[Academy – Combat Grounds]
The sun blazed overhead. Students were paired off, practicing basic formations. Lohan stood in the back line, wooden sword in hand, pretending to fumble.
"Hey loser, try not to fall on your face again," one of his classmates snickered.
Lohan yawned. "I'll try real hard."
Winter, leaning on the fence, watched him closely. Her sharp eyes caught the flicker—a student on the far edge moving unnaturally smooth, too perfect. Too quiet.
Her fingers tensed.
---
> [Assassin Protocol Initiated.]
[Codename: Hollow Fang – Disguise Active]
[Mission: Disable and abduct Lohan Ardyn. Reward: Divine Favor x1]
---
The disguised student lunged—but not at Lohan.
At his sparring partner.
A blur of movement. Poisoned blade drawn in mid-air. Lohan moved just in time.
> [Battle Trance Activated.]
[Skill Copied: Phantom Step]
[Skill: Bladefall – Modified Version Used.]
He parried the strike, twisted mid-spin, and slammed the hilt of his wooden sword into the assassin's side.
Crack!
The students froze. The fake student collapsed, coughing blood.
> [Disguise Dispelled – Hollow Fang Revealed.]
The air tensed.
The assassin stood, coughing, blood trailing from his mouth. His face melted into a blank white mask with red eyes.
"You weren't supposed to react that fast..." he muttered.
"I'm full of surprises," Lohan said, stepping forward.
---
Spectator Stands
Winter's magic surged around her fingertips.
> [Sync Trait Triggered: Elemental Link – Ice Surge Available for Ally.]
She didn't step in.
Not yet.
He needed to send a message.
---
Battle Begins
Hollow Fang disappeared in a burst of shadow clones—twelve images fanned out, striking from all sides.
Lohan didn't flinch.
> [Skill Copied: Clone Spiral – Inverted Form Used.]
[Result: Mirror Break Counter Triggered.]
He spun with Eidrasteel—now half-awakened. The blade sang, slicing through illusions like mist.
One clone struck his shoulder. The wound bled.
But his eyes sharpened.
He allowed it.
> [Skill Activated: Instinct Memory – Damage Stored for Reversal.]
In a blink, Lohan appeared behind the real Hollow Fang and stabbed him in the leg.
"That's for waking me up early," he said coldly.
> [Fatal Point Struck. Assassin Weakness Triggered: Nerve Chain Severed.]
The assassin collapsed.
"W-what are you...?" Hollow Fang gasped.
Lohan leaned in, voice like frost.
"The wrong target."
Then knocked him out cold.
---
Post-Battle
Professors stormed in. Students panicked. Security questioned everyone.
Lohan sat on the stairs, wrapping his shoulder.
Winter handed him a potion. "You let him cut you."
"I needed to learn his speed," he said, shrugging.
"You're insane."
"And you're still watching."
She rolled her eyes, but her lips curved slightly.
---
Meanwhile – Celestial Realm
Justine sat on her throne, silent.
The failed assassin's soul appeared before her, trembling.
She didn't even look up.
"Dispose of him."
A flick of her finger—and he vanished forever.
Her gaze turned back to the Tower.
"…I'll come down myself soon, Hajun."
---