Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

"Do you always wake up this early?" Kael asked as we walked back to the cafeteria.

"I do," I replied.

"Do you not sleep?" he inquired further.

"I do," I said simply, not bothering to elaborate.

Kael chuckled. "You're a man of few words, Astron."

Lyra, bouncing along beside us, chimed in. "He's probably just focused, right? Always thinking about the next step."

Though it seemed like she had misunderstood something, I decided not to elaborate. I could not say when I slept; I remembered certain things, could I?

"Something like that."

As we entered the cafeteria, the smell of freshly prepared food filled the air. The place was already bustling with trainees, each one readying themselves for the day ahead.

Lyra and Kael joined the line with me, grabbing trays and selecting their breakfast. I opted for a balanced meal, focusing on protein and vegetables to replenish the energy I'd expended during my early training.

"You must have had an intense session with Dakota," Kael commented as we found a table and sat down.

"….." I looked at him as he said those words. How did this guy know?

"Don't look at me like that. The word has already gotten out."

"The word?"

"Yes. Miss Dakota had announced that she would be taking you as her disciple. I never knew you were a [Martial Artist] as well."

"I see." It seemed that people did not have many secrets in this place. Well, considering what type of organization they were, it made sense. I assumed that these guys would be sent to missions together sometimes. Thus, they need to trust each other.

And from how it looked, the other trainees here did not look at me with weird gazes either. Even though some of them were discerning, it was not because they were looking down on me. They were just seizing a newcomer, and it was a pretty normal thing to do.

I decided not to delve too deeply into my occupation. "I could have become a [Martial Artist], but I never had the time or anyone to teach me."

Kael nodded, understanding. "That makes sense. It's not something you can just pick up without proper guidance."

Lyra chimed in, "Well, you're in good hands now. Dakota is one of the best. You'll learn a lot from her."

"I believe so," I replied, focusing on my food.

We continued eating in a comfortable silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. The cafeteria buzzed with the energy of trainees readying themselves for the day. It was a reminder of the rigorous schedule and the constant push to improve.

After we finished our breakfast, we stood up to leave. Lyra and Kael headed off to their respective training areas while I made my way to the physical training section to continue my regimen.

"Catch you later," Kael said, giving a small wave.

Lyra smiled brightly. "Good luck with your training, Astron!"

"Thanks. You too."

After separating from them, I pondered.

"I have two hours until the next training," I muttered to myself.

It was acrobatics, a part of my training regimen, that the analysis team had decided I needed to improve. Reflecting on my recent mission, where I had infiltrated the facility, it was clear that my acrobatics and body agility were not up to par.

Even though I had trained in acrobatics and combat to improve my body, I hadn't placed much importance on it, only occasionally practicing. It made sense that I looked lacking in that area.

The fluidity and precision required for such movements were crucial for someone in my position, especially with my [Weapon Master] class. My lack of focus on acrobatics had become a noticeable weakness.

"Instructor Tianna, huh?"

I heard about this person from Kael and Lyra. She trained them both in acrobatics.

'It seems this place puts a lot more importance on flexibility. Even a mage like Lyra was not exempted from the training.'

"I need to visit the bath section," I muttered to myself.

I had decided to rest my body in the bath section, a special area designed for trainees to recuperate after intense sessions. Dakota had instructed me to visit this place, which explained the two-hour break in my schedule.

Making my way to the bath section, I noticed how the facility was meticulously organized to ensure the trainees could optimize their performance. The path to the bath section was serene, with soft lighting and a calming ambiance.

Upon entering, the sight of the bath section was impressive. It was a large, well-maintained area with various pools, each designed for different purposes. There were hot baths for relaxation, cold baths for muscle recovery, and even a few specialized pools infused with healing minerals.

'First, thirty minutes of cold bath and then one hour of Mineral Bath 3. I see.'

Checking the note Dakota left me, I made my way towards the location.

*********

"It seems everyone is here," I muttered to myself as I entered the acrobatics training area.

It was a grand lecture hall filled with mats, gymnastics equipment, and an intricate setup of parkour obstacles, resembling a huge urban landscape.

I noticed many other trainees already present, their eyes discerning as they looked at me. I didn't recognize any of them, but it was clear they were evaluating me just as I was evaluating them.

Instructor Tianna, a tall woman with an athletic build and an air of confidence, stood at the front. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, settling on me for a moment before she spoke.

"Looks like we have a new trainee here," she said, her gaze fixed on me. "Since that's the case, I'll summarize the basics for a little. This should be okay for everyone here, correct?"

The trainees remained silent, a collective nod signaling their agreement.

