Ring——18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxwDXDooZC
[The written examination time has concluded. All examinees, please set down your pens and cease writing immediately.]18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu87PGaauo
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"Did you study that section?"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FwaCgimfj
"Ahhh, why would that chapter even come up?!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIQ7slfdEb
"Do you feel confident?"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23iCFJiCVZ
Exiting the written exam hall, the examinees chattered anxiously. Amidst the crowd, a solitary youth walked alone, weighed down by heavy thoughts.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNjNxh2kg6
"What kind of absurd questions were those...?"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmN9lxfnFz
My name is Tianwu Tahto. I’m 15 years old.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwDNY2Cae5
[The martial examination will commence in one hour. All examinees are strictly forbidden from leaving the Academy grounds.]18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqIxf2AtlW
This is already my third annual evaluation. I truly cannot afford to fail again...
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS75EQfFmb
The dining hall was packed with people. Examinees who had just finished their written exams were eating snacks, nervously awaiting the upcoming martial test.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnXKXLX0v9
Tahto sat sipping a cup of cola, as though the surrounding noise existed in a completely different world from him.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO20gUeyPsT
I’m not worried about the martial exam, but I fear ending up with the same fate as the past two years...18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mUMet7xoy
If I really fail again...18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4aR0llfLT
He slowly unzipped his bag on the table. Reflected between his textbooks was the sharp, glinting blade of a dagger.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mUULcwMTG
Then tonight, "That Plan" goes into action!
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYHEJbCnL0
[The highly anticipated annual martial examination is about to begin! Before the grand Hongtian Gate, compete for your future!]18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCZyde87Dw
Holding a long torch-pen, the invigilator circled the octagonal martial arena, igniting the final pillar of flame at the corner.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkncANsPL5R
[The martial examination officially begins! There are three rules:]18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAON3GmZvML
[First: The use of weapons is strictly prohibited.]18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT25TjV1YNn
[Second: Strikes to vital, forbidden areas are banned.]18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH8MbWLucW
[Third: The match ends when one party collapses.]18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuU1PPBLI5
[Violators will face immediate disqualification, and their scores will be zeroed!]18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2stDOvAiM
[Now, requesting the first pair of combatants! Contestant Number One: Third-year student, Tianwu Tahto! Contestant Number Two: First-year student, Zhuxia Bullo!]18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrdXr29xGZ
"Bullo! Bullo!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u3ngJuBNA
Cheers for Zhuxia Bullo echoed from the spectator stands on both sides, mostly coming from the first-year freshmen.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l3rgeThaA
"Go for it, Bullo! Knock him down!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2Es48hyJx
The shouts came from Bullo’s two sidekicks—one with side-parted hair, the other with a crew cut. The side-parted student had his hand resting on the shoulder of a third sidekick with curly hair.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTBwTz794y
Tianwu Tahto kept his eyes closed, facing his opponent in quiet composure.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzGG5X2uI0
On the other side, Zhuxia Bullo could hardly contain the excitement on his face. He rubbed his hands together eagerly, waiting for the announcer’s voice to signal the start of the match.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQdVLWuMsU
[Begin!]18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIYBeVmmvb
"Seizing the initiative means winning half the battle, Senior!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTO7VmHP5X
The moment the command sounded, Zhuxia Bullo launched forward like a cannonball, his fist driving straight toward Tianwu Tahto’s face.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dpQu2BqBI
