Kazuki remembered him. The man waving at the gates of Hunter HQ when they first arrived.
Back then, Kazuki had been thirteen—a boy with no memories. A Terra raid had torn through his village, leaving him broken and lost among the rubble. His uncle, Gento, had found him lying among the wounded and carried him here, hoping the Hunters would know what to do.
But when Gento declared that Kazuki was the son of Raiken Hozuki, the renowned Hunter, no one believed him. Everyone insisted Raiken had only one child: Rensei.
Gento refused to back down. He demanded to see "the one in charge." The guards tried to push him back, but his shouts drew someone out. A small figure—lean and wiry, with round glasses perched on his nose—stepped into the courtyard.
Commander Kazen Dural.
He looked more like a student than a commander, his body slight and unmuscular, yet every Hunter present straightened at his appearance. His eyes were sharp behind those lenses, eyes that saw far more than they should.
Kazen listened, nodded once, and stunned everyone when he said he already knew who Kazuki was. "A son of Raiken," he had declared, "and a boy who belongs here."
That was years ago.
Now, standing once again at the HQ gate, Kazuki was no longer a lost child. He was here to join the Hunters.
Kazen was waiting.
"I leave him in your hands," Gento said, bowing low. "Take care of him, Commander."
Kazen gave a light wave. "Of course."
As Gento departed, the gate guards whispered to each other.
"So that's why the Commander was sitting out here all day."
"Waiting for a kid? What's so special about him?"
Kazuki felt the weight of their eyes, but Kazen only smiled faintly and motioned him inside.
The Commander's office was cluttered with papers, books, and strange objects that looked half-broken and half-finished. Kazen sat behind his desk, pushing aside a pile of scrolls.
"So," Kazen began, "have you remembered anything else yet?"
Kazuki shook his head. "No… just my brother's face."
Kazen's smile softened. "That's progress."
Then his tone shifted. "I also heard you haven't awakened any powers yet."
Kazuki looked away. "That's right."
"Well, no surprise there." Kazen leaned back in his chair, adjusting his glasses. "With your mana levels, you'd be lucky to light a candle."
Kazuki stiffened. "What do you mean?! How do you even know that?"
"I didn't tell you last time because I didn't want to crush your spirit," Kazen said casually. "But reading mana is… one of my little talents."
Kazuki's chest tightened. "So that means… I might never gain powers?"
Kazen's gaze lingered on him, thoughtful. His mana has grown a fraction stronger since we last met. Training? Or something else?
Finally, he shrugged. "Who knows? Miracles happen. Just keep training like hell, and I'll help when I can."
Kazuki bowed his head. "Thank you."
Kazen reached under his desk and placed something wrapped in cloth onto the table. "Here. This is yours."
Kazuki unwrapped it carefully. A sword gleamed in the light—sleek, balanced, almost alive in his grip. A faint pulse thrummed through the metal, syncing strangely with his heartbeat.
"I… feel something from it," Kazuki whispered.
"Good." Kazen smirked. "Infuse it with mana and it'll respond. It's not just ordinary steel."
Kazuki tightened his grip. This sword… it's different.
"Now," Kazen continued, waving lazily, "go find your dorm. Don't ask me for directions—I get lost in my own office."
Kazuki blinked. "…Seriously?"
"Seriously."
As Kazuki walked the corridors, whispers followed him. Eyes trailed him. The weight pressed heavy against his chest, dragging him back into old memories—children surrounding him, mocking, spitting words like daggers.
Monster. Freak. You don't belong.
He clenched the sword tighter.
"Kazuki!"
A familiar voice cut through the fog. Sayaka waved brightly, rushing over. Relief flooded him at the sight of her. For the first time since stepping inside, his lips tugged into a small smile.
"You look like you've been swallowed by shadows," Sayaka teased. "Come on, I'll show you to the dorms."
They walked side by side, chatting about training and who'd surpass who. When Sayaka brushed her fingers against his new sword, her eyes widened.
"This… it feels strange. Almost magical. Where'd you get it?"
"From the Commander," Kazuki said simply.
Sayaka nearly tripped. "The Commander himself gave you this?! You actually talked to him?"
Her disbelief made him chuckle faintly.
The dorms were made of cold concrete, starkly different from the wooden homes of his village. Kazuki found the number Kazen had given him and reached for the door.
But before he could step inside, a boy his age strode forward, blocking his way.
"Sayaka," the boy sneered, "what are you doing with this loser?"
Kazuki blinked. Who is this guy?
"Stop it, Ryse," Sayaka snapped. "Leave him alone."
Two others flanked Ryse, whispering to him. "We saw them walking together. Laughing, talking. They looked… close."
Ryse's eyes narrowed. "Oh… is that so."
Sayaka sighed. "I'll see you later, Kazuki. Squad duties." She hurried off.
One of Ryse's lackeys snickered. "See? She said goodbye to him, not you."
Ryse stepped closer, his gaze burning into Kazuki. "So. Kazuki, was it?"
"Yes. I'm new here."
"Then let me give you advice. Know your place. I'm strong—far stronger than trash like you. If you don't want trouble, stop being so… familiar with Sayaka."
Kazuki stared. Is this guy seriously threatening me? I don't even know him.
Ryse turned to leave. "I'm royalty. Better than low-class pests like you. Remember that—for your own good."
"No."
Ryse froze. Slowly, he looked back. "…What did you just say?"
"I'll talk to her however I want," Kazuki said firmly, gripping the sword at his side. "Whether you're royalty or not."
A slow smile spread across Ryse's face. His hands ignited, flames curling like hungry serpents. The air around them grew hot, searing.
"Then let me teach you the hard way."
The fire roared.
Kazuki drew his sword, steel glinting under the blaze, and stood his ground.
The corridor held its breath.