Outside the private training room, a staff member stood calmly with a digital pad in hand.
"Your session time has ended, sir."
Inside, Rey didn't respond.
He stood still, staring at the broken wooden spear lying in pieces at his feet.
One clean fracture.Too clean.
His expression was blank, not because he didn't care, but because there was nothing he could do. What was broken was broken. The penalty was unavoidable.
"Sir?" the attendant called again, his tone polite but firm. "If you wish to extend your session, please inform us beforehand to avoid misunderstandings."
Receiving no reply, he pulled out a spare access key and scanned the door.
Beep.
The door slid open.
The attendant stepped in and immediately understood the silence.
The trainee stood motionless.A broken weapon in his hand.
"Oh," the man said lightly. "That explains it."
He bent down, picked up the fallen spearhead, inspected the fracture, then straightened up. Rey subtly hid the remaining half of the spear behind his back.
The attendant didn't comment.
He simply nodded, tapped his pad, and turned the screen toward Rey.
A rule manual appeared.
– Training Centre Regulations –
-> Damage to wooden weapons: 10,000 Dragon Points
-> Damage to training dummy: 30,000 Dragon Points
-> Damage to structural property: 100,000 Dragon Points + permanent ban
-> Failure to pay: Detainment under property damage laws
The attendant smiled. Sweetly.
He slid the screen again.
Payment Options Available.
Rey's eye twitched.
With exaggerated sniffles and fake tears welling in his eyes, he paid.
10,000 Dragon Points deducted.
The attendant's smile didn't waver.
Rey turned to leave.
Before he could take two steps, Aiden appeared in front of him.
"Kid," he said quietly, "take the broken item with you."
Rey froze.
"…Why?"
"Because I might have a way to get your money back."
Rey slowly turned his head.
The attendant was already reorganising the room.
Rey walked back inside.
"Sir," he asked carefully, "may I take the broken spear with me?"
The attendant looked up, surprised.
"Oh? You're still here."
He shook his head apologetically.
"I'm afraid that's not possible. Center policy forbids customers from taking damaged equipment. Please cooperate."
Rey tried once more.
The attendant refused again.
Firm. Polite. Final.
Rey left.
Or so it seemed.
Minutes later, the attendant finished resetting the room. He stepped out, closed the door behind him, and glanced down the empty hallway.
No one.
He relaxed.
The broken spear rested casually in his hand as he walked away.
"Hmph," he muttered with a faint grin. "Trying to be clever, huh. But you can't catch us, no matter what."
He turned the corner.
He never noticed the shadow standing at the edge of the corridor.
Rey watched silently.
His eyes were sharp now.
When the attendant took a left, Rey followed.
Careful. Quiet.
Too many cameras lined the walls. Far more than necessary for a training wing. This wasn't near the main office. Or storage.
'Then why this much security?'
His suspicion deepened.
The attendant paused multiple times, checking rooms.
Every time, he came out with the broken spear still in hand.
Rey waited. Hid. Moved.
The deeper they went, the tighter the security became.
Guards appeared.
Restricted doors.
A section of the building that Rey didn't even know existed.
Finally, the attendant stopped.
Before a single metal door.
Unmarked.
Hidden.
A back exit.
Not the kind meant for customers.
Rey frowned beneath his mask.
This isn't normal.
He adjusted his hoodie, ensured his mask was secure, and checked for cameras. After several tense seconds, he found none covering the immediate blind spot.
He stepped closer.
Slowly reached for the door window.
The handle turned.
Rey's breath hitched.
The door opened from the inside.
The attendant stepped back out.
Their eyes met.
"What the hell are you—"