The principal and Brain went out to 'talk' about something, leaving him in the room. Kuro looks around the room, observing the principal office.
He would be getting his awakener rank today. It was his chance to measure his power level compared to other awakeners on Prime Earth. From the moment he arrived on Prime Earth, the only comparison he had was the busty red-head that one shot Niji, the spoiled brats inside the academy, and the monster inside the dungeons.
Even with dungeons, there are no dungeons above B rank in the regions surrounding the academy. Given how easily his Shadow Army was blazing through the B rank dungeons, he guessed he was stronger than a B rank but didn't know how much stronger.
Click
The door opened as Brain and the principal walked in.
Kuro quickly snapped out of his thoughts, straightening up as the principal and Brain entered the room. Both of them went toward the couch opposite of him and sat down.
"I know this is late but let me introduce you to your grandma Anne." Brain stated.
Kuro blinked, momentarily confused by the sudden mention of a "grandma." He glanced at the principal, who gave him a knowing smile.
"Wait. Are you telling me that you are married to the principal of the Hunter Academy?" He asked. "No wonder you always arrive home late, regardless of whether you have classes or not."
"Ahem!" Brain coughs as he tries to look away. Anne, however, seemed unphased by the comment. She simply leaned back on the couch, folding her arms with a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"That's one way to put it," she said with a playful tone, not bothering to deny or confirm Kuro's assumptions. "But enough about that for now. We're here to talk about your ranking today. We've got more important things to focus on, don't we?"
Kuro shifted. "Right... my Awakener rank," he said, settling into his seat more comfortably.
Brain cleared his throat. "We will be conducting your exam. More specifically, Anne will be the one conducting the exam. Just go all out against her and you will judge your rank."
"Got it," Kuro said, standing up from his seat. He quickly glanced between Brain and Anne. "You'll be the judge of my rank, huh?" Kuro smirked, trying to break the tension in the room. "You sure you're ready for what I've got? I won't hold back."
Anne's smile didn't waver. "I'm quite used to being underestimated. Let's see if you can surprise me, dear grandson."
With that, Anne clicks her finger as the room around them transforms. The sleek furniture vanished, replaced by an open, vast arena with high walls and a clear sky above. The ground was smooth, marked only by faint runes etched into the surface.
"Wow!" Kuro looks around before turning back to Anne and Brian. "Are we still in the office?" He asked.
"Yes and no. I use space magic to warp and distort the space around us. You can go all out without worrying about anything or anyone knowing. Once I restore the space, it will return back to the office."
"Hot damn, I wish I could do that too." Kuro murmured, eyeing the arena.
"Watch your language, before I bring out my trusty coat hanger."
Kuro raised an eyebrow, glancing at Anne, who had the faintest glint of mischief in her eyes. He doesn't say anything as he turns toward Brian, only to see him shaking his head.
With a deep breath, he focused. Since he has been living with Brian for the past few years, he has come to see the old man as his family. Since Anne is his grandma now, he will also treat her like his family. Afterall, he grew up without parents until he woke up in the shinobi world. Even then, he barely interacted with his 'parents' before he decided to come to the Tower of Heavens just so he could gain the power to protect them. Hearing Anne threat with the coat hanger, he felt happy.
He took a breath, shaking the nostalgia away. Turning his attention back to Anne, he could sense the strength emanating from her, even in her playful demeanor.
"I'm ready," Kuro said, his voice steady now, the earlier lightheartedness replaced with a quiet determination. His hand clenched into a fist at his side, and his shadow army began to swirl around him. He decided to trust the two, who have become his family, with his secret.
Anne, sensing the change in Kuro's stance, smiled, but there was something more serious behind her gaze. "That's the spirit," she said, her voice almost a whisper, as if testing his resolve.
"Just so you know grandma. What I am about to show you is something that will blow your mind." Kuro stated as he turned his head toward Brian and back to Anne. "Also, can we have a talk after this? There is something I want to share with you two."
Anne's smile didn't fade, but the playful glint in her eyes dimmed slightly, replaced by a quiet curiosity. Brian, still standing by the side, looked at Kuro with a raised eyebrow. "Sure. We can talk after this." Anne said and Brian nodded. "Are you ready now?"
"Yes and thanks." Kuro nodded his head. Kuro took another deep breath, the weight of what he was about to reveal hanging in the air. He had never fully opened up to anyone about this—not even Brian. But something about this moment, standing here with his family made him feel like it was time. Time to stop holding back.
"RISE" Kuro's voice rang out, commanding his shadow army to rise.
The shadows around Kuro expanded into vast, writhing forms, each one a grotesque amalgamation of shadow. From the depths of his shadow, monstrous shapes emerged—shadowy beasts with elongated claws, twisted figures that crawled out from the abyss. Some looked like nightmare-fueled creatures, while others resembled faceless humanoid figures.
The oppressive aura that radiated from Kuro was suffocating, and the air seemed to shimmer with the intensity of his power. His Monarch Domain had come to life as a surge of shadowy energy coiled around him, extending outward like tendrils.
Anne watched in silence, her previously playful expression gone. She stood still, her eyes narrowed as she took in the display. Brian, too, was silent, his hands now resting loosely at his sides.
"Do you see?" Kuro spoke again. "This is the full extent of my power. It's not just about controlling shadows and empowering myself with them. I can summon these shadowy creatures, which I called Shadow Army. An army to assist me and defeat my foes. An army that will get stronger and continue to grow."
Anne finally broke her silence, her voice tinged with awe. "This... is incredible. Wait, are these the same shadow creatures from the rumor going around the academy?"
"Yes." Kuro nodded. "I have them train inside the dungeons."
Brian's gaze softened, though his eyes were still filled with a quiet curiosity. "And that's what you wanted to share with us?"
"Yes and more. But first, the exam."
"Alright then. Let's get started shall we?" Anne immediately rushed toward Kuro. "And don't go easy just because I'm old. You will regret it."
The moment Anne was within striking distance, Kuro raised his hand, and the shadows at his feet surged upward, forming a massive wall that rose to block her path. The dark energy shifted with eerie precision, its tendrils weaving together to create an impenetrable barrier.
Anne smirked, not even breaking her stride. Without missing a beat, she flicked her wrist, and in an instant, the shadow wall shattered as though it were nothing more than fragile glass. The force behind her strike sent ripples through the arena, but Anne was already on the move, darting toward Kuro with lightning speed.
Kuro's eyes widened in surprise. His Shadow Army doesn't sit around to see their Monarch getting thrash. They roar as they charge at Anne, trying to drown her in a sea of shadows.
Anne, however, was unfazed. With a fluid movement, she ducked and weaved between the shadow creatures, her hands glowing with a subtle, radiant energy. She thrust her palms forward, sending a shockwave of force through the air that hit the shadow creatures head-on. The creatures disintegrated into mist, dissipating with a sound like a soft gust of wind.
"Impressive," Anne said, her voice filled with acknowledgement as she turned her gaze back to Kuro. "But you'll need more than that to defeat me."
Kuro's lips curled into a grin. "Well, I am just getting warmed up."
With that, the two continue to clash, as Brian watches with a content smile on his face.