Arian sighed lightly and leaned back in his chair.

  “Fine,” he said calmly. “Let’s not exaggerate things.”

  He folded his hands together.

  “Instead… let me tell you a little about the past.”

  His voice became slower, almost like he was remembering something far away.

  “There was a time when humans and people like us lived together.”

  “We weren’t called hunters back then.”

  “We were simply a group of people born with a special aura.”

  He paused for a moment.

  “And we used that power to help humans.”

  “But everything changed because of one thing…”

  “Greed.”

  His eyes hardened slightly.

  “Some people began using dark powers for their own selfish intentions.”

  “And because of those actions… demons found a way to enter our world.”

  “The demons were not the real problem at first.”

  He looked directly at me.

  “The real problem… was us.”

  “The ones who chose darkness.”

  I stayed silent as he continued.

  “To protect humans from demons, we eventually became what you now call hunters.”

  “But even humans who were thieves or criminals feared us.”

  “In a way… it protected humanity from both sides.”

  Arian stood up slowly and walked toward the window.

  “But years ago, a massive war broke out.”

  “A war so destructive that the dimensions themselves had to be separated.”

  “Humans were forbidden from entering our dimension.”

  “But hunters were still allowed to enter the human world.”

  He looked outside at the academy grounds.

  “Humans still needed protection.”

  “But we also had to stay away from them… so we wouldn’t drag them into our conflicts again.”

  His voice lowered.

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  “So we protect them from the shadows.”

  “We blend in as ordinary humans.”

  “We live among them… without revealing who we truly are.”

  Then his expression darkened.

  “But now…”

  “Our enemies are using the same method.”

  “They hide among humans.”

  “They manipulate things from the shadows.”

  A cold silence filled the room.

  “Because to them…”

  “Humans are nothing more than weak creatures who don’t deserve to live.”

  Arian looked at me calmly.

  “Once someone awakens their power, they can sense other hunters in their dimension,” he explained.

  “But if a person never awakens that power, they will never discover our existence.”

  He paused before continuing.

  “That’s why you never knew about us until now.”

  Then he added with a faint smile,

  “And we hope that one day… you might choose to join us.”

  I shook my head slowly.

  “I understand what you’re saying,” I replied. “But I never want to come here again.”

  “I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me… truly.”

  “But I have a family to take care of.”

  I looked straight at him.

  “And you said it yourself. Hunters protect humans so they don’t get involved in danger.”

  “So I can’t.”

  My voice became heavier.

  “My family is already in danger.”

  “What if I join you and something happens to them because of me?”

  I clenched my fists slightly.

  “No… I can’t even imagine that.”

  “So… I’m sorry.”

  For a moment, Arian simply looked at me.

  Then he nodded.

  “I understand,” he said calmly. “And don’t worry.”

  “I’m not forcing you.”

  “You should focus on your training and enjoy your time here.”

  He leaned back slightly.

  “I truly want to help you.”

  “But I can’t leave this academy.”

  “Otherwise, I would personally help you search for your family.”

  “The elite hunters are divided across the world to protect every direction.”

  “Eden is also one of those protectors.”

  His expression darkened slightly.

  “But something happened… which is why he had to stay there.”

  I nodded quietly.

  “No… it’s okay.”

  “I understand.”

  “Oh yeah, I almost forgot,” Arian said. “Eden decided to train you personally for the next two days. But he had to go somewhere first, so you’ll have to wait until he returns. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No, I don’t,” I replied. “Eden is quite unpredictable.”

  Arian smiled. “Yes, he is. Anyway, good luck with your training. And try to fight less and train more.”

  “Thanks.”

  Kelix left the office but soon came back.

  “Uh… Arian, can I ask something if you have a minute?”

  “Sure.”

  “Are there hunters who can disguise themselves as other people?”

  “Yes, but only a few,” Arian replied. “It’s not done by normal magic. There is a special magic ring that allows it. Only the first-rank graduate hunters and the elites are allowed to use it.

  “But what if someone steals the ring and uses it against the enemy?” Kelix asked.

  “First, the ring can sense a hunter’s aura,” Arian replied. “So anyone who isn’t a hunter cannot use it. Second, there is a special spell required to activate it.”

  “That spell is only known by the owner of the ring. No one else knows it. And to receive the ring, a hunter must graduate as a top hunter.”

  “There are three stages in the academy,” he continued. “Each stage usually takes about a year. In the first stage, the time depends on the student. If they fail, they must repeat it until they pass and move to the next stage.”

  “After completing the third stage, the top five students are selected.”

  “They must then fight against the elites to prove their strength and earn the right to work outside the academy alongside them.”

  Kelix thought for a moment.

  “So… how many hunters in the academy actually have those rings?”

  “Only one hunter made it to get the ring until now and the rest are elites; there are four, so a total of five rings” .

  “Okay” .

  “Is there something wrong”?

  “No, I'm just curious” .

  “Why did you bring up this topic suddenly”?

  “No nothing. I just read about it in the book in the academy library and I get bored “.

  “But what if someone steals it and uses it, even against the enemy?”

  “Firstly, the ring can sense a hunter’s aura. Anyone who isn’t a hunter can’t use it. And secondly, there is a spell.”

  “A spell?”

  “Yes. That spell is given only to its owner. No one else knows it. And to obtain the ring, a hunter must graduate as one of the top hunters.”

  “How does that work?”

  “There are three stages. Each stage must be passed within a year. In the first stage, the time depends on how fast you complete the trials. If you fail, you must take it again until you pass. The same goes for the second and third stages.”

  “And after that?”

  “After the third stage, we select the top five students.”

  “And they get the ring?”

  “Not immediately. First they must fight the elites. If they prove themselves, they earn the ring and start working outside the academy with the elites.”

  “So how many hunters in the academy have these rings?”

  “Kelix, there’s no way you should be curious about this. We never even tell the graduating hunters. We only say it’s a test to work outside the academy. After someone wins, we give the ring secretly. Only those who have it know about it. You won’t find it in any book.”

  “The caretaker of the academy knows about it too… but not everything. They don’t know who has the rings or how many exist.”

  “Well… I guess I can’t hide it from you anymore.”

  Kelix then told Arian everything.

  Arian laughed. “Ohhh, I see. You’re really famous. Someone is helping you even though you’ve never met them. And now you think someone might disguise themselves as Sophy to help you?”

  “Everyone here is weird,” Kelix thought. “Why did I even tell him?”

  “But it’s only my suspicion. I’m not sure.”

  “Well, I still can’t tell you who has the ring, Kelix. Sorry.”

  “No it’s okay”.

  I’ll do it on my own, Arian, don't worry Kelix said in his mind.

  “So… the elites and one hunter have the rings. Eden is one of them, but he will never help me. The other elites are on duty protecting different directions… so that leaves only one hunter.”

  Kelix thought quietly.

  He left the room and walked through the corridor.

  “If the elites are on safety duty and Eden won’t help me… and the other three are also deployed… then only one hunter remains. I’ll check that later. For now, I need to focus on training.”

  Eden returned early after settling everything.

  Kelix trained with Eden continuously for two days—without proper rest or food. Eden taught him as much as he could.

  Kelix already had control over his powers, so teaching him wasn’t difficult. Instead, Eden focused on sharpening Kelix’s senses so he wouldn’t lose control in battle.

  During the training, Eden realized something unusual.

  Kelix only needed to see a technique once.

  On the second attempt, he could already use it.

  He adapted to his powers incredibly fast… almost as if the power inside him had been waiting to awaken.