The academy slowly returned to its normal rhythm after the dungeon test.
However, one name was now being whispered everywhere.
Kairo.
Students gathered in groups across the campus, discussing the unbelievable result.
980 points… that's insane.
No group has ever scored that much before.
I heard they cleared multiple high-level monsters.
And Kairo barely fought…
Some admired him.
Some were curious.
And some were jealous.
The Jealousy of Ketlos
Inside a luxurious dorm room, Ketlos slammed his fist on the table.
BANG!
His friends standing nearby flinched.
That bastard!
How did he get 980 points?!
One of his teammates spoke nervously.
Maybe… they were lucky?
Ketlos' eyes turned cold.
Luck?
Do you think luck can give someone that many points?
His jaw tightened.
That guy is hiding something.
Another teammate asked carefully,
What do we do then?
A cruel smile slowly appeared on Ketlos's face.
We wait.
And when he's alone…
I'll make sure he disappears from this academy forever.
The Princess's Suspicion
Meanwhile, inside the royal dormitory.
Princess Elena stood near the window, quietly looking at the night sky.
Her maid Madelyn stood beside her.
Your Highness… are you still thinking about the incident in the forest?
Elena remained silent for a moment.
Then she spoke softly.
…Yes.
Madelyn frowned slightly.
That evil cultivator… we still haven't identified him.
But thankfully he didn't harm you.
Elena slowly closed her eyes.
A face appeared in her mind.
The face of the young man who had thrown her into the river.
She clearly remembered it.
…Madelyn.
Yes, Your Highness?
If I asked you to secretly investigate a student in the academy…
Madelyn immediately became alert.
Who?
Elena slowly turned around.
…Kairo.
Madelyn was shocked.
Kairo?
Why him?
Elena remained silent for a moment.
Then she calmly replied,
…Just investigate him.
I want to know everything about him.
Madelyn nodded seriously.
As you wish, Your Highness.
But inside, she was confused.
Why would the princess suddenly suspect that student?
Inside Kairo's Group
At the same time, Kairo and his four subordinates were sitting inside a training room.
The four of them were still excited about their sudden increase in power.
One of them punched the air.
I still can't believe it.
Core Formation Peak…
Just a few days ago we were at the Low Stage!
Another one laughed.
Our boss is a monster.
Kairo, who was lying on a chair, sighed.
Stop praising me.
It's annoying.
One of them grinned.
Boss, the whole academy is talking about you.
You're basically famous now.
Kairo covered his face with his arm.
That's exactly the problem.
The four of them looked confused.
What problem?
Kairo sat up slowly.
The more famous we become…
…the more enemies we attract.
His eyes turned slightly cold.
Some people in this academy already want me dead.
The four pillars looked serious.
Then let them come.
We'll crush them.
Kairo smirked.
You idiots.
If fighting solved everything, the world would be simple.
Then he stood up.
There are three types of enemies.
Those who attack openly.
Those who attack secretly.
And those who smile while planning your death.
The four of them exchanged glances.
Which one is the most dangerous?
Kairo's smile slowly widened.
The third one.
A Secret Movement
Later that night.
Madelyn quietly moved across the academy rooftops.
Her movements were silent and precise.
She quickly reached the administration building.
Inside were the academy's student records.
Within minutes, she found Kairo's file.
She opened it.
Her eyes scanned the information.
Name: Kairo kelric
Family: kelric noble house
Cultivation:Foundation Establishment lower Stage
Madelyn frowned.
…Strange.
Nothing about his record looked unusual.
But something didn't feel right.
Someone who could influence a dungeon test that much shouldn't be this ordinary.
She quietly closed the file.
…Your Highness might be right.
This boy is hiding something.
The Hidden Truth
At that exact moment…
Inside a dark underground cave far away from the academy.
Kairo sat cross-legged.
His eyes slowly opened.
A terrifying aura spread from his body.
The four pillars immediately felt the pressure.
One of them swallowed nervously.
Boss… your aura…
Kairo slowly exhaled.
The aura disappeared instantly.
He looked at his hands.
Still too weak.
He muttered quietly
In my previous life… I could destroy mountains with a single strike.
The four pillars looked confused.
Previous life?
But Kairo ignored their reaction.
Instead, he looked toward the direction of the academy.
His eyes became sharp.
The princess saw my face that day…
That means sooner or later…
…someone will start investigating me.
A dangerous smile appeared on his face.
Good.
Things are finally getting interesting.
The candlelight inside the cave flickered.
And outside—
The calm academy night hid countless schemes that were slowly beginning to move.