The news spread like wildfire.
By the time Rod stepped into the academy's main halls, his name was already on every student's lips. His record-breaking test had been broadcasted across the academy's main screens, and now, everywhere he went, he felt their eyes on him.
"Did you see how fast he moved?"
"He's got an S-rank ability. There's no way he's staying with the Ashen Wolves."
"Phantom Lotus is definitely going to recruit him."
"I bet Storm Vipers will fight for him too."
Rod paid them no mind. The only thing that mattered was what came next.
Leon, walking beside him with a casual smirk, crossed his arms. "Well, looks like you're famous already,Now it's better for you to go and meet your group members "
Rod tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into an innocent smile. "Can I kill them?"
Leon let out a slow sigh, rubbing his temple. "Sure—no." He shot Rod a pointed look. "And it's better for you notto cause trouble."
Rod didn't stop smiling.
After a moment, Leon glanced at the woman in the lab coat—the one who had been monitoring his test earlier. "Eve, go with him. Make sure he doesn't do anything reckless."
Eve Laurent stiffened slightly, as if Leon had just given her a death sentence. She had been hoping to avoid further interaction with Rod, but now his unsettling red eyes were on her. He was still smiling.
It wasn't reassuring.
Still, she wasn't about to refuse a direct order. She exhaled sharply and adjusted her glasses. "Fine. But if he tries to kill someone, I'm letting him deal with the consequences."
Leon chuckled. "Fair enough."
Rod gave Eve an exaggerated bow. "I'll be in your care, dear escort."
She glared at him. "Just start walking."
—
The academy was even larger than Rod had expected. The sheer size of the hallways, the towering windows, the intricate golden patterns on the walls—everything about the place felt pristine and untouchable.
As he walked, students continued to watch him. Some whispered to each other, some kept their distance, and others stared openly, their expressions a mix of curiosity and wariness.
Rod frowned slightly. "What's their problem?"
Eve, walking beside him with her arms crossed, didn't even glance at him. "Your fight was broadcasted across the academy. Everyone saw you break the record."
Rod raised an eyebrow. "Hmph. Lucky them."
His gaze swept across the students. "Are all of these people part of groups?"
Eve shook her head. "No. Most of them haven't even passed the practical test yet. Only the strongest make it into the four groups."
Rod barely listened to her response. His mind was already formulating a new plan.
If every group was expecting him to join, why not just kill all of them right now? That way, he wouldn't have to wait for any ridiculous competitions or petty ranking systems.
And besides—Leon had only forbidden him from killing members of his own group, not the others.
What a genius.
He turned to Eve with a bright, polite smile. "Before meeting my own group, I'd like to personally welcome the others."
Eve narrowed her eyes immediately. "Welcome them?"
Rod nodded. "It would be rude not to."
She stared at him in silence.
Then, with a heavy sigh, she decided to humor him. "Phantom Lotus is currently off-campus, preparing for the international matches. Storm Vipers are in the middle of a lecture, and Obsidian Crow won't arrive until the competition draws closer."
Rod's plan crumbled immediately.
He clicked his tongue. Useless.
Eve rolled her eyes. "You're the one who asked."
Soon, they arrived at a set of grand double doors. Eve stopped in front of them and gestured. "Alright, this is where you need to be. Just go in, introduce yourself, and don't do anything stupid."
Rod grinned. "Of course."
Then, before she could react, he lifted his foot and kicked the doors off their hinges.
The massive doors slammed open with a deafening crash, hitting the walls inside.
Rod strode in confidently, arms spread wide. "You will become my slaves, you scum—"
He stopped.
The room was not filled with his new teammates.
Instead, seated around an elegant table, were the headmaster, the senior instructors, and Leon.
Silence fell.
The headmaster, an older man with graying hair and sharp, calculating eyes, slowly set down his cup of tea. His gaze drifted toward the destroyed doors, then back to Rod.
Eve, still standing outside, covered her face with both hands.
Leon let out a small sigh and dragged a hand down his face.
Rod, meanwhile, was completely unfazed.
He casually pointed at Eve. "Her fault. She didn't tell me where we were going."
The headmaster let out a slow, deep chuckle. "So, you're the one making such a mess on your first day." His sharp eyes gleamed with amusement. "Tell me, boy—what was that about making us your slaves?"
Rod straightened his posture, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeves. "Ah. A simple misunderstanding."
The headmaster leaned back, steepling his fingers. "Is that so?"
Leon, wiping away the last traces of amusement from his face, gestured for Rod to sit. "You're here for your registration ceremony. Take a seat before you make things worse."
Rod weighed his options.
He could fight them. (Suicide.)
He could run. (Pointless.)
Or he could play along. (Fine, whatever.)
With a small shrug, he pulled out a chair and sat down.
The headmaster smiled. "Good. Now let's discuss which group you'll be joining."