Too slow.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmbMwziPu2
Tahto’s eyes remained closed, completely unbothered.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQtFexzibz
Only when Bullo’s fist was inches from his face did he slowly tilt his head to the right. To his perception, the attack unfolded in slow motion.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2QQmLxEoK
"Whoa..."18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR8QAgP1oM
A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd. In the front row, two female classmates of Tahto’s grade—one with textured bangs, the other with a short bob—watched with wide, astonished mouths.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoPmXo0KKA
Realizing what had happened, Zhuxia Bullo turned his head and glared at Tahto, who stood calmly with his back turned. Bullo felt deeply insulted.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGwaUQkYGR
Whirling around, Bullo raised his left leg, driving a brutal kick toward Tahto’s jaw.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5hfrjcXHC
Unhurried, Tahto raised his right forearm to block the strike. His eyes were still closed, yet Bullo’s leg was locked, unable to advance another inch.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3gPmpml8N
With a slight thrust of Tahto’s right arm, Bullo lost his balance and stumbled forward uncontrollably.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBymlZSznq
A split second before crashing down and losing the match, Bullo slammed his left foot hard onto the ground. Restoring his balance, sheer fury consumed him. Gathering every ounce of strength in his body, he launched a desperate, all-out strike.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZM5vBrtvX
Bullo swung his right arm in a violent lariat toward Tahto’s neck. Tahto ducked low, effortlessly slipping under the attack once more.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2480hm5br
Missed again?!18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2xo0KVpz0
When Bullo turned his gaze back, Tahto had already straightened his back and opened his eyes. His gaze was cold, dripping with murderous intent. A chill wind brushed across Tahto’s face, swaying his sideburns. To Bullo, it felt as though his very fate was now held in the hands of the boy before him.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnJ5dXaWyo
Grasping his left fist with his right palm, Tahto slammed his left forearm precisely into Bullo’s face. The speed was so terrifying that Bullo had zero time to evade.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUbYnzZ0pb
BANG!18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdiKarkKnj
In an instant, Bullo’s muscular frame collapsed backward, knocked unconscious.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNQFfSPVc6
The arena fell into dead silence. Some examinees didn't even catch what had just occurred.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGgDQs35VY
Tahto looked down at Bullo lying in the center of the ring. The dawn of victory shone upon his face, yet his eyes held not a single trace of a victor's pride.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dQ0Ym1vrd
The invigilator rushed to the center of the arena to check on Bullo, holding one hand up to keep Tahto back. After confirming Bullo was unconscious, the invigilator quickly raised both arms in an "X" gesture toward the announcer.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqgItoShQV
[Match over! The winner: Tianwu Tahto!]18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa5ucQxGst
"OHHHHHHH!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGdDCOkxrP
A thunderous cheer erupted from the audience, with the first-year students especially awestruck by Tahto’s overwhelming martial prowess.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlekiZftXiY
As the announcement echoed, Tahto slowly walked toward the exit.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDr2BWZKoB
"Bullo-000!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2mCMCDQYI
Bullo’s two sidekicks sprinted down from the stands toward the center of the arena, calling out his name, only to be stopped by the invigilator. The curly-haired sidekick stopped mid-way, turning his head to stare at the retreating back of Tahto.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnyzpsImqA
Walking into the dark tunnel of the exit, Tahto noticed a figure standing by the door. Looking closely, it was his homeroom teacher.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslfrZLgudk
"A brilliant performance just now," the teacher spoke before Tahto could say a word. "However, I hope you prepared just as diligently for your written exam. I’d rather not see you here again next year."18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBstRmnbkcR
Tahto lowered his head slightly, swallowing back the words he had intended to say.
