Lucas had grown.
Now twelve years old, he had become significantly stronger — strong enough to defeat a boss that an entire team of five young men had struggled against, without even breaking a sweat.
Standing atop the fallen hybrid beast, Lucas appeared more dazzling than ever. His black hair, styled into a messy half-bun with long, wild strands framing his sharp features, added an effortless charm to his already striking looks.
Turning to the others, Lucas asked calmly, "Are you all alright?"
They nodded quickly, some with trembling smiles, and responded in unison, "Yes, we're fine."
Lucas glanced over at the injured warrior and pointed at him with a lazy flick of his finger.
"And him?"
The boy carrying the injured one straightened up and said, "He'll be okay. Nothing life-threatening."
Off to the side, the young swordsman who had been unable to do anything during the battle stood silently. His eyes, full of frustration and self-blame, remained fixed on Lucas.
Lucas gave him a brief look but said nothing. Instead, he spoke to the group, his voice even and commanding, "The quest is over. We should return to headquarters."
The others exchanged quick glances before smiling and answering together, "Yes!"
Lucas raised his right hand towards the empty space beside them and muttered under his breath, "Portal."
In an instant, a portal swirled into existence, framed with a blue-violet glow.
Without hesitation, Lucas stepped through, the others following close behind.
They returned to the familiar, sterile white walls of Lingquan Corporation's vast portal room — a room filled with countless gates... and yet, still spacious enough to feel eerily empty.
Waiting for them was someone — someone who had been expecting their arrival.
The room was enclosed on all sides — not a single window in sight.
In fact, it was located deep underground.
And yet, despite being buried beneath layers of earth and stone, strong winds roared inside the room, swirling around them.
The currents came from the countless active portals, each gate exhaling invisible gusts that made the atmosphere strangely alive.
Lucas, his left hand tucked casually into his pocket, used his right hand to keep his wild, black hair from getting completely ruined by the wind.
He looked like he hardly had a care in the world.
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed through the chaos, "Hey, Lucas!"
Lucas turned his head left and spotted a man standing near one of the portal stations, waving enthusiastically with his right hand.
Michael Carter.
A genuine smile broke across Lucas' face.
It had been two or three years since he had last seen Michael.
Without a second thought, Lucas jogged toward him and greeted warmly, "Mr. Michael! It's been a while. How have you been?"
Michael smiled back just as warmly, hands casually stuffed in the pockets of his long coat.
"I've been doing great," he replied. "What about you? How have you been? How did the quest go?"
Lucas, still adjusting his messy bun with one hand and the other deep in his pocket, shrugged lightly.
"It was pretty easy."
Just then, the rest of Lucas' team emerged from the portal behind him, dragging the injured boy with the shattered battle axe.
Michael's gaze shifted, narrowing slightly.
He pointed toward the wounded youth.
"Looks like someone took quite a beating."
Lucas glanced back over his shoulder, nodded slightly, and said, "Yeah. I was a bit late."
Michael ruffled Lucas' hair playfully with a rough hand, a warm smile on his face.
"That's just how it goes in quests sometimes," he said. "No need to blame yourself."
Lucas laughed quietly and nodded.
Then, Michael asked curiously, "By the way, where's your little friend… what was his name again? Huang Qi?"
Huang Qi — He was also working in this company, Lucas had met him again during his first 'Three-Year Mastery' quest.
The boy was a legend in his own right, despite being so young.
Lucas answered casually, "He's out on a quest."
Michael raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? How many quests have you both completed so far?"
Lucas' expression shifted immediately.
It was the same look a kid would make when their parents found a hidden, terrible test paper.
In a low, almost embarrassed voice, Lucas muttered, "I've only completed 26 quests... and Huang's already done 31. He's probably out on his 32nd quest right now."
Michael couldn't help but laugh.
He stood there in his casual clothes — a cyan t-shirt and brown pants — relaxed and easygoing.
Michael's appearance was striking as well. His shoulder-length red hair fluttered lightly in the portal room's swirling winds, and his sharp red eyes gleamed brightly every time he spoke to Lucas.
Seeing Michael laugh, Lucas scowled slightly and said, "What's so funny? I'll surpass him soon enough!"
Michael finally stifled his laughter and waved a hand dismissively.
"By the way," he said, "I heard a rumor… that you're planning to join Lingquan Academy. Is that true?"
Lucas adjusted his messy hair again and nodded.
"Yeah," he said seriously. "There are a lot of things I can't learn just by fighting. I'll need proper training if I want to move forward."
Every major corporation, including Lingquan, maintained their own private academies.
Only registered adventurers from within the company could enroll, and graduating from one of these prestigious academies meant everything.
Your achievements during your years there would directly determine your salary, your ranking, your influence, and even your fame within the company and beyond.
Lucas — and every other adventurer here — understood this perfectly.
Just then, movement caught Lucas' attention.
From the portal to his left, another team stepped through — led by none other than Huang Qi.
Huang Qi's presence was unmistakable.
He led a full six-member squad — the maximum allowed for a standard team.
Like Lucas, Huang had recently turned twelve. He was slightly shorter than Lucas, but carried himself with the same confidence.
Huang's looks were good — clean features, sharp eyes — but not enough to rival Lucas' almost unfair level of attractiveness.
Once dressed in traditional Shaolin monk robes, Huang had abandoned those for a more modern style: a crimson T-shirt and mid-red pants that fit his lean, athletic frame.
His brown hair was slightly messy but neat enough to show he still cared about discipline.
Following behind him were five other members — four boys and one girl.
The girl looked around the same age as Lucas and Huang, her presence sharp and lively among the group.
