Several months passed after the Island Survival Test.
The first year was nearing its end.
Students had settled back into their routines of classes, exams, and special tests.
One morning, the homeroom teacher entered the classroom and stood before the students.
"Everyone, listen carefully."
The class became quiet.
"The first academic year is almost over."
Many students smiled.
Some even sighed in relief.
The teacher continued.
"When the year ends, you will be promoted to the second year."
The students immediately began talking.
Then the teacher raised a hand.
"However..."
The room became silent again.
"Your class rankings will be heavily influenced by your academic performance."
That announcement immediately made many students nervous.
Even the strongest classes could fall if their grades were poor.
A few days later...
Ayaan was sitting alone at a café near the academy.
His laptop was open as he reviewed some notes.
A few minutes later, Anshuman arrived and sat across from him.
"You know," Anshuman said, "we should join a tuition center."
Ayaan looked up.
"There are tuition centers?"
"Yes."
Ayaan thought for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"We should join one."
Anshuman raised an eyebrow.
"You actually agree?"
"It would be suspicious if we didn't."
Anshuman immediately understood.
If they kept scoring highly without any visible effort, more people might start paying attention to them.
A tuition center would provide a reasonable explanation.
"Good point."
Just then—
BEEP!
Both of their phones vibrated.
A school-wide announcement had arrived.
Announcement
All students from Years 1 through 4 must gather at the main ground immediately.
Ayaan and Anshuman exchanged glances.
"That's unusual."
"Very."
Half an hour later...
Thousands of students were gathered at the academy's massive central ground.
The atmosphere was filled with curiosity.
Students from every year stood in organized groups.
Ayaan noticed Saki nearby.
Koenji was also present, standing completely alone as usual.
Teachers lined the edges of the field.
Then the academy chairman stepped onto the stage.
The crowd immediately became silent.
The chairman looked over the students.
Then he smiled.
"Hello, students."
The microphone carried his voice across the entire field.
"I know many of you are wondering why you've been called here today."
The students listened carefully.
The chairman took a deep breath.
"After many years of service..."
He paused.
"...it is time for me to retire."
For a moment, the entire academy was silent.
Then shock spread through the crowd.
"What?!"
"The chairman is retiring?"
"Seriously?"
Even teachers seemed emotional.
The chairman raised a hand.
"I have already chosen my successor."
Everyone turned toward the side of the stage.
A tall man began walking forward.
He appeared calm and confident.
The moment Ayaan saw his face, his expression changed.
Anshuman froze beside him.
"No way..."
The new chairman stepped onto the stage.
The retired chairman smiled.
"Allow me to introduce the next chairman of this academy."
The man took the microphone.
"My name is Choi."
Ayaan and Anshuman stared at him.
Both of them knew him.
And more importantly—
Choi knew them.
Very well.
Far too well.
Anshuman slowly turned toward Ayaan.
"This is bad."
Ayaan's eyes remained fixed on the stage.
For the first time in months, even he looked genuinely surprised.
Because unlike everyone else in the academy...
They knew exactly what kind of person Choi was.
And if Choi had become chairman...
The academy was about to change completely.
After the meeting ended, the students slowly left the main ground.
The first academic year officially came to an end.
A few days later, the promotion results were announced.
New Second-Year Classes
2-A — Saki's Class
2-B — Rina's Class
2-C — Ayaan and Anshuman's Class
2-D — Ryan's Class
The old fourth-year students graduated from the academy.
Their time at the school had ended.
At the same time, a new batch of first-year students arrived.
The academy became lively once again.
On the first day of the new term, Ayaan and Anshuman were standing in the corridor outside their classroom.
Students were moving around everywhere.
First-years looked nervous.
Second-years looked confident.
Suddenly, a large first-year student appeared at the end of the corridor.
He was extremely tall and muscular.
Beside him walked a first-year girl.
Many students automatically moved out of his way.
