Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

The game Legacy of Shadows: The Hunter's Destiny had a lot of different plot elements. Different villains with good backstories, cruel ones, people with whom you could sympathize.

It contained elements of betrayal as well. Ethan's journey was filled with countless different trials, ranging from one to another.

Lucas' betrayal and his turn into a dark side were one of them. It held quite an important point since it was important for Ethan's character development and stimulated the feelings of the players.

The results of Lucas' betrayal were a lot more detrimental than any player would expect. While playing games or reading books with a young targeted audience, authors generally tend not to make the storyline filled with deaths, thus resulting in the lack of detrimentality for the actions.

But Legacy of Shadows: The Hunter's Destiny didn't do that. There were a lot of deaths and scenes that made the players feel the dread and how vile the villains, in reality, were.

"Ah….About that….I don't know why, but something about Lucas is off recently…."

Therefore, hearing this, my eyes perked up immediately. Remembering the gaze I had felt from Lucas, I knew that something about him felt off to me as well.

As Ethan continued to speak, he revealed that Lucas had been behaving a little oddly ever since returning from the Phantom's Land. "Sometimes he just dozes off randomly, and he's stopped making the jokes he usually does," Ethan explained, his brow furrowing with worry. "He's been training a lot more recently, too, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but... I don't know; something just feels off about him."

I listened intently to Ethan's words, noting the genuine concern in his voice. It was clear that he was worried about his friend. But that precise mentality of him is what makes the difference.

'His instincts are warning him, but he doesn't want to interpret them as danger since Lucas is his friend. That would make sense.'

My thoughts wandered to the game. If there was one thing Ethan was good at aside from his combat talent, it was his instincts and the ability to sense the possible danger. That might also stem from him being a protagonist, but his hunch was strong.

There were many small instances where Ethan would mumble something while riding the mounts, and that mumble would actually be related to something in the future.

'But, Phantom's Land...How is it related to Lucas' change?'

If there was one annoying thing about the things regarding Lucas in the game, why he changed sides weren't clearly explained. Though his motives clearly stemmed from his inferiority complex, there was something else. There needed to be since Lucas' change was rather drastic and sharp.

'Checking it now, I remember Lucas' turn into a demon was in the second semester of the second year. Was there something common?'

Thinking about it, I started visiting my memory palace, checking everything related to the game. There needed to be a clue left there.

'Lucas would start showing the symptoms after the raid in the dungeon as a party….The first raid of the main party, including Sylvie….There, the enemy was Belthazor.'

'Belthazor….Is it related to him?'

I was lost in my thoughts, but my spree came to an abrupt halt after seeing the hand waving before me.

"Astron, are you there?" Ethan's voice broke through my reverie, pulling me back to the present moment.

I blinked, refocusing my attention on Ethan, who was now looking at me with a concerned expression. "Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts for a moment there."

Ethan waved off my apology with a dismissive gesture. "It's fine," he reassured me. "But, did something happen? Did you know something about Lucas?"

His question was in my expectations, and I didn't reveal anything on my face, masking my thoughts behind a carefully neutral expression. "I was just thinking about it, but I couldn't find anything," I replied smoothly, my tone casual.

Though my mind was still reeling with questions and suspicions about Lucas's behavior, I knew better than to reveal my thoughts to Ethan.

'First and foremost, I need to find the reason for his change. It may not be related to his turn into a villain. Second, even if I revealed everything, Ethan wouldn't believe me like this. Lucas has been his friend for a long time. Therefore, such an explanation would certainly be met with an aggressive response, considering Ethan's personality. Also, this would certainly evoke suspicions from Lucas, making him more aware of the fact that I was a threat to him. Things would get messy from that point on.'

"Yeah….I think he is just a bit shaken from everything that happened in the Phantom's Land. It was hard for everyone."

"Indeed. It is better for you to support him, and you can contact me anytime if you have any questions to ask. I will do my best to help you."

'In times like this, it is always better to leave the door slightly open. I can't always look for Lucas and observe him. It would be better if Ethan reported to me on his own. Making use of his hunch would also be possible this way.'

As I said those words, Ethan released a smile. "…Somehow, those words feel reassuring."

"It is good if you trust me. But, you will need to pay for the help you want to receive."

"...Aren't we friends?"

"Do we seem like one?"

"We don't?"

"We don't."

"…..I guess that is what only I thought."

"That is right."

As we finished our meal and prepared to leave the restaurant, on the way, this guy continued to engage in a casual talk.

"You know, recently, a new game appeared."

"A new game?"

"Yeah."

Though playing games was my hobby previously, now I don't have the time to spend on those things, and I am not that interested in them.

