In the academy surveillance room
"This year's students seem promising," Demian said, confidence radiating from him. "But without a doubt… Shion will top the ranks."
Han raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Of course," Demian replied. "Want to make a bet?"
Han's interest piqued. "What kind of bet?"
"How about… loser pays for the winner's meals in the canteen for the next three months. No limits."
Demian smirked. "You're confident, Han. Who do you think will take first place?"
"I'll tell you—but with one more condition. Loser also does all the winner's work for ten days."
"Deal," Demian said, eyes glinting. "Now… who's first?"
Junyeok.
Demian's smirk deepened. Junyeok… he may not have Shion's speed or precision, but… I like my chances.
Just then, a figure entered the room: Min Areum.
Her silver-lilac hair fell in soft waves past her shoulders, framing icy-blue eyes that missed nothing. A fitted white blouse tucked into a high-waisted charcoal skirt, paired with a navy blazer, emphasized her slender figure. Black heels clicked softly as she moved with effortless poise, her hands gesturing lightly as she spoke. Small silver earrings and a delicate necklace added refinement.
Demian blinked. "Oh… Min Areum. What brings you here?"
"Nothing," she said, tilting her head gracefully. "I was just passing by and overheard your conversation. So, Mr. Han… is the bet still open?"
Han chuckled. "Ask Demian."
Min Areum's eyes flicked to him, a confident gleam in her gaze. "Still open?"
Demian's lips curved into a sly smirk. So she wants in… of course. A win-win situation, and she's intelligent enough to see it.
"Yes," Demian replied smoothly.
"And who do you bet on?" Demian prompted, sensing her choice.
"Junyeok," she said simply.
Shock registered on Demian's face. She can't be serious…
Han's eyes twinkled. "Nice eye, Min Areum. You see people well."
Min Areum's lips curved into a playful smile. After all… I am interested in him too.
---
Back in the forest clearing, the battle raged on…
Flames licked across Junyeok's body as he staggered back, the heat biting into his skin. Several burns spread across his arms and shoulder, and smoke curled faintly from his sleeve.
His breathing turned rough. Each inhale scraped his lungs like sand.
Shion watched him calmly, sword resting loosely in his hand, flames coiling around his body like living serpents.
"Looks like I overestimated you," Shion said flatly. "Is that all you've got?"
Junyeok lowered his head, breathing heavily.
Behind him, Nyxara's voice trembled.
"At this rate… we're going to lose."
Junyeok wiped sweat and soot from his face with the back of his hand.
"…Not so fast."
His eyes sharpened.
I've never seen him fight in my past life, Junyeok thought. I couldn't predict his movements before… but now… I've seen enough.
Shion shifted his stance.
"It ends here."
Flames surged downward, gathering around his legs, compressing, condensing—then—
A thunderous burst.
The ground cracked as Shion launched forward at blinding speed, sword cutting through the air in a lethal arc.
"Junyeok, dodge—!" Nyxara shouted.
The world blurred.
And then—
A sharp metallic crack echoed.
Shion landed behind Junyeok.
Fragments of steel scattered across the ground.
Shion blinked.
His blade… was shattered.
Junyeok stood still, arm raised.
"Got you," Junyeok said quietly.
Shion's eyes narrowed.
"…How did you—"
"It's actually pretty simple," Junyeok said, turning slightly, a confident smile forming. "The moment you launched at that speed, I knew I couldn't dodge."
Shion frowned. "Then how—"
"So I blocked it."
Junyeok showed his right hand.
It was covered in dragon scales, layered over each other in many dense layers, forming an almost impenetrable armor.
"Of course I couldn't block it normally," Junyeok said calmly. "But with this… I could."
Shion narrowed his eyes.
"But how? I never saw you activate your skill during the whole battle."
Junyeok gave a faint, knowing smile.
"All of you really love to act cool," he said. "Shouting your skill names at once… making sure everyone hears them."
Shion's gaze sharpened in realization.
"…You activated it in parts."
Junyeok's eyes flickered with brief surprise before he smiled slightly.