A second-year girl stepped forward.
"Hey, where are you going? First-years aren't allowed here."
The boy stopped walking.
The corridor became quiet.
Then, without warning, he grabbed the girl's neck.
Everyone froze.
The girl gasped.
The boy lifted her into the air with one hand.
The entire corridor was shocked.
"What?!"
"Is he crazy?!"
"Put her down!"
Anshuman immediately started walking toward him.
"Let her go."
The giant student ignored him.
The girl struggled helplessly.
Just as Anshuman was about to intervene—
A voice echoed through the corridor.
"Max."
The giant student stopped.
Everyone turned.
Ryan was standing there.
Max slowly looked toward him.
Then a smile appeared on his face.
He threw the girl aside.
She fell to the floor.
"Ryan."
Ryan stared at him coldly.
"Why are you here?"
Max laughed.
"Long time no see."
The tension between them was obvious.
Students could tell these two knew each other.
Very well.
Ryan's expression darkened.
Max stepped forward.
"I finally found you."
Ryan didn't answer.
Max looked around at all the students watching.
Then he smiled.
"Listen carefully."
The corridor became silent.
"I will destroy all of you."
Nobody spoke.
"And eventually..."
He pointed toward the students.
"...you will all work under me."
Several students felt chills.
Then Max turned around.
"Let's go."
The first-year girl quietly followed him.
As they walked away, she looked back.
Her eyes first met Ayaan's.
Then Anshuman's.
She stared at them for a moment before disappearing down the corridor with Max.
Ryan continued staring after them.
His fists were clenched.
For the first time since Ayaan had known him, Ryan looked genuinely worried.
After classes ended, Ayaan returned to his room.
He placed his bag on the table and opened his laptop.
The room was quiet.
Outside the window, dark clouds were beginning to gather over the academy.
Meanwhile, Anshuman was at a nearby store inside the academy.
He bought some snacks and drinks before leaving.
The corridors were mostly empty as students headed back to their dormitories.
Anshuman walked casually toward his room.
As he turned a corner, he noticed someone standing ahead.
It was the first-year girl who had been with Max.
She looked at him for a moment before speaking.
"I'm Maya."
Anshuman blinked.
"Oh. Hello."
Maya nodded.
"I want to talk with you."
Anshuman adjusted the bag in his hand.
"About what?"
"In private."
Anshuman looked around.
There was nobody nearby.
After a moment, he shrugged.
"Fine."
The two walked toward a quiet area behind one of the academy buildings.
The place was deserted.
Only the sound of wind could be heard.
Anshuman stopped.
"Okay. Speak."
Maya lowered her head.
"I'm sorry."
Anshuman looked confused.
"For what?"
Before she could answer—
BOOM!
Something slammed into Anshuman from the side.
The impact sent him flying.
His body crashed into a concrete wall.
The snacks fell from his hands.
Pieces of the wall cracked.
Anshuman slowly looked up.
Standing there was Max.
Maya stepped back silently.
Max rolled his shoulders.
"You little boy..."
His eyes were full of hostility.
"...is going to break now."
At that exact moment, thunder echoed through the sky.
RUMBLE!
Rain began falling.
Slowly at first.
Then harder.
Water dripped from Max's hair as he stared at Anshuman.
Anshuman stood up.
His expression had completely changed.
The usual smile was gone.
The rain continued pouring.
Neither moved.
The empty area felt strangely silent despite the storm.
Max grinned.
Anshuman cracked his neck.
The confrontation had begun.
Anshuman slowly stood up from the broken wall.
Rain poured heavily around them.
Water dripped from his hair onto the ground.
He looked at Max.
"Why do you want to fight me?"
Max cracked his knuckles.
The sound was loud even through the rain.
"I can do whatever I want."
Anshuman frowned.
"That's a stupid reason."
Max grinned.
"It's enough for me."
Without another word, Max rushed forward.
His footsteps splashed through the water.
