Dein and Hex squatted in one corner, quietly observing the scene around them. Suddenly, a third head leaned between them. Both Dein and Hex turned sharply.

"Hello, I'm Ben."

Dein raised a brow while Hex frowned.

"Yo… buddy," Ben added quickly, holding up his hands. "I don't mean any harm. I just thought you two looked… interesting."

"???"

"What do you want?" Hex asked bluntly.

"If it were a woman staring at me, I'd understand. But you…"

Pft—

Dein nearly choked at his words, then narrowed his eyes.

Ben scratched the back of his head and said, "Honestly, I just find it hard to mingle with others."

"Why is that?" Hex and Dein asked at the same time.

Ben gave a small sigh. "Everyone's already formed their own groups. Families are gathering the talented ones, trying to pull them in as underlings."

Hex tilted his head. "Strange. I haven't heard anyone call for me."

"That's because you're with him," Ben replied, nodding at Dein.

Dein's brows lifted in surprise. Hex caught the reaction and smirked mischievously.

"Oh? So you know this young master?"

"Huh? You don't?" Ben looked at Hex as though it was obvious. "He's from the Arthur family. One of the Sentinel families."

"Sentinel…" Hex muttered, stunned for a moment.

The Sentinels were guardian families, known for their great deeds during humanity's darkest crisis. They were revered then, but no one truly knew how much corruption lay under their surface now.

Yet Dein never once acted arrogant or proud. That alone raised Hex's opinion of him even higher.

"Hex!"

A sharp voice rang out, calling his name. Hex got to his feet immediately.

"I'll see you soon," he said before leaving.

As soon as Hex disappeared, Dein's expression changed. His eyes hardened as he turned to Ben.

"Why did you reveal that?"

Ben straightened, meeting Dein's gaze carefully. "Young master, it's for your own good. You should have some allies. I've been watching that boy. He's cautious, mature, and steady. If trouble comes, I wanted him to lean toward you instead of against you."

Dein frowned, falling silent for a moment.

Ben was a child of one of the families under the Arthur household. There were many like him, all looking for a chance to attach themselves. But Dein didn't want to rely on them yet, not until he had achieved something on his own.

He remembered his grandfather's words.

[True friends won't care about your status. They won't measure your worth by family or power. When danger comes, they won't hesitate to stand with you.]

[We from the great families are weighed down by years of rules, power, and expectations. We cannot afford even one wrong step. But true friends are free of that. Find them, cherish them. Don't force them to join you. If you can nurture such bonds, that will be enough.]

Dein's eyes turned cold at the memory. He glared at Ben.

"You spoke too soon. This might only cause problems."

"But—" Ben began.

"Shut up," Dein cut him off sharply.

Ben bit down on his tongue and lowered his head, lips pressed tight.

Dein's voice dropped. "And stop calling me young master here. Don't act like that again."

Ben's eyes widened at the order. Slowly, he nodded.

...…..

Hex didn't dwell on Dein's background as a Sentinel family member. On the long path ahead, he could only rely on himself. As for others, he decided to let things happen naturally.

He entered the wide hall and was directed to room number forty.

As soon as he stepped inside, a familiar figure greeted him.

"Sir Argent," Hex said with a sharp salute. Then he turned to Amanda and gave the same respectful greeting.

Amanda returned the gesture with a smile. "It was supposed to be me guiding you today, but Sir Argent specifically requested to come here."

Hex's eyes widened.

Extra care? Did I do something right… or is someone moving things behind the scenes?

He glanced between them with suspicion, which made Amanda chuckle lightly.

She opened a file on the table and began reading his details.

"Hex, you have a copy ability at the S-rank level. That's both a blessing and a curse. It is one of the hardest abilities to train properly. That's why Sir Argent himself will be overseeing you."

Hex turned to Argent, voice full of respect. "Sir, do you also have a copy ability?"

Argent shook his head. "No, I don't.I don't have any super powers at all."

Hex blinked in surprise. From the countless stories of Argent's valor, he thought the man must have possessed some overwhelming ability. To hear that he had none left him shocked.

Argent stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Personal masters are assigned because every unique ability requires different guidance. But when it comes to copy… all methods fall short."

Amanda nodded and picked up from there. "For someone like you, the most we can do is let you copy many different powers, practice with them, and build familiarity. That way, in times of need, you will not be caught unprepared. That's one path."

She paused, then looked at Argent.

"But there is a second path. You could focus on pure martial skill, the way Sir Argent did."

Amanda tapped on her tablet.

A sharp beeping came from Hex's wristwatch. He looked down at the screen as a scan finished and a number appeared.

MI: 40

"Forty? How did it go up?" Hex muttered in surprise.

"As I expected," Argent said with a small smile. "Those born with special bodies rise quickly. You're using the basic breathing technique, right?"

Hex gave a short nod.

"That, combined with your natural talent, explains it."

"Alright then…" Argent suddenly clapped his hands together. His expression shifted into an eager smile that made Hex feel a chill down his spine.

"Before we go any further, Hex, I want to see you in action. Use every ability you've copied so far and strike at me. We'll analyze your potential."

Hex took a deep breath and nodded. He set his stance, muscles tensing, ready to unleash everything he had. But before he could finish preparing, a palm shot out toward him.

He barely avoided it, throwing himself onto the floor in a quick dodge.

But in the next instant,he found himself knocked down on the ground with a loud slam.

His heart thudded in his chest as he screamed,''What the hell?'

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