The next morning at ValeTech, the neuro-lab was buzzing.
Lior stepped into the Simulation Observation Hall, expecting another quiet session with Renji—but instead, he found the gallery filled with lab assistants, tech developers, and even a few dignified observers in suits.
At the center of the room stood a boy—tall, composed, with sharp eyes the color of wildfire and a smirk that screamed trouble. He was finishing a simulated aneurysm repair with seamless, dazzling precision. The system around him glowed gold with each movement.
> [Simulation Grade: S+]
[Completion Time: 6 min 47 sec]
[Error Margin: <0.01%]
Applause broke out.
Lior stood silently at the back, clutching his system tab.
"Impressive, isn't he?" Dr. Lena whispered beside him. "That's Kieran Yusef. 17. Born in Vienna. Trained in microvascular surgery before he could legally drive."
Lior's chest tightened.
> [New Threat Detected: System User – "NeuroHawk.exe"]
[Warning: Rival Tier = Elite. Personality: Aggressive. Target Affinity: -18]
Kieran turned, as if sensing Lior immediately.
Their eyes met.
The smirk widened.
"So," Kieran said, walking over, his voice smooth with a European accent. "You're the boy Mr. Vale is obsessed with."
Lior blinked. "I'm not sure obsessed is the right word."
Kieran looked him over—eyes trailing from his delicate features to his lab pass.
"Beautiful," he said bluntly. "But I wonder if that's all you are."
Lior narrowed his eyes. "You're quick to judge."
"And you're slow to react," Kieran shot back. "You froze in the pediatric brainstem sim yesterday. I saw the footage."
Heat bloomed on Lior's face. "She looked like someone I knew."
Kieran tilted his head mockingly. "Then maybe you're in the wrong field."
Before Lior could respond, a familiar voice interrupted.
"That's enough."
Renji.
He walked into the room, the air shifting instantly. Cold, commanding.
"Kieran, you weren't brought here to antagonize. You're here to collaborate."
Kieran bowed slightly, eyes never leaving Lior.
"Of course, Mr. Vale."
But the damage had been done.
Lior turned away. "I'll come back later."
Renji's voice followed him like a soft command. "Lior. Don't."
He paused at the door.
Renji's voice was lower now, meant only for him.
"Don't let Kieran shake you. He burns out everyone he touches."
Lior didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
The fire in his chest had already ignited.
---
Later That Night
> [New Quest: Defeat Kieran Yusef in a Dual Simulation Surgery]
[Reward: NeuroHawk Counterpatch + Strategic Planning Module Lv.1]
[Note: Rivalry Tracking System Activated]
Lior accepted the challenge without hesitation.
His system lit up with a hum, faster than before.
His mind didn't feel overwhelmed this time. It felt clear.
He opened a live sim of a thalamic hemorrhage procedure—a case so dangerous most specialists refused to try.
As the 3D brain loaded, the system whispered:
> [Let's show them who truly belongs.]
---
At the same time, across the city…
Kieran sat on the edge of a rooftop, tablet in hand, sipping bitter espresso.
Watching footage of Lior.
His smirk faded.
"…He's better than I thought," he murmured.
Behind him, Renji's voice came through his earpiece.
"Don't underestimate him, Kieran."
"I don't plan to," Kieran replied, eyes glowing gold in the tablet's reflection. "But I will break him."