Im'the son of the Villainess's at the Academy

The clash of steel and the hum of mana still echoed throughout the chamber as the fight escalated into a storm. Arrows streaked through the air like meteors, swords collided with sparks bright enough to blind, and waves of mana pressure rolled across the marble floor like thunder crashing through the earth.

Ethan darted forward again, sweat trickling down his jaw, his blade glowing with condensed wind magic. He lunged for Jin's flank, his movements now driven by frustration as much as strategy. Jin turned casually, his crimson eyes catching the light—amused, calm, unbothered.

**"Too slow."**

With a flick of his wrist, Jin sidestepped, pivoted on his heel, and let Ethan's blade pass inches from his waist. Then he brought down **Nihil** in a sweeping arc, not to strike, but to redirect Ethan's momentum—flipping him onto his back with effortless grace.

**"Gah—!"** Ethan hit the floor hard, skidding across the polished marble, his sword clattering beside him.

Before Knox could react, Jin spun on his heel and parried the knight's next strike with a single hand. Sparks flew. The force knocked Knox backward, but Jin followed—closing the distance with terrifying speed.

**"You're the muscle, huh?"** Jin's grin widened as their swords locked. **"Let's see how that works against technique."**

A twist, a shift in pressure—and **Knox's greatsword went flying**, crashing into the wall with a loud clang. Jin moved like a serpent through the gap, placing the edge of **Nihil** just inches from Knox's throat before whispering:

**"Checkmate."**

Knox froze, eyes wide. He had never seen someone disarm him so fast.

**Thwip!**

An arrow buzzed through the air behind Jin—one of Lilia's fastest.

Without turning around, he raised **Nihil** behind his back.

**Clang.**

He deflected it blind.

Lilia's eyes widened.

**"No way—"**

Another arrow. Then three more.

Jin flicked his blade, weaving through the air with casual elegance, knocking every single arrow off-course like he was conducting a symphony.

The final arrow—glowing gold with fire mana—he caught with two fingers.

He turned, holding it delicately like a fragile flower.

**"You shoot well."** He smiled at her, eyes gleaming. **"But not well enough."**

He snapped the arrow in half.

Lilia lowered her bow, her mouth dry. Her knees nearly buckled.

**"I…"** she breathed, stunned. **"I've never missed that shot."**

Jin took a step forward.

Lilia instinctively stepped back.

He wasn't even exerting killing intent—but the sheer control, the precision, the arrogance masked in politeness—it was terrifying.

Then, it was quiet.

Dust floated in the air like falling ash. The room glowed faintly from the residual mana surges. Ethan groaned from the floor. Knox was breathing heavily, hands on his knees. Lilia stood frozen, sweat dripping from her forehead.

Jin stood in the center.

Not a single scratch on him.

**Nihil** vanished from his hand in a shimmer of crimson smoke.

He clapped his hands once, casually, like applauding a decent show.

**"Not bad,"** he said with a small grin. **"Honestly, you exceeded my expectations. A little."**

He turned to Ethan, Knox, and Lilia.

**"Well, a deal's a deal."** He folded his arms behind his back. **"You all lost. That means I'm not paying for your shopping trip."**

Lilia blinked. **"…Yes, that's the deal"**

Jin smiled gently, his crimson red eyes flashing playfully, his sardonic smile etched across his face, and his teeth shining white. 

Knox muttered something under his breath. Ethan just shook his head, still lying on the floor.

From the sidelines, Rina had watched every second.

Her fists were clenched. Her heart racing.

Not from anger anymore.

From awe.

He was arrogant. Infuriating. Unapologetically smug.

But gods help her—

He was *incredible.*

---

As Jin walked past the trio toward the edge of the training room, his coat swaying behind him like a cape, he paused near Rina. He leaned down slightly, his lips close to her ear.

**"Are you still angry at me?"** he whispered, his voice low, warm, playful.

She didn't answer.

He leaned closer. His breath brushed her cheek.

**"Because you looked like you enjoyed that."**

Rina turned her head slightly, golden eyes piercing through him.

**"That doesn't mean I've forgiven you."**

Jin chuckled softly.

**"Then I'll just have to keep impressing you until you do."**

With that, he straightened and walked away, the air behind him still charged with power, tension, and something darker.

Leona walked up to Rina, smirking.

**"So… is he always like that?"**

Rina exhaled slowly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

**"Yes."**

She looked toward the door where Jin had disappeared.

**"…And worse."**