The school auditorium was buzzing with excitent. Decorations hung from the ceiling, plethora of school flags and national flags stretched across the walls, and the band instrunts were already lined up on the side, waiting for their cue. Everyone was gathered to welco the new principal after Mada Gonzalous' death.
It wasn't the grandest welcoming party since the whole school was still in mourning, but it was sothing.
Ren stood among the crowd of students, his hands stuffed into his pockets, his face as unreadable as ever.
But his eyes didn't wander to the stage. They lingered on two people in the crowd.
Anna—trying to hide behind her friends, looking guilty, as if she couldn't face him.
And iling—standing straight, elegant as always, her jade eyes locked on him with a dreamy look.
Ren sighed internally.
'iling… this woman doesn't change in front of others. Still the cold, noble princess of the Lan family. Untouchable. Unapproachable. But the mont it's just the two of us… she turns into sothing else. Cute. No—dangerously cute. The kind of cute that could kill a man if he's not careful.'
His gaze drifted, and his eyes landed on another group of students. Several girls with their heads wrapped in bandages.
Ren froze. His mind instantly recalled what happened just a few days ago.
The sound of fists slamming against lockers echoed down the hallway.
Ren turned the corner and was t with the sight of three girls sprawled against the tal lockers, groaning. iling stood over them, her fan tucked neatly at her side, her aura blazing with golden Imperial Qi.
One of the girls tried to crawl away. But she was too slow.
iling's sharp eyes narrowed as she extended her hand. The invisible force of her Imperial Qi locked the girl in place like chains.
Bang!
The poor girl's head was slamd against the locker.
Her two friends scread, but the sa fate awaited them. Again and again, the lockers rattled with each impact until all three girls were left slumped on the ground, barely conscious.
Ren blinked, stepping forward quickly.
"iling! What the hell are you doing?!"
She turned, her composed, flawless expression not even breaking a sweat.
"They called you nas...I didn't fancy."
"…What?"
"I overheard them mocking you. It got on my nerves. So I reminded them what happens when you insult soone precious to ."
Ren's mouth opened, but no words ca out. He stared at the girls on the floor, then back at iling.
He knew no matter what iling did to them, these girls were not stupid enough to complain or go against one of the daughter of Lan family, so they just struggled and took it.
Ren rubbed his temple and sighed. "…I'm grateful, iling. Really. But these are just early symptoms. Now it would be those girls you attack but sooner or later...it will be ."
His lips curled into a bitter smile as he muttered under his breath. "I know what's coming from you."
Before he could continue his thoughts, the doors to the auditorium burst open.
The school band marched in, trumpets and drums resounding. The entire hall turned silent in awe as a ceremonial tune filled the air.
Behind the band, the teachers walked in. And then—the prefects, the senior students dressed in crisp uniforms, leading the way.
And finally… she entered.
A woman with slightly brown, dark hair neatly tied back. Glasses perched on her face, giving her an intelligent yet intimidating look. Her navy office suit clung tightly to her figure, showing a body that was disciplined, trained. Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she walked to the stage.
Ren guessed she was around forty. Definitely younger than Mada Gonzalous.
The mont she stepped onto the stage, her eyes swept across the students. Cold. Calculated. Sharp, as if she was peering into everyone's souls.
Then—her gaze landed on Ren.
For a second, ti froze. Her lips curved ever so slightly into a smile. Then, without a word, she looked away and continued walking as if nothing had happened.
Ren's brows furrowed.
'…What the hell was that all about?'
The ceremony continued. Speeches, introductions, a few performances. Until finally, the ti ca for the new principal to speak.
She stepped forward, adjusting her glasses.
"Good morning. My na is General Judith Harrington."
Her voice was steady, calm, yet carried authority that made the entire hall fall silent. Then she started to give a small description about her.
"Before this position, I served as an officer in the National Intelligence Service of the Norbata Defense Forces. So of you may not know this, but while hunters are responsible for advancing through dungeon floors… it is the Defense Forces who ensure that the cleared floors remain stable, that monsters do not respawn, and that the nation remains secure from foreign threats as well."
A murmur ran through the crowd. Students exchanged looks. She continued to explain lot of things that students needed to know about their society.
Judith continued, her tone sharpening.
"I will not take lot of your precious ti. I am here to make this school great. I am here to guide you, discipline you, and prepare you. The world outside these walls is rciless. And I will make sure none of you leave this school unprepared for it. I hope all of you support this vision and make Aether High, one of the most prestigious academy. Thank you!"
