Time Skip

A year had passed since the fateful encounter with the Shadow Hand. Despite the silence from the organization, Zane and Kevin knew they couldn't be complacent. The memory of their helplessness drove them to train harder, aiming to become stronger and prepare for the Hunter Academy entrance exams. Their families remained blissfully unaware of the dangers that had once loomed over them or their secret contact with the Fista Guild.

Every morning, Zane rose with the dawn, the stillness of the early hour providing a tranquil backdrop for his rigorous training routine. He jogged 20 kilometers daily, a feat that had seemed impossible at the start when he could barely manage two. The progress was a testament to his determination and resilience.

Returning home, he would shower and prepare for school, adding an extra challenge by strapping 10-kilogram weights to his legs. The added resistance was part of his relentless pursuit to push his limits. Throughout the day, Zane found creative ways to train. He used hand grips under the table during lectures, lifted dumbbells while studying at home, and sparred with Kevin whenever they had free time, testing their new skills and improvements.

Despite the intense regimen, Zane's dreams were often haunted by Alagor. These dreams grew more vivid with each encounter, revealing more about the mysterious figure. Alagor spoke of ten monster kings, though he never explained his own demise. Mentioning the kings always ignited a fierce anger in him, a clear grudge against these unknown entities.

At home, Zane's mother, Sarah, often remarked on his dedication and the intensity in his eyes. She had no idea of the true reasons behind his transformation.

One evening, as the family sat down for dinner, the conversation turned to the upcoming Academy entrance exams. Sarah looked at Zane with a mixture of pride and concern.

"You've been working so hard, Zane," Sarah said. "I'm proud of your dedication, but don't forget to take care of yourself."

Zane nodded, appreciating his mother's concern but feeling the weight of the secret he carried. "I know, Mom. I just want to be prepared for anything."

Sarah, sensing the depth of his resolve, added, "We believe in you, Zane. You've always been strong, and we're here to support you."

Her words warmed his heart, but he couldn't shake the underlying anxiety.

As Zane and his mother conversation began to wind down, his younger sister, Ameli, burst into the room with her usual high energy. The past year had seen Ameli grow from a mischievous girl into a slightly more mature and playful teenager. She still had her moments of mischief, but there was a newfound understanding in her eyes.

"Hey, Zane! Mom! Guess what?" Ameli said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Zane smiled, grateful for the distraction. "What is it, Ameli?"

Ameli plopped down next to Zane, looking at him with a teasing grin. "I bet you can't beat me in a race now. I've been training too, you know."

Zane raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh, really? How far can you run?"

Ameli puffed out her chest proudly. "Five kilometers! And I can do it without stopping."

Zane chuckled, patting her on the head. "That's impressive, sis. Maybe one day you'll catch up to me."

Ameli stuck out her tongue. "You just wait, big brother. I'll leave you in the dust. Remember that time you tripped and fell in front of everyone at the school sports day?"

Zane rolled his eyes, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. "I was twelve, Ameli. It was one time."

Ameli giggled. "It was still hilarious. You went down like a sack of potatoes!"

Zane grinned. "Well, at least I didn't hide in the bathroom for an hour because I accidentally dyed my hair green with that DIY kit you made."

Sarah, trying to hide her amusement, interjected, "Now, now, you two. Let's not dig up too many embarrassing moments. Dinner is supposed to be a peaceful time."

Ameli's face turned red. "Hey! That was an accident! How was I supposed to know the dye was permanent?"

Zane laughed. "Maybe by reading the label?"

Ameli glared at him. "Oh, and you're the expert? What about the time you tried to impress everyone by flipping a pancake and ended up with it stuck to the ceiling?"

Zane held up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, you got me there. But at least I didn't lock myself out of the house while trying to sneak back in past curfew."

Ameli's eyes widened. "I thought we agreed never to mention that!"

Sarah, shaking her head with a smile, added, "I remember that night. You were banging on the door, insisting it was a ghost."

Zane snickered. "Classic Ameli. Always the drama queen."

Ameli huffed. "Well, Mr. Perfect, what about the time you got caught singing in the shower? You sounded like a dying cat."

