The morning sun cast long shadows through Raul's apartment window as he stood before his mirror, staring at his reflection. His E-rank badge gleamed dully in the light, a constant reminder of the facade he'd maintained for so long.
Three days had passed since the A-rank dungeon raid. Three days since he'd encountered Evangeline Aris. Three days of endless contemplation about his next move.
The Inter-Academic Competition was ahead—exactly three months away.
Raul closed his eyes, remembering the way Evangeline had looked at him. There had been recognition in those ice-blue eyes, something that went beyond mere curiosity. But why? What could a National Level Hunter possibly know about him?
His system interface suddenly flickered , displaying his current status.
[Status: Nil]
[Rank: E]
[Skills Acquired: 147]
[Latest Acquisitions:]
- Lightning Manipulation (S-rank-100%)
- Future Sight (Incomplete - 2.1%)
- Stealth Archery (S-rank)
- Mana Detection (A-rank)
He'd tried copying Evangeline's future sight ability during their brief encounter, but something was different about it. The system had barely managed to grasp its essence, like trying to catch smoke with bare hands.
This has usually never happened before.
But why?
Usually, my ability to copy skill works almost instantly.
As soon as I see it, I mastered it.
The skill engraved in my subconscious mind, giving me the feeling that I had this acquired skilled since birth.
I can use it without even thinking.
This was different.
[skill: Instant skill mastery lvl 75]
Is it because of the level of my skill?
Normally, I can copy and instantly master the skill of even an S-rank.
Are national level Hunter's a big deal?
Is the mana capacity difference between S-rank and National level hunter so vast?
He questioned himself, and tried asking the system.
"Hey system, why Is the future sight skill incomplete?"
The system flickered, and a floating green neon lit interface appeared before him with the answer written on it.
[Answer 1]
[You skill level is too low, increase the level of the skill by using it. once you have reached ~(error)~ level all the restrictions on copying the skill will be liberated.]
[Answer 2]
[Your mana capacity hasn't reached the level of a national level hunter]
"hmm, so looks like I had the answers with me all the time.
I didn't knew the system could respond and answer the questions I ask."
He overlooked a detail
"But wait, why isn't it displaying the level required?"
[I am incapable of answering that question]
He clenched his jaw with frustration.
How would I know which level to reach?
"System, what the the Mana capacity I need to reach the level of a National level hunter?"
[Answer]
[ Your Vessel is of the size of the highest S-rank hunter.
Current Mana capacity: 15,000
Mana capacity required: 20,000
Mana: 14,980/15,000]
As he was reading through the dim lit green display.
A knock at his door interrupted his thoughts.
Raul tensed. He wasn't expecting anyone.
Cautiously, he approached the door, extending his senses—a trick he'd picked up from one of the A-rank hunters during the festival. The mana signature on the other side was... familiar.
He opened the door.
"Yo, E-rank."
Takeshi Arata stood in the hallway, his usual smirk firmly in place. But something was different about his posture—tighter, more alert.
"What do you want?" Raul asked, keeping his voice neutral.
Takeshi's smirk widened. "The Academy's holding preliminary evaluations for the competition today. Thought you might want to know."
Raul's expression didn't change. "Why would an E-rank care about that?"
"Because," Takeshi leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping, "rumor has it Evangeline Aris is overseeing them."
Raul's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his composure. "She's not supposed to be here for three months."
"Plans change." Takeshi straightened up. "Especially when an A-rank gate appears out of nowhere in a public park."
The implications hung heavy in the air.
"The Association's worried," Takeshi continued. "Gates don't just spawn randomly like that. Something's wrong with the system, and they want their strongest hunters keeping an eye on things."
Raul processed this information carefully. If Evangeline was here now...
"When are the evaluations?"
"Two hours." Takeshi's smirk returned. "Interested after all?"
Raul met his gaze steadily. "Maybe."
