As everyone began leaving the sanctuary, the Grand Sage slowly stepped toward Reishin.
His expression was calm, yet his eyes carried unmistakable curiosity.
"Thank you for your assistance, Reishin… but what brings you here?"
Reishin gave a faint smile.
"I had a mission nearby. On my way back… I came across something interesting."
The Grand Sage narrowed his eyes slightly.
"I assume you're referring to the boy from earlier… Yuma, was it?"
"Yes. But not only him."
A brief silence followed.
"Before I even intervened, those two defeated a dominant beast… with barely any mana."
A wave of murmurs spread through the sanctuary.
The disciples exchanged stunned glances.
The Grand Sage cleared his throat to regain control.
"Are you certain? Such a feat is not within the reach of just anyone."
Reishin crossed his arms.
"It was the Jade Forest King… well, his son. I only gave them a small push at the end."
The whispers grew louder.
"It seems we are dealing with true prodigies…" the Grand Sage muttered.
"Indeed. Which is why I intend to train them… and have them join my guild."
The Sage's gaze softened.
"With talent like that, it would be a waste to leave them unguided."
Reishin nodded.
"Then I'll go catch them before they disappear."
He exited the sanctuary—
Only to be immediately surrounded.
"Mr. Reishin! Can I get your autograph?!" "A photo, please!"
Fans crowded around him.
Reishin sighed internally… but smiled with practiced ease.
Through the chaos, his sharp eyes spotted Yuma and Enji in the distance.
He signed a few autographs, posed for some quick pictures—
Then a small gust of wind spiraled around him.
In the blink of an eye, he vanished.
"Whoa!" "That was amazing!" "One day I'll be able to do that too!"
Moments later—
Yuma and Enji were suddenly lifted by a swirling current of wind and set down several meters away.
"What was that?!" Yuma shouted, struggling to steady himself.
"I thought I was getting sucked into a tornado…" Enji muttered.
"My apologies. I wanted to speak somewhere quiet."
They turned sharply.
Reishin stood behind them, relaxed.
"Who are you?" Yuma asked bluntly.
Enji nearly exploded.
"Are you serious?! You don't know the great ninja hunter, as fast as the wind and as sharp as a serpent, Takamikaze Reishin?!"
"…No."
Silence.
Then Reishin burst out laughing.
"I see. Then allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Takamikaze Reishin. A Hunter."
"Sekyhiro Yuma."
"Hyōga… Enji."
"A pleasure."
Reishin's expression shifted—more serious now.
"I'll be direct. I want to make you my disciples… and have you join my guild."
The air froze.
"WHAT?!" Enji shouted.
"Your guild… the one led by the former Eternal, Viktor?!"
"An Eternal? Like the legendary group?" Yuma asked, eyes shining.
"Yes. Them."
Yuma clenched his fist.
"If it brings me closer to my dream… and lets me meet an Eternal… then I'm in."
He turned to Enji.
"What about you?"
Enji's excitement faded instantly.
His face turned pale.
"I… don't know."
Silence settled heavily between them.
"Being a Hunter… that was a childhood dream."
Reishin studied him carefully.
"Tell me… You wouldn't happen to be the young prodigy of the Hyōga family, would you?"
Enji froze for a moment.
"…I am."
Yuma blinked.
"Prodigy?"
Reishin exhaled softly.
"One year ago, for six consecutive years, a mana academy dominated the inter-magic tournaments thanks to one extraordinary student. Flawless strategy. Exceptional mana control. It was said no one in his generation could defeat him… not even some seniors."
He paused.
"Then, during the final tournament… a tragedy occurred. And he disappeared."
Yuma looked at Enji with admiration.
"Stop looking at me like that," Enji said with a forced smile. "It's ancient history. And if you had competed… I'm sure you would've been better."
"Yuma has talent," Reishin said calmly. "But so do you."
"It's all in the past."
A faint breeze passed between them.
Reishin crossed his arms.
"Very well. I'll give you one week to think it over. Give me your answer then."
"That works for me," Yuma replied immediately.
"…Me too."
Reishin turned to leave.
"Wait! Where are we supposed to meet?" Yuma asked.
A confident smile appeared on the Hunter's face.
"Finding people is one of my specialties."
A gust of wind erupted.
When Yuma and Enji uncovered their eyes—
He was gone.
"He's seriously so cool…" Yuma whispered in awe.
Enji forced a bit of energy back into his voice.
"Hey… want to come to my place? We could test our new abilities."
"Sure. We've got time anyway."
"…It's about four days on foot."
"Four days?!"
Enji smirked slightly.
"You said you wanted to get stronger, right?"
Yuma smiled back.
"Then let's move."
Unaware of what awaited them…
Their journey had just begun.
End of Chapter