The morning light filtered through Sirius's window, casting a warm glow over his room. He stretched, feeling more refreshed and energized than he had in days. The previous night's feast with his family had lifted his spirits, and now he was ready to return to the Academy. After missing three days, he knew Ron and Luna would have plenty of questions for him.
He boarded the bus to the academy, pulling out his phone to check Hunter's forums and news. He was still adjusting to this world of Hunters and guilds, and there was a lot to learn. The status of Blackhawk Shelter—his home—was among the first topics he explored. As one of the smaller shelters, Blackhawk was fortified by only a modest number of high-ranking Hunters. There were two B-rank Hunters and roughly eighteen C-rank Hunters, now including himself.
Though his recent C-rank status wasn't public information, Sirius knew that it would be only a matter of time before influential figures in Blackhawk took notice. The Hunter Association treated C-rank Hunters as nobles, granting a monthly allowance of three hundred and fifty thousand credits, along with benefits in buying and selling through the Association. It was a life Sirius had only dreamed of until now.
Sirius also discovered that Blackhawk Shelter had two prominent guilds: Ares Guild and Phantom Guild. Both were well-respected, with Ares focusing on strength and combat, and Phantom on stealth and infiltration. However, guild life didn't appeal to him—not yet, anyway. His path would require independence, and he wasn't ready to pledge himself to any organization.
The ride to the academy passed quickly, and Sirius arrived on campus as students milled around the courtyard. His plan was to make it through the classes without raising too much attention. The academy was his place to study and hone his skills in a less dangerous environment, and he preferred to keep his Hunter life under wraps for now.
Sirius reached his classroom and found his seat, sinking into it comfortably as he scanned the familiar faces around him. He didn't have to wait long before a loud, friendly voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Hey, buddy! Where have you been?" Ron, his best friend, greeted him with a playful punch on the shoulder, his face lit up with curiosity.
"Something came up," Sirius replied in a hushed tone. The excitement of his recent hunts and newfound abilities simmered beneath his calm exterior, but he kept his voice steady.
Ron leaned in closer, lowering his voice as well. "How did your awakening go? Any good talents?"
Sirius nodded. "It went well. I awakened some decent combat talents and registered as a Hunter."
A wide grin spread across Ron's face. "That's awesome! I knew you'd awaken with something special." He patted Sirius on the back, looking as proud as if he'd been the one to unlock the talents.
Before they could chat further, another familiar figure joined them. Luna, the class monitor and the undisputed beauty of their class, approached their seats. To most students, she was known as the Ice Queen for her reserved demeanor and aloof attitude. But Sirius knew a different side of her—a warm, kind friend he could trust.
"You became a Hunter? What rank?" she asked softly, offering him a homemade muffin as she waited for his response.
Sirius accepted the muffin with a smile and handed her his Hunter License. Luna's eyes scanned the card, and when she saw his C-rank status, a rare look of surprise crossed her face. She quickly recovered and gave him a pleased smile, handing back his license with a nod of approval.
"That's incredible, Sirius. Congratulations," she said, the warmth in her voice contrasting with her usual reserved tone.
"Thanks, Luna," he replied, stowing the license away as he savored the muffin. A few other classmates noticed the exchange, their curiosity piqued, but Sirius ignored them, focusing instead on the relief of finally being back in a routine.
Soon, Professor Martin Branhod entered the classroom for their first class, "Study of Mutated Beasts and Monsters." Sirius had always found the subject interesting, but now it felt vital. Professor Martin was an older man, knowledgeable and thorough, and his lessons were crucial for anyone who aspired to understand the monsters that lurked outside the safety of the shelter walls.
Today, Professor Martin spoke about several mutated beasts known to roam the area around Blackhawk Shelter. He delved into their anatomy, distinctive behaviors, and weaknesses—a valuable insight for any Hunter. Sirius listened intently, taking in every detail. Knowing a creature's anatomy could mean the difference between victory and defeat in the field.
After a few more lectures, it was time for the Swordsmanship lesson. Sirius and his friends made their way to the training grounds, where students were already practicing with wooden swords, bows, and spears. Sirius felt a surge of excitement. He had awakened Sword Mastery (D), and this would be his first time testing his talent in a controlled setting.
As he stretched and readied himself, he noticed a familiar figure moving toward him with a cocky smirk—Leon, a tall, muscular boy known for his aggressive approach to swordsmanship. He had a reputation for being competitive, especially with those who caught Luna's attention.
"So, Sirius, you're back after your little vacation?" Leon's voice carried an unmistakable edge, and his eyes flicked toward Luna, who was nearby, sharpening her own sword skills.
Sirius recognized the look in Leon's eyes. He had seen it before—the gleam of rivalry, mixed with a desire to prove himself. Leon had long harbored feelings for Luna and wasn't thrilled with her friendship with Sirius.
