Shadow Bug

October 5th, 2021 – The Day of the Hunter Force Academy Battle Exams

It was the day the Hunter Force Academy (HFA) decided to hold the long-anticipated Battle Exams. All staff and students, along with representatives from the Hunter Association, gathered to witness the progress of those who had enrolled in August. Gabriel Estath, the head of the HFA, was among those present. Hunters had also been called in for security, with the only absent hunter being Joshua Egoshin, who had left for Rigsville on a requested mission.

The spectators had already taken their seats in the observation room, where they could watch the exam unfold through various CCTV cameras placed strategically around the training ground. Jason was on a phone call with Joshua, who was en route to his mission.

Jason: Too bad you won't be here to witness the results of my brilliant teaching. My students will impress everyone today.

Joshua: Yeah, too bad. I guess I'll have to assume you're a bad teacher until I see for myself.

Jason: (cartoonish face) Damn you, four-eyes!

Joshua: By the way, have Haruto and Koichi arrived yet?

Jason: Maybe. I haven't gone to the observation room yet. I still need to give my students a little motivation before they head into the exams.

Joshua: Right. You know, I can't imagine you giving a motivational speech. That's gotta be hilarious.

Jason: Oh shut up.

Joshua: Anyway, I gotta go. I'll catch you guys when I get back.

Jason: Later, four-eyes. (hangs up)

Jason then walked into the preparation room where his students, Kazemaru, Rin, Takimo, Tendo, Silva, and Karla, were suiting up for the exams. Each of them had been given uniforms tailored to support their unique Lighter techniques.

Kazemaru: (cartoonish face) HEY GUYS! IT'S MR. JASON!

Jason: (to himself) Great. Just what I needed—fanboy praise.

Takimo: Mr Jason?

Tendo: What are you doing here?

Karla: I thought you'd be in the observation room by now.

Silva: The exams are about to start soon, aren't they?

Rin: Maybe he wants to give us a motivational speech?

Kazemaru: A MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH FROM MR. JASON WOULD TOTALLY GET ME PUMPED FOR THIS EXAM!

Silva: He's right. A bit of motivation would be nice. We need that final push.

Takimo: I agree.

Rin: So, Mr. Jason, did you come to motivate us? (everyone turns their gaze to Jason)

Jason: (to himself, panicking) Crap, I can't think of anything to say! Damn you, four-eyes, for jinxing me! I'm gonna prove you wrong… somehow.

Kazemaru: Mr. Jason? Is something wrong?

Jason: (clearing his throat) Well… I just want to say... remember your training and give it your all. Don't get discouraged if you don't win every battle—progress is about growth, not perfection. You can't improve if you're bogged down by defeat. That's it. (with a cartoonish face, thinking to himself) Thank God I pulled that off! Take that, four-eyes!

Everyone: Thank you Mr Jason. We promise to do our best.

As the students thanked him, Gabriel's voice echoed over the loudspeakers, calling for all participants to head to the battle grounds. Jason took his leave and made his way to the observation room. Upon entering, he immediately spotted a familiar face—Haruto Myogu, one of his old friends from his academy days.

Haruto: (noticing Jason) Long time no see, Jason.

Jason: So, you finally decided to show up, Haruto.

They both glared at each other for a moment before breaking into childish faces, sticking their tongues out like they used to in the old days.

Lisa and Koichi, who were sitting nearby, laughed at their antics. It reminded them of how Jason and Haruto used to be during their academy years.

Koichi: (laughing) You two still act like kids! When will you grow up?

Haruto: (cartoonish face) He started it!

Jason: (cartoonish face) Liar!

Haruto Myogu, a Level 1 Hunter, was a friend of Jason, Joshua, Lisa, and Marlo. At 26 years old, he had gray hair and visible stitches running from the left side of his face down to his arms. He carried a sword shaped like a giant needle on his back, which was tied to his technique, though its specifics remained a mystery for now.

Koichi Mura, a Level 2 Hunter and an old friend of Jason and the others, was 25 years old with blonde hair and blue eyes. For the past year, Haruto had been trying to woo her, but Koichi always turned him down, finding his approach outdated.

Koichi: It feels like we're back at the academy again.

Lisa: Yeah… when everyone was still alive. (sighs) At least I'm happy that some things never change—like these two. (gestures to Haruto and Jason)

Marlo: (just walking in) Who'd have thought that Haruto and Jason arguing would be so comforting? Knock it off, you two. The exams are about to start.

Koichi: (to Lisa) So how have you been holding up since Sanito…?

Lisa: I've been okay. It still hurts that Sanito isn't here anymore, but he wouldn't want me to be sad forever. I'll be fine, so don't worry about me. (smiles)

Jason and Haruto finally took their seats as Gabriel began explaining the exam structure to the students. Since there were only six first-year students, they were split into three pairs through a random selection:

Group One

1. Tendo Koizumi

2. Silva Momo

Group Two

1. Kazemaru Kaneko

2. Karla Yoshida

Group Three

1. Rin Aikawa

2. Takimo Zenoshi

Rin: (to himself) Damn it. Why did I have to get paired with him?

Takimo: (to himself) Him? I didn't exactly get a great first impression of him. And now I have to team up with him?

Gabriel: Each team will battle a second-year student. Winning isn't mandatory, but you must give it your all. The exam is designed to test how well you handle stronger opponents and how effectively you work as a team. There will also be low-level shadow monsters roaming the battle grounds, so you'll need to deal with them as well. For no reason should any student be injured beyond recovery—anyone responsible for such an injury will be expelled immediately. Your grades will be based on your overall performance. You have five minutes to strategize with your partners before the exam begins.

The students began discussing strategies with their partners. However, Takimo and Rin found themselves in awkward silence.

Takimo: (breaking the silence) Let's try and do our best.

Rin: (thinking back to what Takimo said) Do you still believe your friend is different from all the other Shadows?

Takimo: Why bring this up now? It's not important right now.

Rin: But isn't it why you're here? To find your friend? To see the truth for yourself? Answer the question.

Takimo: (pauses, thinking for a moment) No. I don't think he's like the rest of them. I trust him because he's my best friend. Nothing you or anyone says will change that.

Rin: (sighs) I admire that you're willing to see things for yourself, instead of following what others say. But keep going down this path, and you'll get yourself killed.

Takimo: Uh… thanks, I guess?

Rin: If you get it, then come on—the five minutes are almost up.

The first-year students stood at the entrance to the battle grounds, mentally preparing themselves for the task ahead.

Gabriel: NOW LET THE 2021 BATTLE EXAMS OF THE HUNTER FORCE ACADEMY.....BEGIN!!!!!!!!!

The teams split up, dashing into the battlegrounds. For the past two months, they had trained rigorously for this moment, and it was time to showcase the fruits of their labor.

Takimo: (to himself, running alongside Rin) I won't let this stop me. I'll find you, Kato, and prove to everyone that you're not what they think you are.