Chapter 14

The Rupture Arena – part 1

After exiting the dimensional portal, they had traveled to a completely different area. It looked nothing like Farinmore. Vast fields of unending grassland, followed by rivers and creeks, hills and mountains, continued as far as the eye could perceive. Surrounding everyone was an immense, pellucid spherical dome that covered the whole Institution's grounds. The dome continued beyond the Institution gates and stretched toward the fringes of the pasture.

"Welcome! Welcome, everyone! Welcome to our great Hunter Institution of Farinmore..." an announcer at the podium spoke vigorously.

The announcer was a beastman of the Primate tribes, known for their brute strength and excellent physical prowess. He had fur covering most of his towering body, which was almost twice the size of a human. The size and mass overshadowed even the mustache-flaunting head instructor from the Hunter Alliance.

"Hey, why don't you go over there and call him gorilla-face, Bell?" Peter scoffed.

"My name is Ardon Silverback, a first-year professor here at our historical Institution. You are all gathered here because you qualify for the entrance examinations."

The infrequent murmuring of the large crowd, where thousands of rookie Hunters were gathered, quieted down. The words 'entrance examinations' had scratched their ears.

"Ah. I seem to have your full attention now," the professor laughed, his voice echoing throughout the open pastures outside of the Institution walls and the magical dome that encompassed them.

The weather was more forgiving here. It was neither cold nor hot and neither humid nor arid. It was, if Bellamy could describe it with his own words, the perfect weather. And that was reflected in the thriving nature, where exotic blossoms flourished, unusual birds chirped, and where the atmosphere seemed to have a calming effect on his mind.

"You are gathered here in the thousands. Unfortunately, it cannot stay that way. Most of you will be sent home. Some of you, if your skills are acknowledged, will continue down the path of a professional Hunter," the primate beastman professor breathed out. "Remember this day. Whether you pass—whether you fail—consume today's experience and continue to grow as Hunters. If you are to fail this year, fail with no regrets!"

The audience began applauding, and the professor gave way to a woman, seemingly in her early thirties. She wore a black leather outfit from top to bottom, decorated with leather harnesses with several sheathed daggers attached to them. Together with a long, draped attire, her entry seemed quite eccentric. Did she usually wear the professor's cloak that Ardon Silverback also had on, Bellamy introspected, even he wears it more naturally.

"Greetings, Hunters!" her voice was intense but calming at the same time. "I'm Miranda Long, headmistress of our beloved Hunter Institution." Heavy whispering again began spreading in the crowds as she paused.

She snapped her fingers, and the muttering sounds stopped. Silence Skill?! Silent Chanting?! She didn't even Chant the Skill she used. This woman. This principal. She was undoubtedly at the pinnacle stage of Hunters.

"Unholy Hell, she's Silent Chanting," uttered Peter in amazement in the Soul Window Party chat, as everyone's voices had been muted, "only a handful of Hunters above Level 100 can do that!"

Tisha and Bellamy were just as stunned. "And she's like… young. Too young to be so high-leveled," Peter continued. And that was also Bellamy's initial thought.

"I'll be brief. To conserve your energy—your mana—for what is to come. The portal in which you have arrived has been modified. Upon entering, you will be transported to The Arenas."

Most Hunters were now busy chatting with their friends and acquaintances in the Party chat since the silencing Skill was still in effect.

"You are probably wondering what The Arenas refer to," she carried on, "The Arenas is where you will be evaluated—not only in your individual performances. But in the performances as a team. Or as in our lingo, as a Party."

"Wow! This is so exciting! And totally different from the Hunter Alliance exams!" Peter excitedly expressed.

Tisha was clutching her hands, and before Bellamy was cognizant, he noticed that he was doing the same.

The headmistress continued. "Everyone above Level 20 can only join The Titan Arena. Everyone between Level 11 and 20 will join The Nighthawk Arena. And lastly, everyone at Level 10 or below will join The Rupture Arena."

The portal they arrived in suddenly split into three smaller portals, each portal still considerably sizeable.

"What you need to know," everyone's attention returned to the headmistress, "is that a Party cannot be smaller than 3 members and cannot exceed 8 members. Everything else will be known to you later… The time limit to gather members is 60 seconds."

Everyone's faces hinted at the emotion of panic or anxiety. "Now, what are you waiting for? The clock is ticking…"

At the realization of the headmistress' words, the crowds began moving in flocks. Some Parties were already formed and only needed a few extra members. Other smaller Parties sought to merge.

A notification in the Soul Window informed Bellamy that he had received a Party invitation from Mina. He quickly accepted the invitation and asked for Party Leadership. With no questions asked, Mina transferred her Leadership, and Bellamy promptly invited Tisha and Peter to the Party.

He should be here too...

[The Hunter you invited is already in another Party.]

Oh, well. I tried.

The 60-second countdown continued, and once it reached zero, a few straggling Hunters had yet to form a Party.

"Alas, you will not be granted the privilege to attempt the entrance examination this year."

Everyone's mouths gaped in shock at the headmistress' words. They were not used to such strict and decisive decisions.

