Antarctica’s Myth

The last section of the Guild is commonly known as the "poorer" part of the Guild without it actually being poor. The reason as to why is because the typical Slayers and Juniors live here. The ones without name. The ones who have no "royalty." The ones who are simply just known as a soldier for the Guild to deploy whenever they want.

The air is a bit thicker than the other sections and the reason why is that there's much more hard labor and training. Many years ago, some Slayers here found it upon themselves to help other Slayers and Juniors get armor, food, drinks, social events because the only way for them to do this would to go into the Human world but they'd be so popular amongst the Humans they wouldn't be able to enjoy their time. That is how the Guild came to have their own currency and it became the strongest coin throughout the entire world.

ASSIGNED GRANDMASTER: LYON GARNETT

SLAYER: EMILIA TALVA

JUNIOR: KATSUKI E.

JUNIOR EXAM BEGINS IN 2 WEEKS.

Katsuki walks beside Emilia who's endowed in beautiful layered robes with shades of purple and black. Katsuki's robes however… They were raggedy and could barely be called a robe. It was black with white wraps and worn out. The reason why Katsuki looks like trash standing next to Emilia's elegant robes? Emilia doesn't know how to sew or have money to buy him one… Juniors are typically given robes from their mentor and Junior robes are usually only single layered with some padding to help soften blows. Katsuki doesn't have that. Underneath his robe is the best clothes he could find that he doesn't care about getting torn up or cut. A black shirt, sweatpants, black socks, and black sneakers.

Unfortunately, Katsuki got stared at and got a few chuckles out of some Slayers…

They came to a stop and Katsuki saw an open field reserved for the sole purpose of training. It was a huge circle that had a circumference of about 5 miles and had Slayers and Juniors scattered throughout.

"This is where we begin," said Emilia as she motioned for Katsuki to follow.

She glances at her surroundings, watching all the Slayers mentor, before looking back at Katsuki.

"I know what you're capable of, Katsuki, and I intend to sharpen you. And don't think because we bonded earlier in the hospital it will mean I will go easy," Emilia said with a soft tone before it turned sharp.

"I don't plan on it," Katsuki nervously replied.

Emilia leads Katsuki to an empty space before nodding her head, "This will do. We're quite away from everyone else. First things first, you will endure physical training. The most basic attributes about you is… not even close to subpar compared to a normal Junior. We must work on your stamina before even going further."

"Let me guess, sprint a mile? Run in place?"

"None of those. Those cones beside you is your training."

"The cones?" Katsuki looks down to see a row of cones that seemed to stretch for a good distance.

"The exam you will partake in requires you to be beyond any Human could ever be. If you want to at least make it to the end, you have to be able to keep your stamina. The cone training is simple, but not easy. I have a drill for you that will require different movements and will make your body break within one hour."

Katsuki chuckled nervously, "S-Seriously?"

"More than serious. This training regiment is for children compared to what I had to do when I was a Junior."

Did he hear that right? This is like as if a child could it!? He wondered just how extreme Emilia's training must've been when she was a Junior. Did she practice under a waterfall? Did she fight people every day? Did she break bones? Did she even sleep!?

Could he even do this? For Katsuki this was a dream come true, but now? He sees the reality of becoming a Slayer and it just hit him like a truck- no a planet.

"Don't worry, Katsuki, as long as you're with me I will make sure you get the point where most Juniors are so you have a fighting chance," Emilia reassured his doubts but then she steps closer, "Katsuki, need I remind you why you're doing this? What you lost? Who you saw people lost?"

Katsuki's confidence and commitment was weaker earlier, but hearing her words gave him the strength he needed. She was absolutely right. What Katsuki lost was more than enough to remind that he must become stronger and be a protector.

"I understand," Katsuki nodded.

"Well, well, well, Emilia actually has a Junior. Who would've thought?" A man's condescending voice came from a slight distance.

The man is a Slayer. More specifically, a Slayer that Emilia knew back when she was a Junior.

His eyes flick to Katsuki and sizes him up, "And I'm even more surprised you actually got someone to tolerate your behavior."

The Slayer is tall, has a muscular build, and the air around him seems to be heavier than the surrounding air. His name is Arcanis, a name only few can properly pronounce.

"Seeing as how Kolt was your mentor, I see the similarities you two have in choosing Juniors," Arcanis meets Katsuki's gaze with mockery, "That being the runt of the litter."

Beside Arcanis is his Junior, a young man around Katsuki's age that stands tall and confident. His name is Valen and he's already dismissing Katsuki as a threat.

"Don't expect much out of this one. He's just unimpresssive," Valen's words piercing both of them, "I wonder if he'll even survive to the end of the exam and make it back home…"

Katsuki's eye twitched, "And who the hell are you two?"

Arcanis chuckles, clearly amused, "You got some spine to you, I'll give you that." He smirks as he then crosses his arms. "You should feel privileged that I will tell you my name. I am Arcanis and this is Valen, if you even live long enough to remember his name."

Emilia's gaze sharpened and her voice cut through the tension between everyone, "That's enough, Arcanis. Your games end here so go back to your hole where you live."

Arcanis smirks, "Games? I'm only telling your Junior the reality of the situation. Some Juniors are just meant to be Slayers, like mine. Just like how not everyone is meant to be… A… Teacher."

Katsuki's blood boils at Arcanis' remarks as he felt as if he is being challenged that he can't become a Slayer.

Emilia remains unaffected by Arcanis' words and she glances toward Katsuki, "Don't let their words get to you. Keep focusing on the training and unlike some people our actions will be louder than words."

Katsuki calmed down a bit before realizing that wasting time and energy on these two will be useless. They're only here to jab at him and Emilia and belittle them into thinking that they're not strong enough. His eyes changed from anger to calm, his body shifted from defensive to calm, and his his discipline grew a bit.

Arcanis takes note of Katsuki's change in demeanor, "Backing down. Didn't expect that out of you. Might live after all."

"But you'll need more than just a calm attitude to win. We all start somewhere," Valen smirks as he continues to look down upon Katsuki.

Satisfied with Katsuki's ability to control his emotions so quickly, she steps forward, her gaze fixated on Arcanis and Valen. "Find someone else to torture and make fun of, we're done here."

"You've been so cold recently, Emilia. But fine, we'll leave you to your "training"." Arcanis said before turning around and walking away, his robes fluttering in the wind.

"I'll see you at the exams, Katsuki. Try not to embarrass yourself," Valen mocked as he followed suit.

As they leave, the tension dissipates and the calm that once lingered is back. They both recollect themselves and Emilia decides to speak up after a moment of silence, "Those bastards are annoying…" She muttered.

Katsuki was taken aback by her language and even raised his brows. He didn't expect her to use that sort of language ever.

"Let's get back to work," Emilia took a few steps back.

Meanwhile, Katsuki stared at the backs of Arcanis and Valen. He was nervous, but not of the exams, but of Valen. However, this uneasiness made Katsuki's commitment grow stronger. He needed to prove them wrong. He had to.

Katsuki's eyes sharpened and he took a deep breath as he lined himself up behind the first cone of many.

"You will go through each one in a zig-zag pattern. Run until your legs give out and your lungs can't expand anymore. Sharpen your senses, move out of instinct, and never lose sight of your goal. There's 100 cones. Get through them all. Go!" Emilia shouted.

The second after, Katsuki pushed himself forward and began… To… Slowly… Move. He took his time going through each cone, or at least it looked like he did, and Emilia took a heavy sigh.

"This is gonna be a while, isn't it…?"