A few hours later, Keiko finds himself sitting in a creaky wooden carriage, riding through a dense forest. The path is rough, and the trees stretch high above him, their thick canopies blocking out most of the light. Occasionally, he catches glimpses of creatures darting between the shadows—monsters, no doubt.
The idea of facing such beasts unsettles him, but there's a flicker of excitement as well. The Hunters' Academy... He can barely imagine what awaits him there.
The carriage finally breaks through the trees, and Keiko's breath catches in his throat. Ahead of him, a sprawling stone fortress stands atop a hill, surrounded by high walls and towers. Energy crackles in the air, a vibrant blend of mana swirling from the Academy grounds. Beyond the gates, students practice their magic in open courtyards. One boy—perhaps no older than Keiko—focuses intently, purple mana crackling around his hands as he levitates several stones in the air.
Keiko's eyes widen with awe. This... this is where I'll train?
The carriage pulls to a stop at the gate, and Keiko steps down. His heart pounds in his chest as he takes in the sight of the academy. The old woman and the receptionist had both spoken of challenges and trials to enter this place, but standing here now, Keiko knows this is the first step toward his future.
I'll unlock my abilities, he thinks, determination rising within him. And I'll become stronger than anyone else—even my brother.
As he makes his way toward the entrance, he spots a group of students gathered near the main hall, all around his age. Most look nervous, some are excited, but a few—taller and more confident—exude an aura of strength. Keiko watches them closely.
These must be my competition.
Before he can get lost in thought, a tall figure steps forward from the shadows of the main building. The principal of the Hunters' Academy. He's an imposing man, tall and broad-shouldered, though his appearance is otherwise unremarkable—his clothes simple and plain, his expression serious but calm.
"Welcome to the Hunters' Academy," the principal announces in a booming voice that echoes across the grounds. "You stand on the threshold of greatness. But before any of you can call yourselves hunters, you will face trials—challenges that will push you beyond your limits."
Keiko straightens his posture, listening intently.
"The first is a practical test," the principal continues, pacing in front of the students. "Then, a cooperative battle—pair up with another student to protect your skill cores while stealing others'. Finally, a tournament where your true strength will be revealed."
Keiko's brow furrows. Skill cores?
The principal seems to sense the confusion. "For those of you unfamiliar with skill cores—they are orbs that contain the abilities of monsters. Steal them, use them wisely, and they may just be the key to victory. Fail, and you may find yourself at the mercy of your fellow students."
The weight of the challenge settles in, but Keiko's resolve hardens. This is it—his chance to prove himself.
He takes a deep breath.
I'll pass these exams. I'll unlock my power. And one day, I'll free my brother.
With newfound determination, Keiko steps forward, ready to face whatever trials lie ahead.
With a mischievous grin, the principal continued, his voice booming even louder, "By the way, the goal of this academy is not just to pass these trials. No, to truly stand out, you must rise through the ranks—aim to become number one in the academy. Only then will you earn the right to face someone considered on par with the gods themselves. He is known as the Star King, the one person who can defeat triple S-rankers without breaking a sweat."
The moment the name Star King was mentioned, a sudden hush fell over the students. Whispers spread among them, their expressions shifting from curiosity to awe and even fear. But for Keiko, something ignited within him, like a flame that had been waiting for the right moment to burst into life. Star King, he repeated in his mind, the name echoing over and over.
Before he could even think, Keiko found himself standing on top of a table, his small figure elevated above the sea of other students. He balled his fists and declared loudly, "I'll be the next Star King!"
A ripple of shock and hostility spread through the crowd. The students stared at Keiko as though he had committed some kind of sacrilege. The weight of their glares bore down on him, but Keiko simply shrugged, unbothered by their scorn. He hopped down from the table, shot the crowd a confident smile, and walked away.
As he turned to leave, a silver-haired girl brushed past him, her movements graceful and deliberate. Her silver locks shimmered as she leaned in and whispered into his ear, her voice as cold as ice. "You're bold... I like that. Let's see if you can back it up."
The setting shifted. Keiko and the silver-haired girl now stood side by side, lined up with the rest of the students in an open field. The sky above was clear, but the atmosphere was heavy with anticipation. The principal stood before the gathered students, his sharp gaze scanning the crowd. His earlier grin was gone, replaced by a stern, almost ominous expression.
"We will now begin," the principal announced, his voice taking on a graver tone. "Students, pick your teams. You'll have to rely on each other to survive the Forest of No Return. Only the strongest will make it through."
Chaos erupted almost instantly. Students scrambled to form teams, frantically grabbing at allies they hoped would help them survive the trials ahead. The pressure was palpable, and within moments, groups began forming, each one sizing up their competition.
But something unexpected happened.
Keiko and the silver-haired girl made no effort to join a group. Instead, they exchanged a single, knowing glance. Without a word, they sprinted toward the center of the field where a cluster of glowing orbs—each representing a team's starting point—lay waiting.
Before anyone else could react, Keiko and the girl seized one of the orbs and darted toward the edge of the field, disappearing into the dense trees of the Forest of No Return.
The forest was dark, with thick, twisted trees that blotted out most of the sunlight. The air was cool, and the ground beneath them was uneven, littered with roots and rocks. As they ran deeper into the forest, Keiko could feel the oppressive mana radiating from the ground, as though the very earth itself was alive with ancient magic.
The silver-haired girl, still keeping pace with him, finally spoke. "I didn't catch your name back there. You're interesting, but reckless. Why would you declare you're going to be Star King?"
Keiko smirked, dodging a low-hanging branch. "Because I will be. I don't see the point in aiming for anything less."
She gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Confidence is good. Just don't let it get you killed." Her voice had a hint of amusement.
The two pressed onward, the sounds of other teams growing fainter behind them as they delved deeper into the forest. The real test was about to begin.