BOOM!
A powerful punch flew toward Anshuman.
Anshuman barely dodged.
The punch slammed into the wall behind him, leaving cracks in the concrete.
Anshuman's eyes widened.
"This guy is strong."
Max attacked again.
And again.
And again.
Each punch carried tremendous force.
Anshuman retreated while avoiding the attacks.
Water splashed around them as the rain intensified.
Nearby, Maya stood silently under a shelter.
She looked nervous.
"Max, stop..."
Max ignored her.
He continued attacking relentlessly.
Finally, Anshuman blocked one punch.
BAM!
The impact pushed him backward several steps.
Max smiled.
"There we go."
Anshuman shook his arm.
Even through the block, the force hurt.
"You really are crazy."
Max laughed.
"And you're weaker than I expected."
That statement annoyed Anshuman.
For the first time, he stepped forward.
WHOOSH!
His fist shot toward Max.
Max blocked it.
A shockwave of water splashed from the impact.
For a moment, both were surprised.
Max's grin widened.
"Good."
Anshuman looked at him calmly.
"I was hoping you would stop after one hit."
"I was hoping you'd fight back."
Thunder echoed across the sky.
The rain continued pouring.
The two stood facing each other in the empty training area.
Neither willing to back down.
And somewhere inside the academy, Ayaan's phone suddenly vibrated.
A message had arrived.
Sender: Unknown
Message: "Your friend is fighting Max."
Ayaan stared at the screen.
Then he immediately stood up and left his room.
Anshuman dodged another punch and tried to step backward.
But the ground had become slippery because of the heavy rain.
His foot slipped.
"Dammit—"
He fell onto the wet ground.
Max's eyes widened with excitement.
"Got you."
Nearby, a large rock lay beside the path.
Max grabbed it with both hands and lifted it over his head.
The rock was massive.
Maya's face turned pale.
"MAX, STOP!"
Anshuman tried to get up, but he had lost his balance.
Max raised the rock higher.
"I'm ending this now."
The rain poured even harder.
Just as Max was about to bring the rock down—
BOOOOOOM!!
A fist crashed into Max's face.
The impact was so sudden that Max was launched sideways.
CRAAASH!!
His body slammed into a concrete wall.
Cracks spread through it.
The rock fell from his hands.
Everyone froze.
Max slowly lifted his head.
Standing in front of Anshuman was Ayaan.
Water dripped from his hair.
His expression was completely calm.
Maya stared in shock.
Anshuman smirked from the ground.
"Took you long enough."
Ayaan didn't take his eyes off Max.
"You seem to attract trouble."
At that moment—
KRAAAACK!!
A massive bolt of lightning lit up the sky.
For an instant, the entire area became bright white.
Max slowly stood up.
Blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
Instead of being angry—
He was smiling.
A wide, terrifying smile.
"Hahaha..."
The laughter echoed through the rain.
Finally, Max looked at both of them.
"Interesting."
He wiped the blood away.
"Now you both are going to die."
Anshuman stood up beside Ayaan.
The two faced Max together.
Ayaan cracked his knuckles.
His expression remained unchanged.
"Let's see."
Thunder roared again.
Rain poured from the dark sky.
Max stood on one side.
Ayaan and Anshuman stood on the other.
And for the first time since arriving at the academy, Max looked genuinely excited.
The real fight was about to begin.
The rain continued pouring.
Ayaan and Anshuman stood facing Max.
Neither side moved for several seconds.
Then Max suddenly rushed forward.
BOOM!
His fist shot toward Ayaan.
Ayaan stepped aside at the last moment.
Max immediately turned and threw another punch toward Anshuman.
BAM!
Anshuman blocked it and slid backward across the wet ground.
Max laughed.
"You two are interesting."
The fight continued for a few more moments.
Then suddenly—
"MAX!"
A voice echoed through the rain.
Everyone turned.
Ryan was standing there.
