After Vida left, nothing was ever the same for the boys. Their normal school wasn't the same anymore since they didn't have Vida to always make sure they behaved.
"Another boring day in school," Adam lamented as they ate their lunch.
"Well, today's lunch tastes better," Gavin remarked
"With you, every lunch always tastes better," Adam rolled his eyes before turning to Dante, who was just about to take his medication. "Why do you always take this medicine?"
"My mom said I was a very sick child, so I need this drug," Dante answered before gulping down the drug.
"Have you ever tried not taking them?" Gavin asked.
"Yes, I tried once, and I passed out. I need to take it at least once every day," Dante replied.
"Alright," Adam replied.
With Vida gone, the boys had no other option than to adapt. They continued with their sword training and laying traps to catch rabbits. Unfortunately, with Vida gone, Mrs. Joan's soup wasn't as great anymore. The lady had to admit that Vida was the reason the soups were always so tasty.
One fateful day, Dante and his friends were on their way back from school when the space tore open to allow monsters to come in. Before a gate would open, there was always a disturbance in the atmosphere, and humans always noticed this phenomenon with their satellites. So it gave them time to prepare for the attack. The phenomenon always made them aware of the gate rank that was about to open. Because the little town was far from the city and less attention was paid to it, the phenomenon wasn't noticed on time, so awakeners weren't dispatched on time to handle the situation.
Before the gate opened, Dante felt it in his body. He felt that calamity was about to befall them.
"We should hurry home," Dante tried warning his friends, but they didn't take him seriously.
"Are you missing your mother's soup?" Adam jests. Since they realized that Mrs. Joan wasn't much of a great cook, they always teased Dante about it.
"Or do you want to use the toilet?" Gavin added.
"No, something bad is about to happen," Dante said, but they paid him no heed. Seeing that his friends weren't listening, Dante decided to run home alone.
"He is serious," Adam said before they ran after Dante.
They had always known themselves to be physically stronger than Dante, but today they couldn't catch up with the boy, no matter how they tried. Just as they got closer to their home, the gate opened.
When a gate opens, it takes about 30 minutes before monsters start coming out, but sometimes they start coming out immediately. This is the reason why awakeners are always ready before it opens because monsters might start coming out immediately. Unfortunately for the little town, the monsters started coming immediately.
The danger of a gate is determined by its color. Unlike awakeners that have S-rank, A-rank, B-rank, E-rank, and F-rank, gates only have three ranks: E-rank, B-rank, and S-rank. E-rank is the least dangerous and has a green color. It takes at least ten B-rank awakeners and a few A-rank to take care of it. Second most dangerous is B-rank, which is red in color. It will take at least twenty B-rank and five to ten A-rank awakeners, or two S-rank awakeners to take care of the monsters it spews out. Then the last and most dangerous gate is the S-rank gate, which is purple in color. Though it is very rare for an S-rank gate to appear, it needs at least 5-10 S-rank awakeners to take care of it.
Luckily for the small town, the gate that suddenly opened was an E-rank. Though it was the lowest ranked, it was still a disaster for the little town.
"Dear God," Adam said as blood dogs started rushing out of the gate to attack and suck the blood of anything in sight. Blood dogs looked like normal dogs but were far from it. Their tongues could extend up to two meters, and once the tongue got stuck to a human, it only took them 30 seconds to suck the person dry.
"Don't just stand there; our family needs us," Dante wasn't frozen like his friends. In fact, his body was reacting as if this was a normal routine for him. Seeing The one they considered weakest heading towards danger just save his mother, Adam and Gavin shook away their fears and ran to help their family.
By the time they arrived, the monsters were already causing havoc. Dante ignored everything and ran home to check up on his mother. He had never run so much in his life, yet he wasn't tired.
"Mom," he yelled as he flung open the door. Luckily, he got home before the dogs could get there.
