The mountains grew taller as the group continued their journey.
Cold winds moved through the rocky paths, and thick clouds covered the sky. The road was dangerous, narrow, and surrounded by deep cliffs on both sides.
Ren rode silently behind Captain Kael and the other hunters.
After the battle with the Stone Demon the previous night, none of them doubted his strength anymore. But the strange power he used still made them uneasy.
As the sun slowly rose, the mountain fog began to clear.
Then Ren saw it.
A massive fortress stood at the top of the mountain.
High stone walls surrounded the structure, and several watchtowers overlooked the entire valley below. Large iron gates protected the entrance, and guards wearing dark armor stood on the walls.
Ren narrowed his eyes.
"That's the academy?"
Kael nodded.
"The Demon Hunter Academy."
Lyra added from behind them, "Every hunter in the world passes through this place."
As they approached the gate, several guards immediately recognized Kael.
One of them stepped forward.
"Captain Kael. You returned earlier than expected."
Kael dismounted his horse.
"Emergency situation."
The guard noticed Ren.
"New recruit?"
Kael answered calmly.
"Something like that."
The guard opened the massive iron gate.
The group entered the academy.
Inside, Ren immediately noticed how large the place was.
Multiple training fields spread across the grounds. Dozens of young fighters practiced sword techniques, combat movements, and energy control.
The sounds of clashing weapons echoed everywhere.
Some students were sparring in combat arenas.
Others trained with instructors.
Ren looked around carefully.
These people were strong.
Much stronger than normal humans.
One student suddenly stopped his training and pointed toward Ren.
"Who's that?"
Another student looked at him.
"New guy, probably."
But something about Ren's presence caught their attention.
The way he walked.
The way he looked at everything calmly.
Like a predator observing its surroundings.
Kael led Ren toward the main building.
"This is where new students are tested."
They entered a large stone hall.
Several instructors stood inside, watching new recruits demonstrate their abilities.
At the center of the hall was a strange crystal device placed on a metal platform.
Lyra explained quietly.
"That's the energy measurement crystal."
Ren looked at it.
"What does it do?"
"It measures combat energy and determines your ranking."
A tall instructor approached them.
His face looked strict, and a large scar ran across his cheek.
"Captain Kael."
Kael nodded.
"Instructor Varis."
Varis looked at Ren.
"This is the new recruit?"
"Yes."
Varis studied Ren for a moment.
"He looks too calm."
Kael replied, "He killed a Stone Demon on the way here."
The instructor's expression changed slightly.
"That's unusual."
Several nearby students started paying attention.
One of them whispered to his friend.
"A Stone Demon? That's impossible."
Varis pointed toward the crystal device.
"Step forward."
Ren walked toward the platform.
The crystal stood about the size of a human torso and emitted a faint blue glow.
Varis spoke in a firm voice.
"Place your hand on the crystal and release your energy."
Ren raised his hand slowly.
For a moment, the entire hall became quiet.
Many students were watching now.
Ren placed his hand on the crystal.
Nothing happened at first.
Varis frowned.
"Focus your power."
Ren closed his eyes.
He remembered the shadow energy from the previous fights.
The darkness inside him responded immediately.
Suddenly—
The crystal began shaking.
Cracks spread across its surface.
Several instructors stepped back in shock.
"What is happening?"
The blue light turned dark purple.
Then—
CRACK.
The crystal exploded into pieces.
Silence filled the hall.
Everyone stared at Ren.
Even Instructor Varis looked stunned.
One student whispered nervously.
"He destroyed the measurement crystal…"
Another student said quietly, "That's never happened before."
Varis slowly walked closer to Ren.
"What kind of power did you release?"
Ren opened his eyes.
"The same power I used to kill the demon."
Kael stepped forward.
"Shadow energy."
The room instantly became tense.
Some of the instructors exchanged serious looks.
Varis folded his arms.
"Shadow energy…"
One of the students suddenly laughed loudly.
"Well that's interesting."
Everyone turned toward the voice.
A tall boy with bright red hair walked forward from the crowd.
His expression was confident and arrogant.
Several students stepped aside to let him pass.
Lyra whispered quietly to Ren.
"That's Leon Varkas."
"The strongest first-year student."
Leon stopped a few meters away from Ren.
"So you're the new guy who broke the crystal."
Ren looked at him calmly.
Leon smirked.
"People here only respect strength."
He pointed toward the training arena outside.
"Let's see if you actually deserve to be here."
The surrounding students became excited immediately.
"A fight?"
"Leon is challenging him."
Instructor Varis watched silently.
Kael looked at Ren.
"You don't have to accept."
Ren looked toward the arena.
Then he started walking.
"I'll fight."
Leon smiled widely.
"Good."
The students quickly gathered around the arena.
This would be Ren's first battle inside the academy.
But far above the academy, hidden among the dark clouds—
A pair of glowing red eyes watched everything.
A deep voice echoed in the shadows.
"So he finally arrived."
The Demon King's voice carried a faint amusement.
"Let's see how long the child of shadows survives in that place."
And below, in the academy arena—
Ren Akatsuki stepped onto the battlefield.
His first real fight was about to begin.