"His… daughter? Whose?" Haruto asked, stunned.
Before he could push further, Naoki grabbed his shoulder impatiently.
"Sensei, enough talking! Start the third test already!"
"Not here," Einzuro replied. "I've chosen another place. Follow me."
Reina and Renzaki were called too, but Renzaki turned away coldly.
"I won't waste my time watching such pathetic fights. Go without me."
"As you wish," Einzuro said. "But if you change your mind, meet us behind the Kingdom—beyond the mountains."
Reina tilted her head in confusion.
"Sensei… behind the Kingdom? There's only mountains."
Naoki frowned.
"And past that is nothing but open plains."
Einzuro chuckled.
"Yes, yes… this is Stone Land. True forests are rare here. But don't forget, we have other Hunters among us."
Naoki raised an eyebrow. "So… there's really a jungle back there?"
Einzuro smirked. "Just follow me."
Scene 2
Far beyond the mountains, Einzuro led them to a secluded clearing—where another figure awaited.
A slim girl, around seventeen, stood there. Her skin was lightly tanned from long hours under the sun. Loose strands of dark, stone-grey hair framed her bright, lively face, while the rest was tied casually behind her shoulders. Her green-brown eyes glimmered like forest and earth blended together. Despite the cheerful smile she wore, her calm stance radiated quiet strength—the unmistakable presence of an S-Rank Demon Hunter.
Haruto blinked, surprised. "Sensei… who is she?"
Reina answered with a grin.
"She's Sayuri Inazawa. One of Stone Kingdom's greatest Hunters. An S-Rank."
"S-Rank…? What's that?" Haruto asked, bewildered.
"You'll learn soon enough at the Hunter Academy," Einzuro interrupted. "For now, Naoki doesn't have the patience for long explanations."
Sayuri crossed her arms and stepped forward.
"Lord Einzuro, enough games. Why did you call me here?"
"Simple," Einzuro replied. "I need you to create a jungle in this barren land."
Sayuri smirked. "That's all? Too easy."
She extended her hands, and a soft glow shimmered between her palms.
"Nature Element: Verdant Genesis Magic!"
The ground trembled. Roots burst upward, weaving into thick trunks. Grass spread across the earth in rippling waves. Trees rose higher and higher, branches sprouting lush leaves that swayed as if life itself had been reborn. Flowers bloomed in bursts of color. Birds and insects formed from sparkling motes of magic, scattering into the air before transforming into vivid, living creatures.
Haruto's eyes widened, shimmering with awe.
"Huahhh… it's beautiful…"
Naoki and Reina stared in awe as the lifeless clearing turned into a vast, vibrant jungle.
Sayuri lowered her arms, smiling lightly.
"There. Done. Satisfied?"
Einzuro nodded. "Perfect. Now remove the healing particles."
Sayuri snapped her fingers.
Snap!
The glowing motes drifting in the air vanished instantly.
"Good," Einzuro said. "Now, Haruto. Naoki. Your magic test will be held here."
With that, he pressed his palms to the ground.
"Stone Element: Titan Spire Magic!"
The earth rumbled violently as a massive stone tower rose beneath them, carrying the group high above the jungle canopy.
Reina yelped, stumbling and grabbing onto Einzuro for balance. Sayuri crouched low, steadying herself against the shaking floor.
"Sensei!" Reina snapped angrily. "A warning would have been nice—I nearly fell!"
Einzuro laughed as he sat down casually atop the stone.
"Hah! From here, we'll have the perfect view of the fight."
Reina trembled as she glanced down at the dizzying drop below.
"S-Sensei! Th-this high? You expect us to watch from here?!"
Sayuri frowned. "We can barely see anything but leaves from up here. What kind of ridiculous idea is this?"
Einzuro reached into his cloak and pulled out two Magical binoculars.
"Here. One for you, Sayuri. One for you, Reina."
"What about you, Lord Einzuro?" Sayuri asked.
Einzuro smirked, his eyes glinting.
"Me? I won't need them."
His eyes shifted, the calm grey now glowing with flecks of stormy blue. With a faint exertion, a veil of energy spread from his gaze, wrapping around the jungle below—visible only to him. Every detail within the barrier sharpened, from the flutter of an insect's wing to the ripple of leaves in the breeze.
"This way, I'll see everything," Einzuro said with a smug grin.
Sayuri's eyes widened.
"You'd really use that power… just for something like this?"
Einzuro only chuckled.
"For me, this is nothing more than child's play."