As Hiruki focused his attention on Niski, the door suddenly slammed open with a loud bang. The room erupted into a flurry of movement, all eyes snapping towards the door.

A mysterious figure stepped inside, his presence commanding attention. He was a young man with a bandage wrapped around his head, his black hair falling to his shoulders. A long black coat billowed behind him, his chest heaving with exertion.

He scanned the room, his eyes locking onto Hiruki. "Is this room one?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.

Hiruki's gaze narrowed, his eyes fixed on the stranger. "Oh, yeah. This is room one."

The stranger's face lit up with relief, his chest sagging as he exhaled. "I've been searching for this room for a long time now."

Hiruki's eyes locked onto the stranger, his expression curious. "And you are...?"

The stranger's gaze swept over the room, his eyes locking onto Takahishi. A small smile played on his lips. "I am Denji Kinzoku."

Takahishi's face lit up with recognition, his eyes wide with excitement. "Oh, Denji! I'm so glad to see you!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the room. But beneath his enthusiastic facade, a grim thought spread across his mind: Now that Denji's here, he is probably going to be paired with Niski and l'll have Crinix as a partner. Takahishi's smile grew wider, fueled by his inner satisfaction. Perfect timing, Denji.

Denji's gaze locked onto Takahishi, a small wave acknowledging him. Meanwhile, Hiruki's fingers danced across the pages of his book, his eyes scanning the contents. A joyful cry escaped his lips as he stopped on a page.

"Oh, you are Denji Kinzoku! Your name is here. I don't know how I missed it."

Denji's gaze locked onto Hiruki, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "That's because l'm from the next class. "

Hiruki's gaze swept over the room, his eyes locking onto Niski. "I guess you now have a partner, Niski."

Niski's face was a picture of indifference, his eyes narrowed. "I guess so," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Hiruki's smile was warm, his eyes twinkling with excitement. " You and Denji will be partners in the hunter survival test, Niski."

Niski's gaze locked onto Denji, his eyes flashing with warning. "Denji, don't get in my way, or I'll kill you," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Denji's face was a picture of calmness, his eyes locked onto Niski. "I'm glad to see you too, Niski," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Takahishi's face lit up with a wide smile, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I guess we're still partners, Crinix," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Crinix's gaze locked onto Takahishi, a small nod acknowledging his partner.

Hiruki's voice cut through the silence, his words commanding attention. "Now that all of you have been paired into a two-man squad, I will tell you what to do next."

The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on Hiruki. "You all have six days left to prepare for the hunter survival test. You and your partner must both train together during these six days. After six days, you will participate in the hunter survival test, where your hunter skills will be tested. After the survival test, you will graduate and become Grim Hunters."

The room erupted into a flurry of excited cries, but Hiruki's voice cut through the noise, silencing them. "I know you're all excited, but it won't be easy. You need to train and unlock your divine techniques."

Hiruki's expression turned somber, his eyes locked onto the students. "The survival test is not easy. Many students have lost their lives, but I wish you all luck."

With those words, Hiruki dismissed the class, leaving the students to endure six days of intense training before facing the ultimate test: the hunter survival test.

As Crinix and Takahishi exited the room, a figure emerged from the shadows, blocking their path. The fluorescent lights overhead cast an unforgiving glare on Kinji's chiseled features, accentuating the tension etched on his face.

"Kinji," Crinix acknowledged with a curt nod.

Kinji's gaze flicked between the two, his black eyes lingering on Crinix before settling on Takahishi. "I see you're hanging out with Niski this days," he said, his voice low and even, but with a hint of underlying menace.

Crinix's expression remained neutral. "What's it to you, Kinji?"

Kinji's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with anger. "I told you he's trouble. You're blinded by your friendship with him, but mark my words, you'll regret it."

Takahishi's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowing in concern. "What's your beef with Niski, anyway?" he asked, his voice measured.

Kinji's gaze dropped, his eyes clouding over. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, his chest rising and falling with slow, deliberate breaths. Then, his eyes snapped back into focus, and he turned to leave.

