Shadow Bug

You're not here anymore to pursue your dreams

So I'll pursue your dreams and I see how far I can reach

The staff and hunters of the HFA sat in the observation room, watching the progress of their students since enrolling in the academy in August. The first-year students had already rushed into the battlegrounds the moment Gabriel announced the exams had begun. All eyes were on the third group, particularly on Rin Aikawa. His lighter technique had piqued everyone's interest.

As Rin and Takimo entered the battlegrounds, they quickly encountered shadow monsters, just as Gabriel had warned. The two decided to temporarily split up to handle the situation

Rin: Takimo! We'll split up and take down these shadow monsters! Once they're dead, we'll regroup and move forward.

Takimo: Right!

Takimo sprinted off in a different direction, with five shadow monsters hot on his heels.

Rin now faced the remaining five shadow monsters alone, and everyone in the observation room leaned forward in anticipation of what they knew was coming—the revelation of Rin's lighter technique.

Rin: [WHITE: BEAST SYNTHESIS, WOLF]

Rin Aikawa's lighter technique, Beast Synthesis, allows him to exhibit the traits of the animals tattooed on his left arm: the eagle, wolf, ape, and starfish. However, he can only channel one animal at a time.

As Rin activated the "WOLF" aspect of his technique, claws grew from his hands, and his senses sharpened. Rolling up his sleeves, he charged toward the shadow monsters. His heightened wolf senses allowed him to react to every move the monsters made, even the ones attempting to strike him from behind. In a matter of moments, all five monsters lay dead.

The spectators in the observation room were impressed.

Meanwhile, Takimo had stopped a few yards away, preparing to face his own group of shadow monsters. He slipped on the gauntlets he had received from the academy's inventory and readied himself to fight.

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Flashback – Four Weeks Ago

Jason watched his students train, noticing Takimo struggling to control his fire abilities. Concerned, he approached him.

Jason: You seem to be having some trouble, kid. What's going on?

Takimo: Mr Jason. (sighs) Yeah, Mr. Jason. I can't control the shape of my fire, and when it gets out of hand, I always end up burning myself. (Takimo showed the burn marks on his palms.)

Jason: I can help with that.

Takimo: Really?

Jason: Really. Come with me.

Jason then took Takimo to the academy's inventory. Takimo entered the inventory and saw a different variety of weapons; swords, daggers, knives, staffs, guns, etc. Jason then handed a pair of glove gauntlets to Takimo.

Takimo: Gauntlets? They're just like yours, Mr. Jason.

Jason: When I was at the academy, I had the same issue you're having. My sensei gave me these gauntlets to help control the shape of my lightning, and they worked like a charm. They also reduced the damage to my hands.

Takimo: For real? Thank you so much, Mr. Jason!

Jason: Also...when you get used to them, you'll even be able to manipulate your fire to create objects or structures. If you want to learn that, come see me. I'll help you.

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Back in the present, Takimo activated his technique.

Takimo: [WHITE: FIRE MANIPULATION]

With the gloves on, Takimo summoned small balls of fire and attacked the shadow monsters. His fire didn't fade until the monsters were reduced to ashes. As two of the remaining shadow monsters tried to flee, Takimo did something that surprised everyone in the observation room.

Takimo: [WHITE: FLAMING ARROW]

Using what Jason had taught him, Takimo created a bow of fire and shot two flaming arrows at the fleeing monsters, striking them down. The HFA board members were impressed.

Haruto: (smirking) It seems your students are quite talented, Jason. What have you been teaching them?

Jason: (smirks back) Who knows? I just told them to do their best." (To himself) "So, Takimo, you really did grasp it, huh?

Takimo met up with Rin, who was wiping the shadow monster blood from his hands. Takimo noticed Rin had taken them down with no visible weapon, deducing it must have been the work of his technique.

Rin: (notices Takimo) Oh, you're back. I thought you'd take longer.

Takimo: Yeah I am. So you were able to kill the shadow monsters faster than I did? You're amazing Rin.

Rin: (uninterested) Hmm. Let's keep going. We can't stall here.

Takimo: Right.

The two advanced deeper into the battlegrounds, cutting down more shadow monsters as they went. Inside his mind, Rin repeated the same mantra.

GOT TO KEEP MOVING!!

GOT TO KEEP MOVING!!

GOT TO KEEP MOVING!!

I'LL BE THE ONE TO FULFILL MY BROTHER'S DREAM!!!

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Flashback – Rin's Past

I never fancied the idea of becoming a hunter. It always seemed like too much work. But my twin brother, Ayato, was different. I was the younger twin, and Ayato was the elder. He always dreamed of becoming a hunter and got even more excited when we awakened our techniques.

Ayato: Hey Rin, I'm going to become a Level 1 Hunter and take down all the shadow monsters in the world so it can be a safe place for everyone.

Rin: You're starting to sound like a superhero, big brother. Are you sure you want to be a hunter?

Ayato: Of course! And when I do, I'll tell everyone you're my little brother.

Rin: (cartoonish face) Please don't do that.

But then, in May, everything changed. The shadow bug incident happened, and both Ayato and my father were bitten. They turned into shadow monsters. They would have killed me, too, if the hunters hadn't come and taken them down. Seeing shadow monsters in real life changed everything for me.

I thought shadows were responsible for the shadow bug incident, so my hatred was aimed at them. But then, in August, when a Level 2 hunter died, a group called the Kaimi Daja took responsibility and admitted they were behind all the shadow bug incidents.

One thing became clear:

The Kaimi Daja had to be stopped.

.

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Rin: (to himself) Ayato couldn't fulfill his dream, so I'll do it for him. I'll make the world safe for everyone. And I'll prove my resolve by passing this exam. Even if it means working with someone I don't like very much. (He glanced at Takimo, who was lost in his thoughts.)

Just then, they encountered their opponent, a second-year student named John Leachson.

John: (caressing his blonde hair) Oh, you must be the first-year students. I'll be your opponent. Show me what you've got.

Rin: (rolling up his sleeves) Takimo, we can't afford to lose here.

Takimo: (clenches his fists) We won't.