"It is a pretty good game. You can play it from your watch, and it uses mana to connect you to the virtual reality."

The mention of mana piqued my interest, causing me to pause and consider his words more carefully. While I had little interest in gaming these days, the idea of using mana to connect to virtual reality intrigued me. After all, mana was a fundamental force in this world, and its applications were virtually limitless.

"How does it use mana to connect to virtual reality?" I inquired, genuinely curious about the mechanics behind the game.

Before Ethan could respond, his expression suddenly shifted, his gaze darting across the crowded corridor. "Oh, sorry, Astron, I just spotted someone I need to talk to. Thanks for today!" he exclaimed hastily, already starting to move away.

Looking at the direction of his gaze, I saw the reason for him to leave this fast.

'I see. That is why, huh?'

I thought, seeing the girl.

'I guess they are somehow more close now. As expected, I can move forward with the second part now.'

With those thoughts, I started making my way.

–FLAP!

Though not without letting the black raven made from pure mana fly into the air.

*******

After separating from Astron, Ethan immediately went towards the girl waiting for him. After all, this was the promised time for them to meet.

"Ah….Ethan."

She met his eyes, revealing a small smile.

"You are here." The faint blush on her cheeks and her innocent expression somehow pushed a little thump to his heart, making Ethan avert his gaze.

"Senior Jane," Ethan said, looking at the girl.

"You know, I don't want to be called Senior," Jane said, narrowing her eyes a little. "I feel ashamed if you address me like that."

"Why?"

"Because what kind of Senior would receive such help pathetically from their Junior? Also, it rather feels distant."

"Really? Then, how should I call you?"

"Just call me Jane."

"Ah….."

Ethan shifted uncomfortably under Jane's gaze, feeling a rush of embarrassment flood his cheeks. Her earnest and innocent eyes seemed to pierce through him, making him feel exposed in a way he couldn't quite explain.

"O-okay," he stammered, averting his gaze to the ground. "Jane."

Jane's smile widened at his response, her eyes softening with warmth. "Thank you, Ethan."

Ethan nodded awkwardly, feeling a strange mixture of happiness and embarrassment swirling inside him. He couldn't quite understand why such a simple exchange had affected him so deeply, but he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from Jane's radiant smile.

"Shall we go?" Jane asked, breaking the momentary silence.

Ethan nodded eagerly, grateful for the distraction. "Yeah, let's go."

Together, they set off, their steps falling into sync as they walked side by side. Ethan couldn't shake the feeling of warmth that lingered in his chest, a feeling that seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment.

"But, who was the person that was right beside you just now?" Suddenly, Jane asked. It was just an act of starting the conversation since the silence was killing her inwardly.

'It is soooo embarrassing….Why is he not talking?' She was thinking inwardly, yet she took the first step.

Ethan blinked in surprise at Jane's sudden question, feeling a slight pang of guilt for not engaging in conversation sooner. "Oh, uh, who?"

"The one that was just right beside you."

"Ah….Astron…"

Jane tilted her head, her curiosity evident in her expression. "Astron? Is he your friend?"

"He is….." But he couldn't find the right words to answer that.

"We don't." He still remembered how nonchalantly Astron dismissed the idea of being a friend; thus, he couldn't say they were friends directly.

"He is? " Seeing Jane's curious gaze, Ethan spoke, trying to find the right words to describe Astron. "Yeah, he's...unique. He's not quite a friend, but he's more than just an acquaintance, you know?"

"Is that so? I had seen him quite a lot in the library recently."

"Ah….So that's why you asked."

"Yep. He works quite hard, you know. He rarely wastes any time when he is studying."

"He got your attention then?"

"Well, it was not only me. Many girls in the library are looking at him, too. Somehow, he is starting to get quite a reputation. They are calling him 'Silent Prince.' Though it is somehow edgy, I think it suits him well."

"Hmm?"

Ethan's brows furrowed slightly at Jane's words, a strange pang of jealousy stirring in his chest at the mention of Astron's newfound reputation.

"I guess she is into that type," Ethan muttered under his breath, unable to shake the feeling of unease that settled over him.

Jane's eyes widened in realization, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she hurriedly tried to backtrack. "No, no, it's not like that! I mean, I wasn't...I didn't mean... It wasn't like I wanted to look at him….The girls were just causing a commotion, so I couldn't help but listen. I-I didn't even care about him before…"

Ethan's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Jane's flustered state, and he couldn't help but smile as he saw how adorable she was. "Okay, okay….I got it."

He tried to ignore the lingering sense of jealousy that lingered in the back of his mind as they continued on their way, focusing instead on the warmth of the sun on his skin and the sound of Jane's laughter drifting through the air.

Yet, the purple eyes raven watched them from the sky….