Standing in front of the portal was an instructor a tall, stern-looking woman with sharp features, long black hair, and piercing green eyes.
She wore a sleek, dark uniform with the academy's emblem proudly displayed on her chest.
"Welcome back." the instructor said, her voice carrying authority but not unkindness.
She held a clipboard in one hand, her other hand resting lightly on her hip. "You've officially completed the first trial: the Survival Trial. Congratulations on making it this far."
The candidates around the clearing murmured in relief or excitement, though a few looked battered and bruised. Some even had missing or damaged badges.
The instructor's gaze swept over Hugo, Rose, and Shine as they approached.
Her eyes lingered for a moment on Hugo, taking in his disheveled appearance, the gauntlets still on his hands, and Shine clinging to his back like a koala. She arched an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Now, each of you must present your badge to confirm your completion of the trial." she announced.
She gestured toward a large box with a glowing slot at the front. "Simply insert your badge here. Once verified, you will officially pass."
Rose grinned, reaching into her pocket and pulling out her shiny golden badge.
"Easy peasy." She strode forward, dropped it into the slot, and watched as the box emitted a soft chime.
"Candidate 047, Rose Drakthorn. Verified. Congratulations." the instructor said, marking something on her clipboard.
Shine wriggled free from Hugo's back with some effort, reaching into his pocket. He proudly produced his badge, which was a little dented but still intact.
"Candidate 112, Shine Skylight. Verified. Congratulations."
The instructor's gaze shifted to Hugo. He froze, his hand hovering over his pocket.
"Don't tell me." Rose said, smirking. "You lost it, didn't you?"
"Of course not!" Hugo shot back, quickly fishing out the badge. The golden surface gleamed in the sunlight, almost mocking him for the chaos it had caused. He stepped forward and dropped it into the slot.
"Candidate 098, Hugo Icelandra. Verified. Congratulations."
A soft chime echoed again, and Hugo released a long-held breath.
"You look like you just ran a marathon." the instructor said, a hint of amusement in her voice as she noted his sweat-streaked face and worn-out demeanor.
"You don't know the half of it.." Hugo muttered, stepping back to join Rose and Shine.
"Now." the instructor said, her tone shifting back to seriousness as she addressed the gathered candidates, "the Survival Trial was only the beginning. You've proven you can endure, adapt, and overcome challenges. But this is just the start of your first trial. Prepare yourselves for what's to come."
With that, the candidates were dismissed to rest and prepare for the next phase, the weight of their accomplishments mingling with the anticipation of the challenges ahead.
Hugo glanced at Rose and Shine, who were both grinning.
"We made it." Shine said brightly, his injuries seemingly forgotten.
"Yeah," Hugo replied, allowing a small smile to creep onto his face. "We made it."
Little did they know, the real trials were only just beginning...
____________________
The Survival Trial had come to an end, and the numbers were nothing short of brutal.
Instructor Everhart, standing on an elevated platform overlooking the gathered candidates, delivered the announcement with his usual bluntness.
His sharp eyes scanned the group, their expressions ranging from exhausted relief to quiet pride.
"Out of the nearly 1,000 candidates who entered this trial, only 325 remain." he declared, his voice firm and unsympathetic.
"The rest 675 of you, failed to secure a golden badge. That's the nature of this academy. There are no second chances, no do-overs. If you can't cut it here, you don't belong."
His words were final, and the weight of failure settled over the departing candidates like a heavy shroud.
Some left in silent resignation, their dreams of becoming Hunters extinguished. Others muttered bitterly, their frustration and disappointment evident.
But none dared to protest; the rules had been clear from the start.
Among the remaining candidates was Hugo, standing quietly near the back of the group. He was drenched in sweat, his body aching from the relentless chase that had secured him the last badge.
Though he had barely made it, his crazy persistence had paid off, earning him a spot among the survivors.
Instructor Everhart's gaze briefly fell on Hugo, a flicker of acknowledgment in his otherwise stoic expression.
"To those who remain.." he continued, "you've proven your determination and resourcefulness. But let me make this clear: the trials ahead will be far more demanding. Rest while you can."
The surviving 325 candidates were led to a large dormitory complex on the academy grounds.
