Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 442 101.2 - Dakota Hellen

The clock ticked closer to 6:00 A.M. as I stood in the training hall. I had used the remaining time to center myself, focusing on the upcoming examination.

Dakota returned, her stride purposeful as she approached.

She was followed by weapons, each of them flying as an assortment of weapons that gleamed under the facility's ambient light.

No matter how many times I had seen it, it was evident that most of the people who had fought out for a long time and were talented tended to master 「Telekinesis」 partially.

She laid the weapons out in a row, presenting a formidable array of choices.

Dakota gestured to the weapons. "We'll be starting with these," she announced, her voice carrying an edge of authority. "You'll demonstrate your proficiency with each, beginning with the most basic and moving to the more complex."

I nodded, my eyes scanning the selection. Swords, spears, axes, daggers, and more, each weapon represented a different style and set of skills.

As usual, they were laid out in general. This was exactly the method that would be used in the academy, so I didn't mind.

"We'll begin with the sword," Dakota said, picking up a standard longsword and handing it to me. Its weight and balance felt in my grip.

The training dummy stood ready, its holographic eyes locked onto mine. I adjusted my stance, recalling the basics of Federal Swordplay that Eleanor had demonstrated before.

This style was designed for efficiency and adaptability, perfect for someone like me who had learned to value versatility in combat.

"Begin," Dakota commanded, her voice echoing in the spacious hall.

I stepped forward; my movements were fluid yet deliberate. My footwork followed the patterns that I had drilled into my head. I raised the sword, feeling the mana flow from my core into the blade, just as Eleanor had taught. It had been a while, but even then, the teachings were still in my mind.

And thanks to the morning training that I did, I was already accustomed to the training suit that I was wearing.

–SWOOSH! With a swift motion, I executed the first stripe, a clean diagonal slash aimed at the dummy's midsection. The sword cut through the air, leaving a faint trail of mana in its wake. The dummy parried, moving with surprising speed and accuracy.

'This hologram is no joke,' I thought, adjusting my grip.

I followed up with a series of quick, calculated stripes, each one testing the dummy's defenses.

The Federal Swordplay's efficiency shone through as I focused on maintaining a consistent flow of mana along the blade. My strikes were simple yet effective, designed to conserve energy while maximizing damage.

CLANK! The dummy responded with a counterattack, its movements mimicking those of a skilled opponent.

I sidestepped, deflecting the incoming blow with a well-timed parry. CLANK! The clash of our blades echoed in the hall, an example of the realism of the holographic technology and how advanced it was.

But aside from that, I found out something.

'The dummies really feel a lot more organic, indeed.' The fluidity of the enemy's movements, their way of using swords, and the styles that were used clearly showed that the thing before me was close to a real person.

CLANK!

As I parried the dummy's blade, it suddenly shifted its stance. The holographic opponent lowered its blade to the right bottom side, a position I hadn't seen before.

My instincts screamed a warning, and thus, I kept my eyes open. But even that has limits.

–SWOOSH! With startling speed, the dummy dashed forward, executing a cross slash aimed at my torso. The swiftness and precision of the move were unlike any basic technique; this was a [Skill], a deliberate and powerful attack designed to catch me off guard.

–WOOSH! I quickly stepped back, trying to keep my distance and maximize my sword's length advantage. However, my footwork faltered slightly, a consequence of my habits with shorter weapons like daggers. The dummy's blade sliced through the air, grazing my side as I barely evaded the attack.

'Think, Astron. This isn't a dagger,' I reminded myself, narrowing my eyes. 'A sword is different.'

I adjusted my stance, planting my second foot at a slightly different angle to provide better stability and reach. As the dummy prepared for another strike, I formed a visualization in my head consisting of three precise 「Stripes」.

The first stripe, a diagonal slash from top left to bottom right, aimed to force the dummy into a defensive position. The second stripe, a horizontal slash, targeted its midsection to disrupt its balance. The third stripe, a vertical strike, aimed to deliver the final blow.

If executed correctly, that would end the fight In an instant.

–Eyes of Hourglass. Though I did not want to use this, it was better for me to show something more so that I could get better feedback.

Focusing on the visualization, I executed the first stripe with a swift, powerful motion. The dummy parried, but I was ready. Transitioning smoothly, I brought the blade across in a horizontal slash. The dummy's defense faltered slightly, its movements less fluid.

Seizing the moment, I unleashed the third stripe, a vertical strike with all the force and precision I could muster. The blade is connected to the holographic opponent, cutting through its form. The dummy flickered, its image breaking apart before dissipating into pixels.

