The Hunter Academy of Vanguard was renowned for its rigorous training and the vast array of talents it nurtured. Within its ancient walls, students honed their skills in one of the distinct disciplines: Magic and Aura. Each of these power had unique attributes, and mastering them required different approaches and inherent talents.
Magic:
Magic was the most revered and complex of the power systems. It involved the manipulation of mana—an ethereal energy that flowed through the world and living beings. Those who could tap into this energy were known as mages.
Only individuals born with a natural affinity for mana could become mages. This affinity was often hereditary, passed down through bloodlines known for their magical prowess. A mage's ability to control and store mana depended on the refinement and expansion of their mana circles—reservoirs within their body that channeled this mystical energy.
Aura:
Aura, on the other hand, was the domain of warriors and knights. It was a physical and spiritual energy that enhanced combat abilities, imbuing the user's body and weaponry with immense power.
Aura users, or swordsmen, relied on their physical and mental fortitude. Unlike mages, they did not need a natural affinity for mana. Instead, their strength came from intense physical training and emotional resilience. Aura was closely tied to a person's willpower and emotions, often flaring in moments of intense focus or emotional upheaval.
Aura manifested as a tangible force around the user, often visible as a glowing energy that surrounded their body or weapon. It enhanced their physical capabilities—strength, speed, endurance—and could even be projected as offensive or defensive barriers. Training to master aura involved rigorous physical exercises, mental conditioning, and mastering combat techniques.
The relationship between magic and aura was complex. Traditionally, it was believed that one could not master both. The fundamental reason was that magic required a delicate balance of mental and spiritual energy to control mana, while aura demanded physical and emotional strength to channel its power. These opposing requirements often made it impossible for an individual to excel in both disciplines simultaneously.
Though rare, there were individuals who could harness both magic and aura, though one of the powers would usually be weaker. These hybrid Individual were anomalies, often possessing an extraordinary level of talent and determination. Magnus was one such anomaly, with his primary strength in magic and a budding ability in aura.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The classroom buzzed with the usual morning chatter as students settled into their seats. Magnus sat at the back, his mind already wandering to the training he had planned for the evening. However, the arrival of Professor Lennox quickly silenced the room. The stern-faced instructor strode to the front, his presence commanding immediate attention.
"Good morning, Class 2B," Professor Lennox began, his voice firm. "Today, we have a special announcement. There will be a joint training exercise with Class 2A and Class 2C."
A murmur of excitement and apprehension rippled through the students. Joint exercises were rare and often challenging, but they were also an opportunity to earn recognition and rewards.
"You will be divided into groups of three," Professor Lennox continued. "Each group will consist of one student from each class. Your task is to hunt at least three D-Rank beasts and one C-Rank beast within a limited time. The group that scores the highest will receive rewards."
Magnus's ears perked up at the mention of rewards. He thought about the potential benefits—better equipment, rare spellbooks, or even a chance to improve his standing within the academy. It sounded like an easy hunting exercise, considering his recent growth in strength.
"Remember," Professor Lennox added, his gaze sweeping the room, "you are to behave with respect towards students from the other classes. Do not get into fights with them. This is a collaborative exercise."
Magnus felt a nudge on his arm and turned to see Lira giving him a thumbs-up. "You've got this, Magnus," she whispered. "Show them what you're made of."
Magnus smiled back, appreciating her support. "Thanks, Lira. I'll do my best."
The students of Class 2B filed out of the classroom and made their way to the open field where the other classes were waiting. The field was a large, grassy expanse on the academy's outskirts, often used for practical training exercises. Class 2A and 2C students were already assembled, chatting and stretching in preparation for the hunt.
Magnus noticed a few familiar faces among the crowd, including Evan De Snowwhite, who shot him a disdainful glance. Ignoring him, Magnus focused on the task at hand.
Class 2A's homeroom teacher, Professor Hargrove, stepped forward. "All right, students, listen up! I will be assigning groups. Each group will have one student from each class. When I call your name, step forward."
The names were called out one by one. Magnus waited patiently, wondering who his teammates would be.
"Magnus Von Loredan," Professor Hargrove called. Magnus stepped forward.
"Andrew from Class 2A, and Mickelson from Class 2C," the professor continued.
Magnus glanced at his new teammates. Andrew was a tall, athletic boy with a cocky smirk. Mickelson was shorter but stocky, with an air of arrogance. Both of them eyed Magnus with barely concealed disdain.
"This should be interesting," Andrew said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I guess we have to carry the deadweight."
Mickelson snorted. "Yeah, just stay out of our way, Magnus. We'll handle the beasts."
