The academy grounds were packed. Nearly a thousand first-years had gathered, forming long lines in front of the massive forest gate.
At a glance, one might think this was a grand ceremony—but the truth was far harsher.
The Hunting Field Test carried only one meaning:
Hunt your way to the top—or be hunted.
After months of sheltered training, this was the first real test where lives were on the line. More than one student had died in past years, torn apart by monsters inside the hunting grounds. The staff and instructors prepared meticulously, but what could they do against infiltration?
Moles were among the students. Their targets were clear—the heirs of noble houses, especially those with powerful backings. Alex, Eveline, and Nadia had been high on that list. Many were set to be kidnapped, others killed. It was meant to be a bloodbath.
But now things were different.
Alex was no longer the academy's brightest star. He wasn't the top student anymore.
