The next morning, the results of the wild hunt were finally announced.
Fifth place: Orpy, who earned 270 points by capturing two squirrels, three deer, and one tiger.
Fourth place: Elvi, who earned 290 points by capturing four frogs, one boar, two wolves, and one bear.
Third place: Arde, who earned 400 points by capturing four leopards and one gorilla.
Second place: Silvien, who earned 500 points by capturing five birds, two deer, one wolf, one tapir, and one wild forest elephant.
First place: Rawin, who earned a stunning 800 points by capturing one forest elephant, one rhino, one wild buffalo, and one giant python.
"Each of the top hunters will receive rewards according to their ranks, which will be delivered to your addresses tomorrow," announced Firsa.
Suddenly, Rawin raised his hand.
"Excuse me, Paidetha," he said, his tone respectful yet curious. "May I keep one special request reward for later use?"
Firsa smiled. "Of course, Cadet Rawin. You may use it whenever you truly need it."
"Thank you, Paidetha," Rawin replied gratefully.
Firsa then looked over the gathered young hunters. "Now that the Hunter Examination has officially ended, I am proud to declare that all of you have passed. From this day onward, you may call yourselves Hunters of Gondalwa Village! I hope you're proud of the effort and perseverance you've shown over this past month."
The young hunters erupted in cheers. For the final time, they shouted in unison,
"Ready, Paidetha!"
Their voices echoed through the training field, marking the end of their grueling journey. Later, they gathered at Gritim's Food Shop to celebrate their success.
"Since you all passed with such impressive results, today's feast is on me!" Firsa said with a bright smile.
"Thank you, Miss Firsa!" Rawin replied.
"Haha, that's how it should be!" Arde laughed.
"Yay! Finally, a proper meal!" Elvi exclaimed.
"I swear, I never want to go through that training again," Orpy groaned.
"So this is how it ends, huh…" murmured Silvien softly.
Their celebration lasted late into the night, filled with laughter and stories of their trials.
---
The Duel of Rawin and Valien
A few days later, the long-awaited duel between Rawin and Valien finally arrived. The two met at the designated place, where the air was thick with anticipation.
"So, you actually showed up. I thought you'd be too scared to face me," Valien said with smug confidence.
"I heard you hired a private teacher this past month, Valien," Rawin replied mockingly.
"That's none of your business! Let's just get this over with," Valien snapped.
"Fine by me. I've been waiting for this," said Rawin firmly.
Before they could begin, a mysterious figure approached — the Young Visionist of the Greever Tree, Warsen. His sudden appearance drew everyone's attention.
"Well, young hunters," Warsen said calmly, "if you're going to duel, then allow me to be your referee."
"Wait—! That's too much, Sir Warsen!" Rawin protested in surprise.
"Yes, this duel isn't important enough for someone like you to officiate!" Valien added hastily.
Warsen chuckled. "Relax. I'm here by choice. After all, I, too, was once a young hunter."
As he spoke, a faint, oppressive aura radiated from him, silencing both boys instantly. They nodded and accepted his decision without further argument.
Warsen then began explaining the rules:
1. Hunters may use only swords — no bows, spears, or other weapons.
2. Striking vital points such as the head, neck, or heart is strictly forbidden.
3. If a hunter surrenders or can no longer continue, the duel must end immediately, and the victor will be declared.
4. Any violation of these rules will result in revocation of the hunter title and banishment from Gondalwa Village.
When the rules were clear, Warsen raised a barrier around the arena to prevent any serious injuries.
The duel began.
Rawin made the first move, striking toward Valien's wrist, but Valien blocked it swiftly. Valien countered with a sharp slash toward Rawin's abdomen, which Rawin narrowly dodged. Rawin retaliated with a diagonal strike to the chest, grazing Valien's armor. Valien snarled and countered with a flurry of attacks, crossing his strikes in an "X" pattern that left Rawin briefly disoriented and bleeding.
The crowd gasped at the intensity of the match. Even Warsen was impressed.
"Hmm… both of them have remarkable potential," he murmured. "Rawin analyzes his opponent's every move, waiting for an opening, while Valien attacks relentlessly, denying him the chance to think — yet remains cautious of his surroundings. Truly fascinating."
Meanwhile, Firsa watched from the sidelines, her eyes filled with worry.
"Will Rawin be alright…?" she whispered anxiously.
The two young hunters continued their fierce battle, their swords clashing with raw determination. Exhaustion began to show — Rawin's focus wavered, while Valien's strength started to fade.
Then, in one final exchange, both lunged at the same time — Rawin with a vertical strike, Valien with a horizontal one.
The blades met in a burst of light and dust.
When it cleared, both hunters fell to the ground. Valien lay unconscious, while Rawin, though barely standing, still gripped his sword. Warsen raised his hand and declared,
"The winner — Rawin!"
The crowd erupted in applause as Rawin collapsed once more, finally succumbing to exhaustion.
That day, both young hunters learned a valuable lesson — never to underestimate their opponent, nor to let pride cloud their judgment.
The tale of their duel spread throughout the village, making Rawin and Valien legends among the young hunters of Gondalwa.