Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

"This attack. It would obliterate any of you below rank 200. Even cadets ranked higher would struggle to resist it."

The room remained heavy with silence as Eleanor’s words hung in the air, the paused image of Ethan’s devastating lightning strike still displayed on the screen. The students shifted uneasily in their seats, the weight of the demonstration pressing against them.

Though many had raised their voices in complaint moments earlier, the reminder of Ethan’s performance in that duel forced them to reconsider. The sheer power and scale of his attack had been almost unreal, and the reality that few among them could withstand such a blow was inescapable.

They nodded inwardly, begrudgingly acknowledging the academy’s judgment. Even if it had felt unfair at first, the reasoning behind Ethan’s ranking was now clear.

Still, the understanding didn’t erase the wariness. Several students cast furtive glances in Ethan’s direction, their gazes filled with a mixture of awe and unease. To them, he wasn’t just a peer anymore—he was something closer to a monster in their eyes, someone who could leap ranks in ways that seemed almost impossible.

Ethan, sitting quietly in his seat, said nothing. His face remained composed, but the intensity of the stares wasn’t lost on him. He felt the shift in the room, the weight of both admiration and fear settling onto his shoulders.

Julia, ever perceptive, leaned closer to him, her voice low but laced with amusement. "Well, Mountain Boy, looks like you’ve officially ascended to Mount Olympus. How does it feel to be a living legend?"

Ethan rolled his eyes, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "I think you’re exaggerating."

"Am I?" Julia smirked, propping her chin on her hand. "I mean, did you see their faces? Half of them look like they’re ready to bow down, and the other half looks like they’re wondering how to run in the opposite direction."

Lilia, seated near the front, turned slightly in her chair to join in. Her sharp green eyes sparkled with mischief. "She’s not wrong, you know. That attack? It was pretty insane. If you keep this up, people might start calling you Zeus instead of Ethan."

Ethan sighed, leaning back slightly in his chair. "Great. That’s exactly what I need—another nickname."

Julia’s grin widened. "Come on, Zeus. Embrace it. How many people can say they’ve turned a classroom full of skeptics into believers in under a minute?"

"Not many," Lilia added, her voice light but teasing. "But you better get used to it. With a rank like that, all eyes are going to be on you."

Ethan gave a faint shrug, his expression thoughtful. "Let them look. I’m not here for their approval."

Julia snorted, nudging him with her elbow. "And yet, you can’t deny it feels a little good, right? Just a little?"

He didn’t answer, his small smile the only indication that her words weren’t entirely off the mark.

Eleanor let the silence linger for a moment longer before speaking again. "Now, if there are no further complaints, we will proceed with the remaining rankings."

The room stayed quiet, no one daring to voice another objection. The rest of the rankings continued, but the earlier spotlight on Ethan—and the display of his duel—left an impression that wouldn’t fade anytime soon.

Eleanor tapped her tablet, her voice ringing clearly as she continued to announce the rankings. The room’s atmosphere remained charged, the weight of each name adding to the tension.

"Rank 82, Carl Braveheart."

Carl gave a small nod, leaning back in his chair. His usual laid-back demeanor didn’t change much, though Lucas leaned over and nudged him.

"Moving up, huh?" Lucas said with a grin.

Carl shrugged, his voice calm. "Better than dropping."

Eleanor’s voice cut through their brief exchange.

"Rank 54, Lucas Middleton."

Lucas raised an eyebrow, clearly satisfied. "Not bad," he murmured, leaning back in his chair with a pleased expression.

The next name drew more attention.

"Rank 32, Julia Middleton."

Julia’s reaction was immediate. She shot upright in her seat, her expression a mix of disbelief and protest. "Wait, what? Rank 32? Are you serious?"

Eleanor looked up from her tablet, her expression impassive. "Is there a problem, Miss Middleton?"

"Yes, there’s a problem," Julia replied, throwing her arms up dramatically. "I won against a rank 21 student in a duel. Why am I this low?"

Eleanor’s sharp gaze bore into her, silencing the whispers that had started around the room. "You did win that duel," Eleanor conceded, her tone firm, "but you also received a DC grade in one of your finals. That significantly impacted your ranking." ℟άＮỖ฿Èš

Julia froze, the words hitting her like a lightning strike. Her cheeks flushed as she sank back into her seat, visibly embarrassed. "T-That was one time," she muttered under her breath.

Lilia turned slightly, smirking as she added, "One time that clearly mattered."

"Shut it, Thornheart. I would have beaten you if I have studied." Julia hissed, though her embarrassment only deepened.

