Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

"Now, let's start."

She took a step back, giving him some space but not relaxing her intense gaze. "The first technique is called [Tempest Sphere]. It's a defensive move where you expel your mana in a sphere around you, creating a barrier. It's not just about raw power—it's about timing. The barrier lasts only for a second, but in that second, it can block or deflect any attack that comes your way."

Dakota moved into a stance, gathering her mana in an instant. Her body tensed, and with a sharp exhale, she released a burst of energy that formed a shimmering, translucent sphere around her. The air within the sphere seemed to hum with concentrated power, and then, just as quickly, it dissipated.

"You see?" Dakota said, her eyes still locked on Astron. "The key is to release just the right amount of mana and at the exact right moment. Too much, and you'll waste your energy. Too little, and it won't protect you."

Astron nodded, his mind already racing with ideas on how to integrate this into his own combat style. He understood the importance of precision in this technique—just like with [Thunderclap], but on a more complex level.

"The second technique is [Aegis Guard]," Dakota continued, shifting her stance slightly. "This one's a bit different. Instead of creating a full barrier, you condense your mana into a specific part of your body—your arm, your leg, wherever you need it most—and use it to defend against an attack. It's like wearing armor but made entirely of mana."

She demonstrated, gathering a concentrated amount of mana into her forearm. The energy pulsed, wrapping around her arm like a second skin, glowing faintly as it solidified. "The trick here is control. You need to condense the mana just enough to block the attack but not so much that it weighs you down or drains your energy."

Astron watched closely, understanding the complexity of what she was showing him. [Aegis Guard] wasn't just about raw defense—it was about adaptability, being able to protect any part of his body with precision and timing.

Dakota's eyes never left his as she finished the demonstration. "These techniques are the final steps in mastering the [Storm Stance]. If you can integrate them with what you've already learned, you'll have a complete arsenal at your disposal—both offense and defense."

She crossed her arms, her expression softening slightly but still intense. "But don't think this will be easy. It's going to take a lot for an offender like you to defend."

"Offender….Master, your choice of words is really subtle…." Astron mumbled, shaking his head.

"Did you say something?" As Dakota glared at him, he could only shake his head.

"I just said you have a way with words," he replied, trying to keep a straight face.

Dakota narrowed her eyes at him for a moment before letting out a short, amused snort. "Focus, brat. You've got a lot to learn today."

With a nod, Astron refocused his attention on the task at hand. The first technique, [Tempest Sphere], was straightforward enough in theory. By expelling his mana in a burst, he could create a barrier around himself, blocking incoming attacks. However, as he began to experiment with the technique, it quickly became apparent that its effectiveness was limited.

He closed his eyes, gathering his mana at his core before releasing it outward in a controlled explosion.

A shimmering sphere of translucent energy formed around him, pulsating with power. But as he tested its strength by visualizing various levels of attacks, he realized the barrier's limitations.

'It's spread too thin,' Astron thought, his brows furrowing. The [Tempest Sphere] covered a wide area around him, but because of this, the energy was diffused.

While it could block weaker attacks, anything beyond that—especially strikes from stronger Awakened—would likely penetrate the barrier. The lack of concentration in any specific area meant that its defensive capability was inherently compromised.

'This kind of defense… it's more of a last resort, something to use when you're surrounded or need a moment to regroup.' Astron understood that while [Tempest Sphere] had its uses, it wouldn't be the technique he relied on in the heat of battle if he could perceive the enemy.

He dispersed the barrier and took a moment to consider the second technique, [Aegis Guard]. This technique was more promising. Unlike the [Tempest Sphere], [Aegis Guard] allowed for the concentration of mana in a specific part of the body, making it much more resilient.

Astron took a deep breath, visualizing the flow of his mana. Instead of spreading it out, he focused on directing the energy to his right forearm, condensing it into a protective layer. He could feel the mana coiling tightly around his arm, forming a dense, resilient shield.

He raised his arm, testing the feel of the condensed energy. It was heavy but powerful, the mana acting like a second skin that hardened upon contact. He could already tell that this technique would be much more effective in a real battle.

By focusing the mana on a single point, he could withstand far more force than the [Tempest Sphere] could handle.

'This is not bad….'

Astron thought as he felt the mana condensing around his body. He experimented with different parts of his body, shifting the mana from his arm to his leg, then to his chest, and back again. The process required intense focus and control, but the results were undeniable.

With practice, he knew he could master [Aegis Guard] and make it an integral part of his combat strategy.

Dakota observed his progress with a keen eye, nodding in approval as Astron began to grasp the nuances of the technique. "That's more like it," she said, crossing her arms again.

"The [Aegis Guard] is all about precision. You're getting it but remember—timing and control are everything. In a real fight, you won't have the luxury of taking your time."

As she had been constantly telling him, timing was really important for a [Martial Artist]. They fought using their mana, constantly circulating it, and that would increase the consumption if unchecked.

