Chapter 46: SAINTESS CHALLENGE

VIVIAN

Two days later, it was Moon Day.

Vivian stood before the mirror, adjusting her military uniform.

She straightened her suit, fixed the collar, and placed her military cap neatly on her head.

After weeks of disappearing from class, she was finally going back.

She looked at herself in the mirror. "Perfect."

Vivian walked out of her room.

The moment she stepped into the hallway...

"Yip...Mhmm.."

She stopped. Her dog whimpered pitifully. His head bent sideways.

"Yip... yip..."

Vivian turned around.

The little Husky was sitting outside her door, looking at her with big, sorrowful eyes.

Its ears drooped. Its tail slowly wagged against the floor.

Vivian’s heart immediately softened. "Aww...you cute thing."

She bent down and picked it up. "Mimi, I can’t take you to class."

The Husky whined, wagging his tail.

"No."

Another whine. "Don’t look at me like that."

The puppy buried its furry face against her chest.

Vivian sighed.

"I haven’t been to class for weeks. If I suddenly show up carrying a puppy, they’ll eat me alive."

The Husky lifted its head.

"Besides, carrying pets into class is prohibited."

She kissed its fluffy cheek. The Husky immediately rubbed its furry face against hers.

Vivian giggled. "See? You’re too cute Mimi."

She kissed it again before handing it to Robot 99. "Take care of Mimi for me."

Robot 99’s face displayed:

[I WILL PROTECT THE MYSTERIOUS WOLF BEAST.]

Vivian froze. "Don’t call him that. Its a husky dog named Mimi."

[UNDERSTOOD.]

A pause.

[I WILL PROTECT THE MYSTERIOUS DOG CALLED MIMI!]

"Better."

Vivian waved goodbye and left.

Arin was already waiting outside, dressed in her own military Guide uniform.

The two walked toward the academy together since it wasn’t far.

At the entrance, Arin headed toward her guide class.

"I’ll see you later, My Lady."

"Okay."

Vivian waved before turning toward Instructor Vincent Hale’s office.

She noticed something strange immediately. There were no guards outside.

Where did everyone go?

She knocked. No answer. Vivian knocked again.

Still nothing. She pushed the door open. "Instructor?"

Vincent was standing beside the glass window, speaking through a communicator.

"I’ll call you back later."

He ended the call.

Then he turned around. Vivian immediately noticed his expression. He looked very serious. With a worried look.

She tilted her head. "What happened?"

Vincent stared at her.

Vivian pointed at herself. "Did I offend you?"

He said nothing.

"Why are you making such a long face just because you saw me?"

She walked closer. "Have I not performed my mission?"

Vincent sighed. He sat down and rubbed his temples.

Then he removed his military cap and placed it on the desk.

"Vivian, I’m not ready for your provocation today."

Vivian’s playful expression disappeared. "Is it that serious?"

Vincent leaned back. "I just received a call."

He paused.

"I’ve been selected for a three-month mission."

Vivian blinked. "What’s the problem?"

She shrugged. "Don’t you soldiers go on missions all the time?"

"This time is different."

Vincent’s expression became grim. "My new recruits and my veteran soldiers will all be going."

He looked at her. "It’s a life-or-death mission."

Vivian frowned. "If it’s a life-or-death mission, why are they sending small flies like us?"

Vincent gave her a strange look. "They need cannon fodder."

Vivian’s eyes widened. "That’s horrible."

"My soldiers will never be cannon fodder."

His voice became firm. Then he pointed at Vivian. "You aren’t going."

Vivian frowned. "Why?"

"You haven’t received enough training."

"But you said everyone is going. That is an order for your team."

Vincent leaned forward.

"You are Darius Valen’s adopted daughter. Who would allow you to go somewhere like that and possibly die?"

Vivian fell silent.

Actually...

Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

This might be exactly what I need.

A three-month military mission meant real combat. Real enemies. Real battle experience.

And perhaps... A chance to find information about her father.

She already knew that staying inside Haxia Military School would limit her movements.

