Kenji
"What village?" I asked, tilting my head in confusion. A village? In the middle of the forest?
Marko smirked. "The village where you were supposed to collect the meat for lunch."
"Wait—there's a village? To get the meat?" I repeated, making sure I heard right.
"Yeah," Truth confirmed. "It's about three to four hours southeast of base. That's where our food comes from."
Miss Annette set drinks in front of us. We nodded thanks as she gave a polite bow and left.
Taka muttered, clearly frustrated, "So we were just supposed to walk to a village for meat?" He rubbed his temples, then shot me a look. I quickly looked down, pretending my drink was suddenly fascinating.
"Does it really matter?" I shrugged, still dodging his stare. "Meat's meat."
Yushiro chuckled quietly. Taka glared at him, but Yushiro just sipped like nothing happened.
Truth leaned in, elbows on the table. "Alright, enough. What kind of beast did you hunt?"
"A deer that controlled wind," Taka grumbled.
Truth and Marko instantly choked on their drinks—and sprayed them all over Taka, who sat directly across from them.
My poor brother just froze, soaked and speechless.
"You okay?" I asked, barely holding in a laugh.
"Perfectly fine," he deadpanned.
Truth and Marko scrambled for handkerchiefs—no clue where they pulled those out—and handed one over. Taka grabbed it without a word.
Clearing his throat, Truth asked, "Which forest did you go to?"
"The one east of base," I answered.
Marko got serious. "How did the deer look? How long were its antlers?"
"About as long as my forearm—from wrist to elbow."
Marko's eyes narrowed. "You guys took down a half-grown Wind Deer?"
"It's called a Wind Deer?" I muttered. "Fitting name."
Truth and Marko exchanged looks, then sighed.
"You forgot you're from Outskirt Island," Truth said, shaking his head.
Our home island was off the Empire's coast with a weird environmental barrier. Unlike the mainland, beasts there didn't have special powers.
"Beasts in the Empire have abilities," Truth explained. "Like your Wind Deer—it's a second-tier beast. Normally, it takes sixteen villagers to bring one down."
Taka and I exchanged looks. "Really that strong?" I asked.
Truth nodded. "And you fought a half-grown one. If it were a fully grown Elder Wind Deer? No way we'd take it down without getting hurt."
My heart raced. A beast even Truth feared? I wanted to face it again.
Yushiro asked casually, "You said beasts have ranks?"
Truth nodded. "Yeah, from first tier to seventh, then third class up to elite class."
"What's the difference?" Taka asked, arms crossed.
Truth sighed like a tired teacher. "First and second tiers? Weak, basic stuff villagers can handle. Third-tier beasts—'Lesser' or 'Territory' beasts—control areas and have stronger abilities."
He took a sip. "Fifth-tier? Serious players. They lead groups, have multiple abilities, and you'd better run if you see one. Sixth-tier? Unpredictable as hell. And seventh-tier…"
His voice dropped, deadly serious.
"Seventh-tier beasts are monsters. They can take on two fully powered sixth-tier beasts and win. If you ever meet one, don't fight. Just run. No questions."
We all nodded.
Truth leaned back. "Third-class beasts can wipe out a town. Second-class, a fortified city. First-class? Whole kingdoms. And elite class? Nobody really knows."
Silence fell as we processed it all.
Yushiro finally broke it with a smirk. "So what about dragons?"
Truth grinned. "Dragons are third-class."
I couldn't help but grin wide.
So we ride beasts that can obliterate towns? That's insane.
Later, Truth's team gathered in his room.
Blade sat with fingers tapping her arms, clearly irritated. "They barely know anything," she muttered.
Truth rested his head on Yoon's lap, relaxed. "Yeah."
Blade glared. "Why are you so chill about this?"
Truth opened one eye. "Why not?"
Blade sighed, calming down. "Other divisions already have rookie teams recognized. Divisions 2, 3, and 6. We need to catch up before the Rookie Tournament."
Marko asked, cautious, "Why rush?"
Blade's gaze sharpened. "Because those rookies have already done major things. I expected—no, hoped—our rookies would be just as strong."
Truth and Marko exchanged looks.
"What did they do?" Marko pressed.
Blade crossed her arms. "Division 3's Team 9 wiped out a horde of Mad Apes and named Natasha Aurora leader. Division 2's Team 12 chased off an Earth Dragon with Saber as leader. Division 6's Team 3 took down three bandit hideouts, led by Vladimir Phoenix."
Silence hit the room.
Yoon stammered, "Wait, Vladimir Phoenix and Saber? The Ice Prince and The Transcendent?"
Marko paled. "Division 3 has Natasha Aurora and Victoria Tiger. Division 2 has Saber and Central Tower prodigies. Division 6 has Vladimir, Michael, and Amelia Twilight…" His voice faded. "That's insane."
Blade stood. "Come, Yoon."
Marko scrambled, "Blade—can I come—?"
"No." Ice cold.
Marko dropped to his knees. Truth watched, sipping with pity. Yoon kissed Truth's forehead before leaving.
Truth sighed, eyes on the ceiling. "Yeah, those kids are strong. But the other rookies? They're monsters."