The planet Kyle landed on didn’t have any cultivators or martial artists.

However, it was filled with a different energy that the natives called ‘Mana’.

Mages and warriors were the result of the planet’s inhabitants discovering and learning to manipulate the energy. However, the number of people that could become a mage or warrior was pitifully low.

Only one in ten thousand people had the capacity to intake mana into their bodies. And only one in ten of those had the talent to manipulate mana.

Every year, all youths of ten years of age would test their mana capacity and talent in mana manipulation at a nearby city.

All young men and women aspired to become mages and warriors. For it brought glory and potential wealth to their families if they were to successfully complete their studies.

Therefore, it was rather odd for Alex to want to be a hunter instead.

Vanessa helped out with chores at the nearby houses of people that had good relations with her parents before their passing.

It helped the brother and sister earn some needed income and items necessary for living.

Alex would help his sister whenever he didn’t have lessons at the village elder’s place. Kyle provided the siblings with meat and fish from his labours in turn for Vanessa helping with cooking and cleaning his hut. In fact, the siblings ate better than half of the village’s population.

However, being a hunter would not allow for a lavish lifestyle. It would still be hard and dangerous. Vanessa did not want her little brother to go through the same thing as her parents.

In three days, it would be this year’s annual test at the city only two hours walk away from the village. Alex has been very intelligent ever since he was young and learned new knowledge very easily.

As these were signs of someone possessing above average amount of mana, Vanessa was very excited for her little brother. It was likely that he didn’t have to be stuck growing up in a small village and could become someone of importance in the future!

***

Kyle accompanied Vanessa and Alex to Mountain Pine City on the day of the test. They were together with a group of parents accompanying their children, waiting outside the city gates.

“Calm down Vanessa. Alex is the one being tested. Being nervous won’t change the result.”

Kyle comforted the skittish girl while laughing inwardly at her behaviour.

“I can’t help it! What if he fails?! I don’t want him to be a hunter…”

Kyle thought about the fact that Vanessa and Alex’s parents were hunters and that they were killed by a stay monster from the other side of the mountain.

He sighed and hugged the girl to assure her.

“Don’t worry, he can always be a farmer. I’ve got enough savings to buy him a small plot on the other side of the village.”

“Ohh! Is that a proposal gift Kyle? Shall I start calling you brother in law?”

“Alex! What are you talking about?! We’re not like that……yet…” The last word came out as a whisper as Vanessa hid her face in Kyle’s chest.

Kyle and Alex joined in laughter as the mood visibly lightened.

After the group from Drant Village entered the gates, they all proceeded towards the city square where the test would be conducted.

There were other villages scattered around the city. Most if not all were farming villages that supplied the city with fresh produce daily. The distance from the city to the villages were very close and the way between occupied by farms and small water reservoirs.

There were many other groups from those villages at the city square waiting to register.

Kyle and Vanessa waited at the edge of the square as Alex joined a que for registering.

Kyle held Vanessa’s hands as he looked around the square. There were over three thousand kids testing this year. It would be lucky for even one kid to have the required mana capacity in a normal year.

Soon, Alex came back with a badge that wrote Group 8, number 167. The test would be conducted over the next two days.

“Alright, let’s go have lunch and head back.” Kyle smiled to Alex as encouragement. The normally relaxed and cheerful kid seemed visibly nervous.

The trio came to a restaurant near the square. They had to wait a while for a free table as it was quite busy.

“Alex, don’t worry, you can definitely make it.” Kyle gave a reassuring smile.

“Thanks, brother in law!” Alex beamed at Kyle.

“You brat! Haha!” Kyle ruffled Alex’s head with a laugh. Vanessa’s face reddened but she didn’t refute the comment which brought further smiles from Kyle and Alex.

Kyle had discovered the unique energy known as mana shortly after arriving at the planet. He could see the amount of mana in someone as he was a god. Alex easily had twenty times more mana than an average human without any training. Therefore, he was convinced that Alex would get through without any problem.

The three had their meals and headed back to the village.

***

Kyle and the two siblings once again came to the city on the second and final day of testing. Since number 151 would be the first test in the morning, Alex had to report in very early.

Vanessa was praying with her hands together as she waited outside the tents where the tests were being conducted.

Soon after, Alex ran out of the tent with a big smile on his face.

“Big Sis! Kyle! I made it!!”

Vanessa burst into tears as she hugged her little brother. Kyle stood at their side and watched the two with a warm smile.

Alex was followed by a small squad of ten well-armoured soldiers who stood around them with indifferent expressions.

Vanessa let go of Alex after a while and noticed the soldiers.

“Alex, who are these people?”

“Oh, these are my guards for the time being. I have two days to prepare at home. I have to come back to the city on the third day and join the convoy to the capital.”

“Will they come back to the village with us?”

“Yes, they are tasked with my safety until I reach the academy. Cool huh?”

“Thank you, gentlemen, for looking after my little brother.” Vanessa gave a small bow towards the soldiers. No one replied as they merely stood alert and kept an eye on their surroundings.

Vanessa smiled awkwardly and decided to ignore them.

The leader of the ten men squad observed Kyle with a cautious gaze.

The man had experienced front line wars against the monsters and was very keen towards sensing danger. Kyle gave off a very dangerous vibe. Much more so than any monster he’d ever encountered.

“Who are you?” The leader asked Kyle while trying to maintain his calm.

Kyle laughed inwardly as he could guess the leader’s thoughts and answered with a smile.

“Hello, my name is Kyle. I’m their neighbour and a hunter.” The leader kept his gaze on Kyle for a while before looking away.

“Alex, let’s go back, we have to get you ready for the trip.”

Vanessa pulled Alex, still excited from the outcome, back towards their village.

The soldiers followed behind with even steps without a word.

The group attracted the gaze of everyone in the village due to the extra company. A few curious villagers asked Vanessa and were shocked upon hearing the reply.

Soon, the news spread all over the village. Alex was viewed with envy and jealousy everywhere he went. Over the two days, Alex went and gave his thanks to the teachers and elders of the village. Pete and his family also invited the siblings for dinner one night.

Of course, Alex was followed by the soldiers everywhere he went.