That was why Dakota emphasized this a lot. With his unique condition of [Everchanging Glyph], Astron knew it was really important for him to keep an eye on this constantly.

"I understand, Master. [Tempest Sphere] has its uses, but [Aegis Guard] feels more reliable for actual combat. I can see how it could make a difference when dealing with stronger opponents."

Dakota's lips curled into a smirk. "Exactly. The [Tempest Sphere] is more of a tactical move—use it when you're overwhelmed or need a quick breather. But [Aegis Guard] is where your focus should be. Master it, and you'll have a solid defense against just about anything."

Astron took a deep breath, his mind already racing with ideas on how to incorporate these new techniques into his fighting style. The breakthrough he had experienced with the multiple judgment points had opened up new possibilities….each of them waiting to be explored.

"I'll keep working on it."

"Good. Because the next time we spar, I won't be holding back. You've shown you can handle the offense—now it's time to see if you can take a hit."

With that, Dakota stepped back, leaving Astron alone to continue his training.

******

Astron began with the [Aegis Guard], concentrating on how to internalize the technique. The concept was clear—condensing mana into specific parts of his body to form a resilient barrier—but mastering it required finesse.

He closed his eyes, visualizing the flow of mana through his newly created judgment points, focusing the energy into his forearm.

The familiar sensation of the condensed mana wrapping around his arm returned, but this time, Astron experimented with maintaining the barrier while simultaneously preparing for an offensive move.

He shifted the energy, allowing a portion of his mana to remain in a defensive state while the rest circulated for an attack.

'By keeping a portion of my mana reserved for defense, I can adapt more quickly,' he thought, his mind racing with possibilities.

The judgment points allowed him to distribute the energy efficiently, ensuring that his defenses were always ready while still maintaining his offensive capabilities.

As he continued to practice, moving through different stances and integrating the [Aegis Guard] into his routine, Astron felt something shift within him.

It was subtle at first, a slight tug at the edge of his consciousness, but it quickly grew stronger.

He paused, frowning as a strange sensation began to build.

The shadows around him, usually still and silent, started to churn and swirl, gathering around his feet and slowly rising like a living entity.

'What…?' Astron's thoughts trailed off as he realized that his [Shadowborne] ability was reacting to something deep within him.

The shadows seemed to pulse with a life of their own, resonating with his mana in a way they hadn't before.

The sensation intensified, and then, without warning, Astron felt a surge of information flood his mind. It was like a dam had broken, releasing a torrent of knowledge and instinct that he hadn't known he possessed.

'This… this is another breakthrough!' he realized, his heart pounding in his chest. The information that flowed into his mind was clear and precise, detailing a new way to utilize his shadows in a manner similar to the [Aegis Guard].

He could see it now—how the shadows could be materialized, forming a protective barrier around specific areas of his body, just like the mana in the [Aegis Guard].

But there was more. The shadows weren't just limited to his own body; they could be extended, enveloping others as well, shielding them from harm.

'This… this is incredible,' Astron thought, the realization hitting him like a shockwave. The shadows weren't just a passive ability—they could be actively controlled, shaped into a defensive tool that was both versatile and powerful.

His eyes snapped open, the swirling shadows responding to his will, wrapping around his arms in a dark, protective embrace.

The feeling was similar to [Aegis Guard], but there was something more—a presence that made the shadows feel alive.

Without hesitation, Astron called up his status window to see the changes happening around him.

And just as he expected, something had indeed changed.

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?Traits:

Perceptive Insight (Epic)(Unchanging)

Lunar Enigma (????) (Growth Type) (Stage 1)

Shadowborne (Legendary) (Growth Type)(Stage 3)

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It was at that moment he saw that his trait [Shadowborne] had reached the third stage.

'I see….'

Then Astron realized what Kennet had said about the [Traits].

"Not every trait follows a linear improvement. There are some things that will not completely be linked to the concept of the [Trait]. Never forget that." As he remembered what Kennet said about that, he realized what he meant, looking at the description of the [Shadowborne].

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Shadowborne: The innate trait bestowed by the Mistwraith grants the ability to harness and manipulate shadows with great proficiency. It enhances the user's control over darkness, enabling them to bend and shape shadows to their will.

Stage 1 Shadow Veil: The user gains the power to blend seamlessly with shadows, becoming nearly invisible in dimly lit environments. This grants them enhanced stealth and the ability to move undetected.

Stage 2 Umbral Step: With further mastery, the user gains the ability to teleport short distances through shadows. They can traverse between shadows effortlessly, disappearing from one spot and reappearing in another, allowing for swift movement and surprise attacks.

Stage 3 Shadow Embrace: The user can envelop themselves or others in protective shadows, creating an impenetrable barrier that shields against physical and magical attacks. This defensive ability grants enhanced durability and resilience.

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'So, the third stage of the [Shadowborne] was not about stealth at all.'

It was at that moment that Astron had a breakthrough once again.

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