"Well then," Takeshi turned to leave, waving lazily over his shoulder, "better decide quick. This might be your only chance to catch her attention... properly this time."
As Takeshi's footsteps faded down the hallway, Raul closed the door, his mind racing.
This changed everything.
The preliminary evaluations weren't just rank assessments—they were qualification tests for the competition. Students would demonstrate their abilities, and the instructors would determine if they were ready to participate.
For an E-rank like him, it would be a perfect opportunity to...
To what?
Show his true power? Reveal abilities that no E-rank should possess? Draw attention to himself when he'd spent years staying hidden?
Or maintain the facade, purposely underperform, and lose his chance to understand why Evangeline had recognized him?
Raul walked to his window, looking out at the Academy buildings in the distance. Students were already gathering, their excited chatter carrying on the morning breeze.
His fingers brushed against his E-rank badge.
Everything he'd built—his carefully maintained cover, his secret growth, his anonymous existence—all of it hung in the balance.
But then he remembered her eyes. The way they'd widened slightly when she saw him, that flash of recognition that had made his world tilt.
He needed answers.
And sometimes, Raul realized, the only way forward was to take a risk.
His decision made, he grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. But before leaving, he paused, looking back at his reflection one last time.
"Time to see what you're really made of, E-rank."
The morning sun cast his shadow long across the floor as he stepped out, ready to face whatever consequences awaited.
Whether he chose to reveal his power or not, nothing would be the same after today.
The preliminary evaluations awaited.
And so did she.
--
As Raul stepped onto the Academy grounds, the energy in the air was palpable. Students of all ranks bustled about, stretching, conversing in hushed excitement, and mentally preparing for what was to come. Some were eager to prove themselves, while others—like him—had far more at stake.
He kept his steps measured, deliberate. Despite his racing thoughts, his expression remained unreadable. The last thing he wanted was to draw unnecessary attention before he decided how much of himself he was willing to show.
From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the evaluation area. The Academy had set up an open-air stage in the main training grounds, surrounded by instructors, high-ranking hunters, and even a few guild representatives. A massive mana-suppressing barrier enclosed the area, ensuring any outbursts of power wouldn't spill over into the rest of the school.
And then, he saw her.
Evangeline Aris stood at the far end of the field, her silver hair catching the morning light, her piercing blue eyes scanning the crowd. Even from this distance, she radiated an aura of absolute control—her presence alone was enough to make some of the higher-ranked students shift uncomfortably.
"What a menacing presence"
Good thing he had the mana supression skill of an A-rank, the rarest skill. due this this he was able to hide his near-national-level mana radiation and supress it to E-rank.
Raul's fingers curled slightly at his sides.
Why was she here, really? Takeshi had mentioned the sudden A-rank gate, but that alone didn't explain why she of all people had been sent. National Level Hunters weren't deployed unless the situation was truly dire.
His gaze flickered to the other evaluators. Among them was an older man in a high-ranking Academy official's uniform. His presence was odd—hunters typically ran these tests, not administrators. And standing beside him was an S-rank hunter Raul had only seen once before: Hector Drayden, the titan of Titan's Wrath Guild.
This wasn't just a preliminary evaluation.
This was something far bigger.
His instincts screamed at him to turn back. To vanish into the crowd, to blend in like he always had. But instead, his feet carried him forward.
As he approached the sign-in area, he felt a shift in the air.
Someone was watching him.
Not just watching—*studying.*
Raul turned his head slightly, locking eyes with Evangeline.
Her gaze held his, unwavering. There was no mistaking it—this wasn't casual curiosity. There was something *else* in her expression.
Recognition.
And perhaps... something like expectation.
A low murmur passed through the gathered students as they realized she was staring directly at him. Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Wait… why is she looking at him?"
"Isn't he just an E-rank?"
"No way. That's gotta be a mistake."
Raul exhaled slowly. His decision had already been made. Whether he wanted to or not, today…
He was going to make an impression.