His expression was serious.
Max stopped moving.
"Ryan."
Ryan walked closer.
"Why are you fighting with them?"
Max shrugged.
"These second-year students are amazing."
Anshuman frowned.
"That's your reason?"
Max grinned.
"It's a good enough reason."
Ryan glared at him.
For a moment, the two stared at each other.
Then Max laughed.
"Hahaha! Fine."
He turned around.
"We'll continue another day."
Maya silently followed him.
As they disappeared into the rain, Max waved without looking back.
"See you later."
Soon, they were gone.
The area became quiet.
Ryan looked at Ayaan and Anshuman.
"You should stay away from him."
Anshuman crossed his arms.
"He's pretty strong for a first-year."
Ryan's expression darkened.
"Strong isn't the problem."
The two looked at him.
Ryan continued.
"He is the most dangerous person you will ever meet."
For once, he wasn't exaggerating.
After saying that, Ryan turned around.
Without another word, he left.
The rain slowly began to weaken.
Anshuman stretched his shoulders.
"Well, that was a weird evening."
Ayaan looked around.
"Where is the food?"
Anshuman froze.
Then he looked at the ground.
The snacks and drinks he had bought were scattered everywhere.
Some had been crushed.
Others were soaked by the rain.
Anshuman sighed.
"Max spilled it."
Ayaan stared at the ruined food for a moment.
Then he turned around.
"Let's buy another one."
Anshuman laughed.
"That's what you're worried about?"
"Yes."
"The fight isn't important?"
"We're hungry."
Anshuman couldn't argue with that.
The two left the area and headed toward the academy store while the last drops of rain fell from the dark evening sky.
The next day, Ayaan left early in the morning.
He wanted to check the tuition centers near the academy.
After walking for a while, he found a large building.
Many academy students were entering and leaving.
Ayaan stepped inside.
The place was crowded with first-years, second-years, and even third-years.
As he looked around, he noticed something unusual.
Many of the top-ranking students from different classes were attending.
"Interesting."
Ayaan quietly took a brochure and sat down.
Just then—
"Ayaan?"
He looked up.
It was Saki.
She was holding several books.
"You attend tuition too?"
Ayaan replied calmly.
"I was just looking."
Saki sat across from him.
"Most of the top students come here."
"I noticed."
For a few moments, neither spoke.
Then Saki asked,
"What do you think about the new chairman?"
Ayaan looked at her.
"He seems interesting."
Saki narrowed her eyes.
"That's not what most people would call him."
Before Ayaan could answer, someone entered the building.
The atmosphere immediately changed.
Students moved aside.
Even teachers looked nervous.
Ayaan turned.
Max had entered the tuition center.
Behind him was Maya.
The entire hall became quiet.
Max looked around casually.
Then his eyes landed on Ayaan.
A grin appeared on his face.
"Found you."
Several students looked confused.
Ayaan remained seated.
Max began walking toward him.
At that moment, another voice echoed through the hall.
"Don't."
Everyone turned.
Ryan was standing near the entrance.
Max stopped.
The smile disappeared from his face.
For the first time, he actually looked annoyed.
Ryan walked forward.
"You're causing trouble again."
Max laughed.
"You make it sound like that's a bad thing."
The tension between the two immediately filled the room.
Maya quietly looked down.
Saki observed everything without saying a word.
Ayaan simply watched.
Then suddenly—
The tuition center's television screen turned on.
A live academy announcement appeared.
Chairman Choi was on the screen.
Every student looked up.
"Attention all students."
The room became silent.
Choi smiled.
"As part of the academy's new system, a special examination for all second-year classes will begin in two weeks."
Students immediately started whispering.
Another special exam.
Choi continued.
"The details will remain confidential until the day of the test."
The whispers grew louder.
Ayaan noticed Max smiling again.
Ryan looked irritated.
Saki looked thoughtful.
Meanwhile, Ayaan had a feeling.
