# Chapter One:
Sunlight filtered through the giant trees surrounding the path to Hanyeol Academy, giving the scene a false aura of sanctity that made Kim Jin-ho smile sarcastically. Twenty years of waiting, and here he finally stood, just steps away from the gate of the place that would be the stage for his revenge.
"Hanyeol Academy of Magical Arts," he muttered to himself as he contemplated the massive stone gate engraved with the symbols of the five great families, "temple of the elite and factory of lies."
Jin-ho was twenty-two years old, tall, with a slim build but taut muscles that hinted at hidden strength. His carelessly styled black hair contrasted with the sharpness of his gray eyes that observed everything with a hunter's precision. He wore a simple outfit—a dark jacket and elegant pants—suggesting neither excessive wealth nor abject poverty, exactly as planned.
He carried a medium-sized bag on his back containing everything he needed: some clothes, old books, and simple magical tools. But the most precious item was hidden in a secret inner pocket—a small silver ring engraved with the Kim family crest, the only thing that had survived with him from the night of the massacre.
"Are you heading to the Academy too?" A delicate female voice interrupted his contemplation.
He turned slowly, displaying a calculated smile—neither too friendly nor too cold. His eyes fell on a girl standing a few steps away from him, wearing an elegant outfit that indicated her wealthy family background. Her long brown hair flowed smoothly around her beautiful face, and her hazel eyes looked at him with curiosity.
"Yes," he answered calmly, "new student."
The girl smiled and stepped toward him, extending her hand, "I'm Lee So-yoon, second-year student. Welcome to Hanyeol Academy."
*Lee So-yoon*. A name he had etched into his memory years ago. Daughter of Lee Jae-sung, head of the Lee family and its heir. The man who had ordered the extermination of his family. And now, here was his daughter standing before him, smiling kindly, unaware that she was shaking hands with the person who had devoted his life to avenging her father.
He shook her hand with a calm smile, "Pleased to meet you. I'm Jin-ho, Kim Jin-ho."
He used his real name. It was a calculated risk. After twenty years, and after it had been officially announced that all members of the Kim family had been killed, no one remembered a small child who was once the heir to the family. The first name alone might evoke some old memories, but with a common family name like "Kim," it was relatively safe.
"Kim?" So-yoon asked curiously, "From which branch of the Kim family are you?"
"A very small branch," Jin-ho answered with a mysterious smile, "I don't think you've heard of it. My family lives in the south, far from the capital."
"Ah, I see." She nodded, and her face showed an expression mixing curiosity with the polite sympathy that the wealthy show toward those they consider beneath them in status. "Well, let me show you the way to the registration hall."
They walked together toward the massive gate, and while So-yoon enthusiastically talked about the Academy and its various departments, Jin-ho observed his surroundings with a hunter's eye. He noticed the gate guards disguised as ordinary servants, recognized the magical protection symbols hidden in the stone engravings, and identified the camouflaged observation points along the path.
"...and of course, the Practical Magic department is the most popular, but the Strategy and Politics department is the most influential," So-yoon was explaining enthusiastically, "which department do you plan to join?"
"I haven't decided yet," Jin-ho replied, "I prefer to explore my options first."
"A wise approach," she commented with a smile, "most new students rush their choices and then regret it later."
They arrived at a wide courtyard paved with white stones, centered by a huge fountain shaped like a tree symbolizing the sacred Hanyeol tree. Around the fountain, dozens of new and returning students gathered, exchanging greetings and conversations after the summer break.
"So-yoon!" a strong male voice shouted from afar.
So-yoon turned and smiled with obvious affectation, "Ah, my cousin."
A tall, handsome young man approached them, wearing luxurious clothes embroidered with the Lee family crest. His looks were arrogant and his steps overly confident.
"Who is this?" he asked in a haughty tone, staring at Jin-ho.
"Lee Jun-ho, this is Kim Jin-ho, a new student," So-yoon introduced him with formal politeness, then turned to Jin-ho, "This is my cousin, Lee Jun-ho, a third-year student and one of the best duelists in the Academy."
Jin-ho nodded his head in a polite greeting, "Pleased to meet you."
Jun-ho examined him from head to toe, then asked with curiosity tinged with superiority, "Kim? From which branch?"
"A small branch from the south," Jin-ho replied calmly.