Instructor Tianna turned her attention fully to me. "Why do you think we have a class like acrobatics, Astron?"

I took a moment to think, considering the various aspects of our training and the demands placed on us as operatives. "Acrobatics training is essential for improving our agility, flexibility, and overall physical conditioning. It allows us to navigate complex environments efficiently, which is crucial for missions that involve infiltration, escape, or close-quarters combat. It also enhances our ability to adapt to unexpected situations and terrains."

Instructor Tianna nodded approvingly. "That's correct. As expected from a student of Arcadia Hunter Academy. You are pretty good with explanations." She said, winking. This lecturer looked slightly different from others, especially Dakota and Reina. Weirdly enough, she looked cheerful.

"Acrobatics training is not just about being able to perform impressive moves; it's about practical application in real-world scenarios. It's about having the physical capability to handle any environment and the mental agility to adapt quickly. Whether you're navigating through an urban landscape, climbing a building, or dodging attacks, acrobatics can give you the edge you need to succeed."

She gestured to the parkour setup behind her. "Since the trainees besides you all have completed the first three stages, they will be training differently. You will start from the stage one."

She explained that the course was divided into stages, each increasing in complexity and difficulty. "After each stage, you will be tested. Every trainee here has a different goal for this course. Since everyone has a different occupation, not everyone will need complete mastery over acrobatics. The requirements vary."

As she checked my profile, her eyes widened slightly. "It seems the occupation that is planned for you requires you to complete seven stages to pass this course..." The moment she said this, I saw some of the trainees giving me a pitiful look.

It seems this course was not something they liked too much, especially the seven stages.

"To think the analysis team gave you such a goal...That's quite an extensive requirement, indicating a need for a high level of stealth and agility. It seems your occupation is quite stealthy indeed."

I nodded, understanding the implication. From how Reina had always talked to me and how she said things like 'Organization expects much from you,' they put a lot more expectations. This seems to be one of those.

Instructor Tianna continued, "We'll start with the basics and build from there. Pay close attention to the techniques and focus on mastering each stage. This will be crucial for your development."

"Normally, I like to teach everything in detail, but considering the goal set for you, I suspect that you won't need it. I'm going to show you what you need to do once. After that, you'll be left alone to train. When you feel like you've mastered stage one, come to me for a test."

I nodded in understanding. This approach suited me perfectly. My life had always been about quick adaptation and mastery through observation. Once I saw something, I never forgot it.

Tianna moved to the starting point of the course, demonstrating each maneuver with precision and fluidity. She explained the techniques briefly as she executed them: balance on beams, vault over low walls, jump across gaps, and roll upon landing to minimize impact. Her movements were seamless, and each transition was smooth and controlled.

"Remember, efficiency is key," she emphasized. "Every movement should have a purpose. Conserve your energy and focus on precision."

I watched intently, absorbing every detail of her demonstration. When she finished, she turned to me with a nod. "Now, it's your turn. Practice until you're confident, and then come to me for a test."

With that, she left me to train on my own. I took a deep breath, mentally reviewing what I had just seen. I began the course, focusing on each technique. Balancing on the beams required steady control and focus, and vaulting over the walls needed precise timing and strength.

As I moved through the obstacles, I made adjustments to my approach, refining my technique with each repetition. The jumps required explosive power, and the rolls demanded a perfect blend of coordination and timing. Each maneuver became more natural as I practiced, my body adapting to the demands of the course.

After several rounds, I felt like I already mastered it.

Recently, I have been using my [Shadow Leap]. Since it was an ability that helped me teleport a short distance, it was quote efficient for such parkours. But before that, I only had [Dash].

It only helped me to move faster, and because of this, I would eventually move around on my own. It seemed that the first stage of training was something that I had already done.

Thanks to the fact that she had shown the basics to me, the movements became smoother, and my transitions became more fluid. I repeated the stage two more times until I was sure I had mastered it, ensuring each step was deliberate and controlled.

Satisfied with my progress, I approached Instructor Tianna for the test. "I'm ready."

She nodded, leading me back to the starting point. "Show me what you've learned."

I moved through the course, executing each technique with precision and efficiency. Tianna watched closely, her discerning eyes noting every detail of my performance. When I finished, she nodded approvingly.

"As expected. There was a reason why the analysis team gave you such a goal. It looks like it won't take too much for you to reach the seventh stage. I will see you tomorrow."

With that, she dismissed me as the one hour of training had met its end. On the side, I saw some other trainees giving me a weird look.

'They must think I am a monster.'

It wasn't that unfamiliar.

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