Two days later, Merin opens the door to his new house.
He steps inside and scans the wooden floors, the simple but complete furnishings, the quiet comfort of a place that's finally his.
Today, he didn't report to the lab.
Instead, he permanently left the hotel and moved into the house assigned by the research institute.
Everything is in place—bed, sofa, appliances—but no groceries or daily necessities.
So he heads out to a nearby mart and returns a couple of hours later, bags in hand.
After organising everything and putting them in their place, he picks up his phone to order food.
Just as he's deciding what to eat, his screen lights up—*Evelyn's calling*.
He's surprised.
They hadn't spoken directly since that call before his work began, only messaging briefly each day to share updates in case anyone asked.
He picks up. "Hello."
"Did you move into your house?" Evelyn asks.
"Yes," Merin replies.
"How is it?"
"It's okay—for a one-bedroom apartment."
They chat casually after that, light and simple.
Then Evelyn says, "I have a surprise for you."
Merin blinks, intrigued—but he doesn't ask.
After the call ends, he steps into the backyard of the house and smiles, pleased by its spaciousness.
It's large enough for him to practice his fighting techniques, so he begins training in the molten fist technique, adjusting his form and refining the energy flow through each punch.
The next morning, Merin is called into Sierra's office just as the day begins.
He knocks on the door, and when he hears the word "Enter," he steps in and quietly shuts the door behind him.
"Good morning, Miss," he greets.
"Morning," Sierra nods, looking up from her desk.
Then she says, "Are you aware that our centre is in partnership with all the academies in the city?"
Merin nods. "Yes."
"You've been selected to teach part-time at Six Star University," she says.
Merin blinks. "What will I be teaching there?"
"Martial arts."
He frowns slightly. "Six Star University was founded by six martial sects, all top-tier. I don't think they need someone like me to teach there."
Sierra nods. "It was created by those sects to generate income and scout talent—but if the only teachers came from those sects, they'd constantly fight to claim the best students."
Merin nods, understanding. "So they need instructors who aren't affiliated with any sect or martial family."
"Exactly. Neutral parties, from the folk. You qualify perfectly."
Merin exhales, then nods. "Okay. I'll do it."
Sierra continues, "In two days, there'll be a welcome party at the university for new students and staff. You should attend—introduce yourself to the principal, eat, and leave."
"Understood," Merin says.
Then he turns and walks out of the room.
Two nights later, Evelyn sips her wine, standing with her friends and cousin Cassie in the auditorium of Six Star University.
After receiving her admission, her friends—and Cassie—had followed her and enrolled as well.
Blake nudges her. "Kieran followed you here."
Evelyn takes a sip and says coolly, "I don't know who told him I was coming."
Cassie murmurs, "Maybe it was Aunty."
"I don't think it was Mom," Evelyn replies, her gaze distant. "But I'll check later."
Mira asks, "Did you tell Adam you've moved here?"
"No," Evelyn says, smiling faintly. "I'll surprise him tomorrow."
Candace grins. "Let's go dance."
Linking arms, the group steps onto the dance floor.
Handsome men approach, trying to dance with them, but Evelyn keeps a subtle distance, aware of Kieran watching her like a hawk.
He must not grow suspicious of her connection with Adam.
Her mother had stopped mentioning Kieran, but Evelyn wasn't going to give her any new ammunition.
Meanwhile, Merin steps into the auditorium, led by a Six Star University student council member.
Her name is Lina, and she's been assigned to escort him to the principal.
She weaves through the crowd with practised ease, bringing him to a bald man who looks no older than middle age.
But Merin can sense nothing from the man.
Which only confirms one thing—the principal is a King Kong realm martial artist.
After the short introduction, Merin quietly makes his way to the food tables and starts eating alone.
He observes the crowd and pauses mid-bite.
On the dance floor, in a little black dress, is someone who shouldn't be here—pale blond hair, heart-shaped face, piercing green eyes, and legs that go on forever.
His fake girlfriend, Evelyn Manford.
With her are her four close friends and her cousin, Cassie.
Not far from them stands Kieran, eyes locked on Evelyn with the intensity of a starving wolf.
