Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

<Arcadia Hunter Academy, Saturday Morning>

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon, casting a soft, golden light across the academy grounds. Eleanor walked briskly to her office, her mind still reeling from the revelations of the previous night.

After seeing the document, she, of course, didn't believe it immediately and started a special investigation. And, some of the things she had found…

They all matched the previous events that had transpired in the academy. Though it wasn't much, it was enough to increase the possibility of that being true.

She had spent hours contemplating her next moves, ensuring that the academy's final exams would proceed without incident despite the looming threat.

After she entered her office and settled, she was greeted by a knock on the door.

–CREAK!

Eleanor's eyes flicked up to see a young man standing there. He had incredibly handsome features; his green eyes and brown hair almost perfectly matched.

His demeanor was refined and calm, a stark contrast to the cold and wild student he had been at the start of the semester.

"Come in, Student Victor," Eleanor called, gesturing for him to take a seat. He stepped inside, moving with a grace that suggested he was fully aware of his surroundings and his own capabilities.

Eleanor watched him closely as he sat down. "Student Victor, I noticed you haven't appointed anyone for the duel," she began, her tone inquisitive but firm. "Explain the reason why."

Victor looked directly into her eyes, holding her gaze for a few moments longer than was comfortable.

A subtle but unmistakable surge of energy emanated from him, a controlled and deliberate display of his power. In Eleanor's experienced eyes, it was child's play compared to her own abilities, but it was impressive for a student.

After a pause, Victor spoke, his voice calm and measured. "I've come to realize that appointing a duel against a student for the sake of showing off my prowess is not possible for me." He stopped.

Eleanor could easily see where he was going with this.

"After all, no one in this year can pose a challenge enough to display my prowess. Not even Seraphina Frostborne or Irina Emberheart."

Eleanor narrowed her eyes. "That's an arrogant statement, Victor."

Victor remained unfazed, his demeanor steady. "It is not arrogance to know your worth, Instructor. I dislike wasting my time."

Eleanor regarded him for a moment, considering his words. "That's indeed a good quality," she acknowledged, nodding her head. "So, what do you want, then?"

Victor's eyes gleamed with a determination that Eleanor hadn't seen in him before. "I propose a duel with either a senior student or an instructor. I believe that only they can provide a challenge worthy of my abilities and truly test my limits."

Eleanor raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "You understand that this is highly irregular? The duels are designed to be between peers, to ensure fairness and appropriate levels of challenge."

Victor nodded. "I understand, but I also believe that exceptions can be made for the sake of genuine progress. I don't seek to undermine the system; I seek to push myself beyond its confines."

Eleanor leaned back in her chair, pondering his request. It was bold, certainly, and could set a precedent that might be difficult to manage. The repetition of the academy could also be affected by this decision, yet Eleanor knew it was already in shambles to a certain extent.

There was also a logic to his argument that she couldn't entirely dismiss. "Who do you have in mind?" she asked, curious about how far Victor's ambition extended.

"The best of the seniors or one of the more experienced instructors. Someone who can truly push me to my limits and beyond," Victor replied, his voice steady and resolute. "I do not care about winning or losing."

Eleanor considered his proposal carefully. Allowing such a duel could indeed provide valuable insights into Victor's abilities and could be beneficial for the academy's reputation if handled correctly. It was a double-edged sword at the end.

"Very well," she said finally. "I'll discuss this with the academy's board. If they approve, you'll get your chance."

"I won't disappoint."

"You are dismissed."

With that, Victor left the room, leaving Eleanor alone.

"Interesting, batch. Isn't it?"

She could see that her decision was correct.

"The ones with heavy destinies gather. This is indeed that place."

******

For the first time in a while, I saw that the Training Grounds of the academy were filled to the extreme.

It made sense, considering that the final exams were just around the corner.

Yet, it was also not logical behavior. After all, there was no way one could improve themselves enough to match their opponents in just a week.

Physical improvement didn't work like that. But, well, it was not like I cared about how the other students did anyway.

Many of the people here would lose themselves in the crowd of Hunters as time passes. Yet, even if they are part of the masses, each individual, in the end, would be important for the whole picture.

There were many dangerous events that were waiting in this world, and each of them would be a hassle on their own. At the end of the day, even those who lazed around will be forced to show their potential.

'Hard obstacles create strong individuals.'

In any case, I didn't particularly care about the whole final exam, especially the practical ones. After all, though for many, this was a good opportunity to show off their talents, I didn't care about any of those.

That was also the reason why I had appointed a random student from the list who was ranked 1550. It was enough to show that I had improved while also showing that my talent was only subpar.

'Yet, this is annoying.'

