The file felt heavier than it should have in my hands. The list of names, the reassignment, and the new ID all suggested the same thing.
I was no longer a typical student.
I kept thinking about what Seol-Hwa had said: *The Monarchs are watching. Hunters will take sides.
That meant I was coming out of the shadows. Everything would change as soon as I entered the Elite Class. I wouldn't limit my battles to haughty A-Ranks who have something to prove. No, this was not like the others. Entering the arena where the real monsters performed was this.
The list included Baek Yoon-Ho's name. Someone Jin-Woo had fought with in the original timeline, he was one of Korea's best Hunters. Things were already proceeding at a rate I hadn't anticipated if he was involved.
I sighed and put the file and ID in my pocket.
A single stride ahead. Don't turn around.
---
The academy's usual training grounds were not used for the Elite Class. Obviously not.
Rather, I was led to a private establishment, concealed beneath a smaller Hunter Association branch. The air hummed with mana, underground, behind doors of reinforced steel. This place felt raw, in contrast to the academy, where students trained in controlled settings.
similar to a battlefield.
I could feel eyes on me as soon as I walked in. Hunters, not just any eyes. predators.
A loose formation of twelve people stood. Others just watched, while others repositioned their weapons. These individuals didn't have to prove themselves, in contrast to the haughty cockiness of academy students. It was sufficient that they were there.
I immediately recognized a few.
- **Kang Jae-Hyuk**: A B-Rank who was regarded as having exceptional fire magic for his level.
**Seo Hana**: A swift dagger wielder.
A tank-type who can block a B-Rank spell without flinching is Choi Min-Soo.
Two figures stood apart at the other end of the room.
The first was A-Rank spearman **Jang Hoon**. He wasn't just another haughty noble-born person like Ki-Tae. He was a real combat veteran.
The second was someone I had not anticipated seeing so quickly.
Yoon-Ho Baek.
The White Tiger Guild's guild master. One of the best S-Ranks in Korea.
His arms were folded, and his face was unreadable. I could feel the weight of his mana the instant my eyes met his. It tested me by pressing down like an invisible force.
I didn't back down. didn't recoil.
A slow grin pulled at his mouth. Acceptance?
The instructor came forward before I could give it much thought.
Seol-Hwa.
She gave a single clap to get everyone's attention. "All right, pay attention. You all understand your purpose for being here. The academy is not here. There are no second chances or safety nets. You're out if you don't succeed. "You weren't supposed to be here if you die," she shrugged.
ruthless and cold.
I enjoyed it.
She gestured toward me. "Arashi. Since you're new, let's keep introductions brief. Trial by battle.
There was a stir in the room. Others measured me with fresh curiosity, while others smiled.
Before anyone else could, Jang Hoon moved forward. "I'll take care of this."
Seol-Hwa didn't even think twice. "All right. No mana bursts, no weapons. Unadulterated talent
I stepped into the circle and rolled my shoulders.
Jang Hoon was wider and taller. His physique was designed for strength. However, it wasn't just strength that was important.
His knuckles cracked. "Kid, you were fortunate to get into the academy. We'll see how you perform here.
I didn't answer. I didn't have to.
He moved as soon as Seol-Hwa let go of her hand.
Quick.
A lunge, with my fist aimed at my ribs. I moved to the left, allowing his blow to pass by my side. I quickly raised my elbow to aim for his jaw. He twisted to counter with a knee strike after blocking just in time.
In midair, I grabbed his leg.
His gaze expanded.
*Too slow.*
I removed his other leg from beneath him. Before I could pin him, he rolled away after collapsing onto his back. He stood up again a moment later, but this time he was more careful.
I grinned. "Once more?"
With a growl, he charged.
I refused to let him control the altercation this time.
I closed the distance, ducked under his swing, and punched him in the stomach. He stumbled under the impact. I then struck him in the chest with my palm, causing him to skid back.
He fell to his knees and coughed.
Seol-Hwa gave another clap. "Enough."
Jang Hoon's face was filled with frustration as he clenched his fists. He didn't argue, though. He was defeated. Just and equal.
I turned back to the others.
No more sneers. No more contemptuous looks.
Excellent.
Seol-Hwa gave a nod. "All right. Greetings from the Elite Class.
---
Training started right away.
No orientation, no speeches. Just fight.
For a dungeon raid simulation, we were divided into teams. In contrast to conventional training, the focus here was survival rather than cooperation.
The goal is to defeat summoned monsters in a simulated dungeon. The team that makes it to the exit first wins.
Choi Min-Soo and Seo Hana were assigned to me.
Hana gave me a look. "You had better not slow us down."
I grinned. "Avoid falling behind."
The simulation started. A surge of mana created the appearance of a dungeon all around us. Ahead were stone passageways, blue flame flickering from torches. The halls reverberated with the distant growl of monsters.
I was presented with a system message.
[Type of Dungeon: Beast Lair]
[Go to the Core Chamber as the goal]
We moved as soon as the monsters showed up.
Choi Min-Soo raised his shield and took aim. We were attacked by a group of shadow wolves. One of his shields crashed into a wall as he slammed it forward.
Hana appeared behind another wolf and then vanished from view. Its throat was sliced cleanly by her dagger.
Another three lunged at me.
I turned on **Storm Pulse.**
My fingertips crackled with lightning. I avoided the first wolf and struck its skull with a charged fist. When the second one lunged, I grabbed its jaw and twisted violently. Its body twitched to the ground as a flash of electricity passed through it.
The third paused.
A huge error.
I rushed forward and put my fingers around its throat. After a brief squeeze and a mana pulse, it fell unconscious.
Hana gazed. "This is fun for you."
I gave a shrug. "A little."
Choi gave a grunt. "There is no time to waste. Get moving.
Moving deeper into the dungeon, we pushed forward.
Meanwhile, Baek Yoon-Ho nodded to himself while observing from the control room.
"Yes," he whispered. "He is unquestionably his son."
---
The real world continued to move outside, past the Hunter Association's secret training grounds.
The gates were opening.
The monarchs were observing.
Additionally, word was beginning to circulate about my name, Kael Arashi.
It won't be long now.
The storm was approaching.
I was also prepared.