"Dante?" Mrs. Joan came out and hugged her son. She was already about to go out and look for her son, but seeing he was back already, she quickly locked the door. "Help will soon arrive," she assured her son.
Dante followed his mother and entered her laboratory. Dante had never really been interested in the laboratory, so he couldn't even remember the last time he had been there. So, he was shocked to see his mother had surveillance to monitor the whole town.
"What are all these surveillance cameras for?" Dante muttered. Mrs. Joan heard him but didn't answer. How would she tell her son that the surveillance was for their own safety? Dante came closer and saw his friends trying to fend off the monsters.
"The town is being overrun."
"We can't do anything. Help will soon be here," Mrs. Joan replied.
Dante tried to calm down, but he couldn't bear seeing his friends in such a dangerous situation. Suddenly, a voice echoed in his head.
"The only sadness most ordinary folks suffer is the inability to protect the people they love." Dante had never heard these words before, yet they felt so familiar.
"If anything happened to them, I would be lonely?" Dante said before running out of the laboratory and out of the house. He was so fast his mother had no time to react.
"How?" Mrs. Joan was left speechless, for she knew the medication Dante was on prevented him from using any special ability. Unknown to Mrs. Joan, inside Dante's body dwelled a soul that was once the pinnacle of greatness. Even though the soul had lost its memories, its instinct remained. Dante ran in the direction of his friends, not caring if his life would be in danger. He just didn't want to be lonely. For some reason, the thought of being lonely made his blood boil.
"Stay back," Adam was doing his best to chase away the blood dogs and protect his family. Everyone was in a similar situation. Many had lost their lives at the hands of the beasts, and help was still far away. Adam struck one of the dogs on the head with his wooden sword. Gavin was also trying his best to protect his two little sisters. He couldn't find his mom and dad."Dante!" one of Gavin's sisters yelled as she pointed at Dante. They all looked at the boy, and something about him was different. They couldn't say what, but they knew Dante would be able to save them."Oh no," Dante muttered as the monsters turned their attention toward him. Though he couldn't remember his past life, his skills still remained. So for that very reason, he could use a fraction of his skills, and the fraction was enough to take care of the monsters. Dante picked up a crowbar from the ground. Normally, monsters from the gates couldn't be harmed by ordinary objects since they were magical creatures. But D
At first, everyone was surprised to see Mr. Jacob, but upon reflection, they found it normal. Since becoming the headmaster of the Golden Lion Academy, he had been obsessed with recruiting every S-rank he could find, even going as far as visiting other countries and realms allied with humans. Many despised his greediness, but no one could oppose Mr. Jacob. Supported by powerful allies, he himself was a formidable S-rank fire mage. At over fifty years old, he was not to be underestimated, capable of leveling an entire city with his powers.As the crowd prepared to see what Mr. Jacob had to offer, Mrs. Joan felt her world crumbling. She feared Mr. Jacob might recognize her, so she restrained herself from rushing to Dante's side."Hello, young hero. I am Mr. Jacob," he said, extending his hand to Dante.Mr. Jacob was a tall, imposing figure with a commanding presence. His greying hair was neatly trimmed, and his piercing brown eyes bore into those he looked at. His deep voice was both so
"You," Dante stated, his face a mix of shock and realization."Hehehehe," Miss Sapphire laughed. "Are you surprised to see me?""Truly, I am." Dante was certain everyone had left, and even if anyone were still around, they wouldn’t be brave enough to approach him again."Would you be kind enough to invite me inside? I don't mind standing outside, but with the countless reporters taking pictures, I feel uncomfortable," Sapphire said."Sure." Dante stepped aside, and she entered. Even before Sapphire could take a seat, her picture with Dante had already reached the city and caused a major commotion, a commotion Sapphire would only get to know about when she returned."Mrs. Joan." Sapphire smiled warmly at Mrs. Joan. From just a glance, Mrs. Joan could tell what kind of person Sapphire was, so she returned the smile."Dante, get our visitor something to drink.""There would be no need for that. I'm sure I have little time before my phone starts to ring." Though Sapphire was not aware of
