The sound of the bowstring releasing filled the air around me. Three arrows shot out simultaneously, slicing through the wind in perfect sync. My eyes followed their trajectories, watching the ceramic discs spin in the sky before...
The impact was precise. The targets exploded into a shower of glittering shards, small fragments dancing in the air before falling to the ground. The echo of the shattering spread across the shooting range, but I remained motionless, my bow still raised.
My breath was held, my fingers slightly stiff on the string. I kept my expression impassive, but I couldn't avoid the brief tremor in my gaze, a fleeting moment of hesitation that I hoped no one would notice.
I slowly lowered the bow, still feeling the vibration of the shot in my fingers. The wind blew gently, tousling a strand of my hair. Automatically, I brushed it aside with a mechanical gesture, my thoughts still lingering on the shot I had just taken.
For a moment, the range remained silent. Then, the sound of conversations and new arrows being fired filled the space once again.
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly through my mouth.
'Maybe I should cut my hair...'
This was a thought that had occurred to me a long time ago, back when I still wielded a sword. At the time, I decided to keep it, even after switching to a long-range combat style. But now... If I really follow this new path I've been considering since meeting Theo, then I'll have to cut it.
After all, long hair and swords don't mix. Imagine facing an enemy and, in the middle of a quick movement, a rebellious strand covers your vision? That could easily happen.
Maybe that wasn't the most convincing justification. If you think about it, there are many famous heroes who sport long hair without it hindering them.
'Heh... Sometimes, I just get lazy about combing it all the time.'
I murmured, watching my strands slide between my fingers.
Not that short hair didn't require care, but compared to long hair, the effort was much less.
'Mm... But would Theo like to see me with short hair?'
The idea suddenly popped up, catching me off guard. Men generally seem to have a thing for long hair, don't they?
'Wait... Why am I even thinking about this? It's not like his opinion matters! It's my decision and mine alone. Hmph!'
Still, I couldn't help but sigh.
Without realizing it, that white-haired idiot had become a constant presence in my thoughts.
It was funny. Just a few days ago, I hadn't even considered something . I never saw myself interested in relationships, much less having a boyfriend. And now? Now I find myself wondering if it would be right to get involved with him.
'Ah! What am I thinking?! I barely know anything about him!'
The thought hit me hard, bringing with it a mix of frustration and uncertainty.
'I don't know what his dream is, his true reason for joining Cube... I don't know what he's afraid of or what he desires. At most, I know that he likes me and that he has that strange Gift that grants him even stranger abilities.'
I let out a deep sigh and shook my head, trying to dispel the flood of thoughts.
But it was too late. Theo was already there, lodged in some corner of my mind, and perhaps, he had already started making his way toward my heart as well.
As I prepared to head back to the dormitory, my smartwatch chimed.
"Uh? Speaking of him, look here."
Theo had just sent me a message.
[Let me know when you're ready to come, and I'll pick you up. That way, there's no risk of you getting caught wandering the halls.]
That's a good idea. It's better than risking a point deduction. After all, being outside the dormitory after daily classes was prohibited unless you were training, which was my case now.
[Okay. I'll message you when I'm ready.]
As soon as I confirmed, I closed the messaging app, gathered my things, and started to leave.
But the moment I passed through the exit door and entered the hallway, a strange sensation, as if someone was secretly watching me, made me freeze in place. Immediately, I turned my body toward the direction of the sensation, but to my surprise, it was empty. There was no sign of life there.
'What was that? I'm sure I felt someone watching me'
I might be hot-headed at times, but if there was one thing I trusted most in this world, it was my senses. And right now, they were telling me it wasn't a mistake to think I was being watched.
'...A stalker? If so, they're an idiot for doing it here at Cube.'
Not only because of Cube's rules, which would severely punish anyone who did such a thing, but also because of who I was. After all, I wasn't just any cadet. My grandfather was the most powerful hero in South Korea and one of the most powerful men in the world. So whoever it was, they were digging their own grave.
'Hah! Let's go. Whoever it is, they apparently don't want to show themselves.'
