Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

<Arcadia Hunter Academy, Sophomore Training Grounds>

The training grounds were alive with the sounds of students wrapping up their practical exercises, the clatter of weapons and chatter filling the air as the session came to an end. Maya, standing near the edge of the field, adjusted the straps of her training coat and glanced over the team she had led for the day. They had performed well, efficiently navigating the simulated dungeon formations, and she felt a quiet sense of accomplishment at their cohesion.

As she began to leave, a few of her team members called out to her.

"Maya!" one of them shouted, waving enthusiastically. It was a lively girl named Cassia, her cheeks still flushed from the exertion of training. She jogged up to Maya, followed closely by two other teammates—a taller, slightly awkward boy named Doran and a confident, sharp-eyed student named Caleb.

Cassia grinned as she caught her breath. "That was amazing today. Your leadership made everything so smooth. I don’t think we could’ve done half as well without you."

Maya gave a small nod, her lips curving into a polite smile. "Thank you. You all worked hard. That’s what made it successful."

"Well," Caleb interjected smoothly, stepping forward with a bright smile, "I think it’s only fair we celebrate, don’t you? How about we all grab a meal together? It’s the least we can do after working together so well."

Maya’s gaze flicked to Caleb, her sharp eyes catching the slight glint of something more in his tone. While the suggestion seemed casual, she could see the intent behind it. This wasn’t the first time someone had tried to use camaraderie as an excuse to get closer to her, and she doubted it would be the last.

Cassia nodded eagerly, clearly unaware of Caleb’s underlying motives. "That’s a great idea! Maya, what do you think? You deserve a break after all that hard work."

Maya’s expression remained composed as she considered her response. She appreciated the team’s efforts and their enthusiasm, but she wasn’t oblivious to the subtle undertone in Caleb’s suggestion. Polite but firm rejection was the best course.

"I appreciate the thought," Maya said, her tone warm but resolute. "But I already have plans for the evening. Perhaps another time."

Cassia looked mildly disappointed but understanding, while Dorian nodded quickly, as if relieved he didn’t have to commit to an extended social engagement.

Caleb, however, recovered quickly, his charming demeanor unwavering. "Of course, no problem at all. Another time, then," he said smoothly, flashing her a smile that she could only describe as practiced.

Maya inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment. "Thank you for the offer. Have a good evening, all of you."

With that, she turned and began walking toward the exit, the faint sounds of her team’s continued chatter fading into the background. As she stepped away from the training grounds, the cool evening air greeted her, carrying with it a sense of relief and quiet satisfaction.

"Now….You must be there…."

The cool evening breeze swept across the academy grounds as Maya strode purposefully toward her destination. Her earlier words about having plans for the evening hadn’t been a lie, though she hadn’t disclosed the specifics to her teammates. There was someone she needed to speak with—her junior, Astron.

After yesterday’s missed opportunity, she wasn’t going to let another day slip by without having a proper conversation.

Her footsteps echoed faintly as she entered the sprawling training grounds. As she’d anticipated, it wasn’t particularly crowded. The semester had just started, and most students were still easing back into the academy’s demanding routines. Yet Maya knew one person who wouldn’t take it slower. He never did.

The faint hum of mana and the sharp sound of something cutting through the air reached her ears as she approached one of the deeper sections of the training area. It was quieter here, away from the hustle and noise of the more populated zones. And there he was, just as she’d expected.

SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Astron moved with precision and focus, engaging with the PhantomGlide Dummy—one of the academy’s most challenging training devices. The construct was designed to simulate the speed and unpredictability of high-level enemies, its ghostly figure darting through the air with blinding agility.

Most students struggled to land even a single hit on it, but Astron’s strikes were methodical, his movements fluid as he adapted seamlessly to its patterns.

As the dummy launched another attack, Astron countered with a swift, clean strike, his blade cutting through its spectral form. The PhantomGlide Dummy shimmered faintly, resetting itself for the next sequence, but Astron lowered his weapon, seemingly satisfied with his progress.

It was the perfect moment.

Maya stepped forward, her voice clear but calm as she called out, "Junior."

Astron turned to her, his violet eyes meeting hers with the same steady focus he carried into every task. For a brief moment, surprise flickered across his features, but it was gone almost instantly, replaced by his usual composed demeanor.

"Senior," he replied, inclining his head slightly.

Maya walked closer, her expression poised. "How was it?"

"Training?"

"Yes."

"As usual."

"I see."

Astron reached for a towel draped nearby, his movements precise and unhurried. He wiped the sweat from his face and neck, his composure never faltering despite the exertion from his training. The faint shimmer of his skin under the soft glow of the mana lights made him appear almost ethereal. Maya’s gaze lingered a fraction longer than she intended, and she quickly reminded herself that this wasn’t the time to lose focus.

