The academy grounds buzzed with life. Students rushed between buildings, their chatter blending into the ambient hum of the morning. The crisp autumn air carried the scent of dewdrops and freshly cut grass. But amidst the usual bustle, Raul stood still, his fingers curled into a tight fist around the dull E-rank badge hanging from his neck.
This was it.
No more hiding. No more running.
His reflection in the academy's glass entrance doors mirrored his resolve.
He took a deep breath. It's time.
---
"next- zane vs brawn"
.....
CLANG!
The wooden training sword flew through the air, crashing onto the stone pavement. A few students turned, snickering as the defeated student groaned, holding his wrist.
"Zane Atris wins!" the instructor called out.
Zane, standing over his opponent, merely rolled his shoulders and turned away. His silver hair glistened under the sunlight, his sharp gaze shifting toward Raul, who had been standing near the edge of the training grounds.
Raul didn't hesitate. He stepped forward.
"Zane."
Zane barely spared him a glance. "What do you want, E-rank?" His voice held its usual cocky sharpness.
Raul exhaled. "We need to talk. Alone."
Zane's brow twitched slightly. He studied Raul for a moment before turning to the instructor. "I'm done for today."
Without another word, he walked past Raul. "Follow me."
Raul did.
---
They reached a quiet corner of the academy courtyard, away from prying eyes. The faint rustle of leaves filled the silence between them. Zane crossed his arms, his sharp blue eyes locked onto Raul's face.
"This better be good," Zane muttered. "I'm not wasting time listening to some E-rank's—"
"I reawakened."
The words struck like a thunderclap.
Zane's posture stiffened. "What?"
Raul unclipped his badge and held it in his palm. The insignia of an E-rank hunter gleamed under the sunlight—one that no longer reflected his true strength.
"I'm not an E-rank anymore," Raul admitted. "I reawakened as a D-rank mage. Wind element."
Zane's eyes darkened. "You're joking."
"I'm not."
"khekhekhe" zane laughed mockingly.
Silence.
Then—
BAM!
Zane's fist collided with the tree behind Raul, inches from his face. The bark cracked under the impact. His voice was low, simmering with anger.
"You lied to me."
Raul didn't flinch. He expected this.
Zane's hands trembled, not with fear, but with rage. "The association had suspicions, but I defended you! I told them there was no way you reawakened!"
Raul clenched his jaw. "I had to keep it hidden. You saw what happened in the academy's arena. If people knew I reawakened, it would've changed everything."
"Changed everything?!" Zane snapped, stepping closer. "You killed a Chieftain. A monster that even D-rank hunters struggle against! Do you have any idea what that means?!"
Raul's chest tightened, but he met Zane's glare without wavering.
"I copied its movements," Raul said evenly. "I adapted to its attack patterns and used what I learned against it."
"Bullshit!"
Zane's mana flared around him, sending ripples through the air. "You don't just 'adapt' to a Chieftain! Either you're hiding something even bigger, or you're insane!"
Raul took a deep breath. "I didn't lie about my abilities."
Zane scoffed. "Yeah? Then explain how a D-rank—" his voice dripped with sarcasm, "—can do what you did."
Raul hesitated. He could tell Zane everything. But not now. Not yet.
Instead, he lowered his head. "I trained. A lot."
Zane's anger didn't subside, but his gaze flickered with something else. Confusion? Doubt?
"...You trained," Zane repeated, voice still tight.
Raul nodded. "More than you think."
For a moment, Zane didn't respond. His fists remained clenched, his mana still crackling faintly. But the fire in his eyes dimmed, replaced with something Raul wasn't sure how to interpret.
Pity.
"A r e Y o u s e r i o u s? ," Zane muttered, running a hand through his hair. "You actually reawakened. And only as a D-rank…"
Raul nodded slowly.
Zane let out a long breath, looking away. "That's just… unfair."
Raul blinked. "...What?"
A re-awakening is extremely rare, it is almost unheard of. you know when was the last time someone re-awakened?
"no idea"
it was 78 years ago when a B-rank assasin named 'C.L Clack' re-awakened as an S rank
assasin.
Re-awakenings are supposed to elevate your ranks to the absolute highest level. This is why it is so rare.
You know that you will be a global spotlight now, right?
Raul nodded
This has never happened in the history, anyone who is re-awakened from a low rank usually becomes a national level hunter or an S rank no one has ever witnessed someone getting re-awakened and receiving a low rank again.
"Is that true"
Zane shook his head. "You risked your life in that dungeon, fought harder than anyone, and yet… you only awakened as a D-rank."
The words stung, but Raul knew he was right.
"It doesn't matter," Raul said. "This is who I am now."
Zane didn't reply immediately. When he finally did, his voice was quieter. "You should've told me."
Raul sighed. "I know."
A silence stretched between them, but it wasn't hostile anymore. It was heavy. Unspoken words, lingering emotions.
Finally, Zane clicked his tongue. "Tch. Damn it." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Guess I can't stay mad forever."
Raul smirked. "Nope."
Zane let out a frustrated sigh. "You're an idiot, you know that?"
"I've heard worse."
Zane snorted. "Whatever. But if you screw up again, I'll beat the hell out of you."
Raul chuckled. "Deal."
For the first time, Zane didn't look at him as an opponent.
He looked at him as a friend.
---
But the world didn't stay silent for long.
As they walked back toward the academy building, Raul felt it—the weight of eyes.
Students whispered. Some glanced at him. Others stared outright.
He'd been noticed.
Rumors spread like wildfire.
"Did you hear? That E-rank guy reawakened."
"No way. How's that even possible?"
"They say he's a mage now."
"Wait, doesn't that mean he was hiding his strength? "
"also that classifies him as a False ranker."
The murmurs were relentless. Raul clenched his fists but forced himself to keep walking.
Then—
A Similar presence.
His steps faltered.
It was faint, yet undeniable. A piercing gaze. Cold. Calculating.
He turned his head slightly—
And there she was.
Evangeline Aris.
Standing near the main academy entrance, her figure illuminated by the sunlight. Her expression was unreadable, but those ice-blue eyes locked onto him with unsettling intensity.
Raul's breath hitched.
Did she…?
She tilted her head ever so slightly, as if confirming a suspicion.
Then, in the next second—
She was gone.
Raul's pulse pounded in his ears.
Zane nudged him. "Yo, you good?"
Raul swallowed. "Yeah…"
But his mind screamed otherwise.
She knew
And she had been watching.
Closely.
---