The training arena of Mafia Academy was massive.
It looked more like a battlefield than a school facility.
Tall concrete walls surrounded the area, and metal platforms were built along the sides where senior students and instructors could watch.
Hundreds of new students stood inside the arena, whispering nervously.
No one knew what the entrance test would be.
Aria stood quietly near the back.
Her expression was calm, but her eyes were carefully scanning the surroundings.
Multiple exits.
Security cameras.
Hidden doors in the walls.
Interesting, she thought.
This place was designed for combat.
Suddenly, the giant screen above the arena flickered to life.
The same instructor from earlier appeared again.
His cold eyes swept across the crowd.
"Welcome to the entrance test."
The students fell silent.
"This academy trains the future rulers of the underworld."
He paused.
"And rulers must survive."
A low murmur spread through the crowd.
"What does that mean?"
The instructor continued calmly.
"Today's test is simple."
He raised one finger.
"Only half of you will pass."
Shock spread instantly.
"What?!"
"You're joking!"
Someone shouted angrily, "You can't eliminate people like this!"
The instructor simply smiled.
"Oh, but we can."
Then he pressed a button.
Suddenly—
The ground beneath the students shifted.
Metal barriers shot up from the floor, splitting the arena into multiple sections.
Students were separated into small groups.
Panic spread immediately.
"What's happening?!"
Aria remained calm.
Her section had five people.
Four boys.
One girl.
One of the boys looked around nervously.
"Maybe it's just a teamwork test…"
Another boy laughed coldly.
"You really believe that?"
Before anyone could respond—
A loud alarm rang through the arena.
The instructor's voice echoed again.
"Survive for thirty minutes."
He paused.
"Or eliminate the others in your section."
Silence.
Then chaos exploded.
The nervous boy backed away.
"You're serious?!"
But one of the others had already pulled out a knife.
"This academy only needs the strong."
He rushed forward.
The fight started instantly.
Aria stepped back quietly.
Watching.
Analyzing.
Two boys were fighting each other near the barrier.
The girl had already been pushed into the corner.
The fourth boy was staring directly at Aria.
His smile was cruel.
"Well, well…"
He cracked his knuckles.
"Looks like the easiest target is you."
Aria said nothing.
The boy walked closer.
"You should just surrender."
He laughed.
"Trust me, you won't last long here."
He lunged forward suddenly.
Fast.
But not fast enough.
Aria moved.
It was so quick that he barely saw it.
One small step to the side.
A light push on his arm.
The boy lost his balance instantly.
CRASH.
He slammed face-first into the ground.
The other students froze.
"What…?"
The boy groaned, trying to get up.
Aria stood calmly beside him.
She didn't even look out of breath.
The girl in the corner stared at her in shock.
"H-how did you do that?"
Aria simply adjusted her sleeve.
"Luck."
Across the arena—
Lucien Blackwood was standing on the observation platform.
Watching everything.
Most students were fighting desperately.
But one section caught his attention.
A girl had just knocked down a larger opponent without even trying.
Lucien leaned forward slightly.
His eyes narrowed.
Again…
That strange feeling.
He turned to one of the instructors nearby.
"Who is that girl?"
The instructor checked the tablet in his hand.
"Section B-17."
He read the name.
"Aria Vantrell."
Lucien repeated it slowly.
"Aria Vantrell…"
His gaze returned to the arena.
Aria was now standing quietly while the other students fought each other.
Completely calm.
Like she had done this a thousand times before.
Lucien's eyes darkened slightly.
A normal student wouldn't move like that.
Meanwhile—
the boy on the ground suddenly grabbed Aria's ankle.
"You think you're clever?!"
He pulled out a small blade.
Aria's eyes flashed coldly.
For a split second—
something dangerous appeared in her expression.
Something that didn't belong to a normal student.
Lucien saw it.
And his heart skipped slightly.
Because for just a moment…
he saw the shadow of someone he had been hunting for years.
The most feared assassin in the underworld.
The one known as—
The Shadow Queen.
Lucien whispered softly to himself.
"…Impossible."
But he couldn't look away.
Something about this girl…
was far too dangerous to ignore.