"Power demands acknowledgment. Even from those who seek to suppress it."
Hunter Academy Training Grounds – The Duel Continues
A suffocating pressure spread across the training grounds as Instructor Zhao's Aura erupted.
The once casual spar had escalated into something far beyond a student-instructor test.
The students watching from the sidelines felt it instantly—the sheer weight of power pressing down on their shoulders. Many staggered back instinctively.
Joshua remained standing.
His grip on his wooden sword tightened, and then—
He unleashed his own Aura.
A deep, blue radiance flared from his body, colliding with Zhao's crushing presence.
The stone beneath his feet cracked. The air itself trembled.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
No student at the academy—not even the strongest 4-stars—should have been able to stand against a 5-star hunter's unleashed Aura.
Yet Joshua Lim was doing just that.
The Final Exchange – Experience vs. Instinct
Zhao's lips curled into a grin.
"Well, well…" he murmured. "This just got interesting."
Then, he moved.
His figure blurred—his staff coming down like a thunderous executioner's blade.
Joshua saw it.
Too strong to block. Too fast to dodge entirely.
So he chose the third option.
He stepped forward.
Zhao's eyes widened slightly.
Joshua pivoted at the last second, narrowly avoiding the main force of the strike. At the same time, he angled his sword upward—going for Zhao's exposed side.
Zhao barely had time to react.
Thwack!
Joshua's wooden sword connected.
A direct hit.
For the first time in years—Instructor Zhao had been struck in a duel.
The world seemed to hold its breath.
Zhao's body tensed for half a second.
Then—
He grinned.
"Amazing."
Then his staff struck Joshua's ribs with terrifying force.
Thud!
Joshua grunted, feeling the impact reverberate through his body. His stance buckled for a split second.
Zhao immediately capitalized on the opening.
He twisted, bringing his staff around in a powerful arc—aimed directly at Joshua's shoulder.
Joshua had no time to dodge.
So he met it head-on.
Their weapons clashed in a brutal exchange, Aura-infused strikes shaking the very ground beneath them.
BOOM!
The shockwave rippled across the training field, sending loose dirt and debris flying.
Students stumbled backward, shielding their eyes.
The intensity of the battle was unlike anything they had ever witnessed.
And just as the next blow was about to land—
A deep voice cut through the chaos.
"That is enough."
A sudden force pressed down on the battlefield, instantly snuffing out both Auras.
Joshua and Zhao both froze, their instincts screaming in recognition.
Then, slowly—both turned toward the source.
Standing at the edge of the training grounds, his long robes billowing slightly in the wind, was a tall, imposing man.
His eyes were sharp. His presence was undeniable.
The Principal of the Hunter Academy had arrived.
The Principal's Intervention
The training grounds fell completely silent.
No one had expected the head of the academy himself to step in.
The principal's gaze was unreadable as he looked between Joshua and Zhao.
"This spar ends here." His voice was calm, yet absolute. "You've made enough of a spectacle."
Joshua exhaled slowly, reigning in his remaining Aura. Zhao did the same.
A long silence followed.
Then—
Zhao let out a low chuckle.
"Well, Lim," he said, shaking out his arms. "That was quite something."
Joshua, still catching his breath, grinned slightly. "Likewise, Instructor."
Zhao turned to the principal, giving a respectful nod. "Apologies, sir. I got a little… carried away."
The principal sighed. "It seems that's becoming a trend."
He shifted his gaze toward Joshua, studying him for a long moment.
"Joshua Lim."
Joshua straightened slightly.
"You've caught the academy's attention."
He didn't say whether that was a good or bad thing.
But Joshua already knew.
His rise in strength would no longer go unnoticed.
The principal finally turned toward the watching students. "Return to your drills. This lesson is over."
The crowd hesitated for only a second before dispersing, excited whispers already spreading.
But one pair of eyes lingered on Joshua longer than the rest.
The Interest of a Future 6-Star Hunter
Lee Sung En watched from the sidelines, her piercing violet gaze thoughtful.
She had seen many duels. Many strong students.
But this was different.
Joshua Lim was not supposed to be this strong.
She had never paid him much mind before.
Yet, in just a single day, he had:
• Fought a 4-star student and won.
• Clashed with a 5-star hunter and held his ground.
• Unleashed an Aura that rivaled a professional hunter.
This…
This was not normal.
Her eyes flickered with intrigue.
She would have to watch him closely.
Aftermath – The Rumors Explode
By the time the training session ended, the entire academy was talking about what had happened.
The rumors spread like wildfire.
• "Joshua Lim fought Instructor Zhao and survived?!"
• "He even landed a hit?!"
• "I thought he was just a normal 2-star a few days ago?!"
• "He's a monster…"
Everywhere Joshua walked, eyes followed him.
For the first time, the academy truly noticed him.
And as he walked back toward his dorm—Wei Cheng fell into step beside him.
"…What the hell, dude?" Wei muttered. "First Shen Kai, and now this?"
Joshua smirked slightly.
Wei groaned. "How the hell am I supposed to catch up now?"
Joshua chuckled. "You better start training."
Wei sighed dramatically. "Unbelievable."
But there was something else in his eyes.
Something that wasn't frustration or jealousy.
It was determination.
Joshua nodded slightly.
That was good.
Because if there was one thing he knew, it was that the road ahead would only get harder.
End of Chapter 7