On the day of the tournament, Lusian did not descend from a carriage like most nobles. He rode Thunder, his majestic magical beast with white fur streaked with silver. At his side trotted Umber, the black wolf that never left him. Their entrance was so imposing that the chatter paused for a moment. All eyes fixed on him, whispers rippling through the crowd; it was unusual to see someone so young riding a mythical creature with such confidence.
The Cymopelia Forest stretched north of the Acropolis like a shroud of mist and twisted branches. Along its edges rose pavilions and tents bearing the banners of noble houses. It was a grand event: the royal hunting tournament, held annually by King Philip. For five days, participants would enter the forest to hunt wild creatures and magical beasts. Whoever collected the most high-class mana cores would earn prestige and glory for their house.
Nobles from every rank had gathered: from representatives of the thirteen most powerful families in the kingdom to minor barons and knights. The air was thick with tension, pride, and ambition.
As Lusian made his way toward the section assigned to House Douglas, he noticed the other participants stepping aside. Some bowed their heads; others watched him with a mix of respect and envy. Conversations dwindled to whispers. His black armor, elegantly designed with golden trim, reflected the morning sunlight. It was a mythical-level magical artifact, a family relic only direct heirs could wield. Owning one at that level was a privilege few could claim, and for Lusian, it was more than a symbol of power—it was a burden. The attention it drew made him deeply uncomfortable.
In the distance, among the ranks of knights and nobles, he spotted his father, Duke Laurence Douglas, conversing with King Philip and other dukes. Beside him stood Caleb, his older brother, clad in blue armor adorned with the family crest. Both noticed Lusian's arrival.
Laurence barely furrowed his brow. Though his expression remained serene, the stiffness of his posture betrayed displeasure. Caleb, on the other hand, watched with a cold, almost mocking smile."You make quite the spectacle, as always," Caleb said when Lusian drew near."And you, as always, hiding behind words," Lusian replied without looking at him.
The atmosphere grew tense. Even the knights accompanying the brothers exchanged uneasy glances. Laurence intervened firmly:"That's enough. We are in the presence of royalty," he said, fixing his gaze on Lusian. "We are not here to argue, but to demonstrate the strength of our house."
Lusian inclined his head slightly, more out of formality than respect. He knew his relationship with his father was a facade maintained solely for political convenience. Laurence had never truly considered him his son, and Caleb never hid his resentment. Deep down, Lusian suspected both saw him as a nuisance, overly protected by Sofía.
Still, the contrast among the three was evident. Laurence projected authority and nobility; Caleb, arrogance and control; Lusian, a cold and serene presence that commanded respect without raising his voice.
When Sofía appeared in the spectators' area, all attention turned to her. The Duchess Douglas was impossible to ignore: elegant, proud, accompanied by her magical lion, a colossal creature whose roar silenced any conversation. Her gaze met Lusian's, and he perceived a faint trace of pride on her face.
The sound of golden trumpets marked the beginning of the ceremony. King Philip ascended the dais, accompanied by Prince Andrew Erkhan, the royal family's representative. Behind them stood the representatives of the most influential houses: Dukes Bourlande and Sneider, and Counts Armett, Kessler, Macllister, Stanley, Briggs, Mondring, Denisse, Carter, and Brown.
The air vibrated with expectation. Every noble, every warrior, every magical beast seemed to hold its breath before the forest gates opened and the hunt began. Lusian inhaled deeply, aware that the tournament would be more than a test of skill—it was a board where alliances, secrets, and betrayals moved under the king's watchful eye.
A chill ran down Lusian's spine as he spotted Count Denisse among the crowd. He remembered the incident with Baron Joel and how his execution had shaken the capital. Silently, he wondered what face the count hid behind that mask of courtesy.
As the king delivered his opening speech, Lusian turned his gaze toward the Cymopelia Forest. A cold breeze brushed his face. That place, shrouded in mist and twisted trees, was not just a hunting ground—it was the beginning of something far darker. He knew it. In the game, this tournament had marked the first tragedy: Prince Andrew's assassination and the fall of the Erkhan kingdom.
Lusian's heart began to pound beneath his armor. He did not know if fate would follow the same course, but one thing was certain: this time, he would not be a mere spectator.
After the nobles' formal greetings, the king's spokesperson stepped onto the central stage. His voice rang clearly above the expectant murmurs of the crowd.
"By order of His Majesty, the royal hunting tournament begins," he announced. "Listen carefully to the event's rules, for compliance will be rigorously monitored."
A solemn silence fell over the assembly.
"First," he continued, "the tournament will last five days. At sunset on the fifth day, it will conclude. Anyone not returned by that time will be disqualified, without exception."
