Breaking expectations.

Both fighters exchanged sharp gazes, no longer holding back. This was no longer just a spar—it was a battle to prove something.

Jae-Hyun vanished again. This time, he flickered throughout the entire field, his movements chaotic and unpredictable.

It was an attempt to overwhelm Rin, to confuse him, to force a mistake. But Rin's senses had sharpened. He knew now that his eyes alone wouldn't be enough to track Jae-Hyun. He had to rely on more.

Then—he felt it. A sudden shift in the air behind him. His instincts screamed at him. Without hesitation, he swung his wooden sword.

Clack!

He barely managed to block Jae-Hyun's surprise attack, his muscles straining from the impact. But before he could reset his stance, Jae-Hyun flickered again—like the dying flames of a candle—reappearing in front of him.

Rin, already off balance from blocking the last attack, barely had time to react. Jae-Hyun's smirk widened as he raised his sword, ready to land a decisive strike.

But Rin wasn't done.

A glint of determination flashed in his eyes as he parried the incoming blow with precise timing, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I thought I told you to get serious."

Jae-Hyun narrowed his eyes and stepped back, steadying himself a few meters away. The air around him shifted. The playful arrogance in his expression faded, replaced by something colder—something razor-sharp. His stance changed, more controlled, more dangerous.

This wasn't just another round. This was a fight.

A slow grin formed on Rin's face, his lips tugging at the corners. His grip on his wooden sword tightened, his stance firm.

"Finally serious now?" he asked, rolling his shoulders.

Jae-Hyun exhaled sharply. "Yeah. And don't hold me responsible for what happens next."

Then, he vanished again.

But this time, Rin was ready.

Instead of searching for him, Rin tuned out the crowd, ignoring the pulsing excitement in the air. He closed his eyes for a brief second. He listened.

A faint whisper of movement behind him.

He turned.

Clack!

Their swords clashed with force, the sound echoing through the arena. Jae-Hyun gritted his teeth as Rin pressed forward with relentless strikes, refusing to give him space to disappear again.

Each clash of their weapons sent vibrations through their arms. The intensity of the fight escalated with every exchange.

Jae-Hyun smirked through gritted teeth. "You can read me now? Not bad for the 'No Skill Kid.'"

Rin's smirk deepened. "Took you long enough to notice you can't stand your ground against someone like me."

Jae-Hyun scowled, frustration creeping into his expression. He blurred again. But Rin didn't need to see him. He felt it. His instincts screamed—left!

Rin twisted, his sword intercepting an overhead strike that could have ended the match. Their weapons locked, their faces inches apart, sweat dripping down their temples. Their breaths came in heavy, ragged gasps.

Then, Rin did something unexpected.

He let Jae-Hyun push him back.

Jae-Hyun, caught off guard by the sudden lack of resistance—his body already fatigued from excessive use of his mana—stumbled slightly. That was all Rin needed.

With a sharp pivot, Rin delivered a precise, crushing strike to Jae-Hyun's ribs.

Thud!

Jae-Hyun gasped, staggering from the impact. But Rin wasn't done. He pressed forward, capitalizing on Jae-Hyun's weakened state.

He feinted a downward slash, forcing Jae-Hyun to raise his guard. But it was a trick. At the last second, Rin twisted mid-motion and struck Jae-Hyun's exposed side.

Crack!

The resounding impact echoed through the arena.

Jae-Hyun crumpled to one knee, gasping for breath.

The crowd erupted.

"He landed another hit!"

"No way… is Rin actually winning?"

"The 'No Skill Kid' is putting up a fight against a Hwan Clan member!"

"That kid's a beast in disguise!"

Jae-Hyun clenched his jaw and forced himself to stand. His body trembled slightly. His breathing was ragged. His Mirage Step—once seamless and untouchable—was slowing down. His movements were becoming predictable.

Rin exhaled, rolling his wrist. "Still standing?"

Jae-Hyun wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes burning with defiance. "Don't count me out yet. The fight ain't over."

Then, with a final, determined breath, he vanished again.

But Rin didn't wait this time.

He spun his blade in his hand and lunged forward— trying to avoid being attacked when Jae-Hyun would reappear.

Jae-Hyun flickered back into existence—right into Rin's direction.

The wooden sword slammed into his stomach.

Jae-Hyun's eyes widened as the air was forced from his lungs. His body lurched backward, his feet skidding across the ground. He fought to stay upright, but his legs gave out beneath him, sending him collapsing onto the arena floor.

Silence.

Then, the referee stepped forward. After a brief check, he raised a hand.

"Jae-Hyun is unable to continue! The winner is Rin Hammock!"

For a moment, there was no reaction. The crowd sat frozen in shock.

Then, like a dam breaking, cheers and gasps filled the arena.

"He won?!"

"No way!"

"The 'No Skill Kid' actually won!"

But one voice stood out among the rest—the voice of the Hunters Academy Director. His face brimmed with an impressed smile.

"That 'No Skill Kid' is truly something else."

Rin exhaled, his body relaxing. He looked down at Jae-Hyun, who lay flat on the ground, staring at the sky, his chest rising and falling in uneven breaths.

Jae-Hyun let out a strained chuckle. "Damn… you really got me."

Rin extended a hand. Jae-Hyun stared at it for a moment before grasping it, allowing Rin to pull him up.

"You're not bad," Jae-Hyun admitted with a smirk, wincing as he clutched his ribs. "But next time, I'm not holding back."

Rin chuckled. "I'll be looking forward to it..... if you can make it to the academy"

As the referee gestured for Rin to leave the arena, he turned to face the crowd. Their eyes were no longer filled with mockery or ridicule.

Instead, he saw something new.

Shock. Curiosity.

And maybe—even a hint of respect.

Min-Soo cheered the loudest, practically shaking Park Ji-Hyun's shoulders. "I told you he would do it! He's not as weak as everyone thinks! Just give him more time, and he'll prove his worth."

Ji-Hyun smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. "Of course, he did."

As Rin walked off the stage, his heart pounded—not with exhaustion, but with exhilaration.

This was just the beginning.

For the first time since the exam started, he knew without a doubt—he belonged at the academy.