Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

As the academy’s announcement spread, the cadets gathered at the designated training ground. The buzz of chatter filled the air as they approached the newly constructed area behind the academy. Rising before them was a sprawling artificial mountain, its rugged terrain blending seamlessly with the natural landscape. Jagged cliffs, winding paths, and narrow ridges painted a picture of challenge and danger.

Professor Eleanor stood at the base of the mountain, her sharp gaze surveying the crowd of cadets. She was accompanied by a few instructors, each holding clipboards and mana-infused communication devices.

"Attention, cadets!" Eleanor’s voice carried over the murmurs, silencing the crowd. "Welcome to the Obsidian Ridge Training Zone. This facility has been newly constructed to enhance your physical, tactical, and mental fortitude. Today’s focus will be on agility, endurance, and adaptability."

She gestured to the mountain, her expression unwavering. "The terrain is designed to test your parkour skills and situational awareness. Hidden within the course are traps, obstacles, and mana-infused challenges. These are modeled after real-world scenarios you may face in hostile environments. Your goal is simple: navigate the course, avoid or overcome the traps, and reach the summit."

The cadets exchanged nervous glances, their excitement tempered by the weight of Eleanor’s words.

"There are three checkpoints along the way," Eleanor continued. "At each checkpoint, you will find instructors who will evaluate your progress and assign penalties for failures. Reaching the summit is not enough; your performance at each stage will determine your final score."

She stepped aside, allowing the cadets to get a closer look at the starting point—a steep incline littered with uneven platforms and narrow footholds. The terrain glimmered faintly, hinting at hidden enchantments.

"Teams of four will be assigned to encourage collaboration. However, be warned: the traps are dynamic. What one team encounters may differ from what another faces. Adaptation is key."

Eleanor tapped her tablet, and the names of the teams appeared on the large display board behind her.

The cadets quickly gathered around the display board, scanning for their names and teams. The buzz of chatter grew louder as everyone took note of their teammates.

Ethan’s name appeared alongside Lilia Thornheart, Ren Farrow, and a lesser-known cadet, Dain Trellis. Ethan glanced toward Lilia, who stood nearby with her arms crossed, her sharp green eyes scanning the display board.

"Looks like it’s you and me," she said, her voice edged with a mix of amusement and challenge. "Let’s hope these two can keep up."

Ethan turned to see Ren, the nervous but agile cadet from earlier, and Dain, a reserved and quiet student known more for his precision in ranged combat than anything else. Both approached hesitantly, clearly aware of the pressure of teaming up with two of the academy’s fastest risers.

"Let’s not waste time," Ethan said, his tone calm and focused. "We’ll figure out how to work together on the course."

Lilia raised an eyebrow. "Straight to business? You’re no fun, Mountain Boy."

Meanwhile, Julia’s voice echoed nearby, tinged with irritation. "Astron? Really? This is who I get stuck with?"

Astron, standing a few steps away, raised an eyebrow but said nothing, his sharp purple eyes flicking over her.

Julia leaned back slightly, a sly grin spreading across her face as she watched Astron’s serious expression. "Oh, come on, don’t look at me like that. You really can’t take a joke, can you?"

Astron didn’t respond immediately, his sharp gaze remaining steady. After a moment, he raised an eyebrow. "If you’re done joking, we should focus on the task."

Julia laughed, her voice carrying a light, teasing lilt. "Relax, Mr. Serious. I’m just messing with you. You’re too easy."

Astron’s expression didn’t change, but the faintest hint of exasperation flickered in his eyes. Julia noticed and laughed even harder. "See? That’s exactly what I’m talking about. You’re fun to mess with."

The other two teammates, Simon and Elise, watched the exchange silently. Simon, a muscular cadet known for his brute strength, leaned slightly toward Elise, whispering, "Is she really teasing him? Isn’t he supposed to be the rising star?"

Elise, a petite girl with sharp features and a reputation for being observant, gave a small shrug. "Apparently. Let’s just see how this plays out."

Julia turned to the group, her demeanor shifting slightly as she clapped her hands together. "Alright, team. I know what you’re all thinking. I’m the highest rank here, so obviously, I should be the leader, right?"

Simon nodded hesitantly, and Elise looked mildly curious.

"Well, surprise, surprise," Julia continued, her grin widening. "I’m not doing it. Leadership is way too much work. So, Astron, the floor is yours. You’re the leader."

The declaration caught everyone off guard. Simon blinked in confusion, his eyes darting between Julia and Astron. "Wait, what? You’re leaving it to him?"

Elise raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, her sharp gaze now fixed on Astron.

Astron, meanwhile, remained unfazed. He crossed his arms, his voice calm and measured. "Are you sure? You outrank me."

Julia waved a hand dismissively. "Ranks don’t mean much out here. You’ve got the brains and the skills to back it up. Plus, I’m curious to see what you can do."

Astron’s calm gaze swept across the group as he asked, "Is that so? Do any of you have any complaints?"

Simon exchanged a glance with Elise before shrugging. "Nah, no complaints here. It’s just outdoor training, right? Worst case, we stumble a bit, but it’s not the end of the world."

Elise crossed her arms, her sharp eyes assessing Astron. She tilted her head slightly before responding, "No complaints. I’m curious to see what you can do, too."

Simon nodded in agreement, his expression softening into a faint smirk. "Yeah, who knows? Maybe you’ll surprise us."

