Shadows of Ascension

68. The Weight of Potential

The warmth of the hut was a stark contrast to the raging blizzard outside. The crackling fire cast flickering shadows on the wooden walls, and the scent of burning wood filled the air. Mr. Yun leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Luca. 

"Young Luca…" Mr. Yun’s voice was steady, filled with an eerie calm. "You are strong, but you are not as promising as your brother was." 

Luca tensed at the words, but he said nothing. 

Mr. Yun slowly removed his cloak, revealing a deep scarred chest—at the center of which shone a bold A mark. "I am 152 years old now, and I am weaker than I used to be…" He exhaled slowly, as if the weight of his years was pressing down on him all at once. 

"But back in my prime, I was one of the few A-rank hunters," he continued, his voice carrying both pride and sorrow. "Reaching B-rank is already an extraordinary feat. It is the peak for most hunters. Even those who spend their entire lives training, surpassing their limits, and achieving monstrous strength… they remain at B-rank." 

Luca clenched his fists. He had spent years training, pushing himself further and further, yet now he was being told that his limits had already been set. 

"So… you can’t train me the way you trained my brother?" Luca asked, his voice quieter than before. 

Mr. Yun shook his head. "No." His eyes held no cruelty, only the weight of truth. "No matter how strong you become, you will never reach A-rank." 

A heavy silence filled the room. 

Then, suddenly, Mr. Yun’s gaze shifted. He wasn’t looking at Luca anymore. His sharp, weathered eyes locked onto Aiden, specifically at his shadow cast by the fire. For a moment, his expression changed—his pupils dilated slightly, and his lips parted in faint surprise. 

"But your friend, on the other hand…" Mr. Yun murmured. "He has the potential to become A-rank… perhaps even S-rank." 

Everyone froze. 

Riona blinked. "Wait… what?" 

Luca stared at Aiden, then back at Mr. Yun. "Are you serious, Mr. Yun? S-rank?!There have only been a handful of S-rank hunters in the entire history of the world!" 

"Be quiet, my child," Mr. Yun said firmly, his voice unwavering. "In my 152 years of experience, I have never felt such a burning resolve in a single person." 

Aiden looked down at his own hands, confused. S-rank? That wasn’t possible… was it? He had always been strong, but to be compared to the legends of history? 

Mr. Yun continued, "In the 152 years that I have lived, there was not a single hunter with a better sensory skill than me. Many A-rank hunters have surpassed me in raw power, but not in perception." 

Riona frowned. "What do you mean by that?" 

Mr. Yun leaned forward. "There are different types of hunters. First, we have the Assassin types—the most common. You are all assassins. Speed, agility, and precision in combat. This is the path most hunters follow." 

They all nodded. This was basic knowledge. 

"Then, we have Mages—hunters who channel elemental energy and wield magic. A rare and powerful path, but one that requires immense natural talent." 

Riona folded her arms. "Mages are incredibly rare… I’ve only met one or two in my life." 

Mr. Yun nodded. "And lastly, we have Archers—masters of ranged combat, capable of striking down enemies before they can even react." 

Aiden crossed his arms. "So what does this have to do with me?" 

Mr. Yun’s eyes gleamed. "Because none of those categories apply to you." 

The room fell silent again. 

Aiden narrowed his eyes. "…What?" 

"You are something else entirely," Mr. Yun said. "And that is why you have the potential to become something greater than anyone here realizes." 

Aiden swallowed. What am I, then?