Jun-ho laughed sarcastically, "Ah, one of those. Well, I hope you've prepared well for the entrance exam. Half the applicants fail to pass it."
"I'll do my best," Jin-ho responded with a calm smile that concealed the raging anger inside him.
"Jun-ho, shouldn't you be at the student council meeting now?" So-yoon asked, trying to politely dismiss him.
"I was on my way there," he answered, then looked at Jin-ho again, "Good luck in the exam, you'll need it." Then he turned and walked away with confident steps.
So-yoon sighed, "Sorry about that. My cousin is... a bit sensitive about social status."
"It's fine," Jin-ho smiled, "I'm used to such situations."
*More than you can imagine*, he added to himself.
"Well, let me take you to the registration hall before the exam begins," said So-yoon, pointing to a massive building on the eastern side of the courtyard.
As they crossed the courtyard, Jin-ho's shoulder suddenly collided with another young man who was running without paying attention. The books the young man was carrying scattered on the ground.
"I'm so sorry!" the young man apologized nervously, bending down to gather his books. He was thin, with thick glasses and disheveled hair, looking like the perfect model of a socially isolated student.
Jin-ho bent down to help him, picking up one of the books. He quickly read the title: "History of the Five Great Families and Their Secrets."
"Interesting book," Jin-ho commented, handing it to the young man.
"Oh, yes," the young man replied with sudden enthusiasm, "I'm interested in the history of the great families, especially mysterious events like the fall of the Kim family twenty years ago."
Jin-ho felt his heart pounding strongly, but he maintained his outward calm, "Really? Why that particular interest?"
"Well, there are many gaps in the official narrative," the young man whispered, as if afraid someone might hear him, "For example, the body of the young heir was never found, and there are rumors about—"
"Nak Sung-min!" an angry shout interrupted him.
The three turned to see a tall, muscular young man with dyed blonde hair approaching them with angry steps.
"P-Park Ji-won," Sung-min stuttered, "I'm sorry, I was just—"
"You were wasting my time," Ji-won cut him off sharply, "Where's the report I asked you for?"
"It's... it's with me," Sung-min answered, pulling out a folded paper from among his books, "I just finished it."
Ji-won snatched the paper rudely, then noticed Jin-ho and So-yoon's presence. When he saw So-yoon, his features suddenly changed, and an affected smile appeared on his face.
"So-yoon, I haven't seen you since summer," he said in a kinder tone, "How are you?"
"Fine, thank you Ji-won," she replied with formal politeness, "May I introduce you to Kim Jin-ho? A new student."
Ji-won turned his attention to Jin-ho, examining him with an evaluative look, "A new student, huh? What level?"
"I haven't taken the test yet," Jin-ho replied simply.
Ji-won laughed, "Well, I hope you're better than this one," he pointed to Sung-min who was looking at the ground in embarrassment, "We need strong students in this Academy, not useless geniuses."
Jin-ho noticed how Sung-min's muscles contracted from the insult, and how So-yoon looked away in annoyance. This was a perfect moment to start building his network.
"I think every type of skill has its value," Jin-ho said calmly, "Knowledge is power in itself, isn't it?"
Ji-won raised his eyebrows, surprised by the response, "Philosophical, aren't you? Well, we'll see if you say the same thing after your first duel."
A distant bell rang, announcing the approaching time for the entrance exam.
"I should go," said Jin-ho, then turned to So-yoon, "Thank you for your help."
"Of course," she smiled, "I'll be in the stands watching the exams. Good luck!"
Jin-ho walked away toward the examination hall, leaving So-yoon, Ji-won, and Sung-min behind. He walked with quiet confidence, but his mind was working at a feverish pace.
In just half an hour, he had met three important figures: the heir to the Lee family, the arrogant son of the Park family, and a history-obsessed student who could be a valuable source of information. Not a bad start at all.
He reached the examination hall, a massive circular building with a domed open roof that allowed sunlight to filter inside. The place was bustling with dozens of nervous applicants, whispering among themselves about the nature and difficulty of the exam.
Jin-ho sat on one of the stone seats, quietly observing the scene. After a few moments, a middle-aged man entered, thin, with gray hair and a scar on his face. He wore an elegant black robe that distinguished the Academy's professors.