She stepped closer, holding out a small flask. "Here. Drink this."

Astron tilted his head slightly, his violet eyes narrowing in curiosity. "What is this?"

"A quick brew," Maya replied evenly. "It’s from my hometown."

Astron studied the flask for a moment, then raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you sure you want to give this to me?"

Maya’s expression didn’t waver. "Why not? I drink it every day."

There was a pause, during which Astron seemed to weigh her words before taking the flask. "I see," he said simply, his tone unreadable. He opened the flask and took a small sip, his movements as deliberate as always.

Maya observed him closely, noting the faint flicker of approval in his expression as he swallowed. "It’s refreshing," he admitted, his tone neutral but genuine.

"It’s good for stamina recovery," Maya said. "Now, follow me. There’s something I want to discuss."

Astron nodded, slipping the flask into his bag before falling into step beside her without a word of protest. As they walked, Maya kept her pace steady, her hands clasped loosely behind her back.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "The academy’s been lively since the start of the semester, hasn’t it?" she began, her tone conversational.

"It has," Astron replied, his voice calm. "They were rather enthusiastic."

"Enthusiastic, but inexperienced," Maya added with a faint smile. "Though I suppose that’s to be expected."

Astron’s lips quirked slightly, a faint hint of amusement breaking through his otherwise stoic expression. "You mean to say they’re loud."

Maya chuckled softly, the sound light and almost musical. "Perhaps. But it’s not a bad thing. They’ll learn. Everyone starts somewhere."

The conversation flowed easily as they made their way through the academy grounds. Maya spoke of her recent practical field training, recounting how her team had performed and the subtle challenges of leading a group with varying skill levels. Astron listened attentively, his quiet presence steady as ever.

Their footsteps echoed softly as Maya led Astron through the winding paths of the academy grounds. The air grew cooler as they approached one of the more secluded areas—the Elemental Chamber, a place steeped in tranquility and raw magical energy.

The large, domed structure stood as an imposing testament to the academy’s commitment to fostering magical prowess. Its crystalline walls shimmered faintly, refracting the moonlight into soft hues of blue and silver. Maya pushed open the ornate doors, the subtle hum of contained elemental energy greeting them as they stepped inside.

Astron’s gaze swept over the chamber, his expression calm but observant. The space was vast, divided into distinct sections for training with different elemental affinities. Streams of water cascaded in controlled patterns in one corner, while flames danced in another. The air thrummed with latent power, the elements harmonizing in a carefully maintained balance.

Maya moved with quiet familiarity, guiding Astron toward a particular section of the chamber—a secluded area at the far end, marked by its faint glow of ethereal light. The space was reserved for her, a recognition of her position as the top-ranked student of the sophomore year. The intricate patterns carved into the floor radiated mana, responding faintly to her presence as she approached.

"Remember this place?"

Astron nodded, his violet eyes steady as he followed her. "I do. The principles you shared were straightforward and effective."

Maya allowed herself a small smile. "I thought it might be a fitting place for us to talk. It’s quiet, and I assume you don’t mind the atmosphere."

Astron’s gaze flicked around the chamber, taking in the soft glow of the elemental energy surrounding them. "I don’t. It’s… calm."

Maya inclined her head slightly before sitting down on one of the mana-infused benches near the edge of the platform. She gestured for Astron to do the same. He followed suit, his movements deliberate as he settled across from her.

For a moment, silence filled the chamber, broken only by the faint hum of energy in the air. Maya took a deep breath, her gaze steady as she met his eyes.

Maya’s hands rested lightly on her lap, her gaze fixed on Astron’s violet eyes. She took a measured breath before speaking, her voice calm but carrying a depth that hinted at the gravity of what she was about to share.

"Now that we’re here," she began, her tone steady, "I thought it only right to tell you that I’ve used the charm you gave me."

Astron’s expression remained composed, though a faint glimmer of interest flickered in his eyes. He nodded slightly, urging her to continue.

"The experience was…" Maya paused, searching for the right words. "Unusual. The moment I activated it, I was drawn into a plane of my consciousness I hadn’t fully realized existed. It felt… surreal, and yet it was undeniably real. The boundaries between thought and reality blurred."

Astron leaned forward slightly, his attention sharp and focused. "What did you find?"

Maya clasped her hands together, her fingers lacing tightly as she thought. "I encountered… a version of myself. Or rather, a fragment of who I am—or what I could be. It wasn’t just a mirror or a shadow. It was something deeper, more instinctual. A part of me I’ve long suppressed."

"Indeed….As I had expected….Your vampiric side. It is a result of a different psyche."

"….You really understand things well."

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