It was around 9 in the morning when Teo woke up by accident.
As he rubbed his eyes, he noticed a girl tidying the room.
But then—the entire house began to move.
Startled, Teo rushed to the window.
His jaw dropped.
The "house" from last night…
was actually a massive airship capable of changing its form.
Yet, Teo's attention was not on the airship, but on the girl herself.
Teo: "Hey, who are you? Friend… or enemy?"
The girl blushed, turning as red as a tomato.
Girl: "M-me? I'm Lisa, disciple of Master Isaki. Forgive me if I disturbed you!"
Embarrassed, she quickly ran out of the room.
Teo blinked, then chuckled.
Teo (thinking): "Ah, right… Master Isaki was the captain of the 9th Division. I almost forgot."
Not long after, Lisa spotted a boy approaching.
It was Akira, a 14-year-old mid-level Hunter—another of Isaki's disciples.
Akira: "Hey, Lisa! Why are you running around like a tomato, huh? …Oi, I'm talking to you!"
Lisa: "And what business of yours is it?"
Akira: "My business is making sure you calm down! Stop overreacting already!"
Lisa tilted her head.
Lisa: "By the way… where's Master?"
Akira (irritated): "Oi, don't change the subject! I'm asking you—"
Lisa: "None of your concern. And no, I don't know where Master is."
Just then, Teo stumbled out, still half-asleep.
Teo (yawning): "Heeey… why's everyone yelling? What's going on here?"
Akira: "Why? Why does no one take me seriously?! Ugh—"
Suddenly, a firm voice echoed.
Isaki: "Quiet down, all of you. I'm right here."
The disciples turned instantly.
All: "Master!"
Teo: "…Master?"
Isaki entered with a smile.
Isaki: "Good. Everyone's here. Oh, Teo—have you been introduced to my disciples yet?"
Teo: "Not yet."
Isaki: "Then listen. My first disciple—Lisa. She has no family name."
Teo (thinking): "No family name…?"
Isaki: "And this is Akira Yugusichi."
Akira: "Nice to meet you. So, you're Master's new apprentice, huh?"
Teo: "I'm… not his apprentice. At least, not yet."
Akira (shocked): "Huh?! Then what are you even doing here?"
Teo: "I just—"
Isaki: "Enough. Calm down, Akira. Teo will be staying with us for now. Everyone, this is Teo Takoshi… of the Takoshi clan."
All: "Whaaaaaat?!"
Lisa: "Don't tell me… one of the Great Four Celestial Families?!"
Akira: "Dammit, why would someone from a Great Family be put in our division?!"
Teo (thinking): "Why is everyone so shocked?"
Then he turned to Isaki.
Teo: "By the way, Master Isaki… will you teach me about Hunters now?"
Isaki: "I will. But only after we eat."
Teo: "Alright."
---
Later…
After their meal, Teo's curiosity overflowed, bombarding Isaki with endless questions.
Akira sighed loudly.
Akira: "Ugh… another hyper kid full of energy…"
Isaki finally raised his hand to silence them.
Isaki: "Listen, Teo. Since the beginning of the Hunters' age, people believed we used aura energy. But that was a lie. Four years ago, I infiltrated the Hunters' Association—Vinteres—and found research proving that aura does not exist. It was nothing but empty words."
Teo's eyes went wide.
Teo: "Then… what power do Hunters use?"
Isaki: "We draw from Star Energy. Every Hunter is granted one ability when awakened—fire, water, lightning, and so on. Once they gain this power, they inscribe it into the Hunter's Codex. And more than that—"
Isaki pulled out a massive scroll, covered in an ancient language.
Isaki: "—each Star-bearer manifests their own weapon, forged from their very essence."
Teo could barely breathe, overwhelmed.
Teo: "Incredible…"
Teo (suddenly standing): "Then what are we waiting for?! Let's start training now!"
He stretched eagerly, ready for battle.
Isaki smirked.
Isaki: "Not so fast. First…"
He unrolled the scroll on the floor. Strange symbols glowed faintly.
Isaki: "Step into the center, Teo."
Without hesitation, Teo obeyed.
Teo: "Alright… now what?"
Isaki: "Stand tall. Bring your hands together."
Teo followed his words.
The moment his palms touched—an invisible force exploded outward.
It felt like his very soul was being torn from his body.
With a heavy thud, Teo collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
Lisa (panicking): "Master! What did you do to him?! He looks like he's… he's dead!"
But Isaki only folded his arms, a mysterious smile on his face.
Isaki: "In forty minutes… it will be complete. Then, his true beginning will start."