The moment Hitake and Zena stepped out of the dungeon, sunlight spilled across the path ahead of them.
Hitake stopped at the edge of the forest and squinted against the brightness.
For three days, they had been trapped underground.
To everyone else, it had only been three days since the expedition began.
For Hitake and Zena, it had felt like something much longer.
A group of academy instructors and students stood waiting near the dungeon entrance. The moment they saw the two of them emerge, several people shouted in surprise.
"They're alive!"
"Hitake and Zena made it out!"
"Get the professors!"
Before Hitake could fully process what was happening, people rushed toward them.
An instructor grabbed Hitake by the shoulders, checking him for injuries.
"Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine."
"Where have you been? We searched the lower tunnels for hours!"
Zena stepped forward.
"We were separated from the main group. The dungeon's structure changed."
The instructor stared at her.
"Changed?"
"Yes."
Before she could explain further, another group approached carrying blankets, water, and healing supplies.
Someone wrapped a blanket around Hitake's shoulders.
Someone else handed Zena a bottle of water.
The attention was overwhelming.
Hitake glanced toward the academy students gathered behind the instructors. Their faces were filled with shock, relief, and curiosity.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
"They survived the collapse?"
"How did they get out?"
"Wasn't Hitake the weakest student?"
"Why does he look so different?"
Hitake barely listened.
Something felt different.
No.
Someone felt different.
He glanced at his reflection in one of the academy's glass panels.
His white hair had grown slightly longer, falling naturally around his face. His eyes still looked the same at first glance, but there was something sharper behind them now. His posture had changed too. He wasn't unconsciously shrinking himself anymore.
Now he simply stood there.
And people noticed.
A group of girls walking past slowed down.
"Is that Hitake?"
"I think so."
"He looks… different."
"Way different."
Hitake heard them but pretended he hadn't.
Beside him, Zena noticed.
Her expression remained calm, but her eyes followed every person who looked at him.
Too many people were looking.
She didn't like that.
An instructor finally stepped back and examined them both.
"You two are going straight back to the academy."
Hitake blinked.
"Already?"
"That wasn't a suggestion. The professors need your report, and the headmaster wants to know how you survived."
Zena glanced toward the dungeon entrance.
"We should report what happened."
"You will. At the academy."
The instructors formed a group around them as they began the journey back. Students followed behind, whispering and stealing glances at the pair who had returned from the dungeon alive.
Hitake walked beside Zena.
"Something wrong?"
"No."
"You've been staring at everyone."
"I'm observing."
"You're glaring."
"I'm observing aggressively."
He laughed.
For a moment, Zena simply stared at him.
That laugh was different too.
Before the dungeon, Hitake had rarely laughed without immediately looking embarrassed afterward.
Now there was a quiet confidence behind it.
Zena looked away.
"You're becoming annoying."
"That's a compliment coming from you."
"It wasn't."
"Still taking it."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Then—
[FATED QUEST GENERATED.]
Hitake's smile disappeared.
Only he heard the familiar voice.
[FATED QUEST: PROVE YOURSELF]
Objective: Defeat an opponent stronger than yourself.
Opponent Requirement: Minimum Level 5.
Reward: 20 Attribute Points.
Bonus Reward: Unlock Skill Slot.
Hitake's eyes widened slightly.
Twenty attribute points.
And a skill slot.
That was exactly what he needed.
Nefertiti's voice immediately followed.
"Destiny's in a hurry today."
Hitake resisted the urge to sigh.
"Don't look so serious. It's adorable."
He looked around.
Nobody reacted.
Good.
"And before you ask—yes, I approve."
Hitake thought back.
"Approve of what?"
"You becoming stronger."
A translucent image of Nefertiti appeared beside him, invisible to everyone else. She leaned casually against nothing, golden hair flowing behind her.
"Just don't die."
Before Hitake could respond, she flicked his forehead.
He physically flinched.
Zena immediately looked at him.
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
Nefertiti smiled.
"You're welcome."
Hitake rubbed his forehead.
"Why did you do that?"
Zena's eyes narrowed.
"Do what?"
"Nothing."
She stared at him for another second before reluctantly looking away.
By the time they reached the academy, the entire courtyard had filled with students returning from the dungeon expedition. Voices filled the air as teams compared injuries, argued over loot, and exaggerated their accomplishments.
Hitake barely listened.
Then a loud voice interrupted them.
"Well, well."
Hitake already knew that voice.
Thorne approached with Zack and John behind him.
His Level 8 Aura was deliberately released, washing over the nearby students.
Several first-years stepped aside.
Hitake's eyes narrowed slightly.
Thorne had entered the expedition at Level 7. The dungeon had clearly pushed him further, and the pressure rolling off him confirmed that he had gained another level.
Thorne grinned.
"Looks like the weakest student in the academy survived."
John glanced at Hitake.
"Technically, that's impressive."
Zack nodded solemnly.
"Survival is statistically preferable to death."
Thorne's smile twitched.
"Why do you two always make things sound worse?"
Hitake looked at Thorne.
Then at his aura.
Level 8.
Perfect.
"Thorne."
