I was twelve when we started training. It was tough being away from home, but Irma’s parents sent homemade South African food for the first couple of years, which brought a comforting taste of home. But the comfort of home was fleeting. Training was brutal.

  Well I struggled with everything—academics, tracking, weapons training, elemental skills, diplomacy was the worst of it like thick of a sewer and tge residual bulit up for years like the nastiest, filthiest and discolored part that looks like a mutated blob you have ever seen, even my classmates stated to think I was racist I had to improve on that first but It wasn’t just the physical strain; the mental load was overwhelming. Hours of theory work and right after practicing combat drills left me collapsing into bed every night , my body aching and my mind spinning.

  I was dead last in everything, a fact that my instructors never hesitated to point out. Failure after failure weighed heavily on me, each mistake a sharp reminder of how far I had to go. But then there was Irma.

  Irma was a natural. Always at the top in everything, she seemed to glide through training effortlessly. I used to marvel at how she could disarm a dummy in seconds during combat drills or navigate complex maps with ease but even in a diplomatic classes it was effortless for her to switch between the two. She was the prodigy everyone admired, even when we were kids.

  But what set her apart wasn’t just her talent; it was her kindness. Despite her own packed schedule, Irma always took the time to help me out. Whether it was explaining a difficult technique or staying late to practice sparring, she was there, guiding me through my stumbles.

  There were nights when I felt like giving up, when the weight of being the worst in the class felt unbearable. Irma would sit with me, her voice steady and reassuring, "Gugu you improve or else will share your Bruce and Clark else worlds loveliest couple to the rest of the class."

  With that motivation by the end of the year I had risen in rank from 1246 to 104. It was a leap I could hardly believe. When the rankings were released, I screamed in a high-pitched tone that probably sounded like a dog whistle and grabbed Irma in a tight hug.

  “I did it! Can you believe it?” I said, my voice cracking with excitement.

  Irma laughed, her smile as warm as ever. “Of course I can. I always knew those fan fictions where a good investment to use to blackmail you at a later date.”

  "You swing that way now Irma?" Klaus asked.

  "If it isn't Klaus the man who till this day who is talking to himself in my dms." Irma said.

  I couldn't hold it in I burst out laughing as Klaus walked away.

  ***

  A couple months later we took our final exams...

  "The Black Forest stood as a shadowed abyss, its trees towering and gnarled, absorbing the faintest traces of light. Each trunk pulsed faintly with embers of life, an invisible energy that sustained the forest's lush growth in eternal darkness. The forest was alive, not just with flora but with the whispers of unseen creatures..."

  "Who are you talking to?" Irma asked.

  Just fake a smile, "No one." I smiled

  "Never smile like that again you look like a pedo about to take her next victim." Irma stated.

  "Why not him?"

  "It's sexist of you to think they only male Pedo's." Irma pointed out.

  “Let me explain the rules of this test.” Sim began, “Two of you will enter from opposite sides of the Black Forest. This is a race, but not just about speed. As soon as your name is called, you’ll select a weapon from the cabinet behind me and head into the forest. These weapons are non-lethal and coated with a paralyzing agent. Here’s the catch: using your powers in the forest is an automatic fail. Your task is simple—hunt your opponent. But you only get one chance. If your attack fails, your only path to victory is escaping without being seen. If you’re spotted, you lose by default.”

  Sim gestured to the suit lined up in front of the class, “Your suits are equipped with cameras. Tap the button and state the exact coordinates of your opponent to after the failed ambush and you pass. Some of you may wonder why only one chance is allowed. The reason is simple: in a real ambush, one chance is all you get.”

  He leaned forward, “Your bio-EMP, used to track your target’s position, will reveal your own location when activated. So, think carefully about when and how to use it. This isn’t just a test of skill—it’s a trial of wit, precision, and your ability to outthink your opponent without giving yourself away.”

  Sim’s eyes scanned the group, “The first two to take the test will be Gugu and Theo.”

  "Fuck it" screaming as I grabbed a bottle filled with the agent and a crossbow. 'Wait he didn't say... oh I got his ass.'

  The wind screamed in my ears as I ran, pushing myswlf harder, going faster, till the ground beneath me was a blur. The world around me seemed to stretch and warp, colors blending into streaks as my speed increased.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  I knew the moment I broke the sound barrier—there was a deafening crack, a sonic boom that sent a pulse through the air. I didn’t slow down until I reached the edge of the black forest; my feet skidding to a stop in the thick, loamy soil. My heart pounded in my chest as I caught my breath, staring into the forest's shadowed depths.

  The air here was different—thick, heavy, and almost alive with energy. The embers of life were everywhere, saturating the forest to the point that even standing here, I could feel them pulsing faintly against my skin.

  I crouched at the edge of the Black Forest, the dark canopy towering over me like a living, breathing entity. This forest wasn’t just vast—it was one of the largest in the world, stretching nearly 2,500 square kilometers. Its dense, pulsating embers of life made it nearly impenetrable to even the most advanced hunter abilities.

  I was the 3rd fastest in the class only two people who can break the sound barrier and even surpass me and Theo wasn't one of them. Theo isn’t the type to hesitate; he’d probably activate his mapping ability just long enough to find a path, then shut it down to avoid detection. That meant I had a small window—maybe a minute at most—to execute my plan.

