The Academy buzzed with whispers as the news spread—Class A-2 was chosen for the Global Hunter Summit. Students stared at Kaen, Zian, Mira, and Leon as they walked through the hallways like celebrities. Even upper-class students made way for them.
Kaen didn't seem fazed. He paused only to grab two scoops of vanilla ice cream from the cafeteria before plopping down on a bench under a cherry blossom tree. Zian followed him, arms crossed.
"Shouldn't you be training?" she asked.
"I am," Kaen replied, licking his ice cream. "Mentally."
Mira, meanwhile, had retreated to the records department. She'd grown more serious lately, her feelings for Kaen bubbling just beneath the surface. But she also wanted to prove she wasn't just the little sister of Selene Ardent—she wanted to stand beside him as an equal.
Leon trained rigorously, driven by the pressure of being the grandson of Halmin the Storm. He sparred daily with Kyel and Tessa, forming a trio that became known as the Vanguard Three.
Later that day, a surprise announcement echoed through the academy:
"All A-2 students report to the Simulation Chambers. Immediate evaluation."
Kaen raised an eyebrow. "Now this sounds interesting."
In the chambers, magical landscapes shifted in real time. Instructors observed from behind enchanted glass. This wasn't just training—it was a live test.
Kaen and Zian were grouped together. The moment the gate opened, Kaen grinned. "Let's have fun, light girl."
Zian rolled her eyes. "Stop calling me that."
The two vanished into the misty terrain. Watching from above, Professor Drayven leaned forward.
"Let's see how far they've come," he murmured.
But far across the continent, something darker stirred beneath a crumbling cathedral—ancient eyes blinking open. The shadows were no longer sleeping.