Hunt/Dreams

The day had arrived.

A dense atmosphere clung to the training hall, thick with anticipation. Students lined up in rigid formations, their nerves barely contained beneath a facade of confidence. This was it—the moment that would decide their future. No more theory, no more practice sessions. Just raw, unfiltered reality.

Two professors stood before them, papers and pencils in hand, their sharp eyes sweeping across the anxious crowd. No words of encouragement, no pleasantries—just the weight of expectation hanging over their heads. Even the usual slackers Bruce, and Marko—wore serious expressions.

For once, no one dared to joke around.

Then, the lead professor stepped forward. His voice cut through the silence like a blade.

"Listen up, dear students. Today is the day you prove your worth." His tone was cold, demanding attention. "You've trained. You've studied. Now, we see if it meant anything."

A brief pause, his gaze scanning for any hint of hesitation.

"There is no retrying. No second chances. This exam is final. So listen carefully, follow instructions, and take this seriously. We are not here to waste our time—or yours."

The weight of his words settled over them like a heavy chain. Some students gulped. Others clenched their fists.

Then, a staff member stepped forward and whispered something into the professor's ear.

"He's here."

The professor gave a slow nod before turning back to the students, his expression unreadable.

"The guest evaluator for this year has arrived. The one who will be overseeing your exam… is none other than the Commander of the Third Division—Mr. Rache "

The air shifted.

A ripple of murmurs spread through the students. Some gasped. Some stood up straighter. Others stiffened in fear.

Then, he entered.

His presence alone silenced the crowd. There was an unshakable weight to him, an aura that made the very air feel heavier. His attire was unlike the standard uniforms they were used to—a black tricorn hat, a long duster coat, and brown boots laced with gold. He walked with the confidence of someone who had survived hell and didn't fear returning.

When he spoke, his voice carried across the hall, powerful yet measured.

"I am the Commander of the Third Division. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

The students clapped, but there was something hesitant about it as if they weren't sure whether to be excited or terrified.

He continued, his expression unreadable.

"Now, I know some of you are wondering—why only the Third Division? What about the others? What if I want to be a strategist? Or join the medical corps?"

A slight smirk crossed his lips, but his tone quickly shifted from casual to razor-sharp.

"Rest assured, I understand your concerns. But whether you want to be a tactician, a healer, or a front-line warrior, there are three fundamentals that every Hunter must have."

He lifted a single finger.

"Number one. Understanding the basics of mana."

His voice dropped slightly, but it only made his words hit harder.

"Mana is the foundation of our survival. It is the power that allows us to fight back against the beasts that threaten our existence. Without it…" He let the sentence linger. "We would be dead by now."

Yulli tensed. His heart pounded in his chest.

He hadn't awakened his mark.

He was the only one standing here, listening to those words, knowing they applied to him more than anyone else.

The Commander raised a second finger.

"Number two. Discipline."

His gaze swept over them, lingering on those who stood with false confidence.

"Strength is important. Power is important. But without discipline, you're just a fool swinging a sword, waiting to die. I've seen it happen a hundred times. Recruits, full of potential, dead within their first mission because they lacked control."

Silence.

He lifted the final finger.

"And number three…" His voice grew heavier. "The will to sacrifice."

The room felt colder.

"There will come a day when someone you love—your friend, your sibling, maybe even your lover—will stand before you, not as a person, but as a beast."

A suffocating silence followed.

"I have seen too many young hunters hesitate in that moment. They couldn't do it. They let their emotions take over. And because of that… people died."

No one spoke.

He let the weight of his words settle before continuing.

"These three fundamentals—Mana, Discipline, and Will—are the foundation of our organization. They have been for generations. And I expect each and every one of you to embody them in some way."

His eyes darkened.

"Do I make myself clear?"

A beat of silence. Then—

"Yes, sir!"

The students shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the hall.

The Commander gave one slow nod.

"Good." 

One of the lead professors stepped forward, clearing his throat before addressing the commander.

"Thank you, Commander."

The commander gave a curt nod in response, stepping back to allow the professor to take the floor.

The professor turned to the students, his voice steady and measured, cutting through the tense air.

"There will be two practical exams today," he began. "Both are designed to evaluate your core abilities as a hunter-in-training. The first exam will test your mana manipulation. This is the foundation of all combat abilities, and we will be assessing four key principles: enhancement, transmission, visionary, and null."

A murmur rippled through the students. Some shifted uncomfortably, while others straightened their posture, already mentally preparing.

The professor raised a hand to silence them before continuing.

"Now, while you are expected to have a basic grasp of all four, we do not expect you to be masters at everything. That is why we highly encourage you to demonstrate your strongest skill. If enhancement is your speciality, prove your physical power. If transmission is your strength, show us how well you can conjure the mana. If you excel in vision, display your awareness and perception. And if null is where you shine… then surprise us."

His gaze the room, eyes sharp, ensuring that no one misunderstood.

"This is not about showing off. It is about demonstrating what makes you an asset."

Yulli felt a lump form in his throat. The words 'foundation of all combat abilities' rang in his head like a cruel joke.

He forced his breathing to stay even, but his fingers curled into fists at his sides.

The professor continued.

"The second exam will be a combat simulation—similar to what you've done before, but with one crucial difference." His eyes darkened. "You will be assigned to a random team."

This caused an immediate reaction. Some students groaned. Others whispered among themselves. Hare and Elitches exchanged glances. Even Muetaki's usually neutral expression tightened slightly.

The professor raised his hand again, silencing the unrest.

"I know many of you have trained with specific partners. I know you have formed bonds with friends and allies. But out there—" his tone turned cold, "—you do not get to choose who fights beside you. You may find yourself alongside strangers, people whose strengths and weaknesses you do not know. And yet, in that moment, you must trust them with your life."

The weight of his words sank into every student present.

"This simulation will test your ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances. Your ability to work as a team, to assess threats, and most importantly—to survive."

Silence.

No one needed further explanation.

"Are there any questions?"

The students remained still, no one daring to speak.

The professor let the silence stretch for a moment before nodding.

"Then, if there are no questions…" He raised his hand.

"I hereby announce that the practical exams of this year will now begin."