Youngjae’s days consisted of him waking up to Jongup snoring (thus forcing him to wake him up), attending classes, getting intense training by Yongguk, eating, and sleeping only to repeat the same process again. Just like Yongguk warned, he didn’t go easy on the younger boy whatsoever. He treated everyone equally and if they didn’t do something right, he would yell at them to correct themselves. When the students sparred against each other, he would evaluate them and tell them what they needed to improve. It was all very helpful for Youngjae since he didn’t know a lot about combat, but it was embarrassing because he was constantly called out. By the end of training, Yongguk would compliment him because Youngjae was one of the few who corrected himself immediately without a complaint. When it came to Youngjae’s studies, however, he was a natural.

  After a few weeks being in the Academy, his fatigue was catching up to him. After a strenuous training with Yongguk and the rest of his classmates, he collapsed on his bed, face planted on his pillow.

  Jongup was already there, meditating like always. “Rough training today?” He asked.

  Youngjae raised his head. “Yeah. I’m exhausted! How are you not tired?” Youngjae kind of knew the answer but he didn't want to accept that fact that he's just not the athletic type.

  His roommate shrugged. “I guess it’s because I meditate all the time. It always calm my nerves and I feel better afterwards. You should try it.”

  “No. I think I’m going to sleep.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  Youngjae just laid there, unmoving. He did like Jongup as a roommate because he was clean enough and didn’t cause too much trouble. They rarely saw each other during classes and would only have time to chat after they were done with training. Typically, they would just have small talks about their day and occasionally complain about training. Sometimes they would even talk about what they think their Reapers would be like.

  “You know, I really hope my Reaper will have a cool name,” Jongup stated for the millionth time.

  Youngjae rolled on his back and looked up at the ceiling. “Me, too.” He thought about Yongguk's Reaper and chuckled to himself. Shishimato was a soft name for a guy like Yongguk. Of course anyone would have a good snicker out of that.

  “And I hope that I get some power like waterbending, firebending, or some cool like that.”

  Youngjae laughed. “It all depends on what Reaper chooses us. We still have a long ways to go until then.”

  “I know, but a guy can dream, right? I saw Yongguk’s Reaper and it’s beautiful. Dark, but beautiful. I hope my Reaper will have a blade pattern like his. I mean, black and red is such a badass combination, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah.” Youngjae always wondered what his Reaper could possibly be, but these thoughts were always changing. Part of him wanted a Reaper as cool as Yongguk’s but he also wanted a blade as beautiful as Minseok’s with it’s ice-like appearance. He also hoped for a Reaper whose soul is like his and not some obnoxious prick, but that wouldn’t make sense since the Reapers chose their masters.

  “Well, time to do homework. I hate how we have to memorize all the different kinds of Hybrids and what they can do. I’m basically learning the anatomy of all the animals in the world! It’s so annoying.”

  “It's crucial for us to know because we never know what kind of Hybrid we’ll encounter when we’re out in the field.”

  “I know. I know. It’s just too much in my opinion. There’s way too many of them. I can’t memorize them all while knowing their vital points. Ugh.” Jongup jumped off his bed and headed to his desk next to his bed. He grabbed his books and sat down, reading.

  Youngjae decided to wait a little longer before doing so. His body was aching and his mind was running. A smile crossed his face as he remembered Yongguk complimenting him again. This time, Youngjae was able to beat his sparring partner and by the end of practice, Yongguk commended him while ruffling his hair. Yongguk was the only person Youngjae would allow to touch his hair. If it was any other person, he would threaten to bite their hand off, not that it was possible, but he just didn’t like people touching his hair without permission.

  Years passed, and each class and training became more strenuous. By the time Youngjae turned sixteen, Yongguk was promoted as a Vice Captain in his Division. This meant, he no longer trained the trainees. Instead, he shadowed the Captain and did plenty of paperwork. He would visit to see his ex-pupils but didn’t have time to converse with them as he would have matters to attend. It saddened Youngjae, but he did everything he could to sneak a conversation with Yongguk. Sometimes he would have enough time for the older to tell him what goes around within the Division, but other times he would only have time to greet him and say goodbye. The more Youngjae stayed in the Academy, the stronger he got, but also the stronger his affection towards Yongguk grew.