"Welcome, all of you, to Hanyeol Academy of Magical Arts," the man spoke in a quiet voice that nonetheless carried clear authority, "I am Professor Yang Sung-ho, head of the admissions committee. Today, we will test your abilities to see which of you deserves the honor of joining our Academy."
He passed his gaze over the faces of the applicants, and for a moment, his eyes met Jin-ho's. Jin-ho felt a strange prickle, as if the Professor was trying to penetrate his thoughts. He kept his mental barriers high, a skill he had mastered during his years of training.
"The test is simple," Professor Yang continued, "You will be called one by one to the center of the hall. You will face three challenges: a test of knowledge, a test of skill, and a test of character. Your success depends on your performance in all three together, not just one."
Worried murmurs spread among the applicants. Jin-ho knew that this type of test aimed to measure the true abilities of the applicants, not just their magical power. He had to be careful—to show enough skill for admission, without attracting too much attention.
"Let's begin," announced Professor Yang, "Kim Jin-ho."
Jin-ho raised his eyebrows in feigned surprise. Being the first to be tested was unexpected, but not coincidental. Perhaps Professor Yang suspected something, or perhaps he just wanted to observe his reaction under pressure.
Jin-ho rose slowly and approached the center of the hall with steady steps. He felt dozens of eyes watching him, including So-yoon's, who was sitting in the upper stands with a group of returning students.
"Kim Jin-ho," said Professor Yang, "Are you ready?"
Jin-ho nodded, "Yes, sir."
"Good," the Professor smiled a mysterious smile, "Let's start with the knowledge test. Tell me, what are the five basic elements of magic in ancient Hanyeol traditions?"
A simple question, but Jin-ho knew it was a trap. Most people know only four elements: fire, water, air, and earth. But the ancient traditions, before the dominance of the five families, recognized a fifth element.
"Fire, water, air, earth," Jin-ho answered, then paused for a moment before adding, "and shadow."
Professor Yang's eyebrows rose slightly, and surprised murmurs spread through the hall. Shadow magic was an almost forbidden subject, having been officially banned for centuries.
"Correct answer," said the Professor, "but interesting. Few know about the fifth element these days."
"I read a lot," Jin-ho replied simply.
"It seems so," the Professor nodded, "Well, let's move on to the skill test."
The Professor gestured with his hand, and three orbs of light appeared hovering in the air around Jin-ho.
"These orbs will attack you," the Professor explained, "Your task is to defend yourself for one minute. You can use any type of magic you're proficient in, but remember—we're evaluating skill and control, not raw power."
Jin-ho nodded and took a ready stance. This was the hardest part—showing enough skill without revealing his true abilities.
"Begin!" the Professor announced.
The light orbs shot toward Jin-ho with amazing speed. He moved lightly, avoiding the first one, then raised his right hand to release a stream of compressed air that deflected the second orb. The third orb attacked him from behind, so he quickly turned and created a simple water shield that absorbed the impact.
The attack continued, with the orbs increasing in speed and power over time. Jin-ho moved elegantly, using a combination of physical movements and simple magic for defense. He deliberately displayed a medium level of skill—good enough for admission, but not exceptional enough to attract attention.
In the final moments, all three orbs attacked at once. He could have easily deflected them all using shadow magic, but instead chose to jump sideways, avoiding two, while the third hit him in the shoulder, causing him to step back.
"Time's up!" announced Professor Yang, and the light orbs disappeared.
Jin-ho was breathing deeply, pretending to be more exhausted than he actually felt.
"Good performance," the Professor commented, "Agile movements, and good control of air and water magic. But your reactions are a bit slow in unexpected situations."
This was exactly what Jin-ho wanted the Professor to think.
"Now, the final test—the character test," Professor Yang continued, "A simple question: Why do you want to join Hanyeol Academy?"
This was the hardest question. The true answer—"to take revenge on the families that destroyed my family"—would certainly not be appropriate. He had to lie, but in a convincing way.
"I want to learn," Jin-ho began, in a calm and measured tone, "Not just magic and martial arts, but also how to use these skills to build a better future for myself... and for my family."
He paused for a moment, then added in a more sincere tone, "I am from a small and forgotten branch of the Kim family. I don't have the influence or wealth that others here have. But I believe that knowledge and skill can change a person's fate. And Hanyeol Academy is the best place to acquire that knowledge."
