The morning sun cast a golden glow over the Hunter Academy of Erevos, painting the cobblestone pathways and towering buildings with warm light. Dew sparkled on the grass, each droplet catching the sun's rays like tiny, shimmering jewels. The crisp air carried a subtle chill, invigorating those who stepped outside, but it also seemed to carry something else—a buzz of excitement, a nervous energy that threaded its way through the entire campus. Today was different. Today, the students would witness a glimpse of what the other top academies had to offer, and the sense of anticipation was nearly overwhelming.
Eno stood just outside the main training hall, adjusting his gauntlets with practiced precision. The leather straps hugged his wrists securely, and the metallic plates gleamed, polished from years of wear but still sturdy. He took a deep breath, trying to center himself. Around him, students gathered in groups, some whispering, others stretching or performing last-minute warm-ups. It was impossible to ignore the atmosphere of barely-contained energy, and even the most composed students seemed to have a hard time masking their apprehension.
Beside him, Lily stood with her arms crossed, her posture deceptively relaxed. Her black-and-white combat uniform was pristine, every seam perfectly in place, and her short white hair framed her face in a way that accentuated her determined features. Yet, despite her usual confidence, there was a flicker of seriousness in her eyes, a quiet acknowledgment of the challenge ahead.
"I've got a feeling today's going to be intense," Eno said, breaking the silence between them. He cast a glance at the crowd gathering near the training hall, his voice carrying a mixture of excitement and unease. He couldn't help but notice how everyone seemed on edge, their usual demeanor replaced by an undercurrent of tension.
Lily's gaze followed his, and a small, knowing smile curved her lips. "Yeah," she replied, her voice calm but laced with anticipation. "But that's what makes it fun, right? We finally get to see what we're up against in the tournament." Her words were confident, but Eno could tell she was already strategizing, her mind racing through the possible scenarios they might face.
Eno's brow furrowed, his expression growing more serious. "Well, that's not exactly what I'm worried about," he confessed, his voice dropping slightly. He flexed his fingers, feeling the familiar sensation of his energy coursing through him, a reminder of the power that lay beneath the surface. "The other teams are going to try to draw out our abilities. They'll want to gauge our capabilities, maybe even force us to reveal our special techniques. And while they're doing that, they'll be careful to hide their own strengths from us." His eyes darkened with concern. "It's a strategic game, and we can't afford to fall for it."
Lily considered his words, her eyes narrowing in thought. The breeze tugged at her hair, and she absently tucked a stray lock behind her ear. "I guess we have no other choice but to stick to basic moves," she said, though the reluctance was clear in her voice. "No showing off, no surprises. We keep it simple and save the real strategies for the tournament." The idea of holding back clearly didn't sit well with her, but she knew the importance of playing their cards right.
Eno managed a small smile, appreciating her understanding even though he knew how much it irked her to play cautiously. "Exactly," he said, feeling a bit more at ease now that they had a plan, however simple it was. "We just need to be careful and stay focused."
By the way, do you know what type of abilities the top students of the other academies have?" Eno asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Lily hesitated, a slight frown appearing on her usually composed face, before letting out a sigh. "Well, I know a little," she began. "The number one student of Dragon Fang Academy is Ryder Ashford."
"Wait," Eno interrupted, his eyes widening. "Did you say Ashford?"
Lily nodded. "Yeah, he's an Ashford," she confirmed. "I was really hoping he'd be an arrogant fool with a powerful guild backing him, but no. He had to be part of a freelance family." She sighed again, the weight of the revelation pressing on both of them.
The Ashford family was one of the most powerful freelance hunter families on the continent. In the world of hunters, most influential families were either affiliated with a major guild or owned one themselves, providing them with support, influence, and protection. However, some families, like the Ashfords, chose a different path, becoming well-known and powerful freelance families. This independence allowed them to freely choose their alliances, making them highly sought after by various organizations. As a result, every guild and institution on the continent, including academies, competed to earn the favor of the Ashford family. Lavish gifts, endless respect, and tempting offers were constantly presented to them in the hope of gaining their loyalty.
Yet, this came with a significant drawback. Because the Ashford family had members spread across numerous organizations, none of these organizations could fully trust them. Members of the Ashford family were rarely granted high-ranking positions with authority, as their divided loyalties made them unreliable for positions of power. This situation created a delicate balance of respect and wariness surrounding the family.
The problem is, even though guilds and powerful families work hard to keep each other from cheating, it's different with the Ashfords. Everyone, even the academies, will bend over backward to give him an advantage. Not outright cheating, of course, but small things—like favorable conditions and special treatment."
Eno shook his head, his irritation visible. "That doesn't matter right now," he said, his tone firm. "We'll deal with it when it comes up. What about his ability?"
Lily's expression softened slightly as she answered, "I've heard he has an ability that lets him create something… but I'm not sure of the exact details. We'll figure it out soon enough, I guess."
Eno's brows furrowed in contemplation, but he didn't get a chance to respond before Lily moved on. "The top student from Song Academy is Robin Liang," his ability is darkness she added.
Eno's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really? Darkness?" His interest was clearly piqued. "Isn't this the first time we're facing someone with an ability similar to yours?"
Lily nodded but remained cautious. "Yes, but don't get your hopes up," she said. "For all we know, he might just have an ability that coats things in darkness. It doesn't mean he can control it like I control shadows."
In this world, there was a crucial difference between darkness and shadow. Shadows, like the ones Lily wielded, were stable and flexible, perfect for creating constructs and barriers. Shadows were versatile, much like ice, in that they could be molded without losing their integrity. In contrast, darkness was wild and destructive, behaving like fire. It wasn't suited for making constructs, but it was brutally effective in attacks. Darkness resembled black flames, lacking heat but possessing a biting, mauling force that tore at anything it touched. Instead of burning, it inflicted damage by gnawing at its target, leaving behind wounds that felt like they had been shredded by invisible teeth. And not to mention, it has a pulling force that combined with It's Destructive power it made it difficult to harness for anything other than raw, overwhelming power.
Eno considered this, his expression serious. "So, does Robin have any connections or advantages like Ryder?" he asked.
Lily shook her head, a hint of relief in her voice. "No, he comes from a normal family," she replied. "At least we won't have to deal with any favoritism there."
The conversation was cut short by the loud ringing of the academy bell, signaling the start of the friendly training session. The sound echoed through the grounds, sending a wave of anticipation through the students. Eno and Lily exchanged one last determined glance, ready to face whatever awaited them.