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Having been in the first match, Tahto finished his martial exam early and returned to the dining hall to rest, while his opponent Bullo had been rushed to the infirmary. Other examinees who completed their tests gradually trickled into the dining hall—some chatting and laughing, others complaining about their opponents being too ruthless.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCPTxvkxn7
In the muggy atmosphere of the hall, Tahto, who hadn't slept in a full day, leaned his head against the bag on the table and slowly drifted off to sleep...18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVbrKB6Avx
"The results are out!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77tCp0dhPg
"They're on the bulletin board in the main hallway! Quick, go look!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZlI8ZtKGe
After an unknown amount of time, a drowsy Tahto faintly heard surrounding students talking about test results. He blearily opened his eyes to find the dining hall rapidly emptying as everyone headed toward the corridor.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4jjCmeqvs
The martial exams had long concluded, meaning this year's annual evaluation had officially come to an end.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyGZBdZlxq
Tahto hastily grabbed his bag and hurried toward the crowd. A distance of a hundred meters felt agonizingly far today; his heart hammered against his chest, and tension gripped his entire body.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXhEDgvfKH
"Only six people passed?!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozuTDcatmr
"Sigh, guess I have to stay another year."18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX75FoY1H0A
Finally reaching the main hallway, a sea of examinees surrounded the bulletin board. Tahto forced his way through, desperate to see if his name was among the passing list.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlA8dwRqox
Squeezing to the front row, Tahto focused his eyes on the top six passing names... His was not among them.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IZG1es03j
He searched frantically for his name.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUur7hdKeE
Tianwu Tahto — Written Exam: 30 / Martial Exam: 9918Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUPaAlTBcj
A score of 99 in the martial exam was undoubtedly the highest among all examinees, but a 30 in the written portion placed him dead last.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNCO3179RL
"Wow, congratulations on passing! Top marks in both academia and combat—you must be really popular with the girls!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrASL1fK6je
"Haha, not at all, not at all."18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLgC2r3c3e
The few passing honor students were surrounded by the crowd, showered with praise.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhdkLAyqGx
Tahto didn't linger. He turned and walked out of the crowd. Along the way, he brushed past Bullo’s side-parted and crew-cut sidekicks. The side-parted youth turned to shout an insult, but Tahto had already vanished into the throng. Only the curly-haired youth standing in the back saw clearly who it was. He noticed Tahto’s grim face and dangerously gloomy aura. When his two friends asked if he saw who bumped into them, he simply waved his hands repeatedly in silence.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMetQkZGMP
Near the edge of the crowd, the female student with textured bangs and a short bob tried to squeeze into the hall. She noticed her classmate, Tahto, walking out the back door with his head lowered, holding his bag as he headed toward the backyard grove.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwoBcnj435
Tahto kept walking farther away from the crowd, only stepping into a stretch of waist-high bushes once he was well isolated.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtwUkc1MBd
Sitting on the grass enveloped by tall weeds, he remained motionless for a long time.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9wxvEc0jE
"Are you kidding me?! I don't ever want to look at this trash again!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv95rRbVey
Finally unable to contain it, he ripped open his bag, pulled out his textbooks, and violently tore the pages into shreds, hurling them into the air. Countless torn scraps drifted down like snow.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt9v1OABPL
When almost every page was destroyed, Tahto hurled the remaining hard cover viciously at a distant tree.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY4XORXnl7
Having vented his fury, Tahto leaned his hands on his knees, panting heavily—exhausted in both body and soul.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0KgJdOH1X
Gazing at the setting sun, something suddenly clicked in Tahto’s mind. He picked up his bag and took a few more steps back, peering through the tall grass to spot a small wooden shack. Standing guard on either side of the cabin were two middle-aged men holding long staves—one short, one tall.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzlHcmyPci
This was the rearmost edge of the Academy grounds, an area with virtually no foot traffic. Students only heard rumors of a crude storage hut in the back, but few had ever laid eyes on it.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlghAYnCiA3
Yet Tahto knew that the secret hidden within was the absolute key to "That Plan."
