The events at the training grounds spread across the academy faster than anyone expected.
By afternoon, every student had heard the story.
A shadow creature had appeared.
It had knelt before Ren Akatsuki.
And it had called him "Master."
Groups of students whispered in the hallways.
"Did you see it?"
"That monster bowed to him."
"They said it called him the Shadow King."
Some students looked excited.
Others looked afraid.
Inside the academy cafeteria, several Rank C students were talking loudly.
"That thing could have destroyed the entire academy."
"And Ren just stood there like it was normal."
Another student spoke quietly.
"Do you think he's even human?"
Not far away, Lyra sat at a table listening to the rumors.
She sighed.
"This is getting out of control."
Across the table, Ren ate his meal calmly as if nothing unusual had happened.
Lyra looked at him.
"How are you this relaxed?"
Ren replied simply.
"People talk."
Lyra leaned forward.
"You summoned a shadow monster inside the academy."
Ren shook his head.
"I didn't summon it."
"Your power did," Lyra said.
Ren remained silent.
After a moment she continued.
"You realize everyone is watching you now."
Ren glanced around the cafeteria.
She was right.
Several students were clearly staring at him from across the room.
Some looked curious.
Some looked nervous.
Others looked openly hostile.
Ren stood up.
"I'm going to the training grounds."
Lyra sighed again.
"Of course you are."
Outside, the academy grounds were quieter than usual.
Most students were still discussing the previous day's events.
Ren walked across the open field until he reached the edge of the forest near the academy wall.
The shadows beneath the trees were deeper here.
He stopped walking.
"Come out."
For a moment nothing happened.
Then the ground behind him shifted.
Dark smoke rose slowly from the earth.
Shade emerged from the shadows silently.
The massive creature knelt again.
"You called, Master."
Ren turned to face him.
"I didn't call you."
Shade answered calmly.
"You thought about me."
"The shadows respond to your will."
Ren studied the creature carefully.
"You said I could create an army."
"Yes."
"How?"
Shade pointed toward the forest.
"When a living being dies within your shadow…"
"The shadow can claim them."
Ren looked down at the ground.
His shadow stretched across the grass beneath him.
"So I need enemies."
Shade nodded.
"There will be many."
The creature's glowing eyes shifted toward the distant mountains.
"The demon army is already preparing."
Ren asked another question.
"The demon general yesterday."
"Valther."
Shade nodded again.
"He is only a commander."
Ren frowned.
"Only?"
"There are stronger demons above him."
"How many?"
Shade answered slowly.
"Seven."
Ren looked at him.
"The Seven Demon Lords."
The name sounded heavy.
Shade continued.
"And above them…"
"The Demon King."
The forest became silent.
Even the wind stopped moving.
Ren stared toward the distant mountains where the demon fortress stood hidden.
"If they are coming…"
Shade finished the sentence.
"You must grow stronger."
Ren looked back at him.
"How?"
The shadow servant's voice became calm again.
"Fight."
"Kill."
"Expand the shadows."
Suddenly—
A voice interrupted them.
"So the rumors were true."
Ren turned.
Captain Kael stood a few meters away.
Behind him stood Headmaster Aldren.
Both of them had clearly heard the conversation.
Kael crossed his arms.
"A shadow servant."
Shade slowly stood up.
His massive body towered over both men.
But he remained calm.
Aldren studied the creature carefully.
"So the ancient records were accurate."
Ren asked.
"You're not surprised."
Aldren shook his head.
"I am."
"But I also expected something like this."
He walked closer.
"The Shadow King was never just a legend."
Kael looked at Ren.
"The question is what you plan to do with this power."
Ren answered simply.
"Use it."
Kael nodded.
"Good."
"But the academy will not hide you anymore."
Ren frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Aldren answered.
"The world is about to learn about you."
Ren looked at him.
"How?"
Kael spoke.
"Because the Hunter Association is coming."
Ren had never heard that name before.
Lyra suddenly ran toward them from across the field.
"You need to hear this."
Everyone looked at her.
She spoke quickly.
"A messenger just arrived from the capital."
Kael's expression changed.
"What happened?"
Lyra swallowed.
"A city near the eastern border was destroyed last night."
Aldren's eyes narrowed.
"Demons?"
Lyra shook her head.
"No."
Her voice became quieter.
"The entire city was wiped out by one person."
Everyone became silent.
Ren asked one question.
"Who?"
Lyra answered.
"A hunter."
"And he's coming here."
Far away across the continent—
A lone man walked across a destroyed battlefield.
Hundreds of demon corpses lay scattered across the ground around him.
Lightning crackled across his body.
His eyes glowed with battle excitement.
He smiled slightly.
"So the Shadow King has appeared."
The man began walking toward the direction of the academy.
"I've been waiting for this."
The storm above him roared as he moved forward.
And the next powerful hunter had entered the stage.