The grin disappeared from Thorne's face.
"What?"
"Fight me."
Silence.
John blinked.
Zack slowly turned toward Thorne.
Thorne stared at Hitake as if he'd suddenly started speaking another language.
"You?"
"Yes."
"You want to fight me?"
"Yes."
Thorne laughed.
Then laughed harder.
"You've finally lost your mind."
Hitake didn't react.
"I'll wait."
That made Thorne stop laughing.
Something about Hitake's expression bothered him.
There was no fear.
No anger.
No desperate need to prove himself.
Just certainty.
Zena stepped forward.
"What are you doing?"
Hitake looked at her.
"Proving myself."
Her brows drew together.
"By fighting him?"
"He's stronger than me."
"Exactly."
Hitake smiled.
"That's the point."
Zena stared at him.
She wanted to stop him.
She really did.
But another part of her wanted to see what he could do now.
And, more importantly, she wanted to know whether the boy who had entered that dungeon with her was still the same person.
Apparently, she wasn't the only one curious.
Professor Mira approached, arms folded.
"All right. If you're determined to settle this, use the academy sparring arena."
Thorne smirked.
"Professor, surely you're not serious."
Mira sighed.
"Unfortunately, I am."
She glanced at Hitake.
"First yield or knockout. No killing moves. No permanent injuries."
Her eyes shifted toward Thorne.
"And no showing off."
Thorne looked offended.
"I don't show off."
Mira raised an eyebrow.
"Your family practically funds half this academy."
"Exactly."
"Your family funds the academy."
"Yes."
"Which means you don't need to remind everyone every five minutes."
John whispered, "She got him."
Zack nodded.
"Critical hit."
Thorne glared at them.
Mira sighed.
"Come on. Let's finish this before I regret becoming a professor."
The sparring arena quickly filled with students.
Whispers spread.
Hitake was fighting Thorne.
The weakest student in the academy was challenging one of the strongest first-years.
Even students who didn't care about Hitake came to watch.
Among them stood Mirai.
She hadn't intended to stop.
But when she heard his name, she did.
Her eyes found him immediately.
For a moment, she simply stared.
Hitake looked… different.
Not just stronger.
Different.
His white hair framed his face, his expression was calm, and there was something strangely magnetic about the way he stood.
She remembered when Hitake used to follow her around.
Always trying to get her attention.
Always finding excuses to talk to her.
Always looking at her as though she were the most amazing person in the world.
She had eventually gotten tired of it.
She'd chosen someone else.
Someone she thought was better.
But now…
Hitake didn't even look at her.
Mirai frowned.
"Since when did he become like that?"
Zena heard her.
Her eyes shifted toward Mirai.
Just for a second.
Nothing more.
But the shadow beneath Zena's feet moved slightly.
Then stopped.
Mira raised her hand.
"Begin."
Thorne vanished.
His fist came toward Hitake's face.
Hitake's pupils sharpened.
Eyes of Truth.
He saw it.
Shoulder rotation.
Hip movement.
Weight distribution.
Mana flow.
The attack wasn't random.
Thorne's entire body had already announced what he intended to do.
Hitake stepped aside.
The fist passed beside his cheek.
Thorne's eyes widened.
Hitake struck his ribs.
Thorne stumbled but recovered immediately.
"You're faster."
Hitake said nothing.
Thorne's aura exploded.
Mana surged through his arms.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
A Level 8 attack.
Several students gasped.
"Hitake!"
Thorne lunged.
This time, Hitake didn't retreat.
He stepped forward.
His eyes followed the movement of mana through Thorne's body.
There.
A weak transition between his stance and attack.
Hitake shifted his weight.
One step.
One strike.
His fist slammed into Thorne's chest.
The impact sent Thorne flying backward.
He crashed onto the arena floor.
Silence.
Thorne stared at the ceiling.
Hitake stood several meters away, breathing steadily.
Mira's eyes narrowed.
She had seen it.
That wasn't brute strength.
His timing had been perfect.
Thorne slowly pushed himself up.
"How…?"
Hitake looked at him.
"You're strong."
Thorne gritted his teeth.
"But?"
"But you telegraph everything."
John covered his mouth.
Zack whispered, "Another critical hit."
Thorne shouted, "SHUT UP!"
A notification appeared before Hitake's eyes.
[FATED QUEST COMPLETE.]
[Opponent defeated: Level 8.]
[Reward: 20 Attribute Points.]
[Bonus Reward: Skill Slot Unlocked.]
Hitake stared at the notification.
Twenty points.
His first real reward since awakening.
His fingers curled.
He had spent years training without seeing meaningful results.
Now, for the first time, he could feel his future opening in front of him.
Nefertiti appeared beside him.
Her emerald eyes sparkled.
"Well done, darling."
Hitake smiled.
"Don't call me darling."
"No."
"You didn't even hesitate."
"I considered it for approximately zero seconds."
He almost laughed.
"One down," she whispered. "Two more Fated Quests."
Hitake's eyes sharpened.
"Then Destiny Allocation unlocks."
"Exactly."
