Besides Kim Hajin, Group 6 also had rank 41 Simon Delick and rank 20 Yi Jiyoon. They coincidentally met Group 3 and took a break together.

“Illusion barrier?”

Group 6 had an easy time with only a few wild animals until they entered an illusion barrier.

“Yeah, we must’ve been lost for an hour or so, but that guy suddenly told us where to go with a frustrated face.”

Simon Delick pointed to Kim Hajin sitting by a tree. Chae Nayun glanced over and saw him looking at his smartwatch.

“At first, we didn’t know who he was, but then he instantly found the exit.”

Chae Nayun nodded.

“Oh right, did you decide on your team for the upcoming challenge?” Simon Delick changed the topic. The team challenge was a traditional joint training exercise at Cube.

“No.”

Chae Nayun shook her head. The teams had to be fair so top cadets like Chae Nayun, Kim Suho, Yoo Yeonha, and Shin Jonghak couldn’t be together. Most teams consisted of a single-digit rank, a double-digit rank, two triple-digit ranks, and one low rank magician or two double-digit ranks, two triple-digit ranks, and one upper rank magician.

“I’m thinking about asking Kim Hajin.”

Yi Jiyoon suddenly interjected and caught Chae Nayun off guard. Kim Suho laughed and chimed in, “Hajin? He’s a good choice.”

“Kim Suho, you’re close with him?” Yi Jiyoon asked with a smile.

“Uh… yeah.”

He nodded although their relationship felt a bit vague. Yi Jiyoon’s face brightened.

“As expected, Suho has so many connections.”

Chae Nayun felt displeased at how Yi Jiyoon flattered people like a sly fox.

“Why Kim Hajin? He’s surrounded by bad rumors.”

Simon Delick said in a slightly jealous tone. Kim Hajin had a horrible reputation. On the other hand, Yi Jiyoon was quite popular. Many guys liked her pure and innocent image. Her gift also made her one of the best supporters.

“Everyone wants to have you on their team, Jiyoon.”

She could shoot magic arrows that contained exceptionally strong buffs. Most guilds had their eyes on her.

“Kim Hajin is the best candidate among triple-digit cadets. He’s smart and his combat prowess is exceptional. Remember his fight with Kim Horak?”

Yi Jiyoon glanced over at Kim Hajin in the distance. No one knew if he heard Yi Jiyoon as he scratched his cheek. Then Yi Jiyoon turned towards Chae Nayun.

“Nayun, what do you think?”

“Eh?”

Yi Jiyoon and Chae Nayun were stereotypical social media friends that only exchanged likes and comments. Chae Nayun brushed her hair and nonchalantly replied.

“Well, you can team up with him if you want. Why ask me?”

Although she said that, she also felt that Kim Hajin was too good for someone in the 300s. No, he shouldn’t even be at rank 334. Both Yoo Yeonha and Chae Nayun acknowledged this fact.

“Really? Then I should ask him today.”

“Wait.”

Chae Nayun hastily spoke as Yi Jiyoon prepared to leave.

“He’s really picky. So um, he might not say yes.”

“Eh?”

“That’s… um, you might get hurt, Jiyoon. He’s a bit cold.”

“Nayun is right. Haven’t you heard the rumors?”

Simon Delick chimed in. He recited some of the bad rumors about how Kim Hajin goes to Seoul every weekend to visit brothels and nightclubs, how he receives money from gangs and other violent organizations, and even that he has several sugar mommas.

“Do you believe that nonsense?”

“Hey, Delick, have you personally even talked to him?”

Chae Nayun and Kim Suho simultaneously interrupted him. Delick felt so shocked his eyes trembled.

“W-What, am I wrong?”

Chae Nayun glared at him and stood up. Kim Suho clapped his hands to change the atmosphere.

“Alright, let’s get going. Otherwise, we’ll be late.”

***

Yoo Yeonha prepared for a video call late at night. She completely covered her face and changed her voice as well.

“Cough.”

The information guild she established, Falling Blossom, would meet for the first time today. She cleared her throat to prevent any voice cracks.

— Tiriring.

Soon, the video call began and the three team leaders of Falling Blossom greeted her.

“It’s nice to meet you all.”

— It’s an honor, Master.

Their respectful tone satisfied her. Yoo Yeonha had personally evaluated and recruited each member. She snatched up anyone with potential regardless of their resumes. Yoo Yeonha divided the 21 founding members into three teams.

Members of the first team served as spies. They would gather information on rival guilds. She called members of the second team hawks. They would locate new dungeons or monsters above high-intermediate rank. Finally, she referred to the third team as shadows. They would take care of Yoo Yeonha’s private requests.

“Team 1 should prioritize information on rival guilds like Creator’s Sacred Grace and Desolate Moon. Team 2 should…”

Yoo Yeonha spoke in a formal manner that made it hard to distinguish even her gender. She ended her call with Team 1 and Team 2 after handing out their orders.

Now, only Team 3 remained. Yoo Yeonha had carefully chosen the elite members of Team 3. They would thoroughly work in the shadows from background investigations to tailing, kidnappings, intimidation, and even assassinations if necessary. They served as her secret weapon.