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02yZObxwgV
Night had fallen. Tahto crouched behind the bushes, watching the small wooden shack for three solid hours.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvtWjaQ4yD
Sensing the time was right, he pulled the prepared dagger from his bag. After a moment's hesitation, he stashed it back inside.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50PS3tclhe
Slipping through the grass, he stayed low, using a row of palm trees beside the shack as cover to creep closer.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuZVAJ4nvJ
The two middle-aged guards were drowsy, nodding off.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM60uz0FSWS
When he was extremely close to the short guard, Tahto picked up a wooden stick from a nearby pile of timber to use as a weapon. Unexpectedly, the noise was too loud, instantly alerting the guards.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ3jCzERuY
"Intruder!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh85361XNFR
The short guard bellowed, charging toward Tahto's direction. The tall guard snapped awake and rushed over to investigate.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8aSsqSYh3
Left with no choice, Tahto raised his stick to strike the short guard, who barely managed to block it with his long staff.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgC255mFVT
"Kid, you've got some strength!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYaCHbowuQ
In the contest of raw power, the short guard began to lose ground. The tall guard thrust his long staff toward Tahto.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzi2Rx5krC
"Boy, what are you doing here?!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGCPP30zZa
Tahto dodged the thrust and leapt back to create distance between them.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFFl0Rg8bi
Their reaction is so extreme... Looks like my guess was right!18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxraXvtdYW7
Spotting an opening, Tahto lunged toward the short guard once more.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O2ECelg6t
"Send him away, Flowing Brook!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOq2J3Jxmy
Suddenly, a small stream of water erupted from beneath the short guard's feet, rushing rapidly toward Tahto, expanding in length.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIybBz8HQY
He actually activated his ability!18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRQwVvFRC9
Before Tahto could process it, he lost his balance on the stream created by the short guard and crashed onto his backside with a splash.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuZ04wTNfJ
"Old man, send him over to me!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo1kYJIKrE
Seeing the stream flowing further away, the tall guard shouted at his partner.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7631bU2iw
The stream abruptly shifted direction, surging at high speed toward the tall guard. The tall guard raised his long staff into the air, preparing to strike Tahto as the stream delivered him.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUabxiIgCA
Tahto frantically jammed his wooden stick into the ground outside the stream, using the leverage to hurl himself clear. He narrowly avoided a crushing blow to the head from the tall guard's staff.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycpVipkUXv
"Boy, this isn't a place you belong!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqfXjy2aNa
Before Tahto could even catch his breath on the ground, the tall guard's staff swooped down from above again. Tahto had no choice but to roll frantically across the dirt to escape the danger.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLaIcXYVTy
Before he could even stand, the stream reappeared beneath his feet. This time the current was even more violent, rushing straight toward the tall guard.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieP62dbp9b
"Impale him, Sprouting Root!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa0jO4X3C9
Several massive, drill-like roots burst violently from the earth directly in front of Tahto. Unable to jump away like before, Tahto slammed his stick deep into the dirt with both hands. Within a second, the stick snapped under the immense pressure, but that single second saved him from being impaled through the chest.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRlAaHHdqd
Tahto crashed heavily onto a massive root. With no time to pause, he clawed desperately at the earth to crawl outward. His fingers dragged across the gravel and dirt, scraped raw and bleeding, before he executed a desperate leap—finally escaping the combined assault of the stream and the giant roots.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyDh0E0Ho1
Empty-handed, Tahto sprinted toward the short guard. Having unleashed continuous capabilities, the short guard seemed exhausted, panting heavily as he held his staff defensively in front of his chest.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQoQI1lPrQ
"Watch out!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZvUsGiTRW
The tall guard summoned another giant root beneath Tahto’s feet, but Tahto anticipated it and leapt aside just in time.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR7bNmay93
Tahto’s true objective was actually the pile of timber behind the short guard—he needed a weapon to break through.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73jdebLx6v
Another giant root sprouted underfoot, but its speed couldn't catch Tahto. Reaching the timber pile, he grabbed a new wooden stick.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCbq7lsKNw
Grasping the stick with both hands, Tahto faced the two men. He knew he couldn't attack blindly again; their coordination posed an immense threat, and a single mistake meant failure.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAyFSbyyWA
"Mister, how do you open this door?"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUpF58rIjX
A girl's voice suddenly echoed. Two students holding wooden sticks had somehow slipped around to the door of the wooden shack and were trying to force it open.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm8JPB0eUR
"What do you think you're doing?!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCh1mIty1E
The tall guard roared, charging toward the duo. The two students turned and fled into the distance, with the tall guard in hot pursuit.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelWF31pKdH
"Ah!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9yIzgsapv
Tahto recognized them—they were the female classmate with textured bangs and Bullo’s curly-haired sidekick. Why would a third-year and a first-year show up here together?18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIvx9dMdEk
There was no time to ponder. Taking advantage of the short guard's distraction, Tahto raised his stick and charged.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqWssOAL4p
"Trying to ambush me?!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVhs5Mz2Ad
The short guard spun around, unleashing a stream toward Tahto to sweep him away once more.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9LTDzjtxK
This time, Tahto was prepared. He leapt high into the air, vaulting straight over the short guard’s head. The short guard looked up, the moonlight intertwining with Tahto’s mid-air silhouette.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ779YOMGJe0
Tahto landed softly behind him. Before the short guard could even turn around, Tahto brought his stick crashing down violently onto the guard's back!18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJiL9PUUEn
The force snapped the stick clean in two, and the short guard collapsed to the ground like a kite with a severed string.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hnTmuuRcM
"Sorry about that, Mister," Tahto whispered.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBzQ0c6X6m
"Old man!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnrroTCYhb
In the distance, the tall guard heard the commotion and sprinted back toward Tahto.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwt6ydBNdu
Tahto went to grab another stick from the timber pile, but a giant root burst under his feet once more. His left ankle was grazed, nearly impaled.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI85Jle1Um
The wood pile was just a few paces away, but the tall guard’s staff was already closing in.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5llVnITpDx
Too late!18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjp894e5rj
"Catch!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC0zAzcS7x
CLANG! A wooden stick struck the back of the tall guard's head, freezing him in his tracks. It had been thrown by the curly-haired student!18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0Iccrg80D
Taking advantage of the guard's hesitation, Tahto scooped up a stick from the ground.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QLit5yoCR
Recovering his senses, the tall guard swung his staff viciously at Tahto. Tahto side-stepped the blow, slipped behind his back, and slammed his stick hard across the tall guard’s back.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwgnQtIa2w
BANG!18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70tSzfFT45
With a heavy thud, the stick snapped again, and the tall guard collapsed with a heavy groan.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJgiAHh4mW
Tahto squatted down, glancing at the two students standing not far away, before turning the guards' pockets inside out for keys.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7qeoH034W
A moment later, using two matching keys, Tahto successfully unlocked the padlock on the shack’s door.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTy92kDof9
Opening the door, a faint musty odor wafted out.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCLwxu43RP
What met his eyes were a few irrelevant long staves and a massive object covered by a large tarp.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEsf4tFWIO
Tahto stepped forward and pulled off the cloth, revealing a large wooden chest. He carefully opened the lid, while the two students stood on either side, watching with eager anticipation.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn1Q3q4vVv
It was Origin Reflecting Orbs (Oro). Dozens of them. Tahto had gambled and won.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkALMEQqCC
Tahto picked up a silver, metallic-feeling orb. The female student picked up a pink one adorned with floral patterns, while the curly-haired freshman took a light-green orb that faintly emitted golden light from its center.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7o9h0UjFf
"Consider us even," Tahto said, packing away his share of the orbs and making a beeline for the small wicket gate behind the shack.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8dARmJa2k
To his surprise, the other two followed right behind him.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N87reOGvq
"What are you doing? I’m under no obligation to protect you!" Tahto snapped in annoyance.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJqdnFokfI
"After pulling off something like this, there’s no way we can stay at the Academy anyway," the two replied in unison with a smile, as if they had rehearsed the line beforehand.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusSPF5AM9W
"Once we're out of the Academy, we go our separate ways. Don't get in my way!" Tahto grumbled with disdain.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXn5UeOuri
And just like that, an unexpected trio set foot on a path into the grand unknown...
and then Add to home screen.