The Spectacular Rank F Hero

Rin walked through the bustling streets of the village, his mind still wrestling with the decision he'd made. Accepting his role as a hero—reluctantly, yes, but it was a decision nonetheless. He wasn't going to let the world, or the Academy, control his life. If they expected him to be a hero, he'd do it, but it would be on his own terms. The thought was somewhat comforting, a small anchor of control in a life that seemed to be spiraling out of his grasp.

The morning was fresh, and merchants were setting up their stalls, shouting their prices and bantering with passersby. Children ran through the streets, laughing and playing as if there wasn't a care in the world. Rin found himself envying them, wishing he could just fade into the background as they did. But even in the crowded village, he felt eyes on him—people were recognizing him, murmuring among themselves. Word of his battle with the bandits had spread quickly, and it was only a matter of time before someone started asking questions he didn't want to answer.

---

An Unexpected Messenger

As he turned a corner, Rin was startled to see a young boy standing in his path. The boy was panting, as if he'd been running, and held a small parchment scroll in his hand.

"Are you… Rin Park?" the boy asked, his voice breathless but respectful.

Rin nodded, crossing his arms. "Yeah, what's it to you?"

The boy thrust the scroll toward him. "A message… from the Academy. They've requested your presence for a preliminary assessment." He swallowed hard, clearly intimidated by Rin's reputation. "They said… it's urgent."

Rin took the scroll, his jaw clenching. He'd barely had time to decide if he was willing to go along with this, and they were already calling him in. He considered tearing up the scroll and tossing it aside, but something held him back. Curiosity, maybe. Or perhaps a sense of obligation. Either way, he slipped the scroll into his bag and nodded to the boy.

"Thanks, kid. You can go now," Rin muttered.

The boy nodded, then sprinted off, as if eager to be away from Rin as quickly as possible.

Rin sighed, watching him go before unrolling the scroll. The message was short, straight to the point, and annoyingly formal:

"Rin Park, you are summoned to the Royal Hero Academy for a preliminary assessment. Report to the Academy courtyard by noon. Your presence is mandatory."

---

The Journey Begins

Rin's stomach twisted. Noon was only a few hours away. If he was going to make it, he'd need to hurry. The Academy was notorious for its strict adherence to rules and schedules, and arriving late to an "invitation" like this could mean serious consequences—or worse, it could mean he'd attract even more attention.

He considered his options for a moment before resigning himself to the inevitable. Fine, he thought, I'll go. But I'm not making this easy for them.

As he gathered his things, a strange energy bubbled up within him—a mix of dread and excitement. For the first time in a long time, he felt the rush of the unknown. It was unnerving, yes, but a part of him wanted to know just how far his "bad luck" could take him in a place filled with high-ranking heroes and powerful enemies.

Rin left the village behind, setting out on the road that led to the Academy. The path was winding, lined with thick trees that cast long shadows over the ground. His thoughts drifted as he walked, trying to prepare himself mentally for what was to come. He knew he wasn't cut out for the hero lifestyle, but he also knew that he wasn't entirely powerless. He had something that even the Academy couldn't predict: his peculiar "luck," the kind that turned everything upside down just when he needed it most.

---

Arrival at the Academy

The Academy loomed in the distance, a grand structure surrounded by tall stone walls and imposing gates. It looked more like a fortress than a school, with its towering spires and endless rows of barracks and training grounds. Rin swallowed, suddenly feeling small in the shadow of the massive building.

As he approached the gates, two guards stepped forward, blocking his path.

"Name?" one of them asked, his voice sharp and official.

"Rin Park," he replied, feeling a hint of annoyance. "I was summoned here."

The guards exchanged a quick glance, clearly taken aback. "You're… the Rank F?"

Rin rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's me. Can I go in now?"

The guards stepped aside, though their expressions remained skeptical. "Head to the courtyard. They're expecting you," one of them muttered.

Rin walked through the gates, his gaze sweeping over the sprawling grounds. The Academy was filled with students of every rank, from fresh recruits to seasoned veterans, each of them radiating power and confidence. Rin felt out of place, a single F-rank surrounded by heroes who had dedicated their lives to training and discipline. But he squared his shoulders, refusing to let his insecurities show.

In the center of the courtyard stood a group of Academy officials, including Aila, who was watching him with a faint smile. A few other high-ranking heroes stood nearby, their gazes assessing as they looked him over.

Aila stepped forward, her voice carrying across the courtyard. "Rin Park, welcome to the Royal Hero Academy. Today, you'll face a preliminary assessment to gauge your potential. This isn't a typical test for Rank F heroes, but considering your recent achievements, we felt it was… necessary."

Rin scoffed. "Achievements? I was just defending myself."

A few of the officials raised their eyebrows, clearly surprised by his bluntness. Aila, however, merely nodded, unfazed. "Regardless, you've drawn attention. And now it's time to see if that attention is warranted."

---

The Test Begins

Without further delay, Aila motioned to a group of Academy instructors, who stepped forward and surrounded Rin. They were all higher-ranked heroes, each one brimming with power and confidence. It was clear that this wasn't a friendly sparring match—they intended to push him to his limits.

"Your test is simple," Aila announced. "Survive for three minutes against these heroes. If you can manage that, we'll move on to the next phase."

Rin's eyes widened. "Three minutes? Against… them?"

Aila's expression was calm. "Think of it as an opportunity to showcase your skills."

Before Rin could protest, the instructors moved in, their attacks coordinated and relentless. He barely had time to react, dodging and weaving as punches, kicks, and blasts of energy came at him from every direction. His "luck" kicked in, narrowly avoiding blows that should have landed, slipping through the gaps in their attacks as if guided by an invisible force.

For the first time, he realized that his luck wasn't just a fluke. It was like a finely tuned instinct, guiding him in ways he hadn't fully understood until now.

The instructors' frustration was evident as he continued to evade their attacks, but they quickly adjusted, increasing their speed and intensity. Rin could feel the strain, his muscles burning as he fought to keep up with their relentless pace. He wasn't sure how much longer he could hold out, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to give up.

---

A New Resolve

As the three-minute mark approached, Rin found himself backed into a corner, the instructors closing in from all sides. His luck was wearing thin, and he knew he was reaching his limit. But just as they were about to land the finishing blow, the bell rang, signaling the end of the test.

The instructors stepped back, clearly impressed despite themselves. Aila walked forward, her expression unreadable.

"Congratulations, Rin," she said. "You passed."

Rin let out a shaky breath, his body aching from the intense workout. But despite the exhaustion, he felt a strange sense of satisfaction—a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.

For the first time, he began to wonder if maybe, just maybe, he belonged here after all.