He's sharp, Junyeok thought. He figured it out quickly.
"Even with the skill, blocking that attack wasn't easy," Junyeok continued. "So instead of covering my whole body, I focused everything on my arm… and stacked as many layers as I could using most of my mana."
His arm trembled faintly from the strain.
It was exhausting… but it worked.
Shion exhaled softly.
"…Not bad."
Then the flames around him surged violently, erupting outward, wrapping his entire body in blazing heat. The air distorted, the temperature rising instantly.
"But did you really think it's over?"
The flames intensified, roaring now like a furnace.
"How are you going to defeat me," Shion said calmly, "if you can't even touch me?"
Junyeok watched the flames carefully.
Another trait of Hell Flames… he thought. He can increase or decrease the temperature with mana… and the flames don't harm him at all.
Then—
Junyeok smiled.
A slow, dangerous smile.
Nyxara felt a chill run down her spine.
He's planning something again… and it's definitely not good.
"Shion," Junyeok said suddenly, "has anyone told you you're very handsome?"
Shion blinked.
"…What?"
"You're really handsome," Junyeok continued seriously. "So I was wondering… how do I look to you?"
Shion stared at him for a moment, confused.
"…This is completely irrelevant, but… somewhere between handsome and average. Slightly above average."
Junyeok nodded thoughtfully.
"Yeah… that's about right."
His smile slowly twisted.
"That's why," Junyeok said quietly, eyes darkening, "I can't control myself when I see someone handsome and famous."
Memories flickered in his mind—faces from his past life, laughter, humiliation, shadows of people who stood above him.
Junyeok laughed softly.
"That's why… I'm going to beat your handsome face into a pulp."
Shion frowned.
"You still can't touch me."
"Of course I can't," Junyeok said. "Not like this."
The dragon scales around his arm faded—
—and reformed instantly, this time spreading across his entire body in a thin, tight layer.
Shion stepped forward and threw a punch, flames roaring around his fist.
Junyeok shifted, narrowly dodging.
"I can't break through the flames," Junyeok said calmly, "but what if…"
Mana surged.
"I make this armor fire-resistant?"
Shion's eyes widened slightly.
"…That's not possible."
Junyeok's fist drove into Shion's stomach.
The impact thundered.
Shion was thrown backward, skidding across the ground.
And then—
They moved.
Shion recovered instantly, flames bursting as he stepped forward, throwing a fast, sharp strike. Junyeok deflected it with his scaled forearm and countered with a straight punch. Shion twisted aside, kicking low toward Junyeok's leg—Junyeok jumped back, then stepped in again, driving an elbow toward Shion's ribs.
Shion blocked and retaliated with a spinning kick.
Junyeok caught the leg and slammed a punch toward Shion's jaw—Shion leaned back just enough, the fist grazing his cheek.
They separated for a breath—
Then clashed again.
Punch, block, elbow, counter, step, pivot, strike.
Flames burst with every movement. Scales cracked under impact. The ground beneath their feet fractured from the force of their blows.
Neither gave ground.
For several exchanges they fought evenly—strike for strike, step for step.
But slowly…
Shion's breathing grew heavier.
Junyeok pressed forward.
A feint to the left—then a crushing hook to the ribs.
A knee to the stomach.
A backhand strike across the face.
Shion staggered.
Junyeok didn't stop.
Another punch.
Another.
Another.
At last Shion collapsed, falling to the ground, unconscious, his face bruised and bloodied.
Silence returned to the clearing.
Junyeok exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders, a satisfied expression crossing his face.
"…That was refreshing."
Nyxara stared at him.
"You… seriously went overboard again."
Junyeok looked at her innocently.
"What are you talking about?"
Yun ran forward and hugged him tightly, her voice trembling.
"You really did it, Junyeok…"
Junyeok smiled faintly.
"Yeah, I—"
His vision went dark.
The dragon scale armor shattered into fading fragments of light as his body collapsed to the ground.
Looks like… I ran out of mana…
And everything faded to black.