Chapter 18
**Chapter 18**
Beneath the moonlight piercing through the clouds, atop the towering mountains where the Golden Capital stood proudly... there loomed the **Heroes' Academy**.
Inside the academy, specifically in **Class S**, the following were present:
- **Leona**
- **Thorain**
- **Lisa**
- **Aaron**
- **Kyron**
The classroom door burst open, and in strode a man with an overwhelming presence—
**Raiden.**
He bellowed in a thunderous voice:
*"Students! I am your swordsmanship instructor... Raiden!"*
As he entered, his gaze immediately locked onto **Kyron**... His eyes studied him as if he were something special—something different from the rest.
Then he began speaking:
*"Every knight here—and non-knight alike—will endure hell."*
*"Class S will train in everything. If you're a knight, you'll learn magic. If you're a mage, you'll master the sword."*
*"From here, heroes will emerge... Or perhaps, the one who will save our world."*
*"Who will it be? That's your choice. It depends on how you train."*
Silence gripped the classroom... The students' faces froze in shock. They exchanged glances—
*"We're training in both magic AND swordsmanship?!"*
---
**[Scene shifts...]**
Inside the office of **Guild Leader Raven**, the man sat quietly sipping his coffee.
From the shadows emerged a mysterious figure—the same one who had previously been in **Julius'** office.
**Shadow:**
*"What's the deal?"*
**Raven** (calmly raising his cup):
*"That depends on what you're willing to pay..."*
**Shadow:**
*"What's the information?"*
**Raven** (with a faint smile):
*"A boy, no older than your students... capable of easily defeating Level V beasts."*
He took a sip.
**Shadow:**
*"You expect us to believe that? Academy students are the best."*
**Raven** (producing a gem):
*"Here. This recording gem captured the test. A memory stone."*
The shadow stared at the gem, then silently took it.
**Raven** (smirking subtly):
*"Take it to that old man..."*
---
**[Scene shifts—Outside the Golden Capital]**
In a remote area between forests and mountains, **Jin** walked quietly after healing his internal injuries with an antidote.
Suddenly—
*"Awooo..."*
A wolf's howl split the air.
Jin halted abruptly, puzzled:
*"Ordinary wolves... went extinct in the Cataclysm. How am I hearing one?!"*
He sprinted toward the sound... only to find a **white wolf**, injured and limping.
The wolf whimpered pitifully...
Jin stared at it... then turned away to leave.
*"This... is just part of the cycle of life. I won't interfere."*
But then—
A soft, beautiful voice descended from above:
*"Stop right there."*
Jin startled—he hadn't sensed anyone!
He spun around, drawing his twin swords, leaping back as he glared at the source.
A breathtakingly beautiful girl, radiant like the stars... **violet hair, violet eyes**...
It was **her**—the same girl who had been watching him before.
**Jin** (thoughts racing):
*"I didn't feel her at all... Who is she...?"*
He demanded coldly:
*"Who are you?"*
The girl approached the wolf calmly, kneeling beside it and healing its wound with restorative magic.
Then she whispered softly:
*"You're truly cruel... You wouldn't even save an injured wolf right in front of you."*
Jin watched in silence.
She spoke again, her voice tinged with sorrow:
*"Poor creature... The world is harsh on you, isn't it? To live in such a cruel, dark place..."*
Jin remained on guard, studying her intently.
**Jin** (inner thoughts):
*"Her energy... is strange."*
*"I feel something odd about her... The power she emits isn't normal."*
*"Her stance isn't defensive... nor offensive."*
*"She's completely relaxed... If she wanted me dead, she could've done it already."*
*"I didn't even sense her."*
Slowly, Jin lowered his swords... and sheathed them.
He continued observing her in silence.
Then, cautiously, he stepped closer—keeping his distance, wary of surprises.
In a calm but firm voice, he repeated:
*"Who. Are. You?"*
The girl gazed at him serenely, her eyes unblinking.
*"I'm someone... you can't afford to know."*
A flicker of irritation crossed Jin's face.
*"Another spoiled noble from the Capital, then... As I expected. Arrogance runs in your blood from birth."*
The girl laughed lightly, a quiet mockery in her tone:
*"No, no... I'm not one of those fools."*
Then she smiled and said:
*"But... if you want to know who I am, you'll have to do something for me first."*
Jin narrowed his eyes, replying coldly:
*"And what makes your identity... so special?"*
The girl tapped her chin playfully, then replied:
*"Hmm... First, I snuck up on you without you noticing."*
*"Second, I could kill you right now... and I haven't."*
Jin glared, unwilling to admit it—but deep down, he knew she was right.
He stayed silent... his eyes never leaving her.
Finally, Jin clenched his jaw and spoke seriously:
*"Then... what's your price?"*
The girl smiled sweetly, as if teasing him:
*"Well... Hmm... I don't actually know."*
Then her smile deepened:
*"But... you must grow stronger. And defeat... Zilnar."*
The moment that name left her lips—
*"What...?!"*
Jin froze for a split second—shock and rage exploding inside him.
Without hesitation, he **drew his swords and lunged at her in a furious assault.**
*"Oho, did that anger you?"*
She blocked his strike effortlessly, her smile taunting.
*"Who the hell are you?!"* Jin roared, his eyes blazing.
*"How do you know that?!"*
As their blades clashed, she met his glare with icy confidence.
*"Why so angry?"*
She chuckled softly, then whispered while staring into his eyes:
*"I only said... you must achieve your revenge... if you want to know who I am."*
*"SHUT UP!"***
Jin's scream tore through the air as a **dark tempest erupted from his blade!**
*"SWOOOOSH—!"*
A shockwave of black energy quaked the earth—
*"BOOOOM!"*
Dead trees splintered and were sent flying.
But...
The girl reappeared behind him, unharmed, as if his attack had been nothing.
*"I don't want to fight you... At least, not now."*
Then she suddenly darted forward... and gently touched his face with eerie calm:
*"Because... I'm curious about you."*
Jin recoiled in shock, sweat beading on his brow.
*"She's... too fast."*
The girl stepped back, laughing lightly.
*"Well, take care of the wolf too... I'll leave now, handsome stranger."*
Then—
*"FWOOSH..."*
She vanished into the shadows... as if she had never been there at all.