Dante helped his village repair what was broken after they held funerals for those who had died. Everyone was surprised to see that Dante was still the sweet, humble boy they had watched grow up, and his powers hadn’t made him arrogant. The reporters left three days later when they realized they would get nothing from Dante. He had once smashed a reporter's camera for taking a photo of his mother. Most reporters would throw a tantrum, but after seeing Dante's cold glare, the reporter lost all intention of complaining. The incident served as a warning to others, and none of them dared to try taking a picture of his mother again until they left.“Why don’t you want to call her and have her come pick you up?” Mrs. Joan asked her son. After repairing the village and spending some days with his friends, Dante decided it was time to leave. Instead of calling Miss Sapphire, he chose to take the journey alone.“I want to experience the journey myself,” he replied with a smile.“The city is no
Dante waited for someone from the crowd to help the girl, but no one stepped forward. As a newcomer to the city, he was still unfamiliar with its workings and didn’t want to overstep his bounds. He endured the wait until he could bear it no longer, and finally, he had no choice but to act.“Who are you?” the boy in the middle asked, clearly the ringleader.“Who I am is not important,” Dante replied calmly. “What matters is that she is being forced to follow you three.” As Dante spoke, people around began to take notice of him. Despite his striking looks, there was nothing particularly extraordinary about him. His clothes were worn, his shoes scuffed, and his old backpack suggested an ordinary background.“Hahaha...” The ringleader laughed, clearly judging Dante as a country bumpkin. “I’m guessing you have no idea who I am.”Before the ringleader could continue, the boy standing to his right stepped up to speak. “This is Alex, the only son of the deputy mayor. And this handsome man in
Dante’s senses heightened as he heard Alex’s chilling remark. He had already demonstrated his prowess, but Alex's words suggested that the confrontation was far from over. The crowd’s murmurs grew louder, their fascination and fear evident as they witnessed the aftermath of the skirmish. Dante has never been threatened in his life, not because he was powerful, but because he lived in a peaceful village. So he had to admit that being threatened left a bad taste in his guts, but it wasn't enough to make me cower.Alex’s sinister smile widened, and he stood, his eyes glinting with a dark promise. "You may have won this battle, but the Golden Lion Academy has long arms. Your actions here will have consequences."Dante’s expression remained composed, though he could sense an underlying threat in Alex’s words. "I stand by what I did. Bullies shouldn’t go unchallenged."Alex's eyes narrowed, his voice low and menacing. "You’ll soon learn that actions have repercussions, especially when deali
The Mighty Ones Academy stood before Dante, its towering gates a symbol of the greatness it promised. The academy was already bustling with activity as students trained, sparred, and honed their magical and combat skills. Though the semester had begun two months ago, Dante was an exception—admitted as the only new student due to his rare status as an S-rank awakener.As he walked through the courtyard, the gazes of the students turned toward him. Whispers followed him, not just because he was a new face, but because of his striking appearance. Dante’s chiseled features and piercing blue eyes were hard to ignore. Several of the girls in the courtyard exchanged glances, whispering to each other about the new boy.“Wow, is that him? The S-rank?” one of them murmured.“He’s even more handsome than I expected,” another giggled.But not everyone was so taken with him. A group of boys, standing off to the side, eyed Dante with barely concealed jealousy. His good looks and the attention he wa
The morning after his first sparring session, Dante was walking through the academy grounds, trying to absorb the enormity of the place. He had expected the academy to be grand, but the reality far exceeded his expectations. Tall towers, sprawling training yards, and massive libraries filled every corner of the campus.As he rounded a corner, lost in his thoughts, a loud voice called out to him.“Hey! You’re Dante, right?”Dante turned to see a boy around his age rushing toward him with a broad grin. He had sandy hair, bright green eyes, and a playful energy that seemed impossible to ignore. The boy skidded to a halt in front of him, barely catching his breath.“I’m Finn,” the boy said, extending a hand. “I saw you at the sparring grounds yesterday. That was insane! I’ve never seen someone move like that with a sword. You made it look so easy!”Dante took the offered hand, a little taken aback by Finn’s enthusiasm. “Uh, thanks.”“Man, I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” Finn contin