"Care for a duel, Sirius?" Leon said, his tone taunting. "Let's see if you've learned anything useful in your time away."
Sirius could sense the underlying challenge. Leon wanted to put him down in front of Luna, but Sirius wasn't one to back away. His newly gained Sword Mastery gave him confidence he hadn't felt before, and he saw this as the perfect chance to put his skills to the test.
"Fine, let's do it," Sirius replied calmly, picking up a wooden practice sword.
A small crowd of students began to gather as Sirius and Leon took their positions on the training mat. Luna and Ron watched from the sidelines, Ron giving him an encouraging thumbs-up while Luna looked on, her gaze intense.
The instructor, sensing the tension, stepped forward. "Alright, boys, this is just a friendly match. First to three strikes wins. No injuring each other, understood?"
Both nodded, and with a curt nod from the instructor, the duel began.
Leon wasted no time, lunging forward with a powerful overhead swing, hoping to overpower Sirius with brute strength. But Sirius's Sword Mastery allowed him to anticipate the move with ease. His Battle Foresight kicked in, highlighting Leon's intentions a split second before he acted.
Sirius sidestepped smoothly, letting Leon's attack slice through the air, and delivered a quick, controlled strike to Leon's side. The sound of wood hitting flesh rang out, signaling the first point to Sirius.
Leon gritted his teeth, a flash of frustration crossing his face. "Lucky shot," he muttered, stepping back to reset his stance.
But Sirius knew it was far more than luck. His talent allowed him to read his opponent's movements as if they were an open book. Leon, oblivious to Sirius's new skill level, lunged again, this time aiming a feint toward Sirius's left before quickly switching to the right.
Sirius saw through it instantly. As Leon's sword veered right, Sirius was already there, deflecting the blow and twisting his wrist to counterattack. His wooden blade struck Leon's shoulder in a fluid motion, scoring him a second point.
The crowd murmured in surprise, and Ron grinned broadly from the sidelines. Luna, too, looked impressed, her eyes bright with approval.
Leon's frustration was visible as he stepped back, anger brewing beneath the surface. He charged in once more, this time with a rapid succession of strikes meant to overwhelm Sirius. But Sirius remained calm, his movements precise and controlled. He deflected each blow, his posture impeccable, as though he had been mastering swordsmanship for years rather than days.
With a final, calculated move, Sirius spun to the side, stepping into Leon's open guard and delivering a swift strike to his ribs. The sound of wood meeting flesh echoed through the training ground, and the instructor called an end to the match.
"Three points to Sirius! Match over."
Leon's shoulders slumped, his expression a mixture of shock and irritation as he tried to comprehend how he'd been bested so thoroughly. Sirius, meanwhile, lowered his sword and gave Leon a small nod, respecting his effort despite the obvious animosity.
The instructor, sensing the tension, stepped forward with a broad smile. "Excellent match, Sirius. Your skills have improved significantly. And Leon—good effort. Keep practicing."
As the crowd dispersed, Ron slapped Sirius on the back, laughing. "That was incredible! You made it look easy."
Luna approached as well, her eyes warm with admiration. "Well done, Sirius. You handled that with both skill and grace."
Sirius smiled, grateful for his friends' support. "Thanks. It's all about practice."
Leon, however, was far from pleased. He shot Sirius a glare before turning away, muttering to himself as he stalked off the training ground. Sirius felt a pang of sympathy but knew he had won fairly. His Sword Mastery and Battle Foresight were gifts he couldn't ignore, and he wasn't about to hold back his talents for anyone's sake.
As the day continued, Sirius felt the benefits of his training and newfound skills more keenly than ever. His classes on Marksmanship and Spearmanship only served to bolster his confidence. His Marksmanship (C) allowed him to handle a bow with ease, each shot landing with pinpoint accuracy. He could tell that both his instructors and classmates had taken notice, especially Luna, who offered him a smile of encouragement during the practice.
As they left the academy together at the end of the day, Ron couldn't stop talking about the duel.
"Leon looked ready to burst into flames," Ron chuckled. "I bet he won't challenge you again anytime soon."
"Maybe," Sirius replied, grinning. "But it's all in a day's work."
They parted ways, but Sirius's thoughts were already on the afternoon's meeting. With his newfound wealth from the dungeon and the regular income as a C-rank Hunter, he was ready to make a real change for his family. Buying a house and a car would finally give them the stability they deserved.
Sirius's heart swelled with pride as he reflected on his journey so far. He had stepped into a world fraught with danger, but he was more than prepared to face whatever came next. The duel with Leon was just one of many challenges he'd overcome. And as he looked toward the horizon, Sirius knew his path was only beginning.
He was ready to rise