Official Hunter

The following morning, the recruits were roused from their beds at dawn.

The sound of a sharp knock on the metal door jolted Elias awake. He groaned, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Around him, his roommates stirred, grumbling softly about the lack of proper rest.

"Up and out," barked an instructor from the hallway. "You've got five minutes!"

Elias swung his legs over the side of the bed, the cold floor biting against his feet. His body felt stiff from the previous day's grueling tests, but the urgency in the instructor's voice left no room for hesitation.

Within minutes, he and the other recruits had dressed and joined the flow of bodies making their way through the Academy's dimly lit corridors.

They were herded into a large, rectangular room with rows of benches facing a blank white wall. At the front of the room stood a projector, its lens casting a faint glow as it whirred to life.

The recruits murmured amongst themselves, the tension in the air palpable. This was the moment they had all been waiting for — the announcement of who had officially made it into the Academy.

Elias sat near the middle of the room, his heart pounding.

His mind raced as he considered the possibility of failure. Had he done enough? The test of willpower had left him uncertain, even though he and the blue-haired girl were the last ones standing.

Was that enough to secure a place? He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves.

The room fell silent as an instructor stepped forward. She was a tall woman with a commanding presence, her silver hair pulled back into a tight bun.

She scanned the room with piercing eyes, her gaze lingering on a few individuals before she spoke.

"The results of the tests are in," she said, her voice crisp and authoritative. "Displayed here will be the names of those who have officially passed and are now part of the Academy. If your name is not on the list, you are dismissed."

The murmurs died completely as the projector's beam illuminated the wall. A list of names appeared in neat, glowing text, ranked from first to last. The recruits leaned forward, scanning the names eagerly.

Elias's eyes darted to the list, his heart skipping a beat as he found his name — Rank 4: Elias. For a moment, he simply stared, relief washing over him in waves.

He had made it. Not only that, but he was in the top five.

The room erupted into a mix of cheers, groans, and quiet murmurs. The top three names were read aloud by the instructor.

"Rank 1: Selene Raycroft. Rank 2: Damian Veldt. Rank 3: Leona Kline."

Elias glanced toward the front of the room, where Selene, the blue-haired girl from the willpower test, stood with an air of quiet confidence.

The others around her offered congratulations, but she merely nodded, her expression calm and composed.

Damian, a tall boy with sharp features, basked in the attention, his grin wide and self-assured. Leona, a red-haired girl with an athletic build, accepted her congratulations with a polite smile.

"And Rank 4 — Elias," someone said, nudging him lightly. He turned to see his shaggy-haired roommate grinning at him. "Not bad, man. Congrats."

"Thanks," Elias said, feeling a mixture of pride and unease. While he was relieved to have made it, he couldn't help but wonder if his rank had drawn too much attention.

He had tried to stay inconspicuous, but his performance had clearly set him apart.

The instructor clapped her hands, calling for attention. "Those in the top three ranks, follow me. The rest of you, remain seated until your names are called."

As Selene, Damian, and Leona followed the instructor out of the room, Elias sat back, waiting for his turn.

One by one, names were called, and the recruits filtered out, leaving the room quieter with each passing minute. Finally, Elias's name was announced.

He rose from his seat, his legs feeling oddly heavy as he walked toward the door. The hallway beyond was lined with instructors, who directed him to a smaller room down the corridor.

As he entered, he saw a row of black uniforms hanging neatly on racks. At the far end of the room stood a man with a clipboard, his expression stoic.

"Elias?" the man asked without looking up.

"That's me," Elias replied.

The man nodded and handed him a neatly folded uniform. It was black, with the Academy's insignia — a sword piercing a shield — emblazoned in silver on the chest. The material felt surprisingly lightweight yet durable, its texture smooth and cool to the touch.

"This is your hunter suit," the man explained, his voice monotone but thorough. "It's designed for both protection and mobility. The outer layer is reinforced to withstand minor attacks, while the inner layer is temperature-regulating to keep you comfortable in various environments."

Elias unfolded the uniform, inspecting it closely. The craftsmanship was impeccable, each seam and detail precise.

There was a high collar and several hidden pockets, as well as reinforced padding on the shoulders and elbows.

"The suit also integrates with your System," the man continued. "It will sync with your interface to display vital information — health, stamina, and any active skills or abilities. The insignia doubles as a tracking device, so don't lose it. If you go missing on a raid, this is how we'll find you."

Elias nodded, his fingers running over the insignia. The weight of the uniform felt heavier now, not physically but symbolically.

This wasn't just clothing — it was a declaration. He was officially a hunter-in-training, a weapon in humanity's fight for survival.

The man gestured to a nearby door. "Changing rooms are through there. Put it on and report back."

Elias stepped into the changing room, closing the door behind him. He hesitated for a moment, staring at his reflection in the small mirror above the sink.

His face looked tired, shadows under his eyes from the sleepless night. But there was something else there too — a spark of determination.

He changed into the uniform, the fabric fitting snugly against his frame. The moment he fastened the collar, a soft chime echoed in his mind, and his System interface flickered to life.

[Hunter Suit Synced with System.]

The text hovered in his vision for a moment before fading. He flexed his fingers, testing the range of motion. The suit moved with him seamlessly, as if it were an extension of his body.

When he stepped back into the room, the man gave him a brief once-over and nodded in approval. "You're ready. Welcome to the Academy, Elias."

Elias returned the nod, his jaw set.