Humans fear many things.
Darkness, insects, animals, the depths of the ocean… Death, hunger, disease.
But in this age, what people feared most could be summarized in a single word: Creatures.
Behind the massive gates of the Academy, the bloody mud of Moon Eye Island slowly began to wash away. Eren, Dean, Rowan, and Mira, along with the other surviving candidates, stepped into the magnificent courtyard of the Safe Haven Hunter Academy. Everything around them was the complete opposite of the horror they had left behind: High ceilings, polished stone floors, and the scent of ancient magic hanging in the air.
Azrael Solarius struck his staff on the ground once more. "Young hunters," he said, his voice echoing in every corner of the courtyard. "Your trial is over. But your training begins now. Safe Haven is not just a city; it is the last bastion of humanity. And you will be the new walls of this bastion."
The rest of the day passed in a festive atmosphere. The survivors were greeted like heroes. But Eren's team knew this celebration was false. For them, this was just preparation for the next nightmare.
Academy Tour:
As Eren and Dean walked through the academy corridors with the other candidates, Mira and Rowan lagged slightly behind.
Workshops and Armory: The first stop was the Armory and the Magic Workshops. Dean couldn't take his eyes off the Armory, where the massive meteor hammer and other melee weapons were displayed. Eren, on the other hand, focused on the section containing ammunition and custom-made weapons. The Magic Workshops made Rowan's eyes sparkle; in every corner, there was the hope of regaining the power he had lost on Moon Eye Island.
Library and Forbidden Section: The Library was the heart of the academy. Thousands of volumes were lined up on shelves reaching the ceiling. As Eren read the cover of a dusty volume, Rowan's eyes were drawn to a section in the furthest corner of the library, behind a dark iron door. Written on the door was: "By High Council Approval Only." Rowan whispered: "That place... that's the 'Ancient Secrets' section. Rumor has it that it contains forbidden magic and truths about the Overlords from before Safe Haven's founding."
Museum and Cursed Artifacts: The Museum was a silent monument to humanity's war against monsters. On the walls were the remains of defeated Overlords, rare artifacts, and weapons said to be cursed. Mira stopped in front of a display case. Inside the case, covered with a dark purple velvet cloth, was an object whose shape was barely visible.
Mira asked the guide: "What is this?"
The guide's voice suddenly dropped: "That... that is known as the'Shadow's Relic.' It is covered by order of the High Council. Touching it, or even looking at it for too long, is forbidden. It is the most forbidden artifact in the museum."
Dungeon and Gymnasium: The empty parts of the Dungeon were prepared for future prisoners. The Gymnasium was filled with modern and magical equipment that would push the hunters' physical limits.
The Whisper of the Crystal:
In the evening, a grand ceremony was held in the courtyard. Azrael Solarius ascended a high podium. In front of him stood a sky-blue, massive crystal. The surface of the crystal sparkled as if it contained thousands of stars.
Azrael: "This is the 'Crystal of Will.' Legend says it carries the will and experience of every hunter who has died since the founding of Safe Haven. This crystal will determine your path in the Academy."
Azrael invited the candidates to place their hands on the crystal one by one. When each candidate touched the crystal, it glowed with a different color, and Azrael announced which path that candidate was assigned to.
Randomly Selected and Their Paths:
Lyra Vane: The crystal glowed with a dark green light. Azrael: "Assigned to the Harvest Phantom She will specialize in nature and spirit connection." Thomas Kael: The crystal glowed with orange and black stripes. Azrael: "Assigned to the Candy Corn Beast He will train in uncontrolled rage and raw power." Sora Black: The crystal emitted a silent, dark purple. Azrael: "Assigned to the Headless Reaper He will specialize in death and unseen attack techniques." Emma Cross: The crystal glowed with a yellow and orange light. Azrael: "Assigned to The Trickster She will work on illusion and mind-breaking."
Dean's Path:
It was Eren's team's turn. First, Mira placed her hand. The crystal glowed with a bright, poisonous green. Azrael: "Assigned to the Spiced Reaper Path. She will specialize in poison and decay-themed magic."
Then Rowan placed his hand. The crystal glowed with a dark, almost pitch-black light. Azrael: "Assigned to The Witch's Maw Path. He will train in witchcraft and curses."
When Dean placed his hand, the crystal glowed with a dazzling gold color. A brief satisfactionappeared on Azrael's face.
Azrael: "Dean Guilliman... You are assigned to the Lantern King Path. You will work on wisdom and the darkness hidden in the light, and you will lead one of the oldest and most respected paths in the academy."
The Shadow Path Selection:
It was the turn of Eren, Kayra, and Raphael. All three placed their hands on the crystal simultaneously. The crystal emitted neither a color nor a light. It only emitted a deep, humming vibration, and a dark, moving shadow appeared on the crystal's surface.
The satisfaction on Azrael's face was replaced by great concern. Slowly, he spoke in a tone so low that only the officials around the podium could hear.
Azrael: "Kayra, Eren, Raphael... You are selected for the Shadow Path. The most secret, most special unit of the Academy..."
Azrael quickly composed himself and turned to the crowd in the courtyard.
Azrael: "The remaining candidates, continue with your assignments. Now take your places."
The crowd in the courtyard began to disperse with whispers. Azrael turned to Kael Duskgrave. His face reflected the helplessness of a mage.
The Academy Murder:
Just then, the courtyard doors burst open with a loud noise. A high-ranking hunter, his face pale, rushed in, breathless. He held a bloody parchment in his hand.
The Hunter walked up to Azrael, his voice trembling.
Hunter: "Azrael... we must stop immediately. This... this is a trap."
Azrael frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
The Hunter handed the parchment to Azrael.
Hunter: "In the West Wing of the Academy... 8 student bodies were found. All were killed by bites and claw marks. The one in the dungeon has escaped! All the dead were students on the Shadow Path."
The noise in the main hall did not decrease; no one was aware of what was happening.
Azrael closed his eyes. Then he opened them and raised his voice.
Azrael: "Friends, after the selection ceremony is over, you will be quickly and quietly directed to your team rooms."
Azrael squeezed his staff. His eyes, through the silence in the courtyard, looked directly at Eren's team.
End of Chapter.