The first test was over, and everyone in the academy now had an idea that Kamish was on good terms with the genius, Lily.
The next day, after the first test, the academy announced the arrival of a transfer student.
Some students began gossiping that he was a disciple of the legendary S-rank hunter — one who had been S-rank since the very beginning of the dungeon era.
Zhyrax Academy couldn't refuse Hajin, the legendary S-rank hunter, because he came in person to enroll his student. The academy couldn't turn away a student trained by Hajin himself.
Due to Hajin's request, the transfer student, Ken, was allowed to take part in the second individual competition.
The teachers decided the match groups carefully so that Kamish and Ken wouldn't face each other before the finals — ensuring that one of them could at least bring the academy the championship title.
After two days, the second competition began.
The first match was Kamish versus Addi.
Addi knew he was going to lose, but he didn't give up. Kamish was not fully recovered, so he couldn't even use the Third Form of Butterfly yet.
Still, he knew he could win this match without it — unless Addi showed him something new.
Kamish blocked all of Addi's attacks instead of dodging them, so that Addi wouldn't feel disheartened by the huge gap in their strength.
But after several exchanges, Kamish finally used the First Form of Butterfly, injuring Addi.
Addi immediately stood up and attacked again using his Intermediate Swordsmanship.
Kamish was slightly surprised.
"You think I was picking grass while you were training?" Addi smirked.
Kamish realized this wouldn't end with just the first form, so he used the Second Form of Butterfly, shifting to Addi's side to avoid seriously injuring him.
Addi had already proven his growth. He managed to draw multiple attacks from Kamish before finally conceding defeat.
The first match was over.
The second match's winner was Ken.
The third and fourth matches also concluded, leaving four contestants standing.
Kamish's next opponent was his second friend, Jin.
Jin was no simple opponent like Addi — he possessed a secret family technique he hadn't yet revealed in any match.
He had told Kamish about it before, but not in full detail, and Kamish was curious to see it in action.
The fight began. Jin used his Intermediate Swordsmanship, just like Kamish.
However, Kamish's mana was far greater, especially after the first test, where he had managed to boost it significantly.
Even without mana, Kamish's swordsmanship alone was strong enough to defeat a second-year or even a beginner third-year student.
After some time, Jin realized he was being pushed back.
He decided it was time to use his family's secret technique.
His grandfather had been a legendary A-rank poison master.
Jin used an illusion and sleeping poison, which was allowed in the competition since it wasn't lethal.
Kamish's vision blurred. He started seeing fragments of his past — his father leaving for the frontlines and never returning.
But Kamish didn't rely on sight for his swordsmanship. In his past life, he had mastered swordsmanship with his eyes closed, never missing a stance. He called it Instinct — the ability to sense anything within ten meters and automatically react to attacks.
Bringing back that level of power was nearly impossible now, as he was only at about thirty percent of his former strength.
Still, he tried to awaken a fragment of that instinct. His body began to react on its own, deflecting Jin's strikes even while blinded.
Jin was shocked.
"How can he block my attacks when he can't even see?"
But Jin didn't know that Kamish had the Wind Element.
Kamish unleashed Wyld Fangs, a technique like a small tornado. Since Jin hadn't completely mastered his poison technique, all the poison vaporized instantly. The air cleared.
Jin knew he had lost. His secret technique had been easily defeated.
Kamish said calmly,
"Your technique was good, but you don't have full mastery over it yet."
Kamish advanced to the final. His slot for the championship was confirmed, but the last match was still ahead — because Ken had already defeated his opponent.
The two finalists were Kamish and Ken. Everyone knew the fight would be intense.
The final match was set to begin in two hours.
Kamish prepared himself. He drank a mana potion to replenish his energy and stepped into the arena in perfect condition.
The stands were filled with famous personalities. Even Hajin had come to watch his disciple's fight.
Ken also had something to prove.
The match began. Both started with Intermediate Swordsmanship, exchanging fast, powerful strikes.
But after some time, Ken's movements began to change — his swordsmanship was evolving.
He started switching from Intermediate to Advanced Swordsmanship.
Kamish realized that his intermediate form was no longer enough. The match now depended entirely on his hidden technique.
He began setting up the platform for the Butterfly Sword Technique, using the First Form to counter Ken's advanced movements.
But Ken, too, had a secret technique taught by Hajin.
Both fighters knew this wasn't about basic swordsmanship anymore — it was a test of skill and mastery.
Ken unleashed his move.
"Seven Finger Centipede — First Form!"
Kamish countered with the Second Form of Butterfly.
Both attacks collided, and the aftermath injured them both.
Ken realized that if he used one more move, he could finish it.
He combined the First Form of Seven Finger Centipede with his Fire Spell, creating the Seven Finger Fire Centipede, and attacked.
The attack could have easily killed a B-rank monster.
Kamish, however, was prepared. He gathered his strength and activated the Third Form of Butterfly, blocking the strike.
The impact injured both fighters once again.
But this time, Ken's mana was nearly depleted, while Kamish still had enough left — thanks to the mana growth granted by the mysterious book sent by the dean.
Kamish felt anger rising inside him. He sensed a trace of killing intent in Ken's last attack.
Now fully serious, Kamish prepared his ultimate move — the Moon Sword.
He knew it would be his last strike, but he was confident it would end the match.
Ken braced himself, ready to block, but before Kamish could release the attack, Hajin and the Vice Principal intervened, stopping the fight.
The match was declared over. Kamish was announced as the winner.
Hajin knew, from the pressure of Kamish's mana, that Ken had nothing left to withstand that final attack. If it had landed, Ken could have been severely injured — and he was needed for the upcoming championship. Thus, the vice principal stepped in.
Kamish received a Space Ring as a reward — the most expensive item in the world, something only an S-rank blacksmith could forge.
All the guild masters and S-rankers watching smiled.
"Another lion has been born to conquer the jungle," one of them said. "Let's see which region he chooses."
(They were referring to which guild Kamish might join in the future.)
Both Kamish and Ken returned to their dorms.
Ken was frustrated. Hajin visited him, and Ken immediately apologized.
"I'm sorry, Master. I embarrassed you in the arena."
Hajin shook his head.
"Winning and losing are part of life. Accept that. He's stronger now, but remember — even among S-rankers, there are those stronger than me. Learn from them. Train harder. Compete — not out of pride, but to grow."
Ken nodded, realizing his mistake.
Later, he went to the training center, where he found Lily practicing her swordsmanship.
He asked, "What do you think about Kamish?"
Lily smiled slightly.
"He's strong in one-on-one battles, but not when it comes to magic. Still, he's improving fast. Maybe he'll surprise us in the championship."
"I'm training my swordsmanship," she added, "so there's no room for the enemy to attack."
Kamish, meanwhile, was satisfied with his victory.
The dean approached him and said, "Don't be too happy just yet. The championship is in a month. Start preparing."
Kamish nodded. He had a Fire Element Core now.
What would he do with it?
How powerful would his weapon become once it was fused?
Want to know? Read the next chapter of Hunter from Murim World!