Hijack: Becoming The Strongest Hunter By Stealing Skills.

As Hayes left the room, a giant screen flickered to life, projecting an official announcement in bold, golden letters:

[Written examination starts in five minutes at Aurora Hall. I wish you all the best of luck in the Hunter exams. May the strongest pass.]

—Signed,

Director of the Hunter Academy

The screen briefly displayed a detailed map of the Hunter Academy, marking key landmarks, before switching to a final countdown—five minutes until the exam began. At that moment, the exit doors hissed open, signaling the students to move.

The tension in the air was palpable. Each student rushed out, determined to secure a seat in the examination hall.

With only a brief glimpse of the map imprinted in their minds, they navigated through the vast academy using landmarks as their guide. Footsteps pounded against the polished floors, some students sprinting ahead while others maintained a steady pace, trying to conserve their energy for the grueling test ahead.

Upon reaching Aurora Hall, they were met by the proctors, who efficiently guided them to their assigned seats. The hall itself was grand, with towering ceilings, massive chandeliers, and an air of solemnity that reminded them of the gravity of the test they were about to undertake.

As soon as the five-minute mark hit, the heavy wooden doors of the hall slammed shut with a resounding thud. The sound reverberated through the hall, drawing the students' attention, their anxiety heightened by the sheer finality of it.

Now seated, the students surveyed their surroundings. The air was thick with anticipation, the scent of freshly sharpened pencils mingling with the faint aroma of aged wood. Before each student lay a thick stack of exam papers, the academy's crest emblazoned in gold on the cover page, accompanied by an ominous warning:

"Three hours. No exceptions."

The test was legendary for its rigor, designed to push even the most brilliant minds to their limits. The structure was divided into three sections:

Section 1: Theoretical Foundations – A gauntlet of complex, multi-part questions that demanded precision, recall, and deep understanding.

Section 2: Practical Applications – Intricate problem-solving exercises requiring sharp analytical thinking and creativity.

Section 3: Critical Essay – A thought-provoking prompt where students had to craft a well-supported argument, demonstrating their reasoning and ability to articulate complex ideas.

"You may begin," the proctor's voice echoed through the hall.

A heavy silence fell over the room, broken only by the soft scratching of pencils against paper. Time became irrelevant as students poured over the exam, their fates hanging in the balance.

Among them was Rin. His eyes moved swiftly over the questions, his mind working effortlessly. The concepts, theories, and applications—everything came naturally. Hayes' training had truly paid off.

Minutes turned into hours, and soon, only five minutes remained. Rin, having finished ahead of time, exhaled deeply, leaning back in his chair. That was one tough examination, he mused. Hayes' teaching really helped a lot.

Then, without warning, the proctor—an imposing figure draped in flowing robes—snapped her fingers. Instantly, the examination papers lifted off the desks, levitating through the air before coalescing into a neat stack in front of her.

Whispers broke out among the students.

"Incredible…" someone muttered.

A student with amber eyes and a slender build, his aura brimming with mana, marveled at the display. "Such mastery… This is what it means to be a teacher at Hunter Academy," he mumbled.

Another student, a tall figure with piercing green eyes, an athletic build, and jet-black hair tied into a ponytail, smirked. "She's no ordinary mage. That's Kim Ha-Na—one of the Great Seven mages who created the barrier that keeps dark magic and demons at bay.

She could cast powerful spells without incantations by the age of thirteen—a feat even some top mages struggle to achieve. And to think, she was once a student here…"

Their conversation was cut short as the proctor's voice rang out once more.

"You may now leave the examination hall. You will be summoned once the results are ready. In the meantime, you are free to get food from the cafeteria."

The tension eased slightly as students stood up, stretching their limbs before filing out of the hall.

On the way out, the two students from earlier turned to one another.

"I'm Kim Tae-Hyun, from the Kim Clan," the amber-eyed student introduced himself with a friendly smile. "We specialize in sorcery."

The taller student bowed slightly. "Park Min-Ho, from the Park Clan. I specialize in research and ruins exploration. I had no idea you were related to the proctor, Kim Ha-Na."

Tae-Hyun chuckled. "She's my older sister. A prodigy since childhood. I've always tried to catch up, but she's leagues ahead. That's why I reacted the way I did earlier."

Min- Honodded. "She's amazing."

Tae-Hyun shrugged. "Anyway, let's put that aside. Want to grab some food? The cafeteria serves really good stuff."

Min-Ho agreed, and together they made their way to the academy's cafeteria.

---

Meanwhile, Rin stepped outside, stretching his arms.

Min-Soo spotted him and let out an exaggerated sigh. "Finally! You had me standing here forever. What took you so long?"

Rin responded calmly, "I thought you were still inside the hall. I also didn't know where you were seated. Plus, I'm starving—let's hit the cafeteria."

"Agreed," Min-Soo said, rubbing his stomach. "I was waiting for you anyway."

As they walked, the academy's beauty was on full display. Towering trees lined the walkways, their lush canopies shielding the students from the afternoon sun. The scent of blooming flowers carried on the breeze, providing a strangely calming atmosphere despite the intense day.

Upon reaching the cafeteria, they were greeted by the rich aroma of freshly prepared food. The sight was equally impressive—students devoured meals that looked like they belonged in a five-star restaurant.

Approaching the counter, Rin and Min-Soo placed their order.

"Two bowls of ramyeon," they requested.

The chef nodded and immediately set to work, rolling the dough, cutting it into perfect strips, and expertly boiling it. The rhythmic chopping and the fragrant broth bubbling away left them mesmerized.

Minutes later, their steaming bowls were placed before them. The broth was rich, the noodles cooked to perfection, and the vegetables and meat perfectly balanced in flavor. The moment Rin took his first bite, his taste buds danced in delight.

"This is amazing!" Min-Soo muttered between mouthfuls.

Just as they were enjoying their meal, a voice crackled over the academy's public announcement system.

"All applicants, report to the hall immediately. The exam results will now be announced."

The cafeteria fell silent for a moment before a wave of nervous energy spread through the students. Rin and Min-Soo exchanged glances before hurriedly finishing their meal.

It was time to see who had passed.