"I don’t accept it. I am not done yet."
Lucas Hale’s voice echoed through the arena.
Gasps rose from the crowd.
And then he moved.
His legs burst into motion, fire coiling around his arms like twin serpents as he charged straight at dona.
Elizabeth’s hand shot up. "Stop! The match is...."
But before she could finish, dona shifted her stance.
She didn’t panic. She didn’t even blink.
As Lucas leapt forward with a flaming punch, she sidestepped with ease, spun her spear once, and slamd the shaft across his legs. He lost balance in midair.
And then....
Bang!
dona twisted and pinned him to the ground in a single motion, her spear pressed sideways against his chest, her boot over his arm.
Lucas groaned in pain, his face twisting.
The audience watched in stunned silence.
The sa boy who looked so composed just a minute ago was now flat on the ground, eyes burning with a mix of anger... and humiliation.
Leonard also had a gloomy face in the gallery.
"Do you want more beating? Or can we put a stop here." dona asked.
Lucas gritted his teeth but didn’t say anything. This ti he didn’t have anything to do other than accepting defeat.
dona stepped back.
"Outburst after the match ends will be noted in your record," Elizabeth announced. "You still pass. But let this be your first and last warning, Lucas Hale. Don’t think your family na ans anything here."
Lucas didn’t argue. He stood up slowly, his expression cold but silent, and walked out of the arena.
The test continued for a short while longer, but no other candidates made much of an impression.
250!..251!......259!
Eventually, Elizabeth raised her hand again.
"That concludes today’s hunter test. All accepted applicants will receive their badges from the front desk. Dismissed."
Most candidates stood up and began filing out, whispering among themselves.
But Logan stayed seated.
He already knew what was next.
Sure enough....
Elizabeth made her way toward the gallery and gestured. "Aiden Ferith? Co with ."
Logan stood up and followed her without a word.
They exited the fighting arena, then entering a decorated gate, moved through a long stone hallway. The walls here were cleaner, more refined. Decorated with ancient emblems of the Guild—silver swords, elental crests, even broken monster fangs nailed into polished wood fras.
They stopped in front of a huge door that didn’t look too luxurious but refined and sophisticated.
Elizabeth knocked once.
"Enter."
That deep voice—it was Ali Arkman. He had already arrived before them.
She opened the door and motioned Logan to get in. Logan followed and then Elizabeth closed it quietly behind him.
The room inside was simple but dignified. There were no gaudy gold statues or ancient showpieces.....just a wide wooden desk, two soft chairs, few bookshelves and a tea table near the window. A sword was hung on the wall. Though it was for decorative purpose, it looked ancient and unique. Like it was alive and staring at the newcor, Logan.
Ali stood near a shelf, going through so scrolls. But the mont Logan entered, he turned.
"Sit."
Logan obeyed. He settled into the seat across from the small tea table.
Within monts, two servants entered. One carried a tray of snacks—light pastries, crisp fruit slices, and small roasted at rolls. The other poured tea into white ceramic cups.
Ali nodded, and they left without a word.
He sat down facing Logan.
The silence lasted a few seconds longer.
Then Ali spoke, calm and slow.
"So. Aiden Ferith. Tier 1. Fire and Ice affinity. Twelve years old. But what’s up with that mask?"
Logan sipped the tea. He had slid his mask just a bit upward so that he didn’t have any problem in both eating and seeing everything clearly. "For so personal reasons, I can’t reveal my identity. And I am really sorry about that."
Ali leaned forward slightly. "Is that so! Alright, I won’t pry into that." He paused a little before continuing. "The way you reacted to my pressure... the way you adapted mid-fight... It’s not sothing a random noble boy learns from scrolls."
Logan didn’t react.
Ali raised a brow. "So, where did you train?"
"I trained," Logan said simply.
"Under whom? Or it has to be stayed hidden as well"
"I am really sorry but can’t go into details." Logan gave an apologetic smile under his mask.
Ali chuckled. "This as well?"
He picked up a fruit slice, took a bite, and continued speaking.
"You don’t seem to be a liar or a person with bad motives. But you’re not telling the full truth either."
Logan didn’t deny it.
Ali rested both hands on the table. "Then let ask this—why do you want to beco a hunter? At this age?"
Logan finally answered. "Because I want to enter dungeons. Fight monsters. Grow stronger."
"That’s it?"
"Yes."
Ali stared at him for a few seconds, trying to read sothing deeper.
Then he sat back and folded his arms.
"And then what? After you have gained strength?"
"I want to raid S-class dungeons," Logan replied. His voice was calm and straight.
Ali raised an eyebrow.
"S-class dungeons huh! Your goal sure is big and dangerous." He said that but was happy inside. Exactly what he wanted.
He exhaled once. Then asked, "What if I told you there’s a better way? What if I offered to train you myself? Personally."
Logan blinked once.
"You... want to train ?"
"Yes. Skip the dungeon crawling for now. Let sharpen your blade first." Ali was hoping to turn Logan into what he had been waiting for. Logan was strong. But Ali felt, going this early in the dungeon may turn dangerous and cost him his life. He didn’t want to lose this opportunity to finally strengthen the hunters.
But Logan didn’t even pause this ti.
"No."
Ali was taken aback. "Why not?"
"I need real fights. One’s true potential is only flourishing under pressure. In life and death situation." Though what Logan said was true it was only half of his intentions. His real motive was to find out more about dungeons. Find out why the Orc corpse had traces of spiritual energy. And dungeons were the only places that held his answers.
Ali was surprised. He didn’t expect such matured thinking from a twelve year old.
He stood up and walked to the window, hands behind his back.
"Fine. I won’t stop you."
Logan looked up, curious.
Ali turned back.
"You’ll go to the dungeons. Face monsters. Bleed. Fight. Grow. But," he added, "you’ll train under when you are not going in dungeons. You’ll be a hunter... and my disciple. Think this through. The opportunity I am offering you is sothing people would be ready to sacrifice any amount for."
Logan sank in deep thoughts. "It’s not a bad deal. Though I can increase my level in cultivation alone, the sa thing isn’t true when it cos to magic. I need guidance. And he isn’t just strong, he’s one of the best."
He remained silent for a while, thinking.
Ali didn’t rush him.
Finally, Logan nodded.
"Alright. Please accept as your disciple master." Logan bowed slightly. He was wise not to miss such a big opportunity.
Ali grinned. "Good. Then let’s start next week. And you can take part in any dungeon raids whenever you want. But," he paused a bit before saying again. "Make sure you don’t overestimate yourself."
Logan nodded. "I will keep that in mind."
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