A grave.
The name carved into the stone was blurred, impossible to read.
A small boy—only four years old—stood before it.
Beside him, an older boy wept until his knees gave way. His face was unclear, smudged like smoke.
"Whose grave… is this?" the younger boy whispered. His heart twisted. "And who's standing next to me?"
The boy sobbed harder—then the world shattered.
Kazuki jolted awake, sweat clinging to his face.
Sixteen years old now.
But the dream never left.
Always the same grave. Always the same boy.
He pulled on his shoes and stepped into the dawn. His village was quiet, its wooden homes creaking in the morning breeze.
He ran. Every morning, he ran.
That boy… it has to be my brother, Rensei.
Uncle Gento once told him he had a brother. A powerful hunter.
But Kazuki's memories had been burned away—lost when Terras reduced his old village, Bressel, to ash.
Only fragments returned in dreams.
When he returned home, Gento was pouring tea.
"Uncle," Kazuki said softly, "I had one of those dreams again."
"The ones about your past?" Gento asked.
Kazuki nodded. "I was with Rensei. We stood at a grave. He was crying."
The old man froze mid-sip. His hands trembled, then slammed the cup down.
"Don't talk about that bastard here!" His voice cracked like a whip. "He abandoned you. Left you to your father's care while he ran off to play hero.
"And when your father died—" Gento's jaw clenched. "Not even for the funeral did he come back."
Kazuki lowered his eyes.
Uncle never forgives him… but why do I feel it isn't so simple?
Later, at the clearing, a girl waited for him—Sayaka.
Twin swords glinted on her back. Her hunter's robe swayed in the breeze.
"Took you long enough," she teased.
Kazuki smirked. "I'm not late."
"You're my student. If I say you're late, then you're late."
They laughed together.
Without warning, she tossed him one of her swords.
"Let's see if you're worth the trouble yet."
Steel rang as their blades clashed.
Sayaka pressed him, each strike sharper than the last.
Three years of martial arts, one year of the sword… I should be able to read her movements.
He caught her swing, countered—just as she twisted, knocking his weapon clean from his grip.
"You've lost," she said, smiling. "But you're getting better."
Kazuki groaned. "Damn it."
She stepped behind him, guiding his arms and stance. His cheeks burned.
"Balance," she whispered. "You'll need it, when you're fighting things that don't fall easy."
When they sat beneath the tree, Kazuki asked, "What kind of mission do you have today?"
"Thornveil. A Terra sighted near Ork Village."
Kazuki's stomach tightened. "That's where I usually patrol…"
"Don't worry," she said brightly. "I'll have my squad with me."
She rose, sheathing her swords. "Next month, I expect you to be strong enough to challenge me."
"Next month?" Kazuki frowned. "You're not training me anymore?"
"I've taught you everything I can. The rest is up to you. Don't thank me—just get strong."
Her figure slipped into the forest, her voice ringing out one last time:
"Promise me, Kazuki! Next time we meet—you'd better be ready!"
That night, sleep took him again.
The dream shifted.
A boy's face—clear at last—twisted in rage, hurling bolts of lightning into the dark. His younger self wept nearby, powerless.
Kazuki lurched awake.
"Rensei…" His breath caught. "I remember your face."
Morning came. Sunlight painted his room gold. Kazuki clenched his fists.
Why did you have so much power, when I had none?
He remembered Gento's words: Don't waste your life mourning what you lack. Time is too precious.
Kazuki inhaled sharply. I chose this path. Hunter or not, power or not—this is the road I'll walk.
He packed his bag.
Gento stood at the door, eyes wet.
"You're finally ready. Your parents… they'd be proud."
Kazuki forced a smile. "I'll visit when I can."
"I'll walk you to the HQ," Gento said firmly. "It's the last time I'll see you as a boy."
Through forest and fields they walked until the towering walls of the Hunters' HQ rose before them.
Armed sentries flanked the gate.
Then a figure stood, waving. His voice thundered across the clearing:
"Oi, you finally made it!"
Kazuki's heart pounded.
At last. The first step begins.