The sound of scribbling pencils filled the classroom on Thursday. Every cadet worked hard to prepare for the exam in four days.

“Argh… I want to play soccer or something.”

Of course, at least one cadet hated studying. Chae Nayun’s entire body expressed her boredom.

“My body’s healed, but I can’t move.”

The news reported this week’s incident worldwide, and combat training was canceled because Cube’s executives were under investigation. As a result, we only had review and theory classes until the exams. It must be like hell for Chae Nayun.

“Exams are next week. Study hard, or you’ll regret it when the results come out.”

Kim Suho spoke with a laugh next to her. As the diligent protagonist, Kim Suho was also good at written exams, but not enough to contend for the top ranks, so he asked Yoo Yeonha whenever he had any questions.

“Um, Yeonha, can you tell me how to solve this?”

Yoo Yeonha glanced at the problem Kim Suho showed her.

“… Can you not forget my last name?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry.”

I yawned as I watched them. Then someone poked my shoulder. I tilted my head towards Rachel as she handed me a piece of paper. It was another complex problem. Rachel started asking me for help on problems like these, but I hadn’t even heard her voice.

[Suppose the dungeon boss is a high-intermediate rank, grade 3 demi-devil. It is a stage dungeon, and each stage consists of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 30 low rank and intermediate rank monsters. Assuming this dungeon is medium-small, find the minimum and maximum mana density, and approximate the number of people needed to conquer this dungeon.]

I had no clue. Was this going to be on the exam? I glanced at Rachel. She tapped on the desk while staring at me. I should probably answer the question using my gift. Observation and Reading should be able to solve this problem as long as it followed the world design I created.

[A high-intermediate rank, grade 3 demi-devil has a minimum magic power capacity of… medium-small stages have four to six floors… 878ppm-1133ppm. Nine people can use and recharge magic power without being overburdened.]

I wrote down the sentences that popped up in front of me on a piece of paper and handed it to Rachel. Immediately, her eyes widened. She buried her face in the paper and carefully scrutinized every calculation.

Ding dong—

The bell rang as class ended, but few cadets rose from their seats since it was just a self-study class. They all continued studying hard. Of course, I planned on returning to the dorm. That’s just what intelligent students did. A shadow loomed over my desk as I packed my utensils and laptop. I raised my head curiously at Chae Nayun.

“Hey, help me study.”

She spoke with a sweet smile as I stood up to leave.

“… I don’t want to.”

“What? Why?”

“It’s too troublesome.”

Written exams began next Monday. That was less than four days, so her grades wouldn't change much. Not to mention, I had no way of helping her study.

“H-Hey! Um, please! How about a study guide on phenomenon realm analysis?”

She sounded desperate, but I cold-heartedly left.

***

The written exams flew by like a breeze. From the first exam on Monday to the final exam on Friday, time quickly passed. I felt like I got everything correct. At first, I thought about aiming for an average score, but since I might score near the bottom for combat exams, I did my best not to get held back.

Today was Saturday, and combat exams would begin on Monday. During combat exams, Cube opened up to cadets' families, various hero associates, and every institution that hired heroes. Naturally, Cube bustled with people.

“Oh, it’s Cube’s rank 117, Kim Junha! I saw you on YouTube. My son is a fan. Can we take a photo?”

The combat exams felt like a festival because of all the people. I found it odd that teenagers fighting each other was considered a festival, but this was Cube’s tradition.

“We are in Cube, the world’s best hero academy…”

Reporters also came in from approved broadcasting companies. Since heroes were like celebrities, they should also become familiar with cameras.

“There sure are a lot of people.”

I sat in Hero Park, located in the center of Cube. The place boomed with people like Disneyland.

“Ah! Hajin!”

Someone called my name. Tap tap. I turned in the direction of the footsteps. It was Hazuki.

“Hajin, what are you doing here?”

“Oh… Just taking a break. Who are the two behind you?”

“My parents. This is my mom, and this is my dad. Mom, Dad, this is my teammate.”

“H-Hello.”

I shook hands with Hazuki’s parents. They smiled and said something in Japanese. Since I couldn’t understand, I just smiled.

“Hajin. His name is Kim Hajin.”

Hazuki introduced me to her parents as they asked for my name. After Hazuki told them, they grabbed my hands. “Hajin-san, Hajin-san.” I didn’t know what they said, so I replied, “hai, hai.”

After the greetings ended, Hazuki left with her parents. Once again, I sat alone on the bench. I couldn’t help but feel jealous.

Huuu. If only my parents were in this world too…

As I wishfully thought, a particular person caught my eyes.

A woman slowly walked through the crowded park. Her long black hair flowed like shadows, and her eyes shone like obsidian. She seemed tired, but held a certain melancholic charm that darkened her surroundings.

I felt like I knew her. She was exactly as I described in my novel. One of the few wanted criminals on the Hero Association’s blacklist, the leader of the Chameleon Troupe, and the person who inherited the title, Yasha of the Eight Legions. She disguised herself with countless identities, but I was the only one who knew her real name.

She suddenly paused and turned her head to meet my eyes. I looked away, but my body froze. Her eyes seemed to strangle me. I felt out of breath and broke out in cold sweat.

“…”

When my mind almost turned blank, she turned away. Clack, clack. Her high heels rang out as she walked off.

“Haa… Haa…”

I collected my breath after the immense pressure.

Suddenly, I felt her gaze on me again even though her back faced me. My instincts roared. I had to say something to explain why I stared at her….

With a gulp, I muttered, “Wow, she’s so hot.”

She slightly tilted her head, but continued walking away.

“Whew.”

I let out a sigh of relief. I beat my stifled chest and put my hands over my hot face.

I almost forgot. The Chameleon Troupe would sneak into Cube during combat exams to scout anyone worthy of filling their vacant position. In the original story, they targeted Kim Suho and Shin Jonghak, but disqualified Kim Suho because of his beliefs. They would return peacefully with Shin Jonghak in mind and wouldn’t cause any trouble.

However, heroes from the association currently patrolled Cube.

“I’m looking around constantly, but everything’s normal,” Oh Junhyuk reported. He was a high rank, grade 6 hero with a world rank of 1737. 

“There’s no one out of the ordinary. Let’s just go grab lunch.”

“Just focus.” The high rank, grade 7 hero Seo Youngji responded.  Seo Youngji also held a world rank of 2000.

Several heroes in disguise acted as security because of the incident with Yun Hyun before the combat exams. The Hero Association had also dispatched them to investigate.

“Let’s eat pizza.”

“Shut it. Just keep your eyes out for anyone suspicious.”

If the Chameleon Troupe clashed with them, it wouldn’t end with just one or two dead.

***

Clack, clack. A woman stopped in an artificial forest. After confirming that no one watched her, she murmured, “Someone saw me.”

The forest was empty, without a shadow of a person. However, a strange voice came from the ground.

— Really? Maybe you were mistaken.

“No, he said I was hot.”

— Pfft. Well, did you like it, Boss?

“Do you want to die?”

— Check again. Maybe the necklace isn’t working.

A full-body mirror rose from the ground. She looked at her reflection and the Siren’s Necklace around her neck, an item that prevented people from recognizing her.

“The necklace is working fine.”

— Really? So someone saw through the necklace? He must have good perception. I’ll keep an eye out. Do you remember his name and face?

“Stop joking. You saw him too.”

— Huhu, I know, I know. I’m already looking into it. Wait just a bit.

Tadak, tadak. A keyboard typed away. The woman closed her eyes and waited for the report.