay, Sung En. Denial is the first step."
Sung En wanted to die.
The Banquet – A Night of Nobles & Hidden Tensions
Later that evening, the academy's grand banquet hall was filled with light, music, and the scent of expensive wine.
This was an event held before every National Hunter School Competition—a chance for noble families, powerful guilds, and elite students to mingle, negotiate alliances, and scout future talents.
Joshua… did not care about any of that.
Dressed in a simple but elegantly tailored suit, he entered the hall, already regretting his decision to come.
"I'd rather be training."
But before he could retreat to a quiet corner, his thoughts came to a screeching halt.
Because then—he saw her.
Sung En.
And for the first time, Joshua was completely caught off guard.
She wasn't wearing her usual academy uniform or training gear.
Instead, she stood near the banquet entrance in a flowing deep violet dress, her long hair partially tied back, soft waves framing her face.
For a moment, Joshua forgot how to breathe.
She was—
…Beautiful.
He wasn't sure why he was so surprised. He had always known she was attractive.
But this?
This was different.
Sung En caught his stare, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"…What?"
Joshua blinked, snapping out of his thoughts.
Then—he smirked.
"You look good."
Sung En's breath hitched.
Her fingers twitched slightly at her sides.
"…Of course I do," she muttered, turning away too quickly.
Joshua chuckled.
He wasn't sure if it was the lighting or if she was actually blushing.
The Noble Girls' Interest & Sung En's Jealousy
It didn't take long for the banquet's noble daughters to take notice of Joshua.
A 5-star Hybrid at 17?
A potential future 7-star?
To the daughters of powerful Mage and Aura families, he was a prize worth pursuing.
As he stood near the banquet tables, three noble girls approached him.
One, a high-ranking fire mage, gave him a dazzling smile.
"You're Joshua Lim, aren't you? The one who rejected the 2nd Prince?"
Joshua sighed internally. Here we go.
Another girl, a noble Aura-user, placed a hand on his arm, leaning in slightly.
"Hybrid hunters are so rare. You must have insane potential."
Joshua glanced at her hand on his arm and then at her face.
He raised an eyebrow.
"…You know I'm engaged, right?"
The girls blinked in confusion.
"Engaged?"
Joshua smirked. "Yeah. To her."
He nodded toward Sung En.
Who was currently watching them with a sharp, unreadable expression.
The noble girls followed his gaze—and then realization hit.
Sung En, their competitor, stepped forward, her presence radiating authority.
She didn't say anything.
She didn't have to.
The message was clear:
"Back off."
The noble girls quickly made graceful exits.
Joshua—who had been watching Sung En the entire time—grinned.
"…You jealous, Princess?"
Sung En crossed her arms, looking away.
"No."
Joshua chuckled. She was lying.
Zhao Feng's Attempt to Humiliate Joshua
Of course, the night wouldn't be complete without one last nuisance.
As Joshua grabbed a drink, a familiar arrogant voice cut through the banquet noise.
"Well, well. The so-called prodigy graces us with his presence."
Joshua turned, utterly unimpressed.
Zhao Feng stood with a group of noble supporters, his smirk full of condescension.
Joshua sighed. "Did you practice that line, or was that your best attempt?"
Zhao Feng's face twitched.
"You act like you belong here, but let's be real. You're just a nobody who got lucky."
Silence.
Then—Joshua laughed.
Loud enough that a few nobles turned to watch.
"Lucky?" Joshua repeated, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"You think being a 5-star Hybrid at 17 is luck?"
Zhao Feng clenched his fists.
Joshua stepped forward, his Aura subtly flaring.
"If you really think it's luck," he said, his voice calm but sharp, "then prove it in the tournament."
Zhao Feng gritted his teeth.
Joshua smirked, leaning in slightly.
"Until then, shut up and enjoy your drink."
The nobles around them chuckled.
Zhao Feng stormed off.
Sung En, watching from the sidelines, let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Joshua turned back to her.
"I win again."
Sung En rolled her eyes.
But she was smiling.