Rook woke with a start, his breath coming in quick gasps. He scanned his surroundings, eyes wide. "Am I not dead?" he whispered to his reflection in the mirror.

"Yahoo, I'm not dead!" he shouted, leaping onto the bed with newfound energy. He rushed outside, forgetting he was shirtless. It was his habit to sleep that way.

People on the street stared, their thoughts loud in their silence. Is he a Tarzan or something?

Rook's face flushed as he noticed the stares. He ducked back into his room, muttering, "Haaa, gone, all gone," embarrassment burning his cheeks.

He quickly got ready for university. Today was special—the university was taking students to the portals for practical training in beast hunting.

"Lalala lalala la la la," Rook sang as he entered the classroom. He spotted Ayush at the back, smiling and waving for him to sit beside him. Rook chose a seat at the front instead.

"Not today, today's special to me," Rook thought, trying to ignore the looming presence of Ayush.

But fate had other plans. "Hey, Bigilu, why are you avoiding me? I told you, you can't escape from me," Ayush said, suddenly appearing behind Rook and placing a hand on his shoulder.

Rook ignored Ayush, popping in his earplugs to block out any distractions. Suddenly, the air in the classroom grew heavy, pressing down on everyone. Students collapsed to the floor, struggling for breath.

"What's this pressure?" one student wheezed to his friend.

Rook dropped to his knees, feeling the weight on his shoulders, but he could still breathe. He glanced around, noting how Ayush remained unaffected, his dazzling battle suit countering the pressure. Ayush nonchalantly sipped juice, his eyes fixed on the entrance.

"Is he made of money or just covered in it?" Rook thought bitterly, unable to stand the sight of the wealthy boy behind him.

The pressure gradually eased as a figure entered the room. A hush fell over the class as Professor Arya appeared, her white coat billowing slightly.

She had black hair and brown eyes that seemed to pierce through everyone. Her slim battle suit accentuated her graceful form, making her look like she had been sculpted by the gods.

Students slowly got to their feet, their eyes wide with admiration. Despite having seen her in the auditorium before, seeing her up close was a different experience altogether.

Blood trickled from a few boys' noses, a testament to her overwhelming beauty.

Professor Arya's presence commanded attention. She surveyed the class with a slight smile, her voice calm yet authoritative. "Welcome, everyone.

I hope you already know me, so cut to the chase. Today marks the beginning of your practical training. We'll be entering the portals to hunt beasts. Prepare yourselves."

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Rook could feel the excitement and anxiety bubbling up inside him. Today was the day he had been waiting for, and nothing, not even Ayush, would ruin it for him.

As Professor Arya continued, her voice unwavering, "I hope all of you brought your weapons and potions with you."

The students replied in unison, "Yeees maaam," drawing out the words as they admired her beauty.

Rook, however, felt a wave of panic and confusion. "Should we bring the weapons?" he muttered, tension evident on his face.

A sudden burst of laughter erupted beside him. Ayush, amused by Rook's predicament, laughed heartily. He opened his backpack and pulled out a gun. It gleamed with a metallic sheen, intricate circuits etched into its surface.

The gun seemed to absorb the surrounding essence, emitting a soft blue glow that gave it an otherworldly feel.

Rook's eyes widened, blinking rapidly as he stared at the gun. His mouth watered. "See, Rook, do you like this gun? It's a new model of the Essence Buster, called EB.A.-07," Ayush said, holding the gun close to Rook.

Rook nodded vigorously, his excitement barely contained as he reached for the gun. But Ayush quickly pulled it back.

"But you need to be friends with me or pay for it. Your choice," Ayush offered with a sly smile.

Without hesitation, Rook nodded again, eager to accept the offer as he also forgot about the ayush. He grabbed the gun, examining it with blazing eyes, already planning how he would use it.

Ayush watched with a smug smile, pleased with Rook's easy temptation.

Professor Arya's voice broke through Rook's thoughts. "As you know, today is crucial. We will be entering the portals for practical training.

This experience is designed to prepare you for real-world challenges. Remember, teamwork and strategy are key."

Rook barely heard her, too engrossed in the gun. But a sense of excitement buzzed through him. Today was special, and nothing, not even Ayush's manipulations, would overshadow it.

—---------

At the outskirts of the city, deep within a dense and eerily silent forest, the students traveled in large armored vehicles.

The convoy moved cautiously, the vehicles equipped with shields and high-tech laser essence weapons, making them look ready for a battlefield.

"This journey should be very exciting!" one student exclaimed, his face lit with excitement as he shared his enthusiasm with a friend.

However, most of the students displayed fear and tension. It was their first time venturing into a portal, and the unknown loomed large.

"Hey, I heard many people died in portals. Is this information correct?" another student asked, his voice trembling with apprehension.

"Shut your bullsht mouth, you mthr fcker!" the already fearful student snapped, his nerves frayed by the question.

"Silence!" an officer commanded. He wore a suit similar to Professor Arya's, but in a more masculine cut. His voice was hoarse and commanding, instantly silencing the students.

Amidst the tension and fear, Rook sat quietly, his attention fixed on the gun he had obtained from Ayush. "So, friendship with rich people does have some benefits," he mused. "But he talks too much."

Ayush, oblivious to Rook's thoughts, chattered away about his last summer trip to Hawaii. Rook, not interested in Ayush's tales, had put in his earplugs to block out the incessant talk, preventing his ears from metaphorically bleeding.

The vehicles rumbled deeper into the forest, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. The students knew that beyond the trees lay the portal, a gateway to a world where danger and adventure awaited.

They were about to embark on a journey that would test their skills, courage, and teamwork.

Professor Arya stood at the front of the lead vehicle, her eyes scanning the surroundings. She turned to address the students, her voice steady and reassuring.

"Remember, this is a learning experience. Stay focused, work together, and trust in your training. You are capable of more than you realize."

Rook felt a surge of determination. He glanced around at his fellow students, some whispering nervously, others steeling themselves for the unknown.

He tightened his grip on the gun, feeling its weight and power. Today was the start of something new, a chance to prove himself. No matter what lay ahead, he was ready.