The silence in the auditorium was absolute.
Ren leaned back slightly, exhaling.
'…A military lady, huh? Figures. Just what this school needed. Now the question is...what is she like?'
The speech ended, applause filled the hall, and the ceremony wrapped up. Students began returning to their classes.
Ren was about to head back too—until he noticed Ms. Jenny waving at him.
She motioned with her hand. "Ren! This way!"
Ren frowned and walked over. "…What's wrong Ms. Jenny?"
Jenny bent down slightly, whispering in his ear.
"The new principal wants to et you. Imdiately."
Ren froze, a chill running down his spine. "…What?"
Jenny gave him a nervous smile. "You heard . She asked for you by na."
Ren's heart sank.
'Why… do I feel like sothing is definitely wrong here?'
***
The old principal's office had been closed down and sealed after Mada Gonzalous' death. The door was locked with a strong lock and police posted outside—nobody dared to approach it.
So when Ren and Ms. Jenny walked through the halls toward the new principal's room, a faint sense of deja vu gnawed at him.
Jenny stopped before the door and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Ren, is everything alright? You don't have any trouble after that incident do you?" she asked softly.
Ren turned to her with a smile. "Thanks to everyone...I'm more safe than ever."
He scratched the back of his neck and let out a sigh. "…Thank you Ms.Jenny. For everything you've done for . And for my mom. If it weren't for you witnessing on her side, Misa would still be locked away."
Jenny smiled gently. "Don't ntion it. I told you before, I consider you my responsibility, Ren. I made a promise to your mother, and I intend to keep it. No matter what, I'll make sure you're safe."
Ren's eyes lingered on her for a mont. His lips curled into a faint, tired smile.
'If only you were stronger, Jenny… I might have approached you differently. But dragging in another woman who can't protect herself? That's just adding more problems on top of the mountain I already have.'
He exhaled. Not worth it.
Jenny opened the door for him. "Go on in. She's waiting."
Ren stepped inside. The door shut behind him with a soft click.
He blinked. "…Huh?"
The room was empty except for one figure. Jenny hadn't followed him in for so reason.
Ren frowned but shoved the thought aside. His attention was instantly drawn to the woman standing near the tall window.
Principal Judith Harrington.
She stood with her back half-turned to him, one hand resting behind her as she stared out into the academy grounds. Her posture was straight, military-like, and the atmosphere around her was heavy—like she was already plotting three steps ahead in so ga nobody else even knew was being played.
The mont the door closed, Judith slowly turned. Her glasses glinted in the light, her face completely neutral.
Her eyes fixed on Ren.
"Sit," she said calmly.
Ren gave a polite nod. "…Thank you." He walked to the chair before her desk and sat down.
For a few seconds, silence lingered. Then Judith spoke.
"First of all, allow to apologize for everything you went through in this academy." Her tone didn't waver, but there was weight in her words. "There's no excuse for any of it. I will make sure nothing like that happens again. Not while I am here."
Ren nodded slightly. "I appreciate it, Principal Harrington." But inside, he thought.
'That can't be the only reason she called here.'
He leaned forward a little. "So… what can I do for you, Principal?"
Judith shook her head, her gaze unwavering. "Nothing. I simply wanted to see the second boy who awakened… the one who refuses to join any guild."
Ren's brows arched.
Judith continued. "That kind of decision takes courage. Most would have bent by now. I respect that."
For the first ti, the corner of her lips twitched upward. Not quite a smile—more like recognition.
"Now that the formalities are done, I do want to ask one thing." she said, her voice firm,
Her eyes locked on his like a blade pressed to his throat.
"…Who killed Mada Gonzalous?"
Ren's face didn't flinch. He just gave her a long, deadpan stare. Then he sighed.
"I had nothing to do with that. I don't know who did it, and I don't care. It has nothing to do with ."
Judith studied him for a long mont. Finally, she nodded.
"Don't take it the wrong way. I am only concerned for my own safety. I don't think you or your family did it. Gonzalous had lot of enemies after all." She adjusted her glasses. "That's all I want to ask from you."
Ren pushed himself up from the chair. "Then, if that's all, I'll be leaving."
He made it to the door. His hand touched the knob.
That's when he heard her mutter behind him.
"…I hope you find your skill soon enough. You'll need it, if you plan on surviving without a guild."
Ren froze. He turned his head slightly, but Judith was already facing the window again, her back to him.
He narrowed his eyes. …What does she know?
Without another word, he opened the door and left.
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