Days passed.
In the comfort of Rainy's apartment, the tension of the exam had started to fade.
Henryduc and Rainy sat at the small kitchen table. Morning sunlight poured through the windows.
Rainy slurped from a steaming bowl of ramen—her idea of breakfast—while Henryduc sat back in his chair, already done eating, fiddling with his spoon.
"You know," Henryduc started, "I just realized… we never actually talked about how we did in the exam."
Before Rainy could reply, the doorbell rang.
She blinked, setting down her bowl.
"Wait… I wonder if our results came in," she said with a growing smirk.
Henryduc just shrugged, arms folded behind his head.
Rainy walked over, opened the door—and sure enough, there was a letter sitting neatly on the doorstep.
She picked it up, returned to the table, and tore it open.
"Is that it?" Henryduc asked.
Rainy unfolded the paper. "Only one way to find out."
She began to read aloud.
'Congratulations, Henryduc and Rainy. You both made it into the Academy.'
— Silkstride, Hero Rank #12
"That's it?" Henryduc raised a brow.
"Hold on," Rainy continued reading. "There were hidden points that Henryduc earned… huh, didn't know that."
Henryduc leaned forward. "Wait, does that mean we both passed?"
Rainy nodded once. "Yes."
For a second, there was only silence.
Then—
"YEEEEEEAAAAHHHHH!"
They screamed at the top of their lungs in shared excitement, laughing like kids.
Rainy waved the letter. "Oh! It also says here that while we got in, the Academy's counselors will decide which students go into which classes. So… there's a chance we might not be in the same one."
Henryduc shrugged. "Doesn't matter. We still made it."
Rainy paused, then smiled, nodding in agreement.
Later That Day
They sat on a quiet park bench, watching birds flutter past and the breeze carry golden leaves across the path.
"I feel happy," Henryduc said quietly. "But also… unsatisfied."
Rainy tilted her head. "Why so down, Henryduc?"
He gave her a sideways glance, debating whether to share.
"Do you remember when you tried to assassinate me?"
Rainy blinked. "Yeah…"
"That's why," he said. "I'm guessing they never told you the reason they sent you after me."
"Nope. So tell me already," she said impatiently.
Henryduc sighed, resting his elbows on his knees.
"It's about the kid. I saved them once, during a patrol as Knightmare. But not long after, they were taken again. I don't know why they're so obsessed with that child. But I couldn't walk away—not even if it meant risking everything."
Rainy listened quietly.
"I slipped a tracking device into the kid's pocket. It was a lollipop, disguised. That's how I rescued them the first time."
Rainy raised an eyebrow. "What happened to the tracker?"
Henryduc pointed a finger directly at her.
"Ahem. You remember when you blew up part of my apartment with your ability? My phone was destroyed in that mess. The one linked to the tracker. So now… I'm back to square one."
Rainy winced, twiddling her fingers sheepishly. "Oops... sorry about that."
She hesitated. "But... why tell me all this now?"
Henryduc looked her straight in the eye.
"Because I'm wondering if you'll help me rescue the kid."
Rainy stared at him for a second—then smiled and gave him a light punch on the shoulder.
"Sure. I'm in. You know, it's kinda crazy how quickly we've clicked. This whole assassin thing… it's not really me. Thanks to you, I've got a chance to change. I'll help however I can."
Henryduc stood up, brushing off his pants.
"Then let's make the most of today. And maybe… just maybe, we'll survive this Academy."
Rainy rose beside him.
But before they could walk off—
"Alright," Henryduc grinned. "First one to make it back to your apartment doesn't have to do the dishes!"
He bolted.
Rainy blinked. "Oh no you don't!"
She sparked her powers and chased after him down the street, laughter echoing between the buildings.
The sun dipped low behind them, painting the sky in amber and violet hues.
Tomorrow—the Academy would begin.