Unwanted Attention & A Flirty Challenger

The duel between Joshua Lim and Feng Yuxia had been meant for the academy's eyes only.

But reality had other plans.

✔ A student in the crowd had recorded the entire fight.

✔ The footage had been uploaded online within hours.

✔ And now—it was spreading like wildfire.

1. The Viral Footage – Speculation & Controversy

By the time Joshua woke up the next morning, his phone was buzzing non-stop.

✔ Messages flooded in.

✔ His notifications were overloaded.

✔ His once-quiet social media accounts had exploded overnight.

Curious, he tapped one of the links.

A video began playing—his duel against Feng Yuxia.

[Hunter Academy Exclusive: Joshua Lim vs. Feng Yuxia – The Future 7-Star?]

The footage was crisp, high quality.

✔ It showed his suffocating aura from the start of the battle.

✔ His flawless counters against Feng Yuxia's rapid attacks.

✔ And the moment that had stunned everyone—the sudden appearance of the Equinox Blade.

The comment section was a warzone.

"What is that sword?! That wasn't a normal weapon!"

"This guy's aura is ridiculous. No way he's just a five-star."

"Feng Yuxia is strong, but this guy completely dominated her at the end. Where did he come from?"

"Joshua Lim… the future 7-star?"

Another link appeared beneath it—a clip from his battle against Zhao Feng.

✔ The way he had defeated a five-star mage without breaking a sweat.

✔ The composure he had shown against overwhelming fire magic.

✔ And the eerily precise way he fought—like he had seen it all before.

More comments followed.

"This isn't normal. His growth rate is insane."

"He's hiding something. No way he improved this fast naturally."

"That dagger isn't recorded in any known weapon databases. What the hell is it?"

Joshua sighed, setting his phone down.

✔ The attention was inevitable.

✔ But the speculation about Equinox? That was dangerous.

✔ He had to be careful about how much he revealed.

2. The Morning at the Academy – A Different Atmosphere

The moment Joshua stepped onto campus, he knew things had changed.

✔ Students turned to look at him as he walked past.

✔ Whispers followed him everywhere.

✔ Some openly stared, as if trying to figure him out.

He could hear the conversations.

"That's him—Joshua Lim. I saw his fight online."

"He's already five-star at seventeen? That's insane."

"I heard even Principal Kang was watching the match."

"Do you think he'll go pro? Or will he get recruited into a top guild?"

Joshua ignored it all.

He had more important things to worry about.

3. The Change in Feng Yuxia – From Rival to… Flirt?

Joshua entered his first class of the day, Combat Theory.

✔ A subject focused on the analysis of battle tactics, weapon styles, and aura control.

✔ It was taught by Instructor Zhao—the same man Joshua had fought weeks ago.

✔ A perfect place for him to stay under the radar.

Or so he thought.

As he took his usual seat, someone slid into the chair beside him.

He glanced over.

✔ Silver hair. Golden eyes. A playful smirk.

✔ Feng Yuxia.

Something felt different about her.

She leaned in slightly, voice low and teasing.

"Did you sleep well, Joshua?"

Joshua raised an eyebrow.

"Fine."

Yuxia chuckled.

"No soreness? No regrets? You know, after our little fight?"

"None."

She let out a dramatic sigh.

"You're so cold. And here I was, hoping you'd at least say I gave you a good challenge."

Joshua gave her a flat look.

"I already said you were strong."

Yuxia tapped her chin, as if considering something.

Then—she leaned in closer, her lips just inches from his ear.

"Then how about a rematch? But this time… I get to choose the stakes."

Joshua didn't react.

But the rest of the class?

✔ Some students choked on their drinks.

✔ Others openly gawked, whispering furiously.

✔ Even Instructor Zhao paused mid-lecture, glancing over with mild interest.

Joshua sighed.

"Focus on the lesson."

Yuxia laughed, but didn't back away.

"You're interesting, Joshua Lim."

And just like that—she had officially started playing a different game.

4. Sung En's Perspective – The Rivalry Shifts

Across the room, Sung En watched everything in silence.

✔ She had already noticed how different Yuxia was acting.

✔ The flirtation, the teasing—it wasn't there before.

✔ And yet, here she was, practically draping herself over Joshua.

Sung En's fingers tightened slightly around her notebook.

She wasn't the type to get jealous.

But something about it… irritated her.

She forced herself to stay calm.

"It doesn't matter. I'm his fiancée. She's just… playing around."

Still—why did it bother her so much?

5. The Instructors' Concerns – The Growing Storm

Meanwhile, in the staff office, Principal Kang sat with Instructor Zhao and a few senior faculty members.

The topic?

✔ Joshua Lim.

✔ His fights with Zhao Feng and Feng Yuxia.

✔ And most importantly—his mysterious weapon.

One instructor frowned.

"We've analyzed the footage. That sword—it wasn't recorded in our academy's database. No known artifact matches its signature."

Another nodded.

"We've tried to trace the origins of the Equinox Blade, but there's nothing. No records, no history."

Principal Kang folded his hands together.

"Then it means one of two things."

✔ "One—he found an artifact of unknown origin, something that even the highest-ranking hunters have never seen before."

✔ "Or two—he is far more dangerous than any of us realize."

The room fell silent.

Instructor Zhao exhaled.

"Either way… it won't be long before others start looking into him."

The attention Joshua had gained wasn't just from the academy anymore.

Now—powerful forces beyond the school had started watching.

And soon, they would make their move.