Noticing that the sensation had disappeared, I resumed walking toward the dormitory, this time paying more attention to my surroundings.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Once the most powerful nation in the world, the United States of America faced an unexpected decline with the emergence of mana, dungeons, towers, djinn, and monsters. The hegemony that once relied on military power, economic influence, and technological supremacy, alongside China, was challenged by a new factor: the awakening of the new world.
Although still one of the most influential nations in the world, the U.S. no longer dictated the rules alone. Control over the Awakened slipped from the government's hands, fragmented among private corporations, autonomous organizations, and powerful guilds that became global forces. The old power structure slowly crumbled, replaced by a world where individual strength dictated the fate of nations.
The U.S. Hero Academy was not a symbol of excellence, unlike the Hero Academy of South Korea.
Meanwhile, the threat of Djinns increasingly infiltrated American society.
The United States remains a giant, but a giant that has learned to coexist with new titans.
The American Dream, once based on success and prosperity, now molds itself in a world where only the strongest can write their own destiny.
And in the midst of all this, at the American Hero Association, a transmission was being broadcast to four people. These individuals were agents sent by four of the ten largest guilds in the United States, who had agreed to attend the meeting.
"As you all know, yesterday at the Hero Academy in South Korea, a video gained significant attention among all others."
The woman in front of the large screen pointed to the photo of the white-haired boy.
"Theo Sagan. The cadet who surprised everyone by surpassing big names like Kim Suho, Shin Jonghak, and Raquel Elisabeth Louise from England... There's a strong possibility that he underwent an enlightenment, not just any enlightenment, but one that makes him very special compared to others."
These words reverberated throughout the room, but no one spoke. After all, no one here was interested in hearing about Theo's ranking. The issue at hand was slightly different.
"...The reason for this meeting is to find a way to bring Theo Sagan back to our side."
At the far end of the four-chair table, a man who appeared to be in his 30s or 40s spoke. His golden eyes stared at the beautiful woman.
His name was Oliver Lawrence, vice-leader of the 'ETERNAL DARKNESS' guild, ranked sixth nationally.
"I think it will be a bit difficult, Miss Chloe. After all, it was our country that failed to welcome him."
On the left side, a young man in his mid-20s spoke. He adjusted his glasses and stared at the woman who looked at him in silence.
His name was William Smith, vice-leader of the 'CONQUERORS' guild, ranked seventh nationally.
"...If the information about his relationship with cadets Chae Nayun and Yoo Yeonha is correct, we're already losing before even trying."
Next to him, a youthful-looking woman, who appeared to be in her early 20s, also spoke. Her voice carried a slight hint of scorn, not toward Theo, but toward the country that had turned its back on its people and now wanted to bring him back.
Her name was Sophia Brown, vice-leader of the 'ASCENSION' guild, ranked fifth nationally.
"There's also the South Korean Hero Association. It's almost certain they won't make it easy for us."
Finally, an elderly woman with graying hair, who appeared to be in her 60s or 70s, looked at the young woman, agreeing with everything the others had said. She also didn't hesitate to add her opinion.
Her name was Harper Walton, leader of the 'GOLDEN EAGLES' guild, ranked fourth nationally.
Nodding to everyone, the woman named Chloe spoke again.
"Yes, I understand... But what I propose is something different. Instead of physically bringing him to our side..."
"We can make him our ally."
Miss Walton quickly understood where this young woman was heading.
"That's right, Miss Walton. A long time ago, the American Hero Association lost its authority over the three largest guilds. They practically do as they please, and even the institution responsible for teaching our future heroes is in their hands. And because of this, all the autonomy that was ours is now theirs."
This happened a long time ago, right after the world underwent the "Outcall". The United States of America, along with other countries in Central, North, and South America, suffered massive blows.
Unlike South Korea, which managed to navigate through the chaos and become a prominent country with heroes and the highest technology on its side, the United States, in contrast, found itself fighting against itself instead of fighting for its people and country.
"My plan is as follows..."
If there was a chance to restore their country to what it once was, even if that chance was minimal, then everyone in this room would take it, even if it meant using a young cadet as a means.