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched Huang's team gather.
The girl had short black hair, trimmed neatly just at her shoulders. Her outfit was casual but suited her perfectly — a white top layered with a crimson jacket, crimson sweatpants, and light red sandals. A lollipop stuck out from her mouth as she walked casually, her black eyes shining with a mischievous light that matched her lively appearance. She was, without a doubt, beautiful.
When she spotted Lucas, her face lit up with excitement.
"Lucas! It's been so long!" she called out, waving her right hand high in the air.
Michael shifted his gaze from the girl to Lucas, a sly, knowing smile spreading across his face.
Pressing all five fingers dramatically over his lips, he teased,
"Ohhh... so you made a girlfriend, Lucas. Should I tell your father and mother?"
Lucas, embarrassed and visibly annoyed, closed his eyes and muttered,
"She's not my girlfriend. She's Lucian's cousin."
Michael raised an eyebrow.
"Lucian? Ah... your old friend, Lucian Vale?"
"Yeah, that's him," Lucas confirmed.
Michael casually waved his hand in farewell.
"Well, I better get going. We'll meet again sometime. Until then, take good care of yourself... and your girlfriend."
"She's not my girlfriend!" Lucas shouted back, his frustration clear. "And you take care too!"
Laughing, Michael disappeared into the crowd.
Meanwhile, Huang and the girl approached Lucas, stopping just a hand's length away.
"So," Huang asked, "you completed your quest successfully?"
Lucas nodded with a small smile.
"Of course."
He looked at Huang and asked,
"And you?"
The girl chimed in brightly,
"Absolutely! Our quest was super easy. Want me to tell you about Quest 32?"
Lucas shook his head firmly.
"No. And you know the rules — adventurers aren't allowed to share quest information."
The girl pouted, clearly disappointed.
"Lame."
Huang let out an exasperated sigh and said sternly,
"Katherine, shut up."
Katherine, who was slightly taller than both Huang and Lucas, smirked and shot back,
"Shut up, dwarf."
Huang scowled and snapped,
"You should just stay quiet. Useless woman."
Without hesitation, Katherine punched him lightly on the head and retorted,
"If you keep talking to girls like that, no one's ever going to marry you."
Huang clutched his head, groaning in pain, but didn't argue back.
Lucas chuckled lightly and said,
"Why don't we talk upstairs? The wind's getting stronger here. Besides, I need to report the quest to the manager anyway."
"Same here," Huang added, straightening up.
On the way, Katherine asked,
"By the way, Lucas, how's your Will training going?"
Lucas smiled slightly.
"Pretty good. I've learned how to use Will now, but I still need a lot more practice."
The three continued chatting as they made their way up.
The portal room was located deep underground, but to reach the upper floors, there were several transparent, high-tech lifts installed. Standing inside the clear capsules, they quickly ascended to the main building.
Inside, Lingquan Corporation was a marvel. The walls and ceilings were painted a soft light blue, giving the entire space a calm yet futuristic feel. Massive chandeliers and glowing lights hung from above, casting a warm, welcoming glow. Numerous cabinets lined the walls, each designated for adventurers of different ranks. There were at least four canteens scattered around, and even fully equipped gym areas for physical training.
Soon, Lucas, Huang, and Katherine stood before the manager's desk, ready to report.
Only team leaders were allowed to submit reports. Lucas, being the leader of his team, and Huang, the leader of his own, stepped forward to give their quest details.
Meanwhile, Katherine was too busy finishing her lollipop to care much about the formalities.
Once they finished reporting, the manager dismissed them with a nod.
Lucas's team couldn't take another quest for now — one of his members was injured and needed time to recover. Huang's team, on the other hand, was free to continue, but both he and his team members were exhausted and decided to rest.
As they walked away, Huang asked,
"So, where are you heading next?"
Lucas replied,
"I'm going straight to the Academy reception. Need to fill out my enrollment form."
Katherine, genuinely surprised, gasped,
"Wait! You're joining the Academy!?"
"Yeah," Lucas said casually.
"Then let's go together!" Katherine suggested brightly.
Lucas smiled warmly.
"Why not?"
The three of them — Lucas, Katherine, and Huang — started making their way toward the Academy wing of the Corporation building.
But none of them noticed the shadow lurking behind.
A swordsman from Lucas's team stood at a distance, silently watching them. His eyes burned with jealousy and hatred toward Lucas, Huang, and Katherine. Yet despite the storm of emotions raging inside him, he was powerless to act against them.
Not yet.
The Academy stood like a relic of another world — a massive structure shaped like an ancient church, yet exuding an aura far darker. Its towering spires clawed at the sky, painted in a deep, matte black that seemed to absorb even the sunlight. Intricate carvings ran across its stone walls — not of saints or angels, but of warriors locked in endless battles, and dragons roaring into eternity.
Two colossal, black-iron doors marked the entrance, each etched with the Academy's crest — a broken sword wrapped in thorns.
Inside, the air grew colder, and the silence was oppressive. High vaulted ceilings loomed overhead, crisscrossed with thick, black beams. Dim, bluish lights hung from chandeliers made of dark steel, casting long, twisted shadows across the polished obsidian floors. The walls were lined with ancient banners bearing forgotten symbols, their colors faded by time.
Rows of towering black columns stretched endlessly down the grand hallways, leading toward different wings of the Academy — the Combat Halls, the Arcane Archives, and the Dormitories. Every step echoed through the vast chambers, a reminder to all who entered: this was a place not of comfort, but of discipline, power, and ambition.
Lucas, Huang, and Katherine stood outside the academy, their eyes wide with surprise at the sight before them.