The Hunt Begins

Far across the land, Xian Li and Gu Min travel through the night, heading westward.

“The prophecy better be true,” Gu Min muttered. “Or we’re chasing a ghost.”

Xian Li’s eyes remained fixed on the horizon. “If the Devil God returns, we’ll need all the power we can get.”

Unbeknownst to them, something—or someone—was already hunting for the child.

And time was running out.

The journey to Rubel City was long, and by the time Xian Li and Gu Min arrived, night had fallen. They checked into a modest hotel, exhaustion evident in their movements.

As they entered the town, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Riverstone High students gathered in groups, whispering and giggling, hoping to be chosen by the legendary warriors. Girls stole glances at the S-ranks, nudging each other and whispering about how handsome Xian Li and Gu Min looked.

“I swear, if I get chosen, I might just faint on the spot,” one girl giggled.

“Forget that! Just imagine training under Xian Li!” another sighed dreamily.

Gu Min smirked, overhearing their chatter. “Seems like we have fans.”

Xian Li rolled his eyes. “We start the search tomorrow,” he muttered.

Gu Min sighed. “Let’s just hope this child actually exists.”

Morning arrived swiftly. The two warriors made their way to the only high school in town—Riverstone High. With keen eyes, they observed the students, testing for any signs of power.

Among them was Ming Ke, the school’s top student and a striking beauty. Smart, skilled, and admired by many, she was often the center of attention. She had long been considered the perfect candidate for the Academy, a title she wore with pride. Yet, her biggest irritation was Xie Lin—a quiet girl who, despite her ordinary nature, seemed to attract attention in ways Ming Ke could never understand.

Two days passed, but the search yielded nothing.

“Was it all a lie?” Gu Min muttered, frustrated.

Meanwhile, Xie Lin had been feeling increasingly unwell. A strange fever wracked her body, and her dreams became more vivid—visions of an ancient battlefield, a monstrous figure, and whispers calling her name.

Xi Min looked at her worriedly. “Xie Lin, you don’t look so good. You should go home.”

“I’m fine,” Xie Lin mumbled, though her head was spinning.

But something deep within her had awakened, and she was about to discover that she was anything but ordinary.

Just as they were about to give up, Ming Ke unexpectedly awakened her powers. The Academy immediately recruited her, believing she could be the one. Ming Ke basked in the attention, her usual confidence swelling. She threw a smug glance at Xie Lin, as if silently declaring victory.

That night, however, devils attacked the girls’ dormitory. Their monstrous howls shattered the silence, drawing terrified students outside. Xie Lin and Ming Ke were among them. Fear gripped the air.

Xian Li and the other S-rank warriors arrived swiftly, dispatching the devils with ease. But one managed to slip past them, lunging toward Xie Lin and Ming Ke.

Then, something strange happened.

The devil froze mid-attack, its glowing red eyes widening in terror—not at Ming Ke, but at Xie Lin.

For a split second, confusion flickered in its monstrous gaze, its sharp claws trembling mid-strike. But before anyone could process why, Xian Li struck, his blade cutting through the beast with deadly precision.

The monster collapsed into dust.

Xian Li instinctively caught Xie Lin before she hit the ground. Her body burned with fever, her consciousness slipping as she muttered something under her breath—words even she couldn’t understand. Though they were soft and incoherent, something about them made Xian Li’s grip tighten ever so slightly.

By morning, the S-rank warriors had given her medicine, and her fever subsided. She awoke feeling strangely refreshed.

Then, the real shock came.

When they tested her, Xie Lin awakened. The very air around her seemed to shift with power. Gasps filled the room as realization dawned on everyone—Xie Lin was no ordinary girl.

Her two best friends, Xi Min and Xi Lu, rushed to hug her.

“You did it!” Xi Min beamed.

“I knew you had it in you!” Xi Lu grinned, wiping away a tear. “We’re so proud of you, Lin!”

The three girls held onto each other, knowing this moment would change everything.

But not everyone was happy.

The other girls, especially those who had long admired Xian Li, whispered amongst themselves. Jealousy burned in their eyes.

“Why her?” one murmured.

“She’s just a quiet nobody,” another scoffed.

“Did Xian Li carrying her have something to do with it?”

Xie Lin ignored the murmurs around her, her heart pounding in her chest. “How is this possible? Just last night, I had dreamed of awakening, and now...”, she said to herself. The shock threatened to overwhelm her, but beneath it, excitement flickered like a flame. This was real. It was happening.

No. I can’t get lost in this. Xie Lin clenched her fists. The academy… I have to go. But first, I have to convince my family. And that… won’t be easy.

Doubt crept in, but so did something else—a question that refused to be ignored. Why am I having these dreams? They weren’t just ordinary visions. First, she dreamt of awakening, and now it had become real. Was it a coincidence? Or was there something more?

A shiver ran down her spine. What if the dreams mean something? What if they’re trying to tell me something?

She exhaled sharply, shaking off the unease. One step at a time. First, the academy. Then, the truth.

The Academy quickly notified the parents of the newly awakened girls.

Ming Ke’s parents, wealthy business owners, were overjoyed. They readily agreed, seeing this as another stepping stone for their daughter’s success.

Xie Lin’s parents, however, were shocked and hesitant.

“Magic is dangerous,” her mother said, her voice trembling. “You could get hurt. What if something happens to you?”

Her father’s expression was grim. “We’ve lived a simple life, Lin. You don’t need to go down this path.”

Xie Lin took a deep breath. She understood their fear, but something inside her told her she had to go. There was something she needed to understand about herself—something she couldn’t do if she stayed.

“I have to do this,” she said softly. “I’ll be safe. I promise.”

“But—”

“The Academy is the best place for her to learn,” Xian Li suddenly said, stepping forward. His voice was steady, calm. “She will be trained, guided, and protected.”

Gu Min added with a grin, “And she’s got me! If she ever gets into trouble, I’ll carry her out myself!”

Her parents finally sighed in reluctant acceptance.

“Alright,” her father said at last. “But you must promise us—you’ll come back safe.”

Xie Lin nodded, hugging them tightly.

And just like that, her life changed forever.

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