If she went on this mission, she could search for a way to reach Isaac.

Vivian suddenly looked up. "I’m going, Instructor Vincent."

Vincent stared at her.

"No one can stop me."

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?" He pointed at her. "Don’t forget. You’re still Zero-Class."

Vivian’s eyes twitched. She felt extremely mocked by those words.

"And you know almost nothing about military missions."

Vivian stood straight. "I can learn."

She smiled confidently. "I’m a fast learner."

Vincent folded his arms. "All your peers are already far ahead of you."

He studied her. "Do you really think you can catch up?"

Vivian’s eyes gleamed. "There is no such thing as being too far behind."

She adjusted her cap.

"If everyone is already ahead of me, then I’ll simply work harder and pass them."

Vincent stared at her for a moment.

Then...He nodded. "Good answer."

Vivian smiled.

Of course it is.

She suddenly remembered something. "What is my rank now?"

Vincent raised an eyebrow.

"You said you would rank me after my mission."

"F-Rank."

Vivian waited. "...That’s it?"

"Miscellaneous Soldier."

Vivian’s mouth dropped open. "What?!"

She slammed her boot against the desk. "Are you being racist against my Fox Clan?!"

Vincent stared at her.

Vivian pointed at herself. "Are you looking down on me because of my bloodline? Is that why you refuse to give me a better position?"

Vincent crossed his legs. "Miss Vivian." His expression remained completely calm. "I don’t know your abilities."

He reached for a small card and tossed it toward her.

Vivian caught it.

VIVIAN VALEN

RANK: F

POSITION: MISCELLANEOUS SOLDIER

Vivian stared at it. Her fist tightened.

Vincent continued. "Why would I give a Zero-Class student a higher rank when I don’t even know what she can do?"

Vivian’s lips twitched. She turned toward the door. "Fine."

Just as she reached it..

Vincent spoke. "Do you really think that beast core you stole from your sister is enough to earn you an S-Rank position on my team?"

Vivian froze. Her fingers tightened around her rank card.

She slowly turned around. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Vincent’s eyes narrowed. "You don’t?"

"No."

"Then let me remind you."

His voice was calm.

"The beast core that disappeared in the forest incident wasn’t an ordinary beast core. It’s an S class beast core. And a bounty was placed by the Astronova family."

Vivian’s heart jumped. She tried her best to hide the shame of being caught red handed. She looked around admiring the office beauty.

Vincent leaned back. "And you were the only person in that area who could have taken it. But seriously, you have some ability to be able to steal a beast core from a SSS class Hunter team. "

Vivian forced herself to remain calm. "I didn’t steal anything."

Vincent stared at her. "Then prove it. Don’t forget you need 20 merits to be fully in my team. you haven’t achieved that yet?""

Before Vivian could answer...The door suddenly burst open.

A soldier rushed inside and immediately bowed.

"Instructor!"

Vincent frowned. "What is it?"

The soldier took a breath. "A Saintess has arrived."

Vincent raised an eyebrow. "To do what? Are we having any saint and saintess party here? Send her away!!"

"She has come to challenge your student..."

The soldier turned toward Vivian. "Vivian Valen."

Vivian’s face instantly changed.

What?! "A Saintess?"

Her mind raced. Who? Then the answer struck her. Elena?!

Her heart began pounding. What does she want?

Has she discovered I stole the beast core?

Did Vincent tell them?

Vivian glanced toward Vincent. She thought of strangling him.

Elena is much stronger than me.

What if she kills me right here?!

Vincent calmly picked up his coffee. He took a slow sip. Then casually looked at Vivian.

"Oh! Then she is free to challenge her."

Vivian stared at him. "Am I still your student?"

Vincent took another sip. "I forgot to tell you something."

He paused. "You’ve been trending on the school forum."

Vivian’s eyes widened. "Why?"

Vincent’s lips curled up as he thought deeply. "I won’t die peacefully if I don’t find out your true ability. You survived a mutated beast. Stole from an SSS class team. Vivian, I am so interested in you."