Because there was another random who suddenly appointed me.

'Liam Wayne.'

I knew him. He was from the class HA213. He was the same guy who acted impulsively. He had the tendency to lose over his emotions and had the signs of dealing with a childhood trauma.

He had some cognitive patterns that corresponded to the possible PTSD. From the way he formed sentences, my assumption was a child molestation.

'It was highly likely that he still is suffering from certain PTSD.'

In any case, his mental state wasn't normal, and even though he was able to blend into the normal life very well, there were certain points that his mind would show cracks.

Liam Wayne. His right arm was his strong arm, a typical trait of someone specializing in swordsmanship from the beginning.

His stance and grip showed the refined discipline of a swordsman, albeit tinged with an underlying tension, likely stemming from his unresolved trauma.

His rank was 1050 at the start of the semester but then dropped to 1279 in the mid-terms.

Such a drop in rank suggested more than just a lack of skill or effort. It hinted at deeper, more personal issues disrupting his focus and performance. His impulsive nature and emotional instability would inevitably affect his combat abilities and decision-making skills.

That is most likely the reason why Academy lowered his grades. Eleanor wouldn't miss such acts; neither Irina nor I were not an exception to that either.

But then the question was, why did he appoint me?

It was not logical for a higher-ranking student to challenge a lower-ranker, much less someone from the same class.

This challenge was rather personal. Seeking revenge for the previous situation seemed plausible.

But Liam wasn't lowly enough to operate solely on that emotion alone. Even if he was impulsive and emotionally unstable, he was still a student at Arcadia Hunter Academy. There had to be another reason.

Perhaps he saw this as an opportunity to regain his lost confidence or to prove something to himself. Maybe he believed that defeating me, someone he perceived as an obstacle or reminder of his past failures, would help him overcome his inner demons.

This was an act that I knew from the previous Astron. The reason why he allowed me to fuse with him.

'Fuse?'

The word got my attention. Did we completely fuse? This was something I had been pondering about for a while. After a certain point, Phantom's Land, I had been feeling more stable, be it my emotions or my state of mind. Those swings of thoughts and emotions were long gone.

'From my state of mind alone, it can be easily concluded that something related to souls happened in Phantom's Land. Yet, no one knows anything.'

'No, not no one.'

I thought.

'Irina knows something.'

There was someone who knew. After all, there was no way she could escape from my eyes. Her reactions after the Phantom's Land and her certain emotional swings from time to time.

'Yet, she is suffering the same thing. Her memory is hazy; something is blocking it.'

I need to get the answers related to those memories as well as see if Irina was someone that needed to be taken care of.

I needed to keep her close.

But for now, nothing seemed to me dangerous.

'In any case, it is highly likely that Liam Wayne is being instigated by someone.'

There was certain someone in my mind, someone that would make sense.

'But well, in the end, does it matter?'

Since the person appointed didn't pass a certain range of rank, at the end of the day, acting like I wasn't top-notch would be a lot easier for someone like him, who was controlled by his emotions.

Also, since I had confirmed that once again, Ethan and Victor would take the spotlight.

'As well as the duel between Irina and Seraphina.'

Eyes would be on other people, after all.

*******

<Monday Morning, Arcadia Hunter Academy>

The campus was buzzing with energy as the sun rose over Arcadia Hunter Academy. The anticipation for the week-long duels was palpable, filling the air with excitement and nervous tension.

Students hurried through the corridors, some exchanging last-minute words of encouragement with friends, others lost in their thoughts, mentally preparing for the challenges ahead.

By 8:45 A.M., the grand arenas where the duels would take place were already filling up.

Relatives, mentors, and a few select outsiders who had been granted permission to watch the duels took their seats, chatting animatedly.

The arena itself was a marvel of magical engineering, with a central arena that could shift and adapt to various combat scenarios, surrounded by tiered seating that offered everyone a clear view of the action.

RING!

At precisely 9:00 A.M., a loud gong resonated through the amphitheater, signaling the official start of the event.

And the moment it did, a hologram appeared right in the middle of every arena.

"Welcome to the Final Exam - Duels," the Headmaster announced, his voice amplified by a subtle use of mana.

"This is a time-honored tradition of our academy, where students demonstrate their skills, bravery, and determination. Each duel is a testament to their hard work and dedication. We wish all participants the best of luck."

The audience erupted in applause, the sound echoing through the amphitheater. As it died down, the Headmaster continued, "Our first duels of the day will begin shortly. Participants, please make your way to the staging area."

Backstage, the atmosphere was charged with a mix of excitement and tension. Students were lined up, waiting for their turn.

Just like that, the duel period had started.