Uneasy glances were exchanged. The Cymopelia Forest was no friendly place for those who got lost in its fog.
"Second, all participants must use the spatial storage device provided by the royal family. No other artifacts are permitted. Prey must bear proof of being hunted within the valid period. Count Macllister, in collaboration with a spatial mage, will personally oversee the verification of collected specimens."
"Third, the scoring system awards points based on the class of enemies hunted."
The spokesperson raised a scroll and read solemnly:
Monster ClassesA: 1000 pointsB: 500 pointsC: 200 pointsD: 50 pointsE: 20 pointsF: 10 points
Magical Beast ClassesOmega: 5000 pointsEpsilon: 2000 pointsDelta: 1000 pointsGamma: 500 pointsBeta: 200 pointsAlpha: 100 points
Lusian absorbed every word. In this world, creatures fell into two main categories:
Monsters were wild beings, born from the excess mana of nature. Dangerous, yes, but limited in power and unstable in energy.Magical beasts, however, were sentient creatures, endowed with pure mana cores and complex magical structures. Some could even understand human language and bond with warriors. For that reason, hunting a magical beast granted far more prestige—and mana—than defeating a mere monster.
"Finally, combat between participants is strictly forbidden. This is a hunting tournament, not a war between houses," the spokesperson concluded.
A wave of murmurs swept through the nobles, blending excitement and nervousness. Lusian remained silent, observing his surroundings. He knew that beyond the prizes and prestige, it was the mana that truly drove the families, and that every move in the forest could shift not only a house's position but that of the entire kingdom.
In this world, personal growth did not depend solely on training or rituals, but on consumption. Forest creatures and plants absorbed mana from their environment, and by consuming their flesh or essence, hunters could strengthen their bodies and expand their magical cores. The higher the level of the prey, the greater the benefit. For this reason, hunting tournaments were not just competitions—they were battles for power, evolution, and survival.
Suddenly, through the forest mist and the murmurs of participants, a familiar figure appeared in the distance: Emily. She walked with steady steps, her light armor gleaming in the morning sun. Her presence, though elegant, carried a determined air. As she approached, she bowed slightly before looking up and smiling timidly.
"You're participating too?" Lusian asked, surprised to see her there.
"Yes," she replied with a faint smile. "Better to be active in the event than remain in the camp. Lately… no one seems to want my company."
Lusian noticed the discomfort in her tone. He didn't need to ask to understand. Since the incident with Baron Joel, Emily had become an awkward subject among the noble families. Many avoided her, afraid of offending the Douglases or becoming involved with someone linked to such a public execution. Her engagement to Lusian made her even more inaccessible to the young nobles, who looked at her with suspicion or envy.
"So you'd rather hunt monsters than endure their stares," Lusian said with an understanding smile.
Emily nodded, slightly embarrassed. "I suppose so. At least in the forest, I don't have to worry about what they're whispering about me."
"Be careful, and stay with your group," Lusian warned protectively.
Emily looked at him, surprised by his concern. "You care about me, Lord Lusian?"
"Just call me Lusian," he said with a genuine smile. "And yes… I do care about you."
Emily lowered her gaze, blushing. "Thank you, Lusian. I promise to be careful. You take care too, okay?"
Lusian nodded before mounting his steed. She watched him leave, feeling for the first time in days that someone saw her beyond the rumors and fear.
After parting ways with her, Lusian rode Thunder again, adjusting the reins. Umber walked beside him, sniffing the damp forest air. He joined his group, led by Albert, an experienced magister with a calm gaze and authoritative voice.
The group consisted of sixteen members:
1 Lord-Delta class: Charles Grell
4 Lord-Gamma class
3 Lord-Beta class
4 Lord-Alpha class
2 Lord class
1 Magister-Gamma: Albert (leader)
Lusian, Legionary-Delta class
Albert, mounted on a smaller winged beast, turned to them and spoke strategically:"Listen. The Cymopelia Forest is full of insect-type creatures. We'll avoid colonies and focus on individual hunts. We're after quality, not quantity. Don't waste energy on low-level prey."
The group nodded firmly. Lusian, meanwhile, discreetly activated a mental link with Umber, sending him to search for Prince Andrew. If I manage to save him, he'll owe me a favor. And that favor could change the future, Lusian thought.
Hours passed cautiously. During the first two, they hunted only small D-class monsters. It was a routine hunt, uneventful, until a tremor shook the ground.
From the swamp emerged a colossal figure: a giant scorpion with a dark carapace and eyes glowing like embers. Its stinger dripped venom, and each step made the earth vibrate.
Albert raised his hand."Everyone back! That thing is Class B!" he warned in a deep voice.
Lusian smiled faintly, a gleam of excitement and calculation in his eyes."Perfect… exactly what I needed."