"As Hunters, those who wish to attend Thrae's number one Hunter academy must give way to stern decision-making and the talents that accompany them. The average lifespan of a Hunter is short... And a monster invasion is upon our lands. Who knows how much time we'll be given. This is the reality of our world... And the reality of our Institution. We only pick the most excellent Hunters—qualified Hunters."

The silencing Skill was no longer active, but the crowd had remained silent. Most people showed pity or sympathy toward the few that did not make the cut, while others stared mockingly at them.

[You have entered The Rupture Arena with your Party.]

[The entrance examination will begin shortly...]

System notifications? The academy can use the Soul Window as a medium?

"Ah! The headmistress is above Level 100 and has probably attained Soul Window Lv10. One of the known perks of Soul Window Lv10 is that you can manipulate the System itself... to a certain degree," a quickwitted Loretta explained and soothed the Party's shock.

[The Rupture Arena will be active in 10 minutes.]

[There are currently 1788 participants present in The Rupture Arena.]

[There are currently 319 Hunter Parties in The Rupture Arena.]

[If you leave your Party, you are automatically disqualified.]

[When the Hunter count is reduced to 800 participants, the second stage of the examination will commence.]

"Guys. Any ideas?" Peter asked worriedly.

"Let's introduce ourselves first. This is Peter and Tisha."

...

[The Rupture Arena will be active in 7 minutes.]

"Alright. Who will function best as Party Leader? Anyone up for the ta–"

"But you should be the Party Leader," Frederick interrupted, "you were so awesome in the monster Dungeon."

"Tisha, what Level were you at again?" Bellamy inquired.

"I just reached Level 8."

"Peter?"

"I reached Level 10, baby!" a winky-faced smug-looking Peter announced, "I also bought a Class Change scroll, so now I'm broke."

If Loretta had known Frederick for an extensive period of time, she would probably have punched him in the face by now, Bellamy imagined.

"Class Change? What Beginner Class did you get?"

"Alright, bud. Don't be shocked now. I got the..." he paused, and a tension-filled air unfolded.

"The Shield Warrior Class, right?"

"What?! How did you know? Hey Tisha, you spoiled my surprise!"

"She didn't tell me anything, fool. It was too obvious..."

Mina stepped forward. "I think it's best if a ranged Hunter has the Party Leader role under these circumstances. We don't know what we're up against yet...Tisha, you have healing Skills, right?"

[The Rupture Arena will commence in 6 minutes.]

[System warning! If you drop below 30% of your maximum Health points, you will automatically be forced out of the Arena.]

It was a safety measure incorporated by the academy. Any academy's goal was never to harm Hunters but to raise them into professional Hunters. Bellamy knew that Loretta was well informed on such matters. She was pretty much a walking encyclopedia when it came to famous Hunters. That was how Loretta knew that the headmistress was the one manipulating the System.

The Party decided to form around Tisha. She had spent a considerable amount of stat points on Stamina and had over 600 Health points. The plan was to protect her rear with Mina, while Loretta and Frederick would take each flank. Frederick was the obvious choice as the main tank, and Bellamy would hold a fluid role as a Vice-Party Leader.

Bellamy had remaining unspent stat points to distribute, but he chose to refrain from spending them at the moment. He opened his Soul Window to check his current Status:

Name: Bellamy Aarick (Soul Window Lv2)

Race: Human

+ open Hunter information

Level: 10

Experience: 1240/15000

Stats:

Health points: 844/844

Mana points: 816/816

Strength: 57

Stamina: 73

Perseverance: 22

Agility: 57

Dexterity: 57 (68)

Perception: 32

Intelligence: 62 (68)

Wisdom: 62 (68)

Unspent points: 16 (Level up points) and 8 (Awakening points)

Speed: 30

Luck: 2

Goddess Thrae's blessings: 4

Class: Soul Devourer (1.12%)

Growth type class. Rating: Silver

You will increase damage by +15% to any soulbound beings.

You have gained a new Skill! Eternal Soul Entrapment

You can Instant-kill soulbound beings at certain Health point thresholds.

Unlock more characteristics at higher ratings.

Elemental Awakenings:

Water Awakening Lv1 (60%)

You can learn Lv1 to Lv2 Water-based skills.

Cold Awakening Lv1 (0.03%)

You can learn Lv1 to Lv2 Cold-based skills.

Air Awakening Lv1 (92.5%)

You can learn Lv1 to Lv2 Air-based skills.

Ether Awakening Lv1 (13.75%)

You can learn Lv1 to Lv2 Ether-based skills.

Skills:

Non-elemental skills

Precision Stab Lv2 (7.5%)

Air-elemental skills

Gale Lv1 (52%)

Wind Sprint Lv1 (40.5%)

Water-elemental skills

Aqua Shield Lv1 (43%)

Drown Lv1 (16.5%)

Surge Lv1 (0.5%)

Class-specific Passive Skills

Vigilant Eyes (Bronze: 5.76%)

Class-specific Active Skills

Eternal Soul Entrapment New!

Pets:

Wood Sprite

+ open Pet information

Titles:

+ Open Titles information

...

[The Rupture Arena has commenced!]

[Your Health and Mana will go down by 2% every 10 minutes.]

[Ruptured Health and Mana cannot be restored during the examination.]

...