Breathing heavily, I lowered my sword, feeling a mix of satisfaction and determination. The adjustments to my stance and the visualization had made a significant difference, allowing me to exploit the sword's potential more.

"Good," Dakota's voice rang out, breaking the silence. "You adapted quickly and used the Federal Swordplay effectively. But remember, your footwork needs to match the weapon you're using. Practice moving with the sword, not just swinging it."

"Now," she said, gesturing to the array of weapons, "we'll move on to the spear."

Setting the sword aside, I picked up a spear, its unfamiliar weight and balance, which made me adjust my grip.

'Spear, huh?'

It was not my first time trying a spear, but still, I had not paid much attention to it as there were more pressing matters.

–WRROM! The training dummy was reactivated and ready for the next round of the examination. I took a deep breath, readying myself.

Unlike the sword, the spear felt awkward in my hands. The length and weight distribution were vastly different from the daggers I was accustomed to.

I adjusted my stance, trying to recall the basic principles of spear combat from my limited theoretical knowledge.

'And from Ethan.'

Since I had fought with him before and also watched how he used a spear, I had a slightly basic grasp of his body.

The dummy moved into position, its holographic form mimicking a skilled opponent once again. I knew this would be a challenge, but it was also an opportunity to learn and grow.

With a tentative thrust, I aimed the spear at the dummy's midsection. The attack was clumsy, lacking the precision and control I had with the sword. The dummy easily deflected the strike and countered with a swift, accurate blow.

–SWOOSH! I dodged, narrowly avoiding the attack. The spear's length made it difficult to maneuver in close quarters, and I struggled to find the right balance between offense and defense. My movements felt slow and cumbersome compared to the fluidity of my dagger techniques.

'This isn't working,' I thought. 'I need to adapt, to find a way to use the spear effectively.'

I watched the dummy closely, its movements fluid and precise, embodying the essence of a skilled spearman.

'Right…There is no need to make it complex.' Instead of relying on past memories and interactions, I realized it might be better to keep it simple and just observe what was in front of me.

'Just be content with what is before you.' There was no need to get it perfect instantly, nor get Ethan's level.

'Watch and learn,' I told myself, focusing on the dummy's stance, its grip on the spear, and the way it moved.

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The dummy took a defensive stance, its spear held at an angle, ready to parry or thrust. I mirrored its position, adjusting my grip and stance to match. The holographic opponent moved, executing a series of fluid strikes and parries. I watched intently, noting the rhythm and flow of its movements.

With each exchange, I tried to replicate the dummy's actions, focusing on the basics. My first attempts were clumsy, but as I continued to observe and mimic, my strikes began to improve. The spear started to feel more natural in my hands, its length and weight becoming an extension of my body.

The dummy lunged forward with a powerful thrust. I sidestepped, bringing my spear around in a wide arc to deflect the attack. The maneuver was smoother this time and more controlled. Encouraged by the small success, I pressed forward, initiating a series of quick jabs and slashes.

As the combat continued, I began to see patterns in the dummy's movements. It wasn't just about strength or speed; it was about timing and precision.

'Indeed. The spear is different from the dagger. The energy and power spent while recovering the blade is a lot more high compared to a dagger, and that contrasts with my style. I need to keep my body in control. Don't take risks.' I adjusted my strikes, focusing on hitting the dummy's weak points and exploiting its openings.

The dummy countered with a swift, downward strike. I parried, feeling the impact reverberate through the spear. Instead of retreating, I stepped forward, using the momentum to deliver a powerful thrust. The spear's tip connected with the dummy's chest, causing it to flicker and stagger back.

I pressed the advantage, executing a series of rapid strikes. Each movement was a blend of observation and adaptation, mimicking the dummy's techniques while refining my own. The fluidity of the Federal Swordplay principles began to integrate with the spear, enhancing my control and precision.

The dummy moved to counterattack, but I was ready. I sidestepped, delivering a swift, precise jab to its midsection. The holographic opponent flickered again, its form destabilizing. With a final, decisive thrust, I drove the spear into the dummy, causing it to dissipate into pixels.

Breathing heavily, I lowered the spear, feeling a sense of accomplishment. By observing and adapting, I managed to improve my proficiency with the spear, turning a weakness into a strength.

Dakota approached her expression one of approval. "You adapted well," she said. "But, you must really be a beginner on a spear. Was this your first time using one?"

"Indeed. I had used a spear for the first time in a while."

"Makes sense. Now, we will continue with others."

Just like that, we have gone with every weapon one by one, from axe and whip to everything.

Until every weapon was finished.

Aside from one.

"Now, we are going to test your bare-handed combat abilities."

It was the thing that I wanted to show the most.

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