2 Hitman

The students were all in shock.

The carnage that was laid out before them completely went against what they were capable of. They wanted to cover and protect him? They were unsure if he would be OK if they left him? These thoughts were crushed after this display of power. Even the supervisors were in shock as to what had just happened. Before they could even react or announce the 'winners', the young man that had caused all this havoc had already wandered off and left the field.

He ran through the courtyard of the Academy to the entrance. From there he went left towards a large forest. He didn't actually know where he was going; only following the instructions he was told. To go to the edge of the forest.

Through an associate of his, he was introduced to a man in black armor. The armored man said that he wanted to help him reach new heights. But only after he could clear his requirements and impress him. Next thing he knew, he was on a battlefield with a bunch of Academy trainees. Not that he was unfamiliar with battles.

He had grown up as a young boy filled with potential. He was extremely intelligent and bright, getting top grades in his exams, studied abroad, even having self taught himself another language. And yet against expectations, he chose a different route.

He became a Magic-Channeller. Many looked down on the unrefined explosiveness of Magic-Channellers, a magic form that was birthed on the streets by commoners. There was a heavy stigma attached to it. On one side, there were those that looked down on this usage of power. It was frowned upon as a savage way of battling.

And then there were those that believed that it was a pure, raw and real form of expression. One that shouldn't be tamed or restricted. And shouldn't be tainted by the nobles.

The young man knew that the man in black armor was most likely a noble. Underground Magic-Channeller's looked down on how the nobles used their magic. The nobles created a system that trapped Adepts. Where they would be turned into symbols and figures to push forward agendas or distract and entertain the public.

The Eidos.

This was a big issue for the Magic-Channellers as the magic form was originally created to protect the common people, to be a way to resist the struggle. So those that were used by nobles were often seen as a disgrace.

But even though the young man knew and understood these things, he couldn't help feeling that the black armored man wasn't a normal noble. There was more to him than meets the eye. The young man wanted to see and decide things for himself, so he rushed to the forest. He shook his head as he ran to disperse these thoughts. He saw two figures at the edge of the forest so he made his way towards them.

When he arrived, he saw that one of the figures was the black armored man who was holding and cleaning his glasses.

Next to him was a familiar face to the young man. He smiled and bowed.

"Pdogg hyungnim! It is good to see you again."

Pdogg was a Power Designer that had originally introduced the young man to the black armored man.

Power Designers, or PD's, weren't particularly adept at fighting, but battles would be hard to win without them. They designed the gear that Adepts used in battle while also creating new ways for them to unleash their abilities. They also helped them gain access to new powers and energies.

There were different types of Power Designers: Rune Scribes, Word Smiths and Weapon Masters.

Since Magic-Channellers usually created their own ways of using their magic, most Spirit-Callers gained access and were able to control their powers through the help of Word Smiths. Whereas Battle Mages manifested their powers on them, Magic-Channellers and Spirit Callers needed to speak their powers into existence. As Words held power, Word Smiths would craft and strengthen Words to infuse with the innate energy within artists. Most Magic-Channellers were Word Smiths as their power would often be a result of their mastery in crafting Words. Spirit-Callers often had Word Smiths that equipped them to pull out their powers.

Rune Scribes were responsible for the balance of energies. They created Runes that Spirit Callers, Battle Mages and Magic-Channellers could use to harness, control and direct their magic. Magic had a rhythm and a frequency that Runes helped Adept's tap into.

And Weapon Masters were the goals of true Battle Mages. They designed battle formations, developed fighting techniques and worked to help teams fight together as a single unit. Battle Mages were all taught by Weapon Masters and equipped by them to fight.

The young man greatly respected PD's like Pdogg. He himself was a Word Smith, naturally from being an Underground Magic-Channeller. Pdogg smiled and nodded in response. He gestured towards the armored man in front of him. The young man understood and faced the armored man.

"Greetings Senior. I am Kim Namjoon. Underground Magic-Channeller and Word Smith. Codename: RM."

The man in the black armor smiled as he pushed his glasses up his nose and nodded in reply.

"My name is Bang Si-Hyuk. Although you can just call me Bang Pd-nim. And from here on out, you are my student."

Namjoon was stunned.

Bang Si-Hyuk? Hitman Bang? The Hitman? He was one of the greatest Power Designers in Anima. Known for pushing many Adepts and Eidos to the top. Everything he created being used to produce successful results time and time again, thus giving him the "Hitman" moniker. He previously worked for one of the big three Academies before going off to start his own Academy. Is that where he was going? Would he be learning from someone of this calibre? Is that what he meant when he said student? Namjoon knew he was going back into his bad habit of over thinking and hastily bowed again in response.

"Thank you Senior!"

Hitman Bang simply smiled; he was starting to like this kid. And from his display earlier, he had a lot of power, skill and potential. This young man held something in him that stood out to the great Power Designer. He knew that if nurtured and pushed, he could do something truly significant. But to do so he would need a team. One that could balance and support each other. All striving forward. Hitman Bang looked at Namjoon like he was a golden ticket.

"I have a proposition for you. I want to build a team, with you in it. If you promise to give your all and push forward with everything you have, I promise to equip, empower you and teach you to go further than you could possibly think. I have a dream, and I believe you will be key part in making that dream a reality. In return, I will do everything in my power to make your dream a reality."

Namjoon felt the weight of his words. That was a huge promise. A team like no other? How far was Bang expecting him to go? How far could he go? He would help to fulfil his dream. What was his dream? What did he want? Questions flew around Namjoons head as he quietly processed this offer. Hitman saw the young man's hesitation.

"So, do you accept? If you don't have a dream, I'll be here to help you find one. I want to guide you to your path. Do we have a deal?"

He looked at the silver crest on his hand. He wanted to go further, be better. For the first time since meeting him, he finally resolved himself to look Hitman Bang in the eye.

"Deal."