Eleanor continued without pause, her tone unwavering.

"Rank 4, Lilia Thornheart."

Lilia straightened in her seat, her green eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Heh."

She looked at Julia whom she was bickering just now.

’What did you say?’

As if her eyes were telling that.

"You!"

Julia was enraged, but she couldn’t do anything.

After all, Lilia didn’t gloat, though the flicker of a smirk on her lips made it clear she was pleased with her placement.

The room grew quieter as Eleanor moved to the top of the rankings.

"Rank 2, Irina Emberheart."

Irina’s reaction was immediate and unreserved. A wide, beaming smile spread across her face as she sat up straighter, her fiery yellow eyes glowing with pride. For her, this wasn’t just a rank—it was a victory.

Her rank at 2 meant one thing: she had surpassed Seraphina Frostborne, her long-time rival. That single fact alone filled her with a sense of triumph she couldn’t hide.

The class took note of her reaction. Some students cast her admiring glances, while others—especially a group of girls Irina had antagonized the day before—looked at her with complex expressions, their emotions ranging from jealousy to reluctant respect.

One of the girls whispered, her tone bitter, "Figures she’d be this smug."

"Can you blame her?" another replied, though the irritation in her voice was evident.

Irina didn’t seem to notice—or care. Her focus remained on Eleanor as the professor reached the final announcement.

"And finally," Eleanor said, her voice calm but carrying weight. "Rank 1, Victor Blackthorn."

The room erupted into whispers, though this announcement wasn’t a surprise. Victor was just on another level and he deserved to hold the top spot for a long time, and his dominance remained unshaken. His name alone carried an air of inevitability.

Irina’s smile didn’t falter, but her eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of determination flashing in their depths. She wasn’t disappointed—far from it. For now, being second was enough. But one day, she intended to claim that top spot.

Eleanor set her tablet down, her gaze sweeping the room. "The rankings are final. Let them motivate you, push you, and serve as a reminder that improvement is always possible. Class dismissed."

As the students rose, the room buzzed with energy, some celebrating, others plotting how to climb higher. Irina, Lilia, and Julia exchanged glances, each carrying their own thoughts about what the rankings meant for their future. Ethan remained quiet, still feeling the weight of the spotlight on him.

For now, the rankings have been decided. But the battles to prove and maintain them were only just beginning.

*******

After the rankings were announced and the buzz of the classroom dissipated, I made my way toward my new dormitory. My ranking jump from 1750 to 1051 hadn’t gone unnoticed by the academy’s system, and with it came an upgrade in living arrangements. The shift wasn’t monumental—this wasn’t the top 100—but it was enough to mark a tangible difference in my surroundings.

The new dorm was closer to the campus, its architecture more refined and modern compared to the basic facilities I had previously. As I entered the building, the air was fresher, the lighting warmer, and the faint hum of mana-infused amenities spoke of a step up in resources allocated to its residents.

I approached my room, tapping my student ID against the door’s mana-locked panel. With a soft click, the door swung open, revealing the space beyond.

The difference was like this.

The room was larger, with more open space and better furnishings. A spacious desk sat by the window, overlooking the campus grounds. The bed, while still simple, was larger and looked much more comfortable than the narrow one in my old dorm. A small kitchenette occupied one corner, and the bathroom was enclosed rather than shared with the floor. It wasn’t luxurious, but it was a marked improvement.

’Not bad,’ I thought as I stepped inside, placing my belongings on the desk.

The walls were a neutral shade, but subtle enchantments allowed for customization. The closet had a small enchantment that regulated the temperature for armor and uniforms, ensuring everything stayed pristine.

This one was already there before so it was not that much of a change.

I moved toward the window, gazing out at the sprawling campus below. The dorm’s proximity to the main facilities meant shorter walks to classes and training halls—a convenience that saved time and energy, though that would be for the people who are lazy.

’It is not that important. Just for showing off.’

Anyway, that was it.

It wasn’t until students breached the top 100 that the differences became truly significant, and even if they become significant, they also come with a requirement of fame.

The top-tier dormitories were practically miniature sanctuaries, boasting personal training rooms, mana-replenishing pools, and other luxuries that could propel a student’s progress. For the top 10, the benefits were even more pronounced, tailored specifically to nurture elite talent.

RING!

Just then I had gotten a notification form my smartwatch.

-Prepare for the field training.

It was apparent that the academy was about to start with another training.

’Well, that is exactly what you would expect anyway.’

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