  By the time he turned eighteen and his final exam approached, he knew he was ready. Although, he wasn’t the top of his class for physical combat, he was still good with the books and knew everything he could about the Hybrids. He knew plenty about their lifestyle. He found out that when they’re in their world, they appear like humans, but are much stronger especially once they’re in their full form. This was why most Hunters of lower rankings avoided going to their world. He knew of the different classification of Reapers and found out the Matoki Reapers are one of the strongest as they are the oldest. However, there were still plenty of mysteries behind them.

  Youngjae still couldn’t predict what his Reaper could be like. Sure, he was strong mentally, but he lacked physically, so he knew he couldn’t possibly obtain a Matoki Reaper. Their soul probably wouldn’t even consider it. He didn’t mind because whatever happens, he knew he would carry the Hunter emblem with pride.

  Jongup, also got stronger. He was the strongest in his group, and he was proud of it. Whatever his Reaper is, everyone knew he would get a tough one - a Matoki one or not.

  As every student filed in the auditorium, Youngjae’s heart couldn’t stop pounding inside his chest. In this final exam, students would be called down and locked up in a room where they would have to kill a Hybrid. He didn’t even know if he could defeat it with the strength he had. However, since it was a final exam, all he needed to figure out was it’s vital points. Then, if he succeeded, he would officially be a Hunter.

  Everyone sat silently in the auditorium, awaiting their fate. Youngjae started shaking his leg only to earn a slap on the thigh by Jongup. He knew Jongup really hated it when he did that, but he just couldn’t help it! He was too nervous.

  Suddenly, all the captains and vice captains from the First to Tenth Division stepped onto the stage, wearing their black and white uniform. Youngjae spotted Yongguk immediately and couldn’t help but smile. The roman numeral "IV" was etched on the chest of Yongguk's shirt. On his sleeves were patterns of black fire to represent the dragon that all the non-ranked Hunters wore on their chest. The scar of Yongguk's face was prominent, but made him ten times handsomer in Youngjae's eyes.

  Youngjae needed to pass that way he could earn a compliment from Yongguk.

  Division One’s captain, Mr. Kwon stepped in front. He was the eldest and wisest of them all and spoke on behalf of them. “We congratulate all of you for making it this far into your academic career. As a final test, you will be isolated in a controlled environment where you will be forced to test everything you have learned throughout your years here. You may all know that whatever Hybrid you face, there will always be someone watching behind the walls, and if any of you are in grave danger, we will terminate the examination, and you will have to go home. This is for your safety because once you become a Hunter, you will experience even stronger enemies, and sometimes there may not be anyone to help you.”

  Youngjae could hear nervous coughs and shifts around the auditorium. He gulped. There was no way he would want to fail this exam, not after everything he’s been through. He didn’t want to go back because that meant he would have to work in the farm for the rest of his life and never see Yongguk again. No. He would not accept that.

  “Now, I would like everyone to rise as we will recite our Hunter’s Oath.”

  Everyone stood and in unison, they all stated:

  I swear to fulfill this covenant:

  I will defend humankind

  And take upon myself

  The obligations and responsibilities

  Of a Hunter

  On my honor,

  I will use my Reaper for good

  And to make my training

  A prime example of my morals.

  When trouble comes my way

  I will protect my team

  And will not abandon them

  In time of need.

  To this I pledge.

  After reciting the oath, everyone remained standing and waited for further instructions. Youngjae’s hands sweated and his legs trembled. There would be another small announcement before calling students for the final exam. It was based on last name, which made Youngjae even more anxious as he would have to constantly watch students go in and never come back.

  Mr. Kwon stepped further down the stage. “We will now begin the final exam. Please, be seated.”

  Everyone sat in unison.

  “Good luck,” Jongup muttered beside Youngjae.

  “You, too,” he stated. It would be a while for Jongup to be called also, but Youngjae was too nervous to even speak. All he did was stare at Mr. Kwon as he called down twenty students for the exam - one for each Captain and Vice Captain. Youngjae glanced at Yongguk.

