One hour before Ian and the other group leaders entered the room…
As Ian stepped inside, his eyes were immediately drawn to a huge window covered by thick curtains. On the wall beside it hung a large board, engraved with the names of different monster clans.
While Ian was carefully observing the room, the instructor standing next to the board began to speak.
> "You, the chosen leaders—each of your teams will be allowed to choose one monster clan to hunt.
You may choose from among three S-rank clans, five A-rank, ten B-rank, and twelve C-rank clans.
However, the order of selection will depend on your team's overall strength.
Now then, the first group—led by Arsen Dragonia—step forward and make your choice."
Arsen Dragonia stepped ahead.
He was a young man known across the Empire as the most charming swordsman of his generation.
His silver hair reached down to his shoulders, and his piercing blue eyes—an inheritance from his father, Siegfried Dragonia—shone with confidence.
He was the kind of man who drew the gaze of both men and women alike. In every sense—appearance, skill, and presence—he was the pinnacle of the Empire's young warriors.
Even Ian could feel his power just by looking at him.
Arsen reached the board, his eyes scanning the names of the S-rank clans.
There were only three of them:
The Ice Bear Clan, The Griffins, and The Vampire Bats.
Without hesitation, Arsen raised his hand and chose The Ice Bear Clan.
Those creatures were renowned for their brutal strength, immense speed, and mastery over ice magic—rare monsters that could crush an entire squad on their own.
Once Arsen had made his choice, the instructor called again:
> "Next, the second group—led by Ian Guardians. Step forward and make your selection."
Hearing his name, Ian took a deep breath, excitement rushing through his veins.
Just like Arsen, he fixed his gaze on the S-rank section.
He had no interest in anything lower.
Extending his hand, he chose The Griffin Clan—majestic beasts feared both in the sky and on land.
After all the leaders had chosen their targets, one of them suddenly raised his hand.
> "Excuse me, Instructor… but where are we supposed to find all these monster clans to fight them?"
Ian and the other leaders shared the same question.
The instructor smiled faintly before answering:
> "We won't be bringing the monsters to you.
You'll be going to their homes… and wiping them out yourselves.
Now then—draw the curtains."
At his signal, two other instructors pulled open the thick drapes.
The view that unfolded behind the window made everyone freeze.
A vast forest stretched endlessly beyond the academy grounds, framed by five colossal mountains rising into the mist.
The instructor's tone grew heavy.
> "This… is the place you've been in all along—Hell Island.
You'll each receive a map.
Use it to locate the monster clans' territories… and destroy them."
The room fell silent.
Shock spread through the leaders' faces—none of them had realized they were already on the infamous Hell Island, one of the most forbidden and dangerous places in the entire world.
It was said that even creatures unseen by humankind roamed this cursed land.
Fear gripped many of them… but Ian's heart burned with excitement instead.
The instructor continued:
> "Stay alert on your way.
Wild beasts roam freely across the island—unlike the monsters you've fought in the caves, these ones can unleash their full power.
One careless step, and you'll be torn apart before reaching your target."
After the warning, the leaders left the room to regroup with their teams.
A full day of preparation followed, and then—the third trial began.
Ian and his team set out at dawn.
Their target, the Griffin Clan, was said to dwell high within one of the five mountain ranges.
The journey was long and perilous, filled with constant skirmishes against roaming beasts.
But after an entire day of climbing and fighting, they finally reached the peak.
What awaited them there, however, froze them in terror.
Several Griffins were gathered around the corpse of a Drake, feasting on its flesh.
Just as Ian realized how difficult this battle would be, an overwhelming presence surged from behind them.
When they turned around, their eyes widened.
A silver-feathered Griffin, larger and more majestic than all the rest, stood before them—its golden eyes burning with primal fury.
The element of surprise was gone.
They had been discovered.
Would this be the beginning of their downfall… or their rise?
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