Nefertiti's smile softened as she lifted one hand. A small golden crystal appeared between her fingers, glowing with a warm, luxurious light.
"And since my darling is finally earning rewards, I suppose it's time for his first proper gift."
Hitake blinked.
"What is that?"
"An appraisal ability chip."
"An ability chip?"
"A sugar mommy's investment."
She pressed the crystal against his chest. It dissolved into golden motes and sank into him before he could object.
"Consider it a business expense. You need to know what you're looking at before you start collecting stronger enemies."
A new notification appeared.
[Appraisal Ability Chip integrated.]
[Skill acquired: Appraisal.]
[Appraisal: Reveals basic information about targets, items, and abilities.]
Hitake stared at the message.
"You just had that lying around?"
"Of course."
"Why didn't you give it to me earlier?"
"Because watching you struggle was entertaining."
She leaned closer, her smile turning playful.
"Besides, a proper benefactor rewards progress. You defeated a Level 8 opponent. That earned you a present."
Hitake didn't know whether to be grateful or embarrassed.
"You're taking this sugar mommy thing seriously."
"Extremely seriously."
She tapped his chest.
"From now on, if you need something useful, you tell me. I will decide whether you deserve it."
"That sounds less like support and more like blackmail."
"Call it whatever you like, darling."
Zena approached.
Her expression was unreadable.
"You were reckless."
Hitake looked at her.
"But I won."
"That doesn't make it less reckless."
"Was it effective?"
Zena paused.
Her eyes met his.
"Unfortunately."
Hitake smiled.
Zena looked away quickly.
For some reason, that smile bothered her.
Not because she disliked it.
Because she liked it too much.
Then she noticed the faint change around the rim of his eyes. The color had shifted, darkening into a subtle, striking shade that made his gaze seem even sharper than before. It was a small difference, but Zena noticed it immediately.
And so did Mirai.
Mirai approached from the edge of the crowd, her attention fixed on Hitake's eyes.
"Hitake."
He turned.
For the first time, their eyes met since he had returned.
Mirai hesitated.
She had expected something.
A smile.
Excitement.
Maybe even the familiar awkwardness.
Instead, Hitake simply looked at her.
"Mirai."
Nothing else.
No excitement.
No desperate attention.
Just her name.
Mirai's lips parted slightly.
"You're… different."
Hitake gave a small smile.
"So I've been told."
Her gaze lingered on his eyes, and something tightened in her chest. She had seen the way other girls looked at him since he returned. She had noticed how easily his attention drew toward him now, how his confidence made him seem like someone entirely beyond her reach.
Jealousy stirred before she could stop it.
She hated that she felt it.
She hated even more that Hitake seemed to notice.
His eyes rested on her face for a moment longer, reading the tension in her expression and the possessiveness she was trying to hide. He understood then that her jealousy was not only because of how different he looked, but because of the love he had once given her—the love she had taken for granted and now feared she had lost.
Hitake could have said something.
He could have asked whether she was jealous.
He could have reminded her that she had been the one to turn him away.
But he decided not to.
If Mirai truly felt something, she would have to admit it herself.
So he simply walked past her.
Zena followed immediately.
Not beside him.
Slightly closer.
Close enough that their shoulders almost touched.
Mirai watched them leave.
Her expression slowly changed.
She couldn't explain why, but for the first time, she felt like something that once belonged to her was no longer waiting for her to come back.
And she didn't like that feeling.
Behind Hitake, Nefertiti watched Mirai with an amused smile.
"Oh?"
Hitake frowned internally.
"What?"
"Nothing."
A pause.
"Absolutely nothing."
Her smile widened.
"This is going to be fun."
Hitake immediately became suspicious.
As they walked away from the arena, Zena remained unusually quiet. Her gaze stayed fixed ahead, but the faint tension in her shoulders hadn't escaped Hitake's notice.
He glanced at her.
"You're quiet."
"I'm thinking."
"About Mirai?"
Zena's steps faltered for half a second.
"Why would I be thinking about her?"
Hitake's mouth curved into an amused smile.
"Because you nearly walked into me when she came over."
"I did not."
"You did."
"I was distracted."
"By her?"
Zena's eyes narrowed.
"Don't be ridiculous."
Hitake chuckled.
He had seen the way Zena watched him whenever another girl came near. He had noticed how quickly her expression changed when Mirai spoke to him, how she moved closer without even realizing it. Zena loved him. He could see it clearly now, even if she hadn't come clean about it yet.
But he wasn't going to force her to confess.
Not when watching her struggle to hide it was this entertaining.
Zena glanced at him suspiciously.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Nothing."
"You're laughing at me."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Hitake looked ahead, still smiling.
"You're just very observant."
Zena's eyes narrowed further.
"Observing aggressively?"
"Exactly."
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then her cheeks colored faintly.
"You're becoming even more annoying."
Hitake chuckled again.
"That's a compliment coming from you."
"It wasn't."
"Still taking it."
Zena looked away, but this time she didn't move farther from him.
And somewhere beside him, Zena's shadow quietly curled around his foot before retreating again.
Neither said a word.
But something had begun.
And Hitake had no idea how complicated his new life was about to become.