Merin frowns.
Back in Teerilyn, Kieran was merely interested—curious.
Now, his stare is possessive.
Merin places his plate down and begins walking toward the dance floor.
He stops just behind Evelyn, who's lost in the music.
Her friends and cousin see him approach, but none of them warn her.
Evelyn senses someone behind her, steps back, and turns around with a frown.
It vanishes the instant she sees him.
He moves his hand toward her waist.
She gives the slightest nod.
His hand settles, and they begin to sway to the music.
For the next hour, they dance quietly, saying nothing, surrounded by the crowd.
Later, Merin walks her home.
The six girls live together in a large house, each with their own room.
After making sure she's safely inside, Merin turns and heads for his own home under the night sky.
Elsewhere, Kieran walks along a shadowed path, his steps quiet, his eyes cold.
He speaks softly, "Adam must disappear before I can get close to her."
From the darkness, a voice replies, low and calm, "Yes… But it must be done in a way no one suspects you."
"I have a plan," Kieran says, his tone certain.
"What is it?" the voice asks.
Kieran answers, "We use Tristan Morvian."
"How?" the voice presses.
Kieran smirks. "I heard he's trying to find someone to assassinate Adam—but no one will take the job. Not after they find out Adam's an Unification Realm martial artist and works for the Karst Crystal Research Institute."
"I understand," the voice says—and then it fades, along with the darkness surrounding him.
A few minutes later, Kieran steps into his room and closes the door behind him.
His mind flashes back to the first night he heard the voice.
It was the day after Adam left—he had been throwing a tantrum, furious that Adam was still alive.
Then, the voice came.
It offered him power.
Money.
Everything he would need to become the next head of the family.
Because even if he was born into power, it could all be taken away if he didn't secure the position.
And to do that, he had to get close to Evelyn.
The voice promised that Evelyn was the key.
But Adam stood in the way.
So, Adam had to die.
Two days later, in the quiet evening, Merin hears a knock on the door.
He opens it and finds Evelyn standing outside, arms folded, her expression unreadable.
He steps aside to let her in and closes the door behind her.
"What are you doing here?" he asks.
Evelyn shrugs. "Cassie and my friends are hosting a party at our house. I didn't want to join, and when I left, I realised I had nowhere else to go. So I came here. We have class together tomorrow morning—figured we could go together."
Merin nods. "You should've called. Any other day, you'd have found the place locked."
He heads into the kitchen and opens the fridge, scanning for ingredients.
Evelyn sits on a stool at the dining table. "I'll keep that in mind."
"What do you want to eat?" he asks.
"Anything."
Merin finds lamb meat and decides on something simple but hearty.
While he cooks, Evelyn wanders into the living room and turns on the TV.
Later, they sit down and eat together in easy silence.
After dinner, they settle into the couch and watch a movie.
By the time the credits roll, Merin glances beside him and sees that Evelyn has fallen asleep.
Quietly, carefully, he lifts her into his arms and carries her to his bed, laying her down gently so she doesn't stir.
Then he returns to the living room, exhales softly, and walks out into the backyard.
Under the cold light of the moon, he begins to train—each strike of the Molten Fist blazing hotter than the last.
Evelyn wakes just before dawn, eyes fluttering open to an unfamiliar ceiling.
She bolts upright in bed, heart racing—then slowly exhales as the memories of the night before return.
Getting out of bed, she steps into the living room and finds Adam asleep on the couch, one arm hanging off the side, his breathing steady.
She walks closer and stands over him, watching his face in the dim morning light.
After a moment, she sighs quietly and turns back, returning to the bedroom.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she runs a hand through her hair, unsure of what she feels.
Does she like Adam, or is it just gratitude for saving her?
And Adam doesn't make it any easier—he's so calm, so indifferent, even when she holds his hand, kisses him, or leans into him.
It makes her doubt herself, unsure whether she wants more or if she's chasing something that isn't there.
She knows she should end the fake relationship, step back and figure out her feelings clearly.
But a quiet fear creeps in—that if she pulls away, Adam might end up with someone else.
So she stays, caught in place—unable to move forward, unwilling to move back.