"I'll deal with Niski," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the sound of his footsteps echoing down the corridor.

As Kinji disappeared from view, Takahishi turned to Crinix, a look of confusion etched on his face. "What's that guy's problem?"

Crinix shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Let's just get out of here."

Together, they stepped out of the room and into the corridor . Takahishi fell into step beside Crinix, his eyes scanning the deserted corridor.

"The Shadows Realm is definitely full of weird people," Takahishi said, his voice low and thoughtful.

Crinix didn't respond, his gaze fixed on some point ahead, his eyes narrowed in thought. Takahishi didn't press the issue, content to walk in silence beside his friend.

As they departed the Hunter Academy, Crinix and Takahishi navigated through the bustling streets of the Shadow Realm, weaving past its enigmatic residents . After a short, brisk walk, they finally arrived at the entrance to their quarters, a sense of familiarity and comfort washing over them. Just as Crinix was about to place his hand on the door handle a soft gentle voice called from behind.

"Crinix, Takahishi!"

They quickly turned to see Shina and Shinro approaching them.

"Hello, Crinix and Takahishi," Shina greeted them.

Takahishi's face lit up with a warm smile. "Hello, Shina! It's lovely to see you."

Shina's eyes sparkled with amusement, and she giggled, her cheeks flushing. Shinro, standing beside her, chuckled and cut in, "Hope you fools passed the test, because we're here to congratulate you."

Crinix's face broke into a wide grin as he lifted his axe, showing it off to Shinro. "What do you think?" he asked, his eyes shining with pride.

Shinro's gaze swept over the axe, his expression thoughtful. "That's a great weapon, although I would have gone for a sword."

Shina's voice was like a gentle breeze as she spoke up, "I think the axe suits you, Crinix."

Crinix's face lit up with pleasure. "Thanks," he said, his voice warm with appreciation.

Shina's gaze turned to Takahishi, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Where's your divine weapon, Takahishi?" she asked, her voice teasing.

Shinro's eyes gleamed with amusement as he cut in, "Yeah, where is it? I don't see you carrying it. You didn't fail, did you?"

Takahishi's face was a picture of confidence as he grinned. "Of course, I didn't fail. That test was super easy."

Shinro's eyes narrowed, his voice playful. "So, where's your weapon? Your gigantic weapon you said you would choose?"

Takahishi's grin faltered, his expression turning deadpan. He slipped his hand inside his jacket, producing his daggers, still joined by their chain on both handles. The metal glinted in the light, and Shinro's eyes widened in surprise.

Suddenly, Shinro burst into laughter, his body shaking with mirth. "That's your divine weapon? It's not the way you described it, though! If I remember well, you said you would go for a gargantuan weapon imaginable! It'll be so large that when a Soul Eater lays eyes on it, it will tremble with fear!"

Takahishi's face darkened, his eyes narrowing. "Stop laughing, man. when it was my turn to choose a weapon, there was only one left, so I got this one."

But Shinro continued to laugh, his body shaking with mirth. Shina's voice was like a gentle reprimand as she spoke up, "Cut it out, brother. Don't do that, please."

Shinro's laughter slowly subsided, and he grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Shina's gaze turned to Takahishi, her eyes warm with kindness. "I think your weapon is great, Takahishi. Don't mind my brother."

Takahishi's face lit up with a warm smile. "Thanks, Shina.", he paused, his expression turning serious as he faced Shinro. "Your brother is one big jerk."

Shina's laughter was like music as she spoke up, "Don't mind him, Takahishi. We're just glad that you guys have passed the test."

Shinro's grin was unrepentant as he spoke up, "The other reason we're here is to assist you in your training."

"I heard they've given you six days to prepare for the survival test," Shina said, her eyes sparkling with concern.

"Yeah, that's what they told us," Crinix replied, his voice thoughtful.

Shinro's grin was confident. "If that's the case, training starts tomorrow, then. You guys get a good rest today, and we'll help you with your training tomorrow."

Shina's smile was warm as she bid them farewell. "Get some rest, guys. We'll see you tomorrow."