Supreme Hunter of Beautiful Souls

Kael's days at Azalith Academy passed in an unexpected way. Instead of attending the regular first-year classes, he found himself walking through the upper corridors — where only senior students studied. The special permission granted directly by the Headmaster drew curious and even disdainful glances from some older students, but Kael ignored all of it. He had expected this kind of reception.

The classroom was spacious, with a large mana globe in the center projecting three-dimensional images of the continent. The walls were covered with diagrams detailing subterranean ecosystems and the monsters that inhabited them. Above, glowing runes shimmered, indicating that the room was infused with enchantments for practical simulations.

And at the center of it all, standing before the floating map, was the instructor.

Ericka Valentim.

Kael had known this moment would come, but even so, he felt a faint discomfort in his chest. Adalric had recommended that he deliver a letter to this woman, claiming she would be the best mentor he could have. However, her reaction upon receiving the letter had been far from what he expected. Instead of offering special training, Kael now found himself just another student in her class — without any privileges or special attention. To make it worse, Ericka hadn't even looked surprised to see him there.

"Take your seats." Her voice cut through the silence like a cold blade.

Everyone obeyed immediately. Kael found a seat near the back, remaining alert.

The magical projection at the center of the room rotated and revealed images of vast caverns, natural stone corridors, and glowing crystalline formations. However, what truly stood out were the creatures inhabiting those environments — deformed monsters, colossal beasts, and beings that seemed to defy the very logic of nature.

"Subterranean dungeons exist all across the continent," Ericka began, her tone neutral but firm. "They are not just natural formations. They're the result of mana's dense influence on the environment. The higher the mana concentration, the higher the chance of mutations and the emergence of lifeforms that should not exist."

With a subtle gesture, she changed the image. Now they could see a group of adventurers fighting something deep below the surface.

"These creatures don't stay trapped forever. Some of them escape. And when that happens, entire cities can be wiped out before anyone can react."

Her tone was serious — almost threatening. Kael watched intently. He had heard about dungeons before, but he had never received such a detailed explanation.

Ericka then crossed her arms and looked directly at Kael.

"Mr. Scarlet." The silence in the room grew heavy. The older students turned to look, curious.

Kael kept a neutral expression. 'This damn woman.'

"Yes, Professor?" he replied, trying to remain calm — though in his mind, he was already planning a hundred ways to assassinate her without anyone ever finding out. As if it wasn't enough that she had ignored the recommendation letter — what was coming now?

"You were admitted into this class by the Headmaster's recommendation. So prove that you deserve to be here." She pointed to the projection of a dark rift pulsing with a crimson aura. "Tell me, what is the most dangerous trait of an unstable subterranean dungeon?"

Kael pondered for a moment. He knew Ericka wasn't looking for an obvious answer.

"Unpredictability," he finally replied. "No unstable dungeon follows a fixed pattern. Its structure can shift, monsters can appear without warning, and the laws of physics may be altered by the concentrated mana. The greatest threat isn't what's inside… it's the fact that you can't predict what's going to happen."

Silence lingered for a few seconds.

To his surprise, Ericka gave a slight nod. "Acceptable answer."

'Bitch.' Kael relaxed just a little.

Ericka turned back to the projection and continued the lecture.

"Unstable dungeons are classified by risk level. Some are so ancient they've become living labyrinths. Others are newly formed, but extremely volatile. The most recent rift detected opened to the north of Caelum less than twenty-four hours ago. Records indicate that the energy it emits doesn't fit into any known category."

Kael felt a strange chill as he looked at the image of that new rift. Something about it felt... different.

"If the readings continue to rise, a reconnaissance team will be sent soon," Ericka said, pausing to cast an evaluating glance at the class. "Some of you may have the chance to see it with your own eyes."

Ericka slowly walked to the side of the room, gesturing for the magical globe to spin once more. The image of the dark rift was replaced by an animated simulation of the world's depths — geological layers, energy flows, and mana lines twisting like glowing rivers.

"There's something many scholars still debate, but among true experts, it's already considered near-consensus." She turned sideways, gazing at the students seriously. "The core of our world… is not just molten rock, as many simplified geography books suggest. It is composed, for the most part, of condensed mana in its purest form."

There was a faint murmur in the room, but no one dared interrupt.

"This 'primordial mana' emits energy that sustains the entire planet. However," — she moved her fingers, and cracks began to appear in the 3D simulation of the Earth's crust — "sometimes, the internal pressure creates fractures that reach the surface, creating mana leakage zones."