The next exam would be very different from anything they had experienced before.
And somehow...
Chairman Choi seemed to be enjoying that fact.
After leaving the large tuition center, Ayaan continued walking through the city.
Eventually, he found a much smaller tuition center.
It was located above a small bookstore.
The building wasn't impressive.
There were only a handful of students inside.
About three or four boys.
And seven or eight girls.
Ayaan looked around.
The place was quiet.
No famous students.
No academy elites.
Exactly the kind of place he preferred.
He walked to the reception desk.
"I'd like to register two students."
The receptionist nodded.
"Names?"
"Ayaan and Anshuman."
After a few minutes, the registration was complete.
The fee appeared on the screen.
Tuition Fee
200,000 Private Points
Ayaan paid without hesitation.
The receptionist smiled.
"Classes begin tomorrow."
Ayaan nodded and left.
The next day, Ayaan and Anshuman arrived together.
Anshuman looked around.
"This place is tiny."
"That's the point."
The two entered the classroom.
There were only a few students present.
Several girls were already chatting together.
Ayaan and Anshuman took seats near the middle.
As soon as Ayaan sat down, some of the girls glanced toward him.
One whispered something to another.
The other giggled.
Anshuman immediately noticed.
"You're attracting attention again."
Ayaan ignored him.
A few moments later, two girls walked over.
The seats beside Ayaan were empty.
Instead of sitting elsewhere, they chose the seats directly next to him.
One sat on his left.
The other sat on his right.
Anshuman looked amused.
The girls tried starting conversations.
"Are you from the academy?"
Ayaan nodded.
"What year?"
"Second."
The girls exchanged looks.
One smiled.
"You don't talk much, do you?"
"No."
The answer immediately ended the conversation.
Anshuman nearly laughed.
The girls looked disappointed.
A few minutes later, another girl arrived and deliberately chose a nearby seat.
Clearly, several of them wanted Ayaan to notice them.
Unfortunately for them, Ayaan was busy reading the study material.
The teacher entered the classroom.
Everyone took their seats.
The lesson began.
Ten minutes later, one of the girls secretly slid a folded note onto Ayaan's desk.
Ayaan looked at it.
Then handed it to Anshuman.
Anshuman opened it.
His eyes widened.
Then he started laughing.
The girls immediately turned red.
Ayaan didn't even bother asking what was written.
He simply continued studying while Anshuman struggled to stop laughing.
Writing
Anshuman tried to stop laughing.
Ayaan finally looked up from his book.
"What was written?"
Anshuman grinned and handed him the note.
Ayaan opened it.
The note said:
"You look cool when you're serious."
"Can I get to know you better?"
A small smile appeared on Anshuman's face.
He immediately looked toward the girl who had sent it.
The girl turned red and quickly looked away.
Ayaan folded the note and placed it inside his book.
Then he returned to studying.
The girl blinked.
That was it.
No reaction.
No answer.
Nothing.
A few minutes later, the teacher asked a difficult mathematics question.
The classroom became silent.
Nobody raised their hand.
The teacher looked around.
"Can anyone solve this?"
Ayaan glanced at the board.
He immediately understood the solution.
But before he could say anything, Anshuman raised his hand.
The teacher called him forward.
Within a few minutes, Anshuman solved the entire question.
The class looked surprised.
The teacher nodded.
"Correct."
Several students began looking at Ayaan and Anshuman differently.
The girls whispered among themselves.
"He's smart too."
"I thought they were just academy students."
When class finally ended, students began leaving.
As Ayaan packed his books, the girl who had sent the note approached him.
"Um..."
Ayaan looked at her.
"My name is Nisha."
Ayaan nodded.
"I'm Ayaan."
Nisha smiled.
For a moment, she looked nervous.
Then she asked,
"Do you want to study together sometime?"
Before Ayaan could answer, Anshuman suddenly appeared beside him.
"He already studies all the time."
