The next morning dawned gray and heavy with mist.
Rain clung to the academy roofs, dripping from the eaves in thin silver threads. The world felt quieter — like the sky itself was holding its breath.
Lee Shin stood on the training field long before sunrise, his uniform soaked, steam rising from his skin as his mana circulated in harsh, rhythmic bursts.
Focus. Compress. Release.
The ring's pulse synced perfectly with his breathing.
A faint blue aura rippled around him, growing denser with every motion. He'd spent most of the night meditating, trying to understand what happened beneath the tower. But the more he tried to grasp it, the more it slipped through his mind like smoke.
Still, one thing had changed.
His control — sharper.
His senses — clearer.
The world felt alive beneath his fingertips.
He swung his sword again, and this time the air itself seemed to bend.
A single arc of compressed mana split through the raindrops, slicing the training dummy cleanly in half.
A voice whistled behind him.
"Remind me never to spar with you."
Shin turned.
It was Ha-Yoon, her red hair tied into a messy ponytail, her eyes bright even in the dull morning light. She leaned against a fence, holding a practice staff.
"Ha-Yoon," Shin said, wiping sweat from his brow. "You're up early."
She smirked. "Could say the same about you. But you're more like a ghost — no one's seen you sleep in days."
"Guess I've had things on my mind."
"Like how you almost flattened Class C yesterday?" she teased.
He chuckled softly. "That, and… other things."
She stepped closer, studying his sword. "You've gotten stronger. Way faster than normal. What kind of training are you doing?"
He hesitated. "Just… old habits."
"Hmm." Her tone grew quiet. "Be careful with those. The academy's full of eyes now. Guild scouts, class heads, instructors — they're all watching."
Shin raised an eyebrow. "Including you?"
"Maybe," she said with a grin. "But I'm rooting for you, not spying."
That grin — bright, reckless — reminded him of someone from long ago.
He found himself smiling back. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
Then her voice softened. "You're not like the others, Lee Shin. You fight like someone who's already lost everything."
The words caught him off guard. "You don't hold back, do you?"
She shrugged. "I call what I see."
Before he could respond, the academy bells rang — long, deep, echoing across the campus.
"Attention, Year-1 students."
The loudspeaker crackled to life.
"All participants of the Year-1 Finals are to report to the Central Arena by noon. Pairing lists will be announced shortly."
Ha-Yoon's eyes gleamed. "Looks like it's time."
"Yeah," Shin murmured, gripping his sword tighter. "Time to see how far I've really come."
Later — Central Arena
The massive coliseum buzzed with energy.
Hundreds of students filled the stands, their uniforms flashing with rank colors — white for Year-1, gold for Year-2, black for seniors. The banners of Seoul Hunter Academy fluttered high above, glowing faintly with enchantments.
At the center stood the participants — thirty-two of the strongest students from the first year.
Lee Shin, standing among them, could feel the weight of eyes upon him. Whispers followed wherever he moved.
"That's the kid from Class D, right?"
"He beat Kang Dae-Jin!"
"I heard he used forbidden mana compression…"
He ignored them.
Across the arena, he spotted familiar faces — Ha-Yoon from Class B, Taemin's son (Jinwoo), and… Hyun-Seok, standing smugly at the front in his pristine Class A uniform.
When Hyun-Seok's gaze found him, his smile sharpened.
So did Shin's.
The instructor — an older hunter named Professor Go Se-Han — stepped forward, voice booming through the enchanted speakers.
"Congratulations, students. You've survived the first half of the year. Now comes the real test — the Final Assessment Battles."
A projection shimmered above the arena, showing brackets forming in glowing blue text.
"Each match will test not only your strength, but your adaptability and teamwork. Win, and you advance. Lose, and you're out."
The brackets began filling one by one.
Ha-Yoon glanced up, murmuring, "Let's see who fate picks for you."
Then it appeared.
Round 1: Lee Shin (Class D) vs. Seo Hyun-Seok (Class A)
The crowd erupted.
Ha-Yoon blinked. "Wait… you're fighting your brother?"
Shin's lips curved into a calm, dangerous smile. "Perfect."
Evening Before the Match
The dorm halls buzzed with rumors, laughter, and tension. But Shin ignored it all.
He sat cross-legged in his room, his sword resting beside him.
The glow of the ring flickered faintly — that same soft heartbeat.
"Tomorrow," he whispered, "I face him."
The ring pulsed once, as if acknowledging the thought.
Then a faint knock sounded at the door.
Nonna stepped in quietly. "So it's true."
"You heard," he said.
"Of course. Everyone did." She crossed her arms. "You know he's been preparing for this since the announcement. Hyun-Seok wants to humiliate you in front of the entire academy."
"I know," Shin said simply.
She studied him — the calm in his voice, the quiet confidence that hadn't been there before. "You're not afraid?"
He met her gaze. "I used to be. Not anymore."
A small, proud smile ghosted across her lips. "Then make him regret underestimating you."
He nodded. "I will."
Nonna lingered a moment longer. "When this is over, come to the tower. There's something you need to see."
"The tower?" he asked.
"You'll understand when the time comes," she said, already turning to leave. "Good luck, little brother."
The door closed behind her.
Shin exhaled, eyes shifting toward the window — where the central tower loomed like a black spear against the night sky.
The storm clouds above it began to churn, flashes of lightning dancing through their depths.
Something ancient was stirring again.
And tomorrow…
Lee Shin would stand before the academy — not as the weakest son, not as the forgotten child — but as the hunter reborn.