Everywhere was blank, like a white void of nothingness, and I was floating. I didn't have any clothes on, and I couldn't move my body. Slowly, I felt my fingers twitch, then my legs, until finally I could walk — even though there was nothing beneath me.
Out of the void emerged the Alpha Hound and the Bull I killed back then. I froze, staring at them. Guilt stabbed at me, but strangely, I could feel no grudge from them. It was like they were… happy.
Happy to be free.
They turned their backs to me, and I somehow understood — what I did released them from a cursed existence. Tears welled in my eyes. "Thank you," I whispered, before waking up. It was just a dream… but a real one.
Today was the day. The competition.
At 8 o'clock, we gathered at the school. The teachers announced: only D-Rank students could qualify. Gasps spread through the crowd. Many hadn't taken this seriously, but it was true — to get into the best academy, you had to be strong. The weak would never be accepted.
Even so, about 229 students remained. The teachers were shocked at the number, but many whispered that it was because of Renji and Denji — they inspired others to push harder.
The bus arrived. A female teacher led us this time; Mr. Ain was nowhere to be found. Renji noticed Dudu and his gang — to his surprise, they had made it this far.
As he walked toward the bus, he felt someone's presence behind him. A hand clapped his shoulder.
"Yo, what's good bro?"
Renji turned. Rex.
"It's been a while. You actually made it to D-Rank, huh?" Renji asked.
"Yep. And… I never really thanked you for saving me."
"Don't mention it."
Renji activated Heavenly Eyes, scanning him. Mole Beast Type. But the system still wouldn't show rank or skills. He sighed.
"You okay?" Rex asked.
"Yeah. Just nervous."
Rex laughed, almost loud enough to draw attention. "You? Nervous? Bro, you're the Alpha Killer — the Mantis King Slaughterer! There's no way you don't make Top 5."
Renji smiled faintly. "Thanks."
The bus rolled toward the arena, and from miles away they saw its massive silhouette.
And then, they saw them.
The qualifiers from Libra Academy.
At the front stood a Gold (S-Rank) Lady. Up until now, only A-Rank professors had come — clearly, this was because of Denji.
Renji frowned. "I wonder if Denji could even stand against her…"
Rex's eyes went wide. "Bro, you don't know who that is?"
Renji shook his head.
"They call her the Fire Demon. She could burn this whole village if she wanted."
Renji activated Heavenly Eyes. Aria Vulcanis. Beast Type: Fire Nine-Tailed Fox. Unlike anything he'd ever seen — far beyond ordinary beastlines. She stood tall on a pillar, red hair flowing, red eyes burning, her aura overflowing like an inferno disguised in human form.
Beside her was a man in his forties, hair unkempt, beard wild, eyes heavy as though he hadn't slept. Renji scanned him: Boros Kael. Beast Type: Ox. Again the system didn't display abilities or rank revealed.
Rex leaned in. "That's the Ox Demon. An A-Rank Gold. He hunts criminals — never spares them. They say his ability is gravity."
"Gravity, huh…" Renji muttered. "No wonder they only sent two."
Aria's voice echoed across the arena:
"Your lives are important. Don't do anything reckless. But… fight with everything you have."
Two hours later, they stood in new uniforms, tight but reinforced — designed to reduce injuries in combat.
The arena roared with thousands of voices. Twelve towering pillars marked the battlegrounds.
Aria raised her hand.
"The first test will measure your strength."
Twelve massive dummies appeared across the arena.
"Use anything you have — weapons, technique, essence. But no drugs. To qualify, your strike must exceed 500 marks."
Renji's heartbeat quickened. The moment had finally come.