Nisha looked embarrassed.
Ayaan picked up his bag.
"We'll see."
Then he walked toward the exit.
Anshuman followed him.
Outside the tuition center, Anshuman laughed.
"'We'll see'? That's the most positive answer you've given anyone."
Ayaan shrugged.
"I didn't say yes."
"You didn't say no either."
The two continued walking back toward the academy as the evening sun began to set.
Ayaan slowly opened his eyes.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
Then he froze.
The room looked unfamiliar.
Or rather...
It looked familiar in a different way.
It wasn't his dormitory room at the academy.
It was his real room.
Ayaan immediately sat up.
"What?"
He looked around carefully.
His desk.
His window.
His books.
Everything belonged to his real life.
At the same time, Anshuman suddenly woke up in his own room.
He stared at the ceiling.
A few seconds later, he jumped out of bed.
"No way."
He quickly checked his surroundings.
There was no academy.
No dormitory.
No special exam.
He was back in the real world.
Ayaan immediately grabbed his phone.
A call connected a few moments later.
"Anshuman."
"You too?"
"Yes."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
They were both confused.
After getting ready, the two met outside.
Anshuman was the first to speak.
"Did we get kicked out of the game?"
"I don't know."
The two quickly headed to Ayaan's house.
The gaming setup was still there.
Ayaan turned on the system.
The screen lit up.
Both stared at it.
Instead of the normal login screen, a message appeared.
ERROR
Server Failure Detected
Academy Online is temporarily unavailable.
All players have been logged out.
The issue is being investigated.
Please wait for further updates.
Anshuman blinked.
"So it really crashed."
Ayaan looked at the screen.
For the first time in a long while, they had no academy to return to.
No Saki.
No Kira.
No Rina.
No Ryan.
No Koenji.
No Max.
Just an error message.
Anshuman sat down.
"This feels weird."
Ayaan nodded.
For months, the academy had felt like reality.
Now they were back in the real world, staring at a broken game.
Neither knew how long the error would last.
And neither knew what would happen when the game finally came back online.
After staring at the error message for a while, Ayaan stood up.
"We can't do anything about it."
Anshuman sighed.
"True."
"So let's go out."
The two left the house and headed into the city.
Eventually, they arrived at a place they both knew well.
Mystery Game Shop
The store was filled with games, consoles, and strange gadgets.
Rows upon rows of game boxes lined the shelves.
The owner sat quietly behind the counter as usual.
Ayaan and Anshuman began browsing.
Since Academy Online was unavailable, they needed something else to pass the time.
Anshuman picked up a game box.
"This one looks boring."
He put it back.
Ayaan continued looking through the shelves.
Then he stopped.
A black game box caught his attention.
It looked newer than the others.
The cover showed several people wearing suits and carrying high-tech equipment.
Across the front were the words:
Adventure of Secret Agents
Ayaan picked up the box.
Anshuman looked over his shoulder.
"What's that?"
Ayaan examined the cover.
The description read:
"Become an elite secret agent."
"Complete dangerous missions."
"Build your team."
"Uncover global conspiracies."
"Your choices will decide the future."
Anshuman grinned.
"That actually sounds interesting."
Ayaan nodded.
"It looks fun."
The two continued reading.
The back of the box showed futuristic cities, hidden organizations, secret weapons, and dangerous enemies.
It looked like a completely different world from the academy game.
Anshuman looked at Ayaan.
"So?"
Ayaan placed the box on the counter.
"We're buying it."
The shopkeeper smiled.
"Good choice."
After paying for the game, the two immediately headed back.
As they walked home, neither noticed the strange symbol printed on the bottom corner of the game box.
It was the exact same symbol that had appeared on the Academy Online login screen.
And far away, somewhere inside a hidden office, a computer screen suddenly lit up.
A message appeared.
New Players Detected
Ayaan — Registered
Anshuman — Registered
Then the screen went dark.