  With this crowd, he knew his former trainer wouldn’t see him. It made him feel a little better. Just seeing his dark eyes scanning the area with a proud smile of his face, lessened Youngjae’s heavy mood. It didn’t help that Yongguk’s curly hair stuck to his forehead, giving him a more mysterious look.

  Then, all in a single-filed line, the students and the Captains and Vice Captain disappeared behind the stage to a separate building attached to the auditorium. Youngjae heard many students heaving a sigh while others talked amongst each other. Many were nervous while some were confident. There were many mixed emotions, and that definitely didn’t help Youngjae at all. His leg shook again.

  Jongup slapped his knee. “You really need to stop doing that. It’s a bad habit.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  His roommate sighed and bury his head in his hands. He let out a groan and wiped his face downwards. “Can you believe it? We made it this far into the Academy, and once we graduate, we will be able to get our own Reaper! I just want to know what Reaper will choose me. I really hope it’s a good one.”

  “I’m sure you will. There’s plenty of Reapers available, and remember, there’s still more to discover in Tenebris.”

  “But it’s not like we’ll be able to go there when we’re not ranked. Only Captains and Vice Captains are allowed. Anyways, that’s beside the point. With the Reapers available, I want a good one with a cool name. I don’t know how I feel if I get something with a lame name.”

  “You’ll be fine,” Youngjae reassured. He was more worried about himself. Sure, he was smart and he was getting better at combat, but he still lacked the strength that the other students had. He can definitely analyze the situation, but being able to perfectly execute it was his weakness. Whenever he was instructed to go and shadow a Hunter, he tended to flinch every time they killed a Hybrid. There was always a pain in his heart when he watched the Hybrid fall to the ground with cries of agony. It sounded very animal-like, but felt very human. Just thinking about it caused Youngjae to shiver. He knew he shouldn’t be feeling this way. After all, he came here with hopes of becoming a Hunter like Yongguk to protect the ones he loved. It’s just, the more he knew about Hybrids, he couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for them. Even though they kill humans, they do what they do for survival.

  The time for each exam was sporadic as some students were quicker than others. As more and more were called, the auditorium grew quieter and quieter. Some even grew tired of waiting and nodded off. No one knew who passed or failed as they never came back. The only way to find out was when you passed and be placed into a Division.

  When Jongup left, Youngjae couldn’t sit still. He stood from his seat and paced back and forth, thinking. He wondered what kind of Hybrid would be awaiting behind those doors. All he hoped for was something not as terrifying as a wolf and nothing as smart as a raven.

  “Yoo Youngjae,” someone announced his name.

  He froze. It was time. His fate would be determined based on this moment. He took a gulp of air and walked down the steps towards the 9th Division’s Vice Captain, Kim Minseok. The man gave him a bright smile and patted his shoulder. “Don’t be so nervous. You will do fine. I heard a lot of good things about you from Yongguk.”

  Youngjae felt his heart skip a beat. Yongguk spoke about him? He shyly nodded his head and muttered, “Thank you. I’ll do my best.”

  Vice Captain Minseok led him to the back of the stage and through a door. There was a long corridor lit by lamps. They walked down until they entered a clearing where another building was built. It was much older with its limestone walls and growing vines, but it was big. They entered through it where it seemed like a maze with many rooms. It was oddly silent, but an eerie feeling coursed through Youngjae’s body as he passed the many doors. They stopped in front of one.

  Vice Captain Minseok pushed the door open where they entered a smaller room connected to a bigger room beyond. From where they stood, Youngjae saw a little window where the Vice Captain would peek through to make sure the test takers were safe. To Youngjae’s surprise, he found Reapers all neatly lined up on the table. He gave a questioning look at the man before him.

  The Vice Captain walked behind the desk and waved his hands over the Reapers. They glowed, feeling his presence. “We don’t tell students about this segment of the exam because we don’t want anyone to feel even more anxious than they already are. We’ve kept this a secret for centuries and I would hope you would, too. Here, we have chosen possible Reapers for you based on the reports we have received. This is the first part of the exam. If you are unable to match with a Reaper, you will not be able to proceed with the exam. This is to ensure your safety.”