Magnus bit back a retort, deciding it was best to let his actions speak for themselves. They were quickly briefed on the rules and given their starting points. Soon, the exercise began.
The Hunt Begins
The trio set off into the forest, each step crunching against the underbrush. Magnus kept his senses alert, scanning for signs of the D-Rank beasts they needed to hunt. Andrew and Mickelson, however, seemed more interested in showing off.
"Watch and learn, Magnus," Andrew said, drawing his sword as they approached a clearing. "This is how a real hunter works."
A pack of wolf-like creatures, clearly D-Rank, prowled the clearing. Andrew charged in without hesitation, slashing and hacking with confidence. Mickelson followed suit, his brute strength evident in every swing.
Magnus hung back, observing their techniques. They were skilled, no doubt, but their overconfidence could be their downfall.
Within minutes, they had taken down the pack. Andrew turned to Magnus, wiping his blade. "See? Easy. Just stay out of our way, and we'll get those C-Rank beasts too."
Magnus nodded, hiding his frustration. "Do whatever you want."
They moved deeper into the forest, successfully hunting two more packs of D-Rank beasts. Andrew and Mickelson's confidence grew with each victory, while Magnus played his role as the silent observer, ready to step in if needed.
Their next target was a C-Rank beast, but as they ventured further, something felt off. The forest grew unnervingly quiet, and Magnus's instincts screamed a warning. He held up a hand. "Wait. Something's not right."
Andrew scoffed. "Relax, Magnus. You're just paranoid."
Suddenly, a deafening roar shattered the silence. The ground trembled as an enormous creature emerged from the shadows—a massive, armored bear with red eyes glowing with malice. This was no C-Rank beast. It was an A-Rank monster.
Andrew and Mickelson froze, their bravado evaporating. "What the hell is that?" Mickelson whispered, fear creeping into his voice.
Magnus's heart pounded. "That's an A-Rank beast. We need to retreat and regroup."
But Andrew, too stubborn to listen, charged forward. "We can take it! Come on, Mickelson!"
Mickelson hesitated but followed, swinging his axe at the beast. The monster barely flinched, swatting them aside with a single powerful swipe. Both boys were sent crashing into the trees, groaning in pain.
Magnus rushed to their sides. "Are you guys okay?"
Andrew winced, clutching his side. "Stay out of this, Magnus! We don't need your help!"
Mickelson coughed, struggling to stand. "Yeah, we got this..."
Magnus felt a surge of determination. He couldn't let them die out of sheer stubbornness. "You're both injured. Let me handle this."
Ignoring their protests, Magnus stepped forward, drawing on the power within him. He summoned an ice spear, its tip glistening with deadly cold.
The beast roared again, charging at Magnus. He hurled the ice spear with all his might, aiming for the creature's exposed underbelly. The spear struck true, embedding itself deep into the monster's flesh.
The beast howled in pain, but it wasn't defeated yet. Magnus knew he had to end this quickly. He picked up Andrew's discarded sword, feeling its weight in his hand. Channeling his aura through the blade, he advanced on the beast.
"Stay down," he muttered, slashing at the creature with precision. Each strike was fueled by a blend of his magical and physical strength. The beast's movements grew sluggish as it bled from multiple wounds.
With a final, powerful thrust, Magnus drove the sword into the beast's heart. The monster let out one last roar before collapsing, lifeless.
Magnus stood over the fallen beast, panting heavily. He turned to see Andrew and Mickelson staring at him in shock, their earlier contempt replaced with awe.
"How...how did you do that?" Andrew stammered.
Magnus sheathed the sword, his expression calm. "I told you to let me handle it."
Mickelson shook his head, still in disbelief. "You're much stronger than we thought..."
Magnus helped them to their feet. "Let's get you guys back. We need to report this."
As they made their way back to the starting point, Andrew and Mickelson remained silent, clearly rethinking their earlier assumptions about Magnus.
Back in the open field, the students were gathering, their hunting exercises complete. When Magnus, Andrew, and Mickelson returned, the sight of their injuries and the story of their encounter with the A-Rank beast spread quickly.
Professor Hargrove approached them, concern etched on his face. "What happened out there?"
Andrew and Mickelson exchanged a glance before Andrew spoke. "We...we encountered an A-Rank beast."
Hargrove's eyes widened. "An A-Rank beast? Are you all okay?"
Magnus nodded. "We managed to defeat it, but they need medical attention."
As healers rushed to tend to Andrew and Mickelson, Magnus felt a mix of exhaustion and triumph...