Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

“I guess you could say I’m one of the lucky ones. I get to travel, meet new talents, and… maybe even steal a few stars away before the bigger guilds grab them.”

He grinned, but behind that grin, Sylvie sensed something—an edge too smooth to be careless.

Her instincts twitched faintly.

But Leonard’s gaze was warm. Familiar. A brother’s gaze.

It made doubting him feel wrong.

“You always liked wandering around,” Sylvie said, forcing a small smile. “I guess it suits you.”

“It does,” Leonard agreed. “And besides…” He turned his head slightly, looking toward the Academy’s sprawling training grounds, where the distant clash of practice bouts echoed faintly against the stone. “Arcadia’s not a bad place to find stars waiting to rise.”

Sylvie followed his gaze, but the unease lingering in the pit of her stomach didn’t fade.

She wrapped her arms a little tighter around her bag and walked a bit closer to him, drawing comfort from the simple proximity even as questions stacked quietly in the corners of her mind.

Leonard didn’t miss it.

He didn’t push.

There would be time enough for that later.

For now, he simply smiled again—a smile full of fondness and patience—and led her onward, deeper into the heart of a campus blooming with talent, ambition… and sleeping danger.

*****

They found a quiet diner tucked away from the main arteries of the Academy—a modest place with soft, warm lighting and thick wooden tables, far from the flashier, bustling venues closer to the central plaza. Sylvie led the way to a booth near the back, settling her bag beside her as Leonard slid in opposite her, leaning his elbows casually on the table.

The smell of freshly baked bread and simmering stew hung in the air, cozy and familiar. It calmed her a little, easing the last of the tension that had followed her like a shadow.

Their meals arrived quickly: a simple roast plate for Leonard, a creamy herb soup for Sylvie. The warm broth soothed her chest, still tight from the pressure of the week.

Leonard waited until she had taken a few bites before leaning back slightly and flashing her a relaxed smile. “So,” he began, “how were your exams?”

Sylvie swallowed and wiped her mouth neatly with a napkin. “Not bad,” she answered, choosing her words carefully. “Theory was… decent. It could’ve been better if I had guessed the topics better, but I think I held my ground.”

Leonard arched a brow, amusement flickering across his features. “Held your ground, huh? Sounds like someone’s being modest.”

Sylvie chuckled softly, a genuine sound. “Maybe. But my healing practical? I’m pretty confident about that one.”

She smiled, a faint but proud curve of her lips. “I think I aced it.”

Leonard’s grin widened, the kind of grin that made her chest ache a little with nostalgia. “Of course you did. Little sister’s a real prodigy now.”

Sylvie flushed slightly and busied herself with her spoon. “Tomorrow’s our team exams,” she said, changing the subject quickly. “That’s the last part.”

Leonard nodded knowingly. “Yeah. I figured.”

His gaze was calm, thoughtful. “Since I’m stationed here as a scout, we get updates. I know the schedule.”

Sylvie nodded, stirring her soup slowly. She knew what he would ask next even before he spoke.

“So, should I come watch? When’s the best time to see my brilliant little sister in action?” Leonard’s tone was teasing, but there was a sincerity behind it—he genuinely wanted to see her at her best.

Sylvie bit her lip, thinking. She wanted to impress him. Wanted to show him she wasn’t the timid little girl he remembered from years ago.

“If possible,” she said after a pause, lifting her gaze to meet his, “come Wednesday or Thursday.”

Leonard tilted his head slightly. “Oh? Planning something?”

“We’ll be better then,” Sylvie said, her voice firm. “More adapted to the course conditions. I think… no, I’m sure we’ll be in a better state by then.”

Leonard chuckled, rapping his knuckles lightly against the table. “So confident now. I’m impressed.”

Sylvie smiled shyly, but her eyes gleamed with quiet determination. “We’ll adapt.”

Leonard leaned back, folding his arms with a content nod. “That’s good. That’s how it should be.”

He paused, studying her for a moment with a rare, serious look. “Sylvie… I’m proud of you, you know.”

The words caught her off guard, making her throat tighten unexpectedly. She nodded quickly, looking down at her soup again to hide the emotions swelling inside her chest.

“I’ll be there,” Leonard said, his voice lighter again. “Wednesday or Thursday. You better not disappoint me.”

“I won’t,” Sylvie said quietly, her fingers tightening around her spoon.

‘I’ll make sure you can be even prouder next time you see me.’

And under the dim golden lights of the quiet diner, for the first time in days, Sylvie allowed herself to believe it.

*****

The soft chill of the early Monday morning clung to the academy grounds, mist curling lightly around the stone pathways as the sun struggled to break fully through the lingering clouds. Students moved in small groups, their voices hushed with a mixture of nerves and excitement—the buzz of the upcoming practicals hanging over everything like a living thing.

Inside the café where they had met so many times before, Astron’s team gathered once again, settling into their usual corner. The atmosphere was calm, a layer of quiet focus draped over them. Their drinks steamed faintly on the table, untouched for now.

Layla was the first to speak, leaning back casually in her seat and glancing over at Sylvie with a sly smile. “So,” she said, tilting her head, “how’d your healing exam go yesterday?”

Jasmine perked up at that, crossing her arms and grinning. “Yeah, spill. You looked pretty smug when you came back.”

Sylvie, sitting neatly with her hands folded in front of her coffee cup, blinked once before giving a rare, self-assured smile. “It went well,” she said simply. “Really well.”

Layla raised an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Jasmine. “Oh? That confident?”

Sylvie nodded without hesitation, her green eyes calm and steady. “Yes. I think I’ll be ranked first.”

There was a brief beat of silence, followed by Jasmine letting out a low whistle. “Whoa, listen to you! I didn’t know our little Sylvie could flex like that.”

Layla laughed, nudging Sylvie lightly with her elbow. “Yeah, seriously. You’re scaring me a little.”

Sylvie allowed herself a small chuckle, the confidence in her voice unshaken. “I mean it. Everything clicked perfectly. My mana control was sharp, my recovery efficiency was the highest among the group… I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be.”

Jasmine grinned, tossing a thumb over her shoulder. “Damn. Confidence looks good on you.”

Irina, who had been quietly sipping her coffee, glanced at Sylvie with a faint smirk. “Good. If you’re that confident, then that’s one less thing we have to worry about today.”

Astron, seated across from them, remained silent, merely observing. But his gaze lingered a second longer on Sylvie—a subtle acknowledgment that he, too, approved of what he heard.

Layla tapped her fingers on the table lightly. “Alright, then. Healer’s ready. Shield’s ready. Pressure line’s ready.” She nodded toward Irina and Jasmine. “Now we just need to review positioning one more time before our slot.”

Jasmine checked her wristband, flicking through the digital schedule. “Our time’s between 1 PM and 2 PM. Plenty of time to eat, finalize our plan, and triple-check our gear.”

Sylvie smiled faintly, the steady thrum of anticipation settling into her chest.

For some reason she had a good feeling today.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!