Constellation Hunters

Page 1

Panel 1

The Hunter Exam Center. Every year, those marked by falling stars gather here — to become hunters.

Panel 2

[SFX] HISSSSS

Registration day. The line felt endless.

Panel 3

Constellation verified. Proceed to the examination hall.

[SFX] CLANK

Panel 4

Aquila. Wind manipulation.

Ursa Major, obviously.

(thinking) Dad would have walked in here with confidence... And here I am. His starless son.

Panel 5

NEXT!

Name and territory of origin?

Panel 6

Atlas Stone. Thornwick Village.

Stone? Any relation to Commander Theron Stone?

He was my father.

Panel 7

Please activate your constellation ability.

Panel 8

Nothing.

Panel 9

Is that really Theron Stone's son?

Poor kid. Must be starless.

Panel 10

Son... are you certain you caught a star? This examination is extremely dangerous for non-star users.

Panel 11

Heat rose in his cheeks... but Not from any constellation power.

I'm certain.

I want to be a hunter. Like my father.

Panel 12

She studied his face for a long moment. Then sighed.

Your determination is admirable, but—

Panel 13

Please!

I know what everyone thinks. But I have to try.

Panel 14

I have to protect people. Like he did.

Panel 15

She glanced at the line behind him. It was still growing.

Panel 16

Then she reached for a blank badge.

Panel 17

[SFX] KA-CLANK

Panel 18

But Atlas Stone — promise me you'll withdraw if it becomes too dangerous.

Your father wouldn't want you to die trying to prove something.

Panel 19

UNVERIFIED. He pinned it on anyway.

Panel 20

Atlas...?

Castor Blaze. Leo Major. His childhood friend.

Panel 21

Atlas! Wait—

Panel 22

(thinking) If I look at him now, I'll fall apart.

He couldn't bear Castor's pity. Not today.

Panel 23

(thinking) I'll show them. Being starless doesn't mean being powerless.

He had no idea how prophetic those words would prove to be.