Dante’s instincts took over as he propelled himself forward, moving with a speed that left Marcus frozen in surprise. His focus was singular—reaching the boy before the ogre did. The young boy was stumbling, his face etched with determination and fear as he carried a younger girl on his back, trying desperately to escape.The ogre, a towering mass of muscle and rage, was closing in fast. Its heavy footsteps sent tremors through the ground, its mouth twisted into a snarl as it zeroed in on its prey.“Keep running!” Dante called out, his voice steady and calm, hoping to give the boy reassurance.The boy looked up, his eyes widening as he saw Dante approaching. With a renewed burst of energy, he pushed forward, his breaths coming in shallow gasps as he struggled under the weight of the girl on his back.Within moments, Dante closed the distance, reaching the boy just as the ogre lifted its massive club. Without breaking stride, Dante scooped the boy and the girl into his arms, pivoting w
The streets were quieter now, the echoes of roars and battle sounds growing distant as Dante, Aria, and Marcus led another group of civilians to safety. Dante’s focus remained steady, his gaze scanning the area for any sign of threats, while Aria coordinated the movement of the group with calm precision.As they rounded another corner, Marcus took the lead, his defensive stance reassuring to the nervous civilians. “Stay close, everyone,” he murmured, glancing over his shoulder. “We’re almost to the safe zone.”Dante stayed silent, only giving a brief nod when Marcus looked back at him, but his expression conveyed a sense of calm that seemed to settle the group. Though he spoke little, his presence exuded a quiet strength that reassured those around him.Suddenly, a shrill scream echoed from a side street. Dante’s head snapped toward the sound, his eyes narrowing. Without a word, he motioned to Aria and Marcus, who understood immediately.“Go,” Marcus said, stepping up to guard the civ
The city streets were eerily quiet as Dante, Aria, and Marcus made their way through, alert for any sign of civilians in need of rescue. The buildings bore the scars of the monster attacks—broken windows, cracked walls, and deep gouges in the pavement where claws and fangs had left their mark. Though the air was still, there was a palpable tension as if the city itself was holding its breath.Marcus, always quick to lighten the mood, broke the silence. “You know, I wasn’t exactly planning to spend my weekend dodging ogres and wyverns,” he joked, his voice low. “But at least I get to do it with decent company.”Aria rolled her eyes, though a slight smirk crossed her face, and Dante gave a nod, focused but appreciative of the humor.As they moved further in, the distant sound of crashing echoed through the streets, followed by faint screams. Marcus’s expression turned serious as he adjusted his stance, ready to step forward if needed.“Sounds like we’ve got some action up ahead,” he sai
The following morning, students gathered eagerly in the academy’s courtyard, their faces filled with anticipation. This mission had sparked excitement throughout the school, and everyone waited anxiously to hear who would be selected to assist the Hunter Association.Miss Sapphire stood at the front, a list in hand. Her gaze swept over the crowd before she began.“The following students have been chosen to represent our academy and assist with the C-rank gate,” she announced. Her voice was calm but carried a note of seriousness that underscored the importance of the task.She began calling names, each one met with a ripple of murmurs and excited smiles.“Elijah Noland,” she read, her eyes briefly meeting his as he stepped forward confidently, his expression smug.“Aria Windstrider,” she continued, and Aria walked forward with her usual cool composure, her gaze focused and unwavering.Several other students’ names followed, each stepping forward to join the group, their expressions a m