  I needed to mark him. Not his location, but him—his clothes, his gear, something that would move with him. I’d developed my lava detection ability for years; now, I could sense it naturally, even from 50 miles away. The key was to shoot a tiny ball of lava, the size of a snowflake, and let it cool on his clothing.

  But this shot required precision and perfect timing.

  I quickly ran the calculations in my head, sketching the geometry of the forest in my mind. The average tree height was about 60 meters, with branches weaving together tightly. The forest’s diameter was about 50 kilometers, and Theo has to enter from the opposite side. I estimated his current position to be about 10 kilometers away from where he is supposed to enter into the forest.

  I generated the tiny ball of lava in my palm, using mana will eliminate my energy signature so he won't be able to sense; its heat faint but steady. The challenge wasn’t just aiming—it was timing. The lava would cool mid-air, so I had to ensure it reached him before solidifying. Based on the forest’s density and the ambient temperature, I calculated that I had about 50 seconds of flight time before the lava lost its heat and became inert.

  I adjusted my angle, tilting my wrist slightly. The trajectory needed to account for gravity, wind resistance, and the occasional gap in the forest canopy.

  No pressure. Just pure class.

  I waited, counting down in my head. Theo would likely activate his bio ability on the outskirts of the forest so he can know the terrain before entering the forest which is when i will fire off to catch him as he about to enter the forest. The moment I sensed it—a faint flicker like a dying ember—I released the shot.

  The tiny ball of lava streaked through the air like a comet, its heat signature faint but distinct. I tracked it as it disappeared into the forest, weaving through the dense trees.

  I held my breath, waiting. If I’d fired too early, it would miss Theo entirely. Too late, and it would cool before reaching him.

  Several agonizing seconds passed before I felt it—a tiny, imperceptible ping as the lava latched onto something moving. Theo. I couldn’t see him, but I could feel the lava cooling, embedding itself into his gear.

  A triumphant grin spread across my face. “Man that's just too easy.”

  Walking into the forest, every tree hummed with an overwhelming glow of life, their vibrant energy drowning out the subtler signs of movement nearby. I had to rely on my instincts and creativity to stay ahead.

  Theo was already in pursuit, unaware he’d been marked. I needed a plan—and fast. My eyes caught a broad leaf glistening with morning dew, and an idea struck me. I found the perfect spot to hide, one where the only vantage point to see me clearly was a specific bush. Carefully, I drew a vial of paralyzing agent from my belt pouch and smeared it across the bush’s surface, ensuring the coating was thorough. Then, I crouched low, blending into my surroundings, and waited.

  Theo moved cautiously, his sharp sense of smell guiding him. He sniffed the air, tracking the faint trace of Gugu’s scent, and inevitably zeroed in on the bush—the only place with a clear view of where I was hiding. He leaned in, intent on confirming my location.

  And then, with a sudden thud, he collapsed face-first into the ground.

  I stepped out of my hiding spot, a grin spreading across my face as I approached him. Confusion filled his wide eyes as he struggled to comprehend what had happened.

  “Better luck next time.” I said, my voice dripping with amusement.

  ---

  Unlike Gugu, Irma entered the Black Forest with quiet confidence. She had chosen a simple weapon—a paintbrush. It was an unconventional choice that started as a joke by hunters and no hunter had used it successfully but Irma’s calm demeanor silenced any doubters.

  "You are going to lose just like every hunter who has used that and be the 557th hunter." Klaus said.

  “They aren’t me.” she had said when questioned about her decision.

  Once inside the forest, Irma activated the hunter technique known as Zombie Mode. Her body slowed, her heart beating once every sixty seconds. This state meant she was dead as all her bodily functions slowed many stopped in this state made her invisible to hunters’ bio ability, as she no longer emitted embers of life energy. To the forest, she was a ghost.

  Irma navigated the terrain with ease, sensing the natural flow of embers around her without needing to use her abilities. She blended seamlessly into the environment, each step deliberate, every movement designed to be noiseless.

  Klaus, on the other hand, moved cautiously, frequently activating his mapping ability to survey his surroundings. Each pulse of energy gave away his position, a beacon Irma used to track him with precision. She closed the distance silently, her every movement a masterclass in stealth.

  When she finally reached him, Klaus had no idea she was there. She observed him for a moment, noting the tension in his shoulders and the way his eyes scanned the darkness around him. He was alert and cautious, but it was not enough.

  In one motion, Irma darted forward and struck. The tiny paintbrush, dipped in paralyzing agent, grazed the back of Klaus’s neck before he could sense her presence. He froze, his body locking up as the agent took effect.

  Irma stepped back, studying her handiwork with satisfaction. She slung Klaus over her shoulder effortlessly and carried him through the forest, her steps measured as she made her way to the examiners.

  When she arrived, Klaus still immobilized, the examiners stared in disbelief.

  “You used the brush?” one of them asked, incredulous.

  Irma simply nodded, setting Klaus down gently. “I told you—none of them are me.”

  I must those first couple of years of training were magical. By the time we were eighteen, Irma was still number one, and I had cracked the top twenty— in 16th place. These rankings came with certain privileges, like being allowed to leave the fort without guards. Walking through the vibrant streets of Bangui felt like a dream. The city pulsed with art, music, and tantalizing food. Everything felt right, but what made it even better was having Irma with me.

  “She sounds like she meant the world to you.” Mrs. Lane said.

  “She does." Well currently speaking...she did.