’I’m really curious,’ Elise thought, her gaze lingering on Astron for a moment longer. Despite his calm demeanor, there was an air about him—a quiet confidence that hinted at something more.

Julia grinned, stepping back and gesturing toward Astron with mock grandiosity. "Well, there you have it, fearless leader. The floor is yours. Lead us to glory, or at least to the next checkpoint."

Astron didn’t waste time on further discussion. He turned toward the starting point, his tone firm but even. "Alright. The goal is to make it through efficiently. We’ll prioritize teamwork and adaptability. Stay sharp and call out anything unusual."

The others nodded, falling into line as they approached the first section of the course—a steep incline covered in loose rocks and narrow footholds. The faint shimmer of mana in the air hinted at hidden traps or enchantments.

Astron crouched slightly, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the terrain. "The rocks are unstable. Step lightly, and use the footholds on the left side. Elise, keep an eye out for traps. Simon, be ready to stabilize the others if the footing gives out."

"Got it," Simon said, rolling his shoulders as he readied himself.

Elise moved to the left, her sharp gaze scanning the ground. "I see faint runes etched into some of the rocks. Avoid the ones with a slight glow—they’ll trigger something."

"Understood," Astron replied, his tone clipped as he began to lead the way. His movements were precise and deliberate, each step testing the stability of the ground before committing. The others followed, mimicking his careful approach.

Halfway up the incline, a sudden pulse of mana shot through the air. One of the rocks beneath Simon’s foot began to glow brightly, a low hum building as the enchantment activated.

"Trap!" Elise called out, her voice sharp.

Without missing a beat, Astron reacted. "Simon, shift your weight to the right. Julia, give him a hand."

Julia moved quickly, grabbing Simon’s arm and steadying him as he adjusted his footing. The glowing rock dimmed, the trap deactivating as the group continued upward.

"Not bad," Julia remarked, a trace of admiration in her voice. "You’re good at this."

Astron didn’t respond, his focus remaining on the path ahead. As they reached the top of the incline, he paused, scanning the next section—a series of swinging platforms suspended over a shallow ravine.

’Interesting.’

It was time for his team members to participate.

*******

From the perspective of a struggling cadet, the course was a chaotic symphony of shouts, curses, and frustrated grunts. Most teams were floundering, unable to find a rhythm amidst the traps, unstable terrain, and relentless illusions. Every few steps brought a new obstacle—hidden pressure plates, mana-triggered pitfalls, and even phantom creatures designed to terrify and confuse.

One cadet, Liam Wayne, sat on a precarious ledge, catching his breath. His team was stuck, their progress slow and disjointed. The mana traps had taken them by surprise, and the lack of coordination among his teammates made each obstacle harder to overcome.

He glanced up at the sound of faint voices in the distance and caught sight of another team. To his surprise, this group wasn’t floundering—they were moving with purpose.

It was Ethan Hartley and Lilia Thornheart’s team.

Ethan was at the front, his sharp eyes scanning the terrain ahead. His movements were deliberate but fluid, as if he could sense the traps before they activated. Behind him, Lilia followed, her hands occasionally glowing as she used her mana to disable or manipulate the traps they encountered. Together, they set a brisk pace, their teammates keeping up without complaint.

Liam watched in awe as Ethan stopped abruptly, raising a hand to signal his team. "Hold up. There’s a pressure plate ahead. Lilia, can you handle it?"

Lilia stepped forward, her green eyes narrowing as she studied the faint glimmer of runes on the ground. With a graceful motion, she manipulated the mana in the trap, causing the runes to dim. "It’s safe now."

Ethan nodded and motioned for the team to proceed. Their movements were efficient, their teamwork seamless.

"How are they moving so fast?" one of Liam’s teammates muttered, their voice tinged with disbelief.

Liam didn’t answer, his focus still on the other team. There was something almost intimidating about their coordination, as if they’d been working together for years instead of a single day.

A flicker of light in the distance caught his attention next. Another group was approaching from a different direction, their movements equally impressive but for different reasons.

It was Irina’s team.

Irina led the group, her fiery yellow eyes glowing with mana as she cast controlled bursts of fire to clear the path ahead. Her precision was unmatched—every spell was calculated, leaving no room for error. Beside her, Sylvie used her special [Authority] to manipulate the terrain itself, creating temporary footholds or reshaping obstacles to aid their progress. The two cadets complemented each other perfectly, their synergy driving their team forward with remarkable speed.

Liam could only watch as the two groups closed in on each other, their paths intersecting near a rocky incline that led to the next section of the course. Ethan’s team arrived first, pausing briefly to assess the climb. Moments later, Irina’s group emerged, their presence commanding attention.

The air seemed to hum with tension as the two groups noticed each other. Irina’s fiery presence contrasted sharply with Ethan’s calm determination.

One of Irina’s team members offered a cheerful wave, breaking the silence. "Hey! Looks like we’re not the only ones making progress."

Ethan gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "You’re doing well."

Irina smirked, her gaze flicking between Ethan and Lilia. "So are you. I didn’t expect to run into you here."

Lilia crossed her arms, her sharp green eyes locking onto Irina. "It’s a race, not a social gathering. If you’re done chatting, we’ve got a summit to reach."

"Well, we’re headed the same way. Let’s not slow each other down."

RING!

Just then their smartwatches rang.

"First place is achieved."

Apparently, someone had already finished the parkour.

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