Two weeks had passed since the test, and life at the academy had returned to its usual rhythm. Classes resumed, training sessions filled the afternoons, and students once again focused on honing their skills. But something had changed: Dante’s presence was now a quiet force felt by everyone around him.Wherever he went, students turned to watch, whispering about his strength and the feats he had achieved during the test. Even upperclassmen, those who had once dismissed him as just another S-rank swordsman, now regarded him with a mixture of respect and curiosity.Dante, however, remained focused on his goals, unmoved by the newfound attention. His days fell into a steady rhythm of training, studying, and preparing himself for whatever challenges lay ahead. He kept to himself, finding peace in the routine, while Finn remained his only close companion, constantly chattering and bringing his usual humor into their friendship.During one of their training sessions, Finn shot him a grin. “
The simulated forest dissolved into particles of light, and in the blink of an eye, the students felt themselves pulled back to reality. The gentle hum of the academy’s simulation pods faded, and they blinked as they adjusted to the bright lights of the control room. One by one, the students sat up, looking around, feeling both the physical and mental exhaustion of the intense test they had just survived.As the doors to the simulation pods opened, Dante emerged, calm and composed as if he’d just taken a simple stroll rather than battled through hordes of monsters. He glanced around the room, noting the looks of surprise, admiration, and—most noticeably—respect that lingered on the faces of his classmates.The usual whispers and banter among the students were absent. Instead, they regarded Dante in awe. Those who had witnessed his strength firsthand during the test were particularly silent, their expressions a mix of disbelief and newfound admiration.Elijah, who had previously dismis
The battlefield was quiet now, the last of the monsters lying defeated at Dante’s feet. The elite students, many of whom had been struggling to stay alive just moments before, stared at him with a mixture of awe and disbelief.Elijah’s jaw tightened as he forced himself to stand tall, trying to mask the sting of his pride. He could feel the weight of Aria’s gaze, and his heart sank as he realized she hadn’t taken her eyes off Dante since he had stepped forward.Dante sheathed his sword, barely acknowledging the onlookers as he turned to leave. To him, this was just another fight—a simple task that hadn’t required his full strength.Elijah, unable to contain his frustration, stepped forward. “You think you’re something special, don’t you?” His voice was laced with bitterness.Dante turned, his gaze calm and unbothered. “I just did what needed to be done.”Elijah’s hands clenched, electricity sparking at his fingertips. “You may be strong, but you’re still a swordsman. Without magic, yo
Dante stepped forward, his eyes steady as he took in the scene before him. The horde of monsters surrounded the group of elite students, their growls and screeches echoing through the forest. He could see the exhaustion etched on their faces, each one struggling to hold back the relentless onslaught.Elijah’s eyes narrowed as he watched Dante approach. A mix of irritation and doubt flashed across his face. “What does he think he’s doing?” Elijah muttered to himself, his voice tinged with disdain. Dante’s calm, almost casual approach seemed reckless—like he didn’t fully understand the gravity of the situation.*He’s going to bite off more than he can chew,* Elijah thought. Despite being aware that Dante was an S-rank, Elijah—like most others—had always believed that elemental magic wielded by an A-rank like himself was far superior to the skill of a mere S-rank swordsman.From the moment Dante had been admitted to the academy, Elijah hadn’t given him a second thought, dismissing him as
The students inside the simulation had been battling monsters for what felt like hours. Exhaustion was starting to set in for some, and others were barely holding on. Amidst the chaos, a sharp, clear message cut through the noise.“This is Miss Sapphire,” her voice rang through the simulated forest, audible to every student. “All students ranked A and above, unite and focus on dealing with the monsters. Those ranked below, take cover and hide. Survive for the next four hours, and the test will automatically come to an end.”The students exchanged glances, and for a moment, the fear subsided as they found direction. Groups immediately began to form, with the lower-ranked students retreating into hiding spots scattered throughout the dense forest.In contrast, the elite students—the A-ranks and above—moved swiftly to gather, forming a powerful alliance. Among them was **Elijah**, a rare A-rank elemental awakener with control over two elements: **lightning and water**. His tall figure an