With a new command, the screen behind Isadora shifted, displaying a series of monstrous silhouettes, each more threatening than the last. The atmosphere in the study room grew heavier, more serious.
"If you want to survive—and more importantly, rank up," Isadora began, her tone now stripped of any arrogance, replaced by a somber gravity, "you need to understand what we're fighting against. Monsters aren't just mindless beasts. They are classified by threat levels, and ignoring that classification is the fastest way to die."
She pointed to the first silhouette, a small, insect-like creature. "Level Ant. They are the base of the food chain. Weak, usually in large numbers, but not very intelligent. Rank E and G hunters can deal with them easily. They're more of a nuisance than a real threat. The one Gustavo crushed on the street today was one of these."
The image changed to a lupine creature. "Level Wolf. This is where things start to get a bit more serious. They are stronger, faster, and usually hunt in packs. A skilled Rank G hunter can handle one alone, but a group already requires a team. From here on, individual strength starts to matter."
The screen displayed a nimble creature with fox-like traits. "Level Fox. This is our territory: Ranks D and C. Monsters at this level are unpredictable. Some are weak enough for a single Rank C to handle, while others are so strong and cunning that they require an entire team of Rank D hunters to bring down. They are known for their special abilities and intelligence. Never underestimate a Fox-level monster."
The next image showed a muscular and imposing creature—a monstrous lion. "Level Lion. Now we enter Rank B territory. A Lion-level monster possesses considerable destructive power. To defeat one, you need at least a peak Rank B hunter or multiple Rank B hunters working in perfect sync. Trying to face one alone without being Rank B is suicide."
The screen shifted to an even more ferocious creature, a saber-toothed tiger. "Level Tiger. If the Lion level is dangerous, the Tiger is a localized disaster. Only multiple Rank A heroes—the best of the best in their regions—stand a chance against one of these. They are incredibly resilient, powerful, and often possess abilities capable of devastating an entire area. The monster that brought down the wall in Fortaleza was one of these."
Finally, the last image appeared. It was a colossal, draconic silhouette that seemed to radiate power even as a mere image. Isadora took a deep breath, her voice carrying a mix of respect and fear. "And finally... disaster level. From this point on, the conversation changes—and you know why. Only Class S hunters can even dream of facing a threat of this level. And most of the time, it takes more than one. A Dragon-level monster isn't a threat to a city. It's a threat to an entire country, at worst."
She turned to them, the glow of the screen reflecting in her eyes. There was an almost feverish passion in her voice, an admiration for the scale of power she was describing. "That's what Rank S exists for: to stand on the front lines against a kind of power we can barely comprehend. They are our shield. It's up to us—the younger ones—to grow stronger and rise to the top."
She ended the presentation, and the screen went dark, leaving the room in thoughtful silence.
Then, a sound broke it. Gustavo began to clap, slowly at first, then with more enthusiasm. Bia joined him, and even Zeki offered a restrained but genuine applause.
Caught off guard, Isadora gave a small theatrical bow, a satisfied smile on her face. "Thank you, thank you. I know, I'm amazing."
"Seriously, that was the best class I've ever had," Bia said, her eyes shining. "I understood everything perfectly! Before, I just thought 'big monster, small monster.' Now it makes so much more sense."
"Yeah, you're not that bad at this, rich girl," Gustavo admitted, crossing his arms. "Now I get why we can't just go around picking fights with anything we see. We'd die pretty fast."
Zeki nodded. "I really needed this. The correlation between a hunter's rank and a monster's threat level defines the rules of engagement. Thank you for the explanation," he said with a smile.
Isadora smiled, clearly pleased with the recognition. "You're welcome, Zeki. And that's why we're here."
The relaxed atmosphere faded as quickly as it had appeared. The four exchanged glances, and a mutual understanding passed between them. The lesson was over. Now, reality was calling.
"The Rank D Challenge," Isadora said, her voice now serious and focused. "It's our first real chance to prove that we understand these rules—and that we can break them. But of course... we'll also be enemies."
The smiles disappeared. Bia, Gustavo, and Zeki's expressions turned serious, mirroring Isadora's. The shared goal hung in the air between them. They were no longer just four teenagers in a study room. They were competitors. They were rivals. And perhaps, each other's only hope of surviving what was to come.