“I command you to thoroughly investigate the following individuals’ backgrounds. However, you are forbidden from hurting them or being discovered.”

Yoo Yeonha gave Team 3 information on five individuals. However, four of them served as decoys. She only wanted to know about one.

[Kim Hajin – 17 years old] — From Seoju Orphanage. — When he was 9, a periodic orphanage inspection discovered him and enrolled him in Military Agent Academy. — Currently ranked 334 as a first year Cube cadet. — Supplied Essence of the Strait with information worth hundreds of millions of won.]

— Understood, Master.

Team 3’s leader left as Yoo Yeonha nodded in satisfaction. Then she jumped into bed.

***

Beep— Beep—

The alarm woke me up at 6:30 A.M.

“Mmm.”

I noticed something light stuck to my side. Puu, puu. Evandel let out tiny breaths as she slept. I grinned and put a finger over her nostrils. One, two, three seconds… Evandel quivered and shook my hand away.

“Huhu.”

A smile bloomed on my face as I stroked her soft hair for five minutes before getting up.

“You’re awake too?”

The cat that Evandel made sat on the living room couch. It jumped and walked to my feet, but growled when I tried to pet it. This cat wasn’t an illusion or spirit. It was a real cat made from Evandel’s ability that would become strong enough to help me in the future.

I put on my clothes to go bring back breakfast from the cafeteria. Of course, I could conveniently eat outside and head straight to class, but I felt happier eating with Evandel.

I put on slippers and headed out. Someone approached me as I walked to the cafeteria while yawning.

“Where are you going so early?”

Yoo Yeonha wore a comfortable tracksuit for a morning jog. I briefly replied.

“The cafeteria.”

“Hmm.”

Yoo Yeonha walked along with me. “Anyways, I noticed your ranking went up by a lot.”

“Yeah, I think it’ll stay like that for the future.”

“Mm…”

Yoo Yeonha nodded.

“Have you thought about your future?” she asked as the cafeteria came into view.

I wasn’t too sure, so I half-heartedly replied, “I still have a lot of time.”

“A lot of time? It’s only a year and three months. Once we’re in our third year, we’ll be too busy with hero internships and deployments.”

Third years were no different than real heroes. They only attended Cube once or twice a week and spent the rest as apprentice heroes in different guilds. Yoo Yeonha continued.

“How about Essence of the Strait?”

She tried to recruit me. Honestly, they would definitely succeed. Although they currently ranked second, they would reign supreme once Creator’s Sacred Grace failed the Tower of Miracle. This wouldn’t change even as Kim Suho joined Creator’s Sacred Grace and brought it to new heights.

“I was thinking about becoming a hunter of the Vast Expanse.”

I was half-serious. The Vast Expanse was a hunter group founded by Kwangwon, someone as powerful as the Nine Stars. They operated like mercenaries, but on a completely different scale. Their main customers consisted of large guilds and corporations. Only multimillionaires could afford to employ them. Hunters of the Vast Expanse could freely act, which suited me.

“Although I’m not sure if I can become one.”

“…”

Yoo Yeonha remained silent as I glanced at her. She contemplated with a serious face.

“I’ll change your mind.”

She said with determination, “I’ll bring you what you’ve been looking for and change your mind?”

“…”

And what’s that? I furrowed my brows as Yoo Yeonha snickered and changed the topic.

“Oh right, remember Yi Jin-Ah who bullied you? She got harshly scolded. I even have a video. Do you want to watch it? She’s crying like a baby.”

Yoo Yeonha walked strangely when she felt good. She clasped her hands behind her back and hopped like a little princess. Then she suddenly shot backward. As expected, some cadets showed up in the distance.

“I’ll see you later.”

Yoo Yeonha quickly disappeared.

***

“Alright, attention!”

Kim Soohyuk loudly made the morning Wednesday announcements.

“You will need to form a team of five.”

I closed my eyes and clenched my teeth. I would have to do rather annoying things for the team challenge like conquering a miniature tower, capturing artifacts against other teams, or going on a team trip. Thankfully, team challenges only lasted until the midterms in six weeks.

“Form your teams according to the requirements and submit your list by the end of next Wednesday. I will place you in teams myself if you don’t have one by then.”

“Huu.”

Outcasts like me would have a sad time. However, I might be the best choice among triple-digit cadets as Yi Jiyoon mentioned.

Tap, tap, tap.

“…?”

I turned around towards the seat behind me. Rachel anxiously tapped on her desk. Both of us had no friends. The others ostracized me while Rachel naturally felt aloof. It might be beneficial to team up since I also had something to give her.

The butterfly seedling’s dust.

Originally, Rachel had obtained a hint of her enlightenment through it during the final exam. If I delayed it any longer, her basic specs might remain lower than in the original story.

“Huu.”

I took a deep breath and nervously sent her a message.

[Rachel, would you like to team up?]

However, someone approached her before she could check my message.

“Would you like to team up?”

Tomer, the robed magician, asked Rachel.