Zane smirked. "Better than your dance routine that ended with you crashing into the Christmas tree."

Sarah laughed. "That was a memorable holiday. I think we found tinsel in the carpet for weeks."

The playful bickering continued, each sibling bringing up more embarrassing and funny moments from their past. Ameli reminded Zane of the time he tried to impress his crush by attempting a skateboard trick and ended up with a face full of grass. Zane countered with the story of Ameli's ill-fated attempt to bake a cake that resulted in a small kitchen fire.

Throughout the exchange, Sarah chimed in with her own memories and gentle reminders to keep things light-hearted. The room was filled with laughter and a sense of camaraderie that had grown stronger over the past year.

Ameli finally conceded, laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. "Okay, okay, you win this time. But don't think I'm giving up on beating you in that race."

Zane grinned. "I'll be waiting. Just make sure you don't trip over your own feet."

Ameli stuck her tongue out at him one last time before turning to Sarah. "Mom, do we have any dessert? All this reminiscing has made me hungry."

Sarah smiled, shaking her head. "Yes, there's some pie in the kitchen. But you two need to promise to behave."

Zane and Ameli both nodded, a twinkle of mischief still in their eyes. As they headed to the kitchen together, the friendly rivalry between them was evident, but so was the deep bond they shared. They might bicker and tease each other, but at the end of the day, they were family, and nothing could change that.

As they settled down with their slices of pie, Zane looked at Ameli with a softer expression. "You know, I'm really proud of how much you've grown this past year. You're going to be an amazing hunter someday."

Ameli also wanted to become Hunter Just like zane, first their mom didn't agree with their request as it is obvious how dangerous it is when your life is in danger all the time, but they manage to make her agree to become hunters.

Ameli smiled back; her earlier competitiveness replaced with genuine affection. "Thanks, Zane. And I'm proud of you too. Let's keep getting stronger together."

Sarah watched them with a smile, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them as a family.

As Zane and Ameli enjoyed their pie, the conversation turned to their plans for the weekend. Ameli was eager to discuss the upcoming sparring match she had challenged Zane to, her excitement barely contained.

"So, big brother," Ameli said between bites, "how about we set some rules for our sparring match? No holding back, remember?"

Zane grinned, a playful glint in his eye. "Alright, no holding back. But we should set some ground rules to avoid any accidents."

Sarah, listening in, nodded approvingly. "That's a good idea. I don't want either of you coming back with any serious injuries."

Ameli rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "We'll be fine, Mom. We've both been training hard."

Zane chuckled. "How about we agree on no hitting above the shoulders and no aiming for the knees? That should keep things fair."

Ameli nodded, her competitive spirit undiminished. "Deal. And no using any sneaky tricks like you did last time."

Zane raised an eyebrow. "Sneaky tricks? You mean using strategy?"

Ameli stuck her tongue out at him. "Call it what you want. I'm going to beat you fair and square this time."

Sarah shook her head with a smile. "Just be careful, both of you. And remember, it's about learning and improving, not just winning."

Zane and Ameli both nodded, the playful tension between them easing into a more comfortable camaraderie. As they finished their pie, they made plans for their sparring session, discussing techniques and strategies they'd been working on.

The next morning, Zane woke early as usual for his jog. As he laced up his running shoes, he noticed Ameli already dressed and waiting at the door.

"Mind if I join you today?" she asked with a grin.

Zane was pleasantly surprised. "Sure, but can you keep up?"

Ameli gave him a determined look. "You'll see."

They set off together, the early morning air cool and crisp. As they ran, Zane noticed how much Ameli had improved. She kept pace with him, her steps steady and her breathing controlled. It was a far cry from the girl who used to get winded after just a short run.

"You're doing great, Ameli," Zane said, genuinely impressed.

Ameli smiled, a mix of pride and effort in her expression. "Thanks. I've been training hard, just like you."

After their jog, they returned home and showered, ready for the day ahead. At school, Zane and Kevin continued their training, using every free moment to prepare for the Hunter Academy entrance exams. Their bond had only grown stronger over the past year, and they pushed each other to new heights.