HUNTER ADMINISTRATION BUREAU – MIDDAY
Location: The Evaluation Hall, a massive gymnasium-like facility where newly awakened are tested under supervision.
The white, sterile lights buzz faintly above. Various test stations are lined up like obstacle courses—walls to climb, dummies to smash, agility lanes, and mana pressure chambers. All this surrounded by thick observation glass where bureaucrats and specialists in suits take notes.
Arvan stands in line. Timid as always. Nervous fingers brushing against his ID badge. His eyes dart between glowing status screens floating before Awakened individuals—some filled with skills, stats, vibrant names.
His own?
Just a dim, flickering rectangle.
[ARVAN]
Class: N/A
Rank: Undetermined
Skills: N/A
Authority: Null
Status: Pending Evaluation
ARVAN ( anxious, inwardly):
What am I even doing here? I don't belong… These people are monsters. Real hunters. Fighters. Not someone who had to Google "what to do if a voice in your head threatens your therapist."
A loud thud pulls his attention. One station erupts in digital confetti. A dummy is split clean in half with a single arrow.
Ekalavya.
Tall. Poised. Calm like the eye of a storm. His long black hair tied behind. His outfit simple, but functional—black with silver trims. He steps back, bows politely to the observing staff, then silently walks off toward the waiting area.
Evaluator (to staff, impressed):
"Hit center from 45 meters. No skill buff. No aim assist. Clean."
"A-class reflexes, B-rank mana output. That kid's only warming up."
Arvan, still staring, barely notices Ekalavya sitting beside him on the bench.
Ekalavya (calmly):
"You're trembling… again."
Arvan (snaps out of it):
"H-Huh?"
Ekalavya:
"Your fingers. You're shaking. First time?"
Arvan gives an awkward nod. His throat dry.
Arvan:
"I… yeah. I don't even know if I'm supposed to be here."
Ekalavya (with an understanding smile):
"That makes two of us."
Arvan (confused):
"But you just— I saw you— You're incredible."
Ekalavya shrugs gently.
"Incredible is an illusion. I don't remember training for this. Don't remember wanting it. But somehow… the bow fits my hands like I've used it for lifetimes."
Arvan goes quiet.
ARVAN :
He doesn't know… He doesn't know who he really is.
Ekalavya (sensing Arvan's unease):
"You hear them too?"
Arvan freezes.
Ekalavya (softly):
"The dreams. The voices. The shadows watching you from mirrors."
Arvan (defensive, deflecting):
"N-No. I— I just have a headache."
Ekalavya studies him but says nothing. He simply rises, bow slung across his back, and walks toward the exit gate for the next assignment.
Ekalavya (stopping briefly):
"Maybe the voice you hear… is part of you, not against you."
He leaves. Arvan sits alone again. The dim screen before him flickers.
SYSTEM: You are next. Please proceed to Chamber B.
The door ahead opens. Arvan stands, heart racing.
ARVAN :
"Oh God. What if it happens again?"
RĀVAṆA (from within, calmly sinister):
"Oh, it will, little shadow. But this time… let's not run from it, shall we?"
Arvan walking into a chamber glowing ominously red, door sealing shut behind him. The screen glitches.]