This was a half-truth—always the best kind of lie. Indeed, he wanted to change his fate, but not in the way others might imagine.
Professor Yang watched him with penetrating eyes, and for a moment, Jin-ho felt that the man could see through his mask. But after a moment of silence, the Professor nodded.
"Thank you, Kim Jin-ho. You may return to your seat."
Jin-ho returned to his place while the Professor called the next applicant. He sat watching the others as they underwent the same tests, analyzing their performance and their strengths and weaknesses. This was a habit ingrained in him during years of training—analyzing everyone around him, knowing who could be a useful ally, and who might pose a threat.
After two hours, all the tests were completed. Professor Yang stood in the center of the hall once again.
"Thank you all for your participation," he said, "The results will be announced within an hour. Successful candidates will receive admission badges and be assigned to their appropriate departments. Good luck to everyone."
The Professor left the hall, leaving the applicants in a state of tension and anticipation. Some began to gather in small groups, discussing their performance and exchanging expectations.
Jin-ho felt someone approaching him and turned to see Sung-min, the thin student he had met earlier.
"Amazing performance," Sung-min said admiringly, "Especially your answer about the five elements. Most people don't know about shadow."
Jin-ho smiled a calculated friendly smile, "Thank you. As I said, I read a lot."
"Me too!" Sung-min said enthusiastically, "Especially about the history of the great families. Can... can I ask you a personal question?"
Jin-ho nodded, aware of what was coming.
"Are you... are you related in any way to the main branch of the Kim family? I mean, the family that ruled twenty years ago?"
This was a dangerous question, but also an opportunity. Sung-min, with his historical curiosity, could be a valuable source of information.
"Why do you ask?" Jin-ho replied with a question, carefully watching Sung-min's reaction.
"Well," Sung-min lowered his voice, "I noticed some resemblance in your features to old pictures of the main Kim family. And your answer about shadow magic... the Kim family was the only one known to master it before their fall."
Sung-min was smarter than he appeared, which made him dangerous... or very useful.
Jin-ho laughed a short laugh, "That's an interesting theory. But as you know, all members of the main branch of the Kim family were killed in the great treason incident. Even the small child, the heir."
"Yes, that's what the official narrative says," Sung-min whispered, "but there are those who doubt it. His body was never found."
Before Jin-ho could respond, a group of assistants entered carrying small boxes. One of them stood in the center of the hall.
"We will now begin announcing the names of those accepted," he announced, "When your name is called, come forward to receive your admission badge and instructions for the department you have been assigned to."
He began reading the names one by one. Jin-ho was confident of his acceptance, but he was more interested in knowing which department he would be assigned to.
"Kim Jin-ho," the assistant finally called, "Department of Strategy and Politics."
Jin-ho smiled an inner smile of satisfaction. This was perfect—the Department of Strategy and Politics was closest to the centers of power in the Academy and would provide him access to valuable information about the ruling families.
He stepped forward to receive his badge—an elegant metal piece shaped like the Hanyeol tree, with the letter "B" engraved on it, indicating his initial classification as a B-level student—good, but not exceptional.
When he returned to his place, Sung-min was waiting for him with an enthusiastic smile.
"I'm in the Department of Strategy and Politics too!" he said excitedly, "We can be friends!"
Jin-ho smiled, "Of course, that would be great."
*Friend*. A strange word for him. He hadn't had real friends for twenty years, since that fateful night. All his relationships were strategic, everyone in his life was a tool to achieve his goal.
And as he left the examination hall with Sung-min, he noticed Professor Yang watching him from afar with a scrutinizing look. He felt a pang of anxiety, but pushed it aside. He had just begun, and the road ahead was long.
At that moment, he saw So-yoon approaching him, smiling happily.
"Congratulations on your acceptance!" she said enthusiastically, "Department of Strategy and Politics, that's great. I'm in the same department too."
"Really? That's good news," Jin-ho smiled, "I hope we can collaborate in the future."
"Definitely," she nodded, "In fact, there's a welcome party for new students this evening. Would you like to attend?"
"I would be delighted," Jin-ho replied.
While So-yoon explained the details of the party, Jin-ho's mind was working rapidly, planning his next steps. He had succeeded in entering the Academy and had begun building his network. Now, he needed to penetrate deeper, gain the trust of the right people, and gather the information he needed.
Twenty ye