The image then showed those cracks releasing dark blue streams that spread underground like living veins.

"These leakage zones are responsible for the so-called mana anomalies — regions where natural laws become inconsistent, where monsters are born out of nowhere, or ordinary creatures transform into horrors." Ericka zoomed in on one of the regions in the projection, revealing a subterranean forest where the tree branches looked like crystal, and the animals had multiple eyes and limbs.

"Put simply, it's as if reality itself twists in those places." She turned back to the students. "These anomalies are unstable, dangerous, and worst of all, unpredictable. One can appear in a common cave overnight. Some vanish within hours. Others remain active for decades."

Kael found his eyes locked onto the living simulation. This wasn't just academic knowledge. It was real. The kind of thing that could change the world — or destroy it.

"And this is where the true danger lies," Ericka said, pointing once more to the projection. "When one of these anomalies is near the surface… the risk isn't just for the adventurers who dare to explore it. It's for villages. For cities. For entire empires. Uncontrolled mana leakage can poison rivers, kill forests, or turn animals into rabid beasts. It's like an invisible plague."

She stepped forward, locking eyes with each student, her gaze burning with intensity.

"And now I want you to imagine this: what if a rift leading directly to the core opened by accident? What if pure mana began to leak constantly, without control?"

Silence spread through the room like a shadow.

"It wouldn't be the end of the world," Ericka said calmly. "But it would be the birth of an entirely different one. A world where humans would no longer be the dominant species. Where monsters would no longer need to hide — because they would be the new normal."

Kael clenched his fists. It sounded like a legend… but he knew there was truth in that tone of voice. Ericka wasn't the type to dramatize without reason.

"That's why research into subterranean dungeons is vital," she concluded. "Not for exploration. Not for profit. But to contain what they hold… and what they might become."

She returned to the magical globe, and the image slowly faded.

"Next week's assessment: in groups of three, I want a simulation of a Class-3 anomaly containment in an urban environment." She paused. "And yes, that includes you, Kael Scarlet. I expect your talents to match the recommendation that brought you here."

Kael didn't answer. He simply stared at her for a moment, eyes narrowed.

"I'll shut you up with results."

He stood, determined. If Ericka Valentim wanted to test him, he would make her swallow every shred of doubt about his abilities. But the moment he turned to leave, his path was blocked.

Standing before him was a woman he'd hoped not to deal with so soon.

Stella Xerath.

Her title echoed in his mind like an irritating reminder.

"The Sword Demon."

Her golden eyes locked onto his with searing intensity, burning with competitive fire. Her stance was solid, and one hand rested on the hilt of her sword — that alone said everything.

"Let's fight."

The declaration was blunt, laced with demand. It wasn't a request.

Kael remained expressionless, but inside, an annoying thought surfaced.

Was she jealous?

"I refuse to accept that my master spent two whole hours asking questions only to you." Her voice carried frustration. "If you're here, prove you deserve it."

Kael sighed, rubbing his temple.

"Find another punching bag," he replied, bored. "I just came to attend class."

He tried to move past her, but before he could take another step, he felt her hand grip his shoulder firmly.

"We fight. Now."

There was something different in her tone this time — urgency. Something beyond pride flashed in her gaze. But Kael didn't have time for this nonsense.

His cold eyes slid to hers, and his voice came out like a blade slicing through the air:

"Shut your mouth."

Stella flinched.

For a brief moment, she felt something she never had before.

The last time they met, the System had warned Kael to run from her. But now…

Something had changed.

"Sword Demon or not, you're nothing but an arrogant girl."

Kael's aura manifested like silent thunder — an invisible roar that pressed down on the air.[Beast Monarch].

The title awakened, and with it, a crushing weight fell upon Stella.

Her breath shortened. Her body refused to move. A primal, instinctive sensation took over her mind — something no battle, no training had ever made her feel.

Fear.

Kael turned fully toward her, his eyes radiating raw authority.

"Know your place."

The ground beneath her feet felt like it was sinking. Every muscle, every fiber of her being screamed at her to obey.

Kael took a single step forward, dispelling the aura, and without looking back, he finished:

"I don't have time for childish jealousy."

He walked away, leaving Stella standing there, frozen, her heart pounding wildly.

She couldn't understand.

She was Stella Xerath.

She was the Sword Demon.

Then why…why did she feel like she should kneel?