  “But, what if none of these Reapers are right for me, and there’s actually another in some other room?” Youngjae questioned. It seemed unfair if that was the case.

  Vice Captain Minseok grinned. “The process is much more complicated than you think. I can assure you that one will be a match for you as we have someone who specializes in this situation. Him and his team has been gathering information ever since your arrival. But in order for you to pass, you must be able to awaken it. Now, please come up and place a hand over the Reapers. You will be able to tell which one is calling out for you.”

  Reluctantly, Youngjae took heavy steps towards the table. Upon further inspection, he found out there were six different Reapers, all with various shapes and sizes. Some were the size of a dagger while others were the size of a sword. One in particular stood out. It was very similar to Yongguk’s.

  Youngjae took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and hovered his hand on top of the table. At first, he felt nothing and that worried him. What if none of them accepted him? What if all his efforts turned to nothing? What would he do afterwards? He didn’t want to bring shame to himself or his family by returning empty-handed. Well, they do give all failed students an incentive for getting this far by providing a job other than being a Hunter, but Youngjae just wouldn’t be able to live with that.

  Just when he thought everything was over, a strange warmth coursed through his body and a small vibration tickled his hand. He moved and noticed the vibration intensifying. At its highest, he opened his eyes and found himself staring at the sword similar to Yongguk’s. This one was black with yellow accents.The hilt had a shape of bird wings with an amber stone in the middle. He gasped when he noticed it glowing. It was a beautiful sword. Probably not as beautiful as Vice Captain Minseok’s, but it had it’s charm.

  With a trembling hand, Youngjae grabbed the hilt and examined the sword even further. On the base of the blade, he noticed the yellow patterns were in shapes of diamonds and circles. It was such a strange combination, but he didn’t mind. He was just happy to know that a Reaper chose him.

  “What’s next?” He asked, never taking his eyes off of this beauty.

  “Just wait.”

  “What do you mean by just wa-” Youngjae never finished his sentence. Everything around him froze and it felt like his body was floating in the air. He looked down to check, but that was not the case. When he brought his head back up, he no longer saw Vice Captain Minseok and the table standing in front of him. Instead, there was a strange blue flame levitating. Youngjae resisted the urge to touch it.

  So this is what a Reaper’s soul looks like, Youngjae thought and gulped. He honestly didn’t know what to do when he came face-to-face with his own Reaper. Did he need to start the conversation or did it? How does it talk? How many other humans wielded the Reaper before him? Then, he remembered what Yongguk said the first day he came to the Academy. He cleared his throat. “My name is Yoo Youngjae. What’s yours?”

  The flame was silent.

  Youngjae shifted. Was this really the Reaper that chose him? Maybe he made a mistake and picked up the wrong one.

  Then: “My name is Jokomato.”

  Youngjae resisted the urge to drop his jaw. Wait, he has a Matoki Reaper? “Jokomato?” He repeated just to make sure he didn’t hear it wrong.

  “Yes. That is my name, Yoo Youngjae, and don’t you dare forget it. I have chosen you as my Master for many reasons. You have a kind heart and are willing to protect the ones you love. I am more intrigued about the fact that you are here because of a certain person.”

  Youngjae blushed. “How do you know about that?”

  “I can see it. The moment you held me, I saw everything from your past. You have such a lovely family, and I’m sure they miss you dearly.”

  Youngjae couldn’t believe it. He still couldn’t process why, out of all Reapers, he was able to match with a Matoki. He just was not expecting it.

  Jokomato continued, “My previous wielders are much like you. They all had someone they wanted to protect even if it costs their life. My powers are much different from others as they are not typically for combat, but do not fret. I am still a weapon that can kill.”

  Youngjae wanted to ask so many questions like how did Reapers come to be (but then again, even Reapers didn’t know their own origins based on the books he’s read), how many others were before him, and what were his powers? He held back and simply asked, “Will you tell me more about yourself after I pass my exam?”

  If only the flame could smile. “I like your confidence. Are you ready?”

  Youngjae nodded his head. “Yes.”

  Suddenly, he found himself standing in the same room with Vice Captain Minseok gazing upon him. Without another wait, he announced, “I’m ready.”