The building, though temporary, was impressive in its design rows of clean, minimalist rooms equipped with basic amenities to ensure the candidates could recover.
Hugo entered his assigned room and collapsed onto the bed, his mind racing despite his exhaustion.
The events of the day replayed in his head the relentless struggle, the near misses, and the final moments of victory.
He couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride, knowing he had defied the odds.
Elsewhere, Shine and Rose settled into their respective rooms. Shine, ever optimistic, was already speculating about the next trial, while Rose seemed content to relax and conserve her energy.
As the candidates rested, the academy's staff prepared for the next phase.
The Survival Trial had served its purpose, weeding out the unworthy and leaving only those who had the potential to endure.
But the true test of their skills, courage, and determination was still to come in the second trial...
____________________
The sun crept through the narrow window of Hugo's room, casting a golden glow over the scattered belongings on the desk.
The faint hum of activity from the academy grounds barely registered as he remained sprawled across the small bed, eyes half-open, fighting the pull of sleep.
When he finally sat up, his gaze landed on the clock. His heart sank.
"You've got to be kidding me.." he muttered, leaping out of bed. "Late again?!"
In a rush, he scrambled to get dressed, fumbling with the uniform's buttons.
His movements were frantic, almost comical, as he wrestled with his tie, his reflection in the mirror scowling back at him.
A sharp knock broke through his panicked haze.
"Hugo!" Rose's voice came through the door, impatient and unrelenting. "If you're not out here in the next ten seconds, I'm leaving without you!"
"Almost ready!" he shouted, hopping on one foot as he struggled to put on his shoes.
"Ten seconds are up!"
He yanked the door open, still clutching his tie. Rose stood there, arms crossed and tapping her foot, her expression a mix of annoyance and amusement.
"Seriously?" she said, giving him a once-over. "You look like you just fought a tornado."
"Not my fault." he shot back, adjusting his tie hastily. "The bed was too comfortable."
Rose rolled her eyes. "Excuses. Let's go before we're both late."
As they stepped out into the hallway, another voice called out. "Morning!"
They turned to see Shine approaching, his silver hair catching the light. Despite his small stature, his stride was confident and light, almost unnaturally so.
"You're awfully cheerful." Rose said, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't you almost collapse yesterday?"
Shine grinned, his cyan eyes sparkling. "Quick recovery. Comes with the territory."
"Territory?" Hugo asked, his curiosity piqued. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Rose leaned closer, scrutinizing him. "Yeah, what are you, anyway? You're too light on your feet to be normal."
Shine tilted his head, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Normal? Nah, not quite. I'm an hawk a beast type to be exact. Technically human, but with traits from hawks."
Rose blinked, caught off guard. "Hawk? You mean like... bird traits?"
"Exactly." Shine said, pointing to his eyes. "Enhanced eyesight, lightweight frame for agility, you get the idea."
Hugo stared, trying to process the revelation. "So, those eyes of yours…"
"They're a dead giveaway." Shine admitted with a chuckle. "Can spot details from crazy distances. Perfect for long-range observation."
Rose narrowed her eyes, studying him. "And you're just telling us now?"
Shine shrugged. "No one asked before. I don't keep secrets. People just don't notice."
Hugo let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Fantastic. Even the short guy has something special. What about me?"
Rose smirked, her arms crossed. "Guess you'll have to work harder, Hugo. Can't let the little guy outshine you."
"Thanks for the pep talk." Hugo muttered sarcastically, falling into step behind them.
As they made their way toward the assembly hall, Hugo couldn't help but glance at Shine. There was something effortless about the way he moved was light and agile, as if he could take off running at any moment.
But Shine didn't seem to notice the attention.
He walked with an easy grin, humming softly, his carefree demeanor masking a potential that Hugo suspected ran far deeper than he let on.
Hugo's thoughts were interrupted by the faint buzz of the academy's loudspeakers. The announcement came, echoing through the halls.
"All candidates report to the assembly hall immediately. The second trial will commence shortly."
Hugo quickened his pace, anxiety bubbling under his calm facade. As if yesterday wasn't chaotic enough, he now had to face another trial, unprepared and still sore from the first.
"Just my luck..." he muttered under his breath.
Continue...