In the courtyard outside the academy, the students' complaints and yawns echoed, their uniforms disheveled as they dragged their long shadows across the courtyard in the morning sun, reluctantly gathering together.
As the crowd gradually increased, students arrived one after another, their hair messy, their eyes still carrying the sleepiness that hadn't dissipated. Some held steaming cups of coffee, trying to dispel the lingering drowsiness.
The courtyard was filled with complaints and echoes, the crowd permeated with a sense of discontent. Just as the chorus of complaints reached its peak, the courtyard suddenly fell silent, the students noticing a figure walking towards them.
Eleanor, the professor known for her strict discipline, emerged from the shadows.
Her steps were firm, her eyes sweeping across the tired faces, and the students immediately straightened their backs, trying to shake off the morning drowsiness and feign alertness.
"Tsk." Eleanor snorted dismissively, her sharp eyes missing nothing.
"And these children are expected to be saviors." Eleanor grumbled as she stood before them, her gaze scrutinizing each person one by one.
'Still, there are a few good seeds in this batch of students.'
As the semester progressed, the students were tested time and time again, and she had enough data to evaluate most of them.
Unsurprisingly, those from prestigious families performed exceptionally well, but there were also some who surprised her.
Especially the blue-haired boy standing at the front of the line, with a smile on his face.
Ethan Hartley.
He had recently become a hot topic in the academy and the hunter community, and as the professor who had been scoring Ethan from the beginning, she knew his talent better than anyone.
'This child has an innate talent.' she thought to herself.
As a former student herself, Eleanor knew that she was also the "genius" type, always able to perceive more than her peers. Therefore, whenever she saw Ethan, she could tell that he was different from the others.
'Ethan's talent doesn't lie in his mastery of mana or weapons, but in his performance in battle.'
Whenever he encountered a strong opponent, even when suppressed, he could turn the situation around.
'As if he were destined to overcome difficulties.'
It was a strange feeling, Ethan seemed to grow stronger whenever he encountered a stronger opponent. The more he fought, the more his strength seemed to increase. The more he was in trouble, the stronger his desire to overcome difficulties became, it was a very peculiar talent.
'Plus, his bloodline......'
An unstoppable monster was about to be born, and she would witness it all.
'Could he be the one I've been looking for?'
She couldn't help but wonder if Ethan might be the one she had been searching for.
Just as she was lost in thought, she felt her watch vibrate, and she realized it was time to speak. She gathered her thoughts, stepped forward with a calm and dignified demeanor, and quickly focused the students' attention.
"Alright, everyone gather around." Eleanor's voice echoed across the training ground, drawing the students' gazes. The vast training ground became the stage for them to hone their skills, and the students turned their eager eyes to the professor.
"As hunters, we must understand that our strength should not only come from a strong body, but also from the control of mana." Eleanor began, her gaze sweeping over the focused students. "Mana is the lifeblood that flows through us, it is the source of our power, and the key to unlocking those things that defy the natural order."
She paused, looking at the students.
"These are the words you have been hearing all along." After saying that, she waved her hand. "However, if you cannot control your mana like true awakened ones, then these words are meaningless."
Whoosh!
She reached out, her fingertips dancing, summoning a small ball of glowing mana. The ethereal light caught the attention of the students.
"Most of you should be able to see the mana I summoned... but have you really seen it clearly? That is what you need to think about."
Eleanor's eyes scanned the students, assessing their reactions. The faint glow of the mana orb reminded everyone that they controlled an invisible power.
"Seeing through mana is not just about perceiving the surface of spells or summons. It's more about understanding its essence, the energy that flows through all things," Eleanor continued, her voice carrying the weight of experience.
"Mana is not just a tool, it is a language that tells of the interconnectedness of the world. To truly see through mana, you must go beyond the surface and deeply understand the relationships that connect it."
She walked among the students, each step purposeful, finally stopping in front of one student.
"What do you see?" Eleanor asked, her gaze sharp. The student hesitated for a moment, and Eleanor nodded knowingly.
"Mana is not just a visual phenomenon, it is a sensory experience. You must feel it, understand its rhythm, and let it guide your perception. The mana orb I summoned is just a small part of the vast energy that surrounds us. To become a true hunter, you must not only see it, but also feel it flowing within you."
As she finished speaking, Eleanor turned to the practical test that was about to begin.
"Now, to test your understanding." she announced, her gaze sweeping over the gathered students.
"I will release various mana formulas into the sky, each formula containing different types of constructs. These mana formulas will then permeate the academy's forest, transforming into flowers, plants, trees, animals, and so on. Your task is to 'acquire' these disguised mana formulas in the forest and analyze their construction."
"Based on your findings, you will work with your teammates to write a report explaining your understanding of the mana formulas and explaining how they apply to your lives as awakened ones."
The students exchanged determined glances and then scattered into the forest, a sense of competition lurking in the air.
From the beginning, all the students understood that there were no rules against students competing for the formulas.
They needed to find a way to "acquire" these mana formulas. Eleanor observed from a distance, hinting at this silent challenge.
"These formulas will aid in your understanding of mana," Eleanor announced, her tone mysterious. "Whether you can unlock them and apply them to your practice will prove your growth as hunters."
With that, she raised her arm and gestured towards her watch.
"Your groups have been assigned, and you will now receive a message informing you of your team."
Ding!
As her voice fell, all the students' watches vibrated.
"Good luck."
With that, she left, leaving the students alone to face the vast forest on this side of the academy.
......
I knew from the start that everything that followed would be different, and that events would be pushed forward.
'But what I didn't expect was that the first event wouldn't be a quest from the game.'
The game didn't require us to explore the forest and look for mana formulas.
'Hmm... I guess that was a boring quest.'
Anyway, the game obviously couldn't cover all the tests or practical courses in the academy, so it's not a big deal.
'But the problem is......'
"Hello."
I was assigned to a group with two people I kind of expected.
"......"
The glaring girl and the timid girl.
'What a strange combination.'
I can understand why Irina and I would be in the same group, after all, she is a high-ranking student, and my ranking is still relatively low. But what I don't understand is why Sylvie is also in our group.
'I thought the academy would take special care of her.'
I thought things would be different regarding Sylvie, but I didn't expect her to be in the same group as me.
'I don't think the academy would consider Irina as someone to protect Sylvie.'
If the academy really thinks that way... then I have nothing to say.
Anyway, we are a group now.
"Why am I in a group with him." Irina muttered to herself, her tone clearly annoyed, without even trying to hide her voice.
She seemed to be in a particularly bad mood today, completely different from when we were on the train before.
But I don't really care.
"I don't want to be in a group with you either." I didn't avoid it and retorted directly. I had been training all night, lost track of time, and now I was sleep-deprived and in a bad mood.
"Oh? Really?"
"Really."
"Then I'll just act alone."
"......Are you stupid?"
"Huh?"
"If you're going to act alone, why would the academy put us in a group? Have you forgotten what happened in the first dungeon?"
"......I haven't forgotten."
"Then that's that, right?"
"Tsk......I get it......"
Just as Irina and I were arguing as usual, a voice suddenly came from the side.
"Um... can we, uh, focus on the task?"
