Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

What is a [Martial Artist]?

When the question is asked, the answer is clear: those who use their bodies for the sake of fighting.

But to truly understand what it means to be a Martial Artist, one must delve deeper into the essence of martial arts itself.

Martial Artists are individuals who have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of physical and mental excellence through rigorous training and discipline.

They sharpen their bodies, transforming them into weapons that are always available, always ready. For them, the body is not just a vessel but an instrument of power, precision, and grace.

They train tirelessly, honing their muscles, bones, and senses to peak conditions. Every movement, every breath, is a testament to their commitment. Their bodies become repositories of strength and agility, capable of withstanding and delivering tremendous force.

In their hands, the simplest gestures can become deadly. A punch is not just a punch; it's the culmination of years of practice, the perfect alignment of muscle and bone, and the precise timing and focus of energy.

A kick is not just a kick; it's a devastating blow delivered with the power of a sharpened mind and a conditioned body.

"But, how can one achieve such a state? How can one reach such a state where one can fight against a sword with one's body? What do you think of this, my disciple?" Dakota asked, her eyes fixed on Astron.

Astron took a deep breath, considering her question. "I believe it comes down to several factors, Master," he began. "First, there's the physical conditioning. A Martial Artist needs to build their body to withstand impacts and deliver powerful strikes. This involves rigorous training, strengthening muscles, bones, and tendons."

Dakota nodded, gesturing for him to continue.

"Then there's a technique," Astron continued. "Knowing how to move, how to strike, and how to defend. It's about precision and control. Every movement needs to be efficient and effective. And, of course, there's the mental aspect. A martial artist needs to have a sharp mind and be able to anticipate and react to their opponent's moves."

"You're on the right track," Dakota said, a hint of approval in her voice. "But there's more to it."

Astron looked at her, eager to learn.

"Physical conditioning and technique are crucial, but they're just the foundation," Dakota explained. "What sets a true Martial Artist apart is their ability to integrate their body and mind with the flow of energy – mana in our case. This is what allows us to match and even surpass the power of weapons."

She demonstrated by raising her hand and channeling mana through her arm. The air around her hand seemed to shimmer with energy.

"Mana enhances our strength, speed, and resilience just like it does for every other Awakened who use weapons," Dakota continued. "But it's not just about raw power. It's about control and harmony. A Martial Artist learns to synchronize their movements with the flow of mana, making every strike more powerful and every defense more effective."

Astron nodded, absorbing her words. "So, it's about finding that balance between physical prowess, technique, and the flow of energy."

"Exactly," Dakota said, a small smile playing on her lips. "Do you know what the most crucial thing that you were lacking was when we sparred yesterday?"

Astron furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "I know I struggled with integrating my mana into my movements," he admitted. "And my body didn't seem to respond the way I wanted it to."

Dakota nodded, remembering the spar. Astron had displayed an insanely good combat awareness, and he was already proficient with his body to an immense degree. However, there were two things he lacked.

"First, controlling your body while your mana is flowing inside," Dakota began. "It's as if you've learned how to fight with your body to an immense proficiency but at the same time learned nothing about mana at all. It's like when you trained, mana didn't even exist. That's your first flaw."

Hearing this, Astron did not show any reaction, but at the same time, he knew what she said was true. After all, there was no Mana on Earth.

"That is right." He replied. "When I was a child, I had been trained to use my body even though I was non-awakened."

"That is understandable. Though I must admit, whoever trained you was of a different breed."

"That is correct….." Astron nodded once again, but his eyes turned cold for a split second as if he had remembered something that he did not wish to. Dakota, not realizing this, continued to say her words, explaining his second flaw.

"In any case…" Dakota said. "As a Martial Artist, you need to learn to harmonize your mana with your movements. It's not enough to just be physically strong; your mana needs to flow seamlessly with every action you take."

–SWISH! With a focused breath, Dakota channeled her mana into her hand, her aura shimmering with energy. She threw a punch into the air, and the force of her strike released a powerful shockwave. The wall before her bore the brunt of the impact, cracking under the pressure.

"See that?" Dakota said, lowering her hand. "If you can't use mana, you can't use skills like this. And in battle, you won't always be able to close the distance. To influence the outside world and control the battlefield, you need to master the flow of your mana."

Astron observed the damage. He could see the potential power that could be harnessed through proper mana control.

"I understand, Master," he said, his voice resolute. "I need to be able to integrate my mana with my movements to extend my reach and influence in combat."

While he had always been using his weapons to exert his mana, this part was where he was lacking. Without the [Celestalith], the effectiveness of his mana that is coated on the weapons became way worse than when it was used on it.

