Hunter Academy’s Battle God

The city of water, Venecia.

Arden smiled at the familiar scenery.

'Finally. It's the day Adela and YuSung were set to meet…'

A rank 7 boss, a rare sight in such peaceful times, had appeared. Such a raid wasn’t common, not even for active hunters.

'There's a chance some might be able to get a fragment or awaken a Trait thanks to the raid…'

As Adela, Ju HimChan, a famous guild leader, and even YuSung joined the raid, hunters worldwide started to offer their services.

'I didn't know things would turn out like this… but it's still good…'

Arden looked at the application with a smile.

[Country of Application - Japan]

[Mentor - Shoichi]

[Mentee - Isshin]

Japanese hunters hardly ever left their country, yet they'd send an application. Not only that, but Shoichi and Isshin were so famous that even Arden knew about them.

'Mind's Eye Swordsman Shoichi and Infernal Parade Isshin…'

Shoichi's nickname came from an ability he had—even with his eyes closed, he could predict and react before an opponent launched their attack.

Thanks to that, people even said he could read the future. He was one of the best active Japanese hunters.

[Country of Application - USA]

[Mentor - Ultra!]

[Mentee - Colt]

Ultra was an American hunter who wore a cape and a suit. Many considered him a celebrity rather than a hunter due to how often he appeared on TV, but still, he was famous for having a lot of strength.

'Based off of strength alone, he's considered the strongest after Yu WonHak.'

The mentee he'd decided to bring was ‘The Last Cowboy’, Colt.

'His Trait was Quick Firing, right?'

His performance in the International Competition wasn't impressive, so he couldn't think of anything else about him.

[Country of Application - China]

[Mentor - Mei Lin]

[Mentee - Wei Lin]

Arden laughed when he read China’s application form.

"Another familiar name…"

Mei Lin was like his partner, Kang YuChan’s, right arm. She was most likely to become the Korean Hunter Association's vice president.

Even though she was so busy, she'd decided to become a mentor for her successor, Wei Lin.

'That probably shows how much hope active hunters place in the next generation of hunters.'

Although she hadn't had many opportunities to fight because of her busy schedule, no one doubted her strength.

As he passed over the page. Arden tried to remember.

'Hmm…? Ju HimChan? Ah, he's the one who was with Kang YuChan…'

[Country of Application - Korea]

[Mentor - Ju HimChan]

[Mentee - Shin YuSung]

HimChan was less prestigious than Mei Lin, a rank 6 hunter, but the name of the mentee was what popped out to him.

"Haha! Reading YuSung's name is very reassuring!"

He'd defeated the Witch's disciple, Lorelei. YuSung hadn't lost a single time yet. Although it was just Arden’s opinion, he was probably as strong as a rank 6 hunter.

'YuSung hasn't shown his limit yet, after all…'

When he read the last page, Arden's expression hardened.

[Country of Application - Italy]

[Mentor - Eliza]

[Mentee - Adela]

The rapier user who became a rank 6 hunter at 27 years of age, Eliza.

'And…'

His granddaughter, Adela Ortensia.

Arden put down the papers. If it was what his granddaughter wanted, he wanted to support her in every possible way, but he didn't want anything grandiose from her—he just wanted his granddaughter to return to how she used to be during the happy times.

It still hurt him when he remembered her trembling in the cold and alone.

'Maybe it's too much for someone who couldn't even protect his family to hope for…'

It might have been for his own relief, but Arden wanted to see Adela's happy smile.

It was a wish he had not as a legendary hunter but as a normal old man who'd lost his family.

"But now… The only thing I can do is to wait."

Arden made a bitter smile.

* * *

* * *

Within a hotel near Castellana Cave…

Since Italy's Hunter Association had rented it out in preparation for the raid, there weren't many people in the lobby.

"So the students gathered here are the rookies who will be in charge of their respective country's future. How fun…" Colt said while putting his feet on a small table.

The moment the students’ attentions focused on him, Wei Lin, who'd come from Skyscraper Academy, said, "Excuse me, was your name Colt?"

She had a dumpling-like hairstyle.

Wei Lin was very pretty, smiled brightly and, with a clear voice, said something aggressive. "Could you take off that stupid hat? I'm sorry. It's not that I want to pick a fight with you, but looking at you is suffocating me."

She'd murdered him with words.

Smiling, Wei Lin tore Colt's feelings apart. "That hat… Don't tell me you think it looks cool. Leaving that it's too old-fashioned aside, it looks too rusty… I feel like you're going to get fleas…"

At Wei Lin's sharp remarks, Colt removed his hat.

"Thanks! I'm glad… I was planning to ignore it, but that's much better."

Although Wei Lin was always sharp, she was even sharper than usual because she hadn't seen Liú Jùn.

'Ah, the symptoms of not seeing someone handsome are appearing again…' Wei Lin grabbed her forehead and took a glimpse at her surroundings. 'That cowboy is disqualified. The Japanese guy is good-looking… but compared to Liú Jùn…'

Wei Lin sighed and took out her Pocket to see Liú Jùn's photo.

She wanted to be held in his arms that seemed to have been sculpted by an artisan.

His handsome face made her teenage girl's heart beat faster.

'I miss you, Liú Jùn~ I wonder where you are.'

Wei Lin wanted to call Liú Jùn through the Pocket, but she couldn't do that.

'He should unblock me already.'

Liú Jùn had blocked her. She was a Seven, so since her abilities were recognized, she'd become Liú Jùn's party member. Despite that, China's party members didn't feel like partners—they were just people who shared the same goal.

At least, Liú Jùn didn't consider Wei Lin and Han Seol-ah his partners.

'Well, I guess it's okay~'

Paf-

Mei Lin sat on the sofa and tuned out her surroundings; then, the door opened, and new rookies entered.

With white hair and red eyes, Gaon's previous ranked 1, Adela Ortensia, had a fairy-tale-like beauty, and…

Gaon's current ranked 1st, Shin YuSung, followed. As the two with overwhelming ability compared to the other rookies appeared, everyone focused on them.

'A-Adela!'

Colt, who'd completely lost to Adela, avoided looking at her. The overwhelming difference in their strength had become deeply imprinted into him.

'Shin YuSung…'

Although Isshin showed no change in his expression, he felt suffocated. Just looking at YuSung's face made him remember what Sumire had said.

[When I was lonely and alone… The one who stayed by my side and gave me courage wasn't you, Kirishima.]

Isshin shrugged a bit and turned his head.

[But still, I'm thankful to you, Kirishima. After all… thanks to you, I met YuSung.]

As another clean attack hit his heart, Isshin felt even more suffocated.

"What's wrong with you? Do you want to go to the bathroom? You look terrible…" Wei Lin looked at him as if she found him pathetic.

As YuSung passed her, her look completely changed. Making a blank expression, Wei Lin said, "Super handsome…"

YuSung and Adela's appearance shocked all of the participants for different reasons.