Morning sunlight slowly filtered through the window of Aaron's dorm room, casting a faint golden glow across the wooden floor. The first rays of daylight crept in quietly, touching the simple furniture and the open notebook on the desk.
Outside, the academy grounds were already alive with sound. Even from several floors up, Aaron could hear the distant buzz of excited students gathering near the combat arena.
Today was the Lemurian Hunter Academy Tournament.
Yet inside the quiet room, the atmosphere remained calm.
Aaron lay on his bed with one arm resting behind his head, staring at the ceiling. The soft rustling of leaves outside the window mixed with distant voices drifting through the campus. Unlike many students who had woken up early to prepare nervously, Aaron looked completely relaxed.
He sat up slowly, stretched his arms, and glanced at the wooden chair beside the desk. Without thinking much, he reached out and gripped the backrest with one hand. Titan's Grip activated instantly. The wood creaked under his fingers, then snapped cleanly in two with almost no effort. Aaron looked at the broken piece in his hand, then set it down with a small, private smile.
"Still getting used to this," he muttered.
His thoughts drifted as he stood up and walked to the window. Compared to Earth, this world's entire structure revolved around one thing: power. And that power decided the fate of humanity.
He remembered the first time he saw the outer walls of Lemuria City. They were at least eighty meters tall. From a distance, the massive gray walls looked like a mountain range surrounding the entire city. Inside those walls lived nearly six million people. Lemuria wasn't considered particularly powerful. In fact, according to the world's classification, it belonged to the lowest tier — Frontier Cities.
These cities sat near dangerous wilderness zones and served as the first line of defense against monster expansion. Their resources were limited. Their hunters were still developing. Yet they played a critical role in protecting humanity.
Above Frontier Cities were the stronger Regional Cities, with better economies and more powerful hunters. Beyond those were the Metropolitan Cities, massive mega-cities with elite academies and famous hunter guilds. And at the very top stood the legendary Central Capital Cities, guarded by the strongest fighters on the planet.
Aaron exhaled slowly. In the grand scheme of things, Lemuria City was just a small starting point.
However, if he wanted to reach the top, this tournament would only be the first step.
He was still thinking about the endless layers of academies and guilds when his phone suddenly buzzed on the desk.
He picked it up.
A new message appeared on FabBook.
Rei.
Aaron already had a bad feeling.
He opened it.
A massive wall of text immediately filled the screen.
Rei: Brother Aaron!!! This humble one greets the future champion of Lemurian Academy!!!
Aaron sighed and scrolled down.
Rei: Listen carefully to my words because what I am about to say concerns the most important matter of my entire life. You know about the Heiress of the Kang Clan, right??? Kang Yue!!! The girl who just transferred into the academy yesterday!!! The one with the A-Rank Class: Radiant Spirit Archer!!! Brother Aaron… THIS IS MY DESTINY!!!
Aaron rubbed his forehead and typed a reply.
Aaron: You've lost your mind.
Rei: Brother Aaron!!! How can you say such heartless words!!! You already have Luna, the cold Goddess of Lemurian Academy!!! Naturally you cannot understand the suffering of a lonely man like me!!! This humble brother also needs a beauty!!! Kang Yue is perfect!!! Not only is she beautiful like a celestial maiden, she is also the only daughter of the Kang Clan, one of Lemuria City's most powerful families!!! If I can win her heart… My life will ascend to heaven!!!
Aaron stared at the message for a few seconds, then replied.
Aaron: Let me understand this clearly. You. A C-rank Scout, wants to pursue an A-rank Radiant Spirit Archer, who is also the heiress of a powerful clan.
Rei: When you put it like that… It sounds slightly difficult.
Aaron: Slightly?
Rei: Brother Aaron!!! Have some faith in me!!! History has proven that true love can overcome all obstacles!!! Perhaps she will see my sincerity!!! Perhaps she will admire my bravery!!! Perhaps she will say: "Oh brave warrior Rei, your courage has moved my heart!"
Aaron: Perhaps she will call the city guards.
Rei: Brother Aaron… Why are you always so realistic? But Fine!!! Then I will first defeat a few opponents in the tournament!!! Once I prove my strength… I will confess!!!
Aaron smiled faintly as he put the phone down.
Outside the window, the academy arena gates opened.
And with that, thousands of students gathered, awaiting the start of the tournament.
However, as Aaron stood up and looked toward the arena, he could not help but feel a quiet sense of anticipation.
The real game was about to begin.