"You have a boyfriend?"
Vivian Summer's brows furrowed. "Is he a classmate of yours?"
Autumn Summer gave a slight nod.
Vivian scoffed, "What kind of future could any of your classmates possibly have?"
It wasn't just her being cruel. From her perspective, Martial Saint Academy was practically a diploma mill. The students there were ordinary people who couldn't even bond with a hero. In her eyes, they were going nowhere.
Autumn didn't argue. Her tone remained calm. "Even if he has no future, he's still the one I chose."
"You chose?" Vivian sneered, her voice suddenly sharp. "Don't forget your surname is Summer. This isn't something you get to decide on your own."
Autumn stared at her quietly. Then, she suddenly smiled.
"Mom, remember when I got a perfect score in the humanities section? I could've gone to a much better university, studied any number of other majors. Do you know why I chose Martial Saint Academy instead?"
"It's because I realized that no matter how accomplished I became in any other field, I'd never be able to escape the control of people like you."
"But this academy... it gives me power. The power to take control of my own fate."
Vivian stared at her, stunned, as if she were seeing her daughter for the very first time.
Then her expression twisted in fury. She coldly snorted, "You think these little achievements are enough to set you free?"
"Someday they will be," Autumn replied, eyes burning with conviction. "And I believe that day isn't far away."
For the first time, a thrill surged in her chest.
This was the first time she had stood up to her mother.
The first time she fought back for control over her own life.
She had finally said no to parental tyranny.
And honestly, it felt amazing. For the first time in her life, she tasted what freedom felt like.
"Naive," Vivian snorted. "You think venturing into Forbidden Zones is a game? Two good results and suddenly you think you've figured it all out? The danger that lies ahead is beyond your imagination!"
Autumn's tone remained steady. "Even if I die one day in the Forbidden Zone, it'll still be my choice. I won't regret it."
With that, she stood up. "Mom, I've got class this afternoon. I'll be going now."
Leaving those words behind, Autumn turned and walked away, ignoring the glare burning into her back.
Since her mother clearly saw her as nothing more than a pawn in a political marriage, she saw no reason to keep playing the obedient daughter.
She had heard of Julian Lancaster from the Lancaster family.
A spoiled brat, plain and simple.
He had only gotten into Godslayer Academy because he was lucky enough to bond with an A-Rank hero, and yet he still behaved like a total slacker.
Rumor had it he hadn't even entered a single Forbidden Zone since sophomore year.
The only reason he hadn't been expelled yet was because of his family's extensive connections.
And now, her mother had the audacity to say he had a bright future?
Autumn left the hotel and hailed a taxi back to campus.
She wasn't worried about her family cutting off her allowance.
Just yesterday, the school had already announced that her tuition and all academic fees would be fully waived. On top of that, she'd receive an annual scholarship.
If she ever found herself short on cash, she'd just get a part-time job.
She felt like a bird that had just broken free from its cage, ready to soar into the sky.
As she stepped out of the taxi and walked through the school gates, there was a faint smile on her face.
What she didn't know was...
From across the street outside the school, a pair of eyes was locked onto her back.
Back at the hotel restaurant.
Vivian Summer sat at the table, the delicate lunch spread completely untouched.
She was practically seething.
No one had ever dared to defy her like that before.
After a while, she too rose from her seat and returned to her car.
The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Madam, where to?"
"Back home."
After a pause, Vivian added, "Gregory, I want you to quietly look into which boys Autumn has been close to at school. Pick someone reliable for the task."
"Understood, Madam."
The next morning.
Vincent Fox and Autumn Summer were both summoned to Terry Yan's office once again.
Terry was in a good mood. He offered them each a glass of water, then pulled out two cards and placed them on the desk.
"What's this, sir?" Autumn asked, a little puzzled.
Terry chuckled. "Nothing complicated. You both performed exceptionally in Forbidden Zone #3. You brought great honor to the academy. This is just a small reward from the school. It's not much, but take it."
Vincent took the card without much thought. He already had close to a million on hand, so he wasn't hurting for money.
Autumn, on the other hand, was delighted. "Thank you, Teacher!"
Now that she was determined to live independently, she had vowed not to spend another cent of her family's money.
After all, it would be pretty embarrassing to act all tough with her mom one day and beg for an allowance the next.
Just last night, she'd even been ready to take a part-time job.
This reward was a timely lifesaver.
Once they both accepted the cards, Terry added with a smile, "It's been a little over two months since you enrolled. Next month is the National Freshman Tournament. The school hopes both of you will represent us."
"There are generous prizes this year. It'd be a shame to miss out."
"Wait a sec!" Vincent raised his hand, looking confused. "What's the National Freshman Tournament?"
Both Terry and Autumn gave him strange looks.
"What? Vincent, don't tell me you've never even heard of the National Freshman Tournament?" Terry asked in disbelief. "Haven't you been using your phone at all?"
"Uh..." Vincent scratched his head. "Lately I've been getting spammed with calls from unknown numbers, so I just turned my phone off. I haven't checked anything in days."
Hearing this, Autumn suddenly understood why Vincent hadn't reached out to her recently.
Turns out he'd been so annoyed by random calls that he just powered off his phone.
Her mood, which had been tinged with a bit of resentment, suddenly softened.
Classic simp behavior.
Making excuses for the person you like, even when it doesn't make sense.
She didn't even stop to think that if Vincent really wanted to talk to her, he could've just found her on campus.
Meanwhile, Terry's heart clenched at Vincent's explanation.
He knew exactly what those calls were. They had to be from rival schools trying to poach him.
Good thing he'd shut off his phone.
"Never mind," Terry said, quickly recovering with a cheerful smile. "Let me explain the National Freshman Tournament to you."
"It's also called the Hundred School Joint Examination. It's a nationwide event held once a year, where freshmen from all schools that qualify for Forbidden Zone access are evaluated based on their two missions."
"Every school must send representatives."
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The deeper he goes, the more the truth unravels. Don't wait read ahead and witness Vincent's rise before the world catches up!
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