Therefore, for the sake of increasing his strength, he did not focus his body too much and instead focused on his direct combat capabilities with weapons. If not for his immense quick reflexes and quick judgment time, he would not be able to overcome many battles that he was in.

"Exactly," Dakota replied. "This is what sets a Martial Artist apart. We don't rely on weapons to channel our mana; our bodies are our weapons. But for that to work, your mana and your physical movements must become one."

She demonstrated another technique, this time focusing on a defensive move. With a swift motion, she channeled mana into her arms, creating a barrier of energy that deflected an imagined attack. The air around her shimmered with the intensity of her mana, showcasing the potential for both offense and defense.

"Defensive techniques are just as important as offensive ones," Dakota explained. "You need to be able to protect yourself while maintaining the flow of mana. It's about balance and control."

"How do I start integrating my mana like that?"

"We'll begin with the basics," Dakota said. "First, you need to understand the flow of mana within your body. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Feel the energy circulating through you."

Astron did as instructed, closing his eyes and taking deep, measured breaths. He concentrated on the sensation of mana coursing through his veins, feeling the familiar warmth and power it provided.

While using his [Shadow Leap] or previously [Dash], he would always coat his body with mana to increase his strength.

But because they were both [Skill]s, he was not able to understand the basic principle behind it. Since, by definition, while [Traits] were innate and needed to be understood to be improved, [Skills] came in a way that would just be triggered by imagining. One did not need to know the exact mechanism underneath.

Dakota watched him closely, seeing his concentration deepen. "The most basic way for Martial Artists to use their mana effectively is to create a virtual core inside their bodies," she began. "This core isn't something that exists in reality, but Martial Artists visualize it to help order the mana within their bodies. Controlling the flow of mana while also fighting is very hard and complex. The virtual core simplifies this process."

Astron opened his eyes and looked at her, intrigued but also thoughtful. "But creating such a core would mean there are two different heads acting in the body, right? Wouldn't that slow down the reaction of the mana?"

The concept here was pretty similar to how Digital and Analog Electronics worked. If Analog Electronics were indelibly efficient and fast, it would also be a lot harder to make incredibly precise adjustments with the huge amounts of variables that would need to be accounted for.

For Digital Electronics, the case was much easier because of the limited variables. That was what the Virtual Core aimed to do.

Dakota smiled, impressed by his insight. "You make a good point," she said. "It's true that having a virtual core can slow down the immediate reaction time of your mana. However, this is a trade-off. It sacrifices some efficiency for simplicity and consistency. The virtual core acts like a regulator, making it easier to control and direct your mana during combat."

"So, it's a balance between control and efficiency."

"Exactly," Dakota confirmed. "For a Martial Artist, it's more important to have a steady, reliable flow of mana that enhances every movement rather than trying to micromanage each burst of energy. Over time, as you become more adept at using your virtual core, you'll find ways to optimize that flow, making it both efficient and powerful."

'An interesting concept. I did not know Marital Artists did such a thing. There was no mention of such cases in the game.' Astron thought. And then he took a deep breath, closing his eyes again to focus. He visualized the virtual core within his body, a central point where his mana would gather and be redistributed.

The concept was new, though not strange, and he could see the potential benefits.

"Imagine your virtual core as a sphere of energy at your center," Dakota instructed. "Feel the mana gathering there, becoming more concentrated. As you breathe, let that energy spread out through your limbs, enhancing your strength, speed, and resilience."

Following her guidance, Astron felt the mana pool in the place that he imagined as the core, a warm, concentrated ball of energy.

With each breath, he directed the mana outward, feeling it flow through his body. The sensation was different from when he used his skills; it felt more controlled, more deliberate.

"Good," Dakota said, observing his progress. "Now, try to maintain that flow as you move. Start with something simple."

Astron opened his eyes and took a step forward, focusing on keeping the mana flowing smoothly from his virtual core to his limbs. He threw a punch, feeling the enhanced power from the mana. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

"You're getting it," Dakota encouraged. "Keep practicing. The more you do this, the more natural it will become."

Astron continued to practice, each movement becoming more fluid and powerful as he integrated the flow of mana with his physical actions. Dakota watched, noting his focus.

'Not bad. He's getting right to it on his first try. It seems he can internalize the concept a lot more easily. That is good. We will be able to start focusing on stances soon.' "You will practice your Virtual core and movements for one hour. And then, we are going to start practicing the combat arts."

"Understood."

"….."

"Master."

With that, she left, leaving her disciple right there.

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