Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Eleanor’s sharp gaze swept across the room as she tapped her tablet once more, closing the diagram on the screen. The classroom lights adjusted automatically, brightening to their standard setting.

“And with that,” she said, her tone as crisp as ever, “we’ve covered the main topics for today’s lesson. That concludes the lecture.”

A murmur of relief rippled through the cadets. Julia practically melted into her chair, whispering a dramatic “Finally!” under her breath. Ethan smirked, already packing his notes, while Lucas stretched with a faint yawn.

But before anyone could so much as stand, Eleanor’s voice cut through the room like a blade. “Sit down.”

The cadets froze, mid-motion, as her piercing eyes locked on the group. Her tone wasn’t harsh, but it carried an undeniable weight—one that demanded attention.

“I didn’t say you were dismissed,” she continued, her hands clasped neatly in front of her. “There’s one more matter we need to address before you leave.”

A collective groan stirred among the students, though no one dared voice it aloud. Julia slumped back into her seat, muttering, “Of course there’s more,” just loud enough for Lilia to snicker.

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Eleanor ignored the murmurs, raising her chin slightly as she continued. “As you’re all aware, the mentorship program is set to begin next week.”

The room shifted as students exchanged glances. The mentorship program had been the talk of the academy for weeks—an initiative that paired cadets with experienced hunters to gain hands-on experience in the field. It was a prestigious opportunity, but also one that came with high expectations.

“Your performance in this program will not only reflect on you individually,” Eleanor said, her tone measured but firm, “but also on the academy itself. The hunters taking part in this initiative are some of the most renowned in their fields. They will expect discipline, skill, and above all, professionalism.”

Julia leaned toward Ethan, whispering, “Translation: don’t embarrass us.”

Eleanor’s sharp gaze flicked in their direction, and Julia immediately straightened, her lips pressing into a thin line as she feigned innocence.

“Since this program is mandatory,” Eleanor continued, her eyes sweeping the room, “I trust you’ve all reviewed the preparatory materials I assigned last week.”

A faint ripple of tension passed through the room. It wasn’t hard to tell which students had actually completed the materials and which had… skimmed. Julia sank lower in her chair, her expression a mixture of defiance and guilt.

Eleanor paused, letting the silence settle uncomfortably before speaking again. “I’ll be reviewing your individual assignments later this week to ensure you’re adequately prepared. But for now, I want to hear your thoughts. What are your expectations for this program? What do you hope to gain? And,” she added, her gaze narrowing slightly, “how do you intend to make the most of this opportunity?”

The room remained silent for a moment, the cadets unsure whether she was expecting volunteers or would start calling on them.

“No expectations? Well, I guess that kind of makes sense, as we have stated that for freshmen this program wouldn’t be detailed.”

She clasped her hands in front of her and leaned slightly against the podium. “However,” she continued, her voice firm, “even if you’re not expecting much, you should at least set some goals for yourselves. The mentorship program is more than just an exercise. It’s a chance to work alongside seasoned hunters—an opportunity that many of you won’t fully appreciate until you’re in the field.”

The room stirred as Eleanor’s words sank in, some cadets straightening in their seats with newfound attention. Julia, despite her usual nonchalance, glanced sideways at Lilia, who had already opened her tablet to the relevant section of her notes.

Eleanor’s expression softened slightly, her piercing gaze shifting to something almost encouraging. “Since the list of hunters participating in the program has been finalized, I’m pleased to inform you that as of today, applications for mentorship will be open.”

The room buzzed with a ripple of excitement, the earlier tension giving way to an undercurrent of enthusiasm. Several cadets exchanged eager whispers, and Julia perked up, leaning toward Ethan with a grin. “The list is already updated? This might actually be interesting.”

Ethan smirked. “Bet you’ll spend more time picking a hunter than writing your report.”

Before Julia could retort, a hand shot up from the middle of the room. Eleanor’s gaze shifted to the source, her expression expectant. “Yes?”

The cadet, a sharp-eyed boy with neatly combed hair, lowered his hand. “What if too many cadets apply for a specific hunter?” he asked, his voice steady but curious. “How will the academy decide?”

Eleanor’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. “Isn’t the answer obvious?” she replied, her tone measured but direct. “The academy operates based on merit. If multiple cadets apply for the same hunter, priority will be given to those with higher grades.”

A ripple of mixed reactions coursed through the room. Some students nodded in understanding, while others exchanged uneasy glances. Julia leaned back in her chair, muttering under her breath, “Great. Another reason for Irina and Lilia to gloat.”

Irina, overhearing, smirked without looking up from her tablet. “It’s not gloating if it’s just facts.”

Eleanor allowed the murmurs to settle before continuing. “Let this serve as a reminder that your performance matters. This program is not a popularity contest—it’s about demonstrating your potential to those who can guide you further. The hunters participating have high expectations. Show them that you’re worth their time.”

Her words carried weight, and the room grew quiet once more, the cadets absorbing the reality of the program’s competitive nature.

“Applications will remain open until the end of the week,” Eleanor added, glancing at her tablet. “I suggest you review the list carefully, assess your own strengths and weaknesses, and choose a mentor who aligns with your goals. Do not waste this opportunity on frivolous decisions.”

The bell rang, signaling the end of the class, but Eleanor didn’t dismiss them immediately. Her gaze lingered on the group, her expression stern but not unkind.

“Remember,” she said, her voice cutting through the noise of students preparing to leave, “this program is designed to challenge you, to push you beyond your limits. Treat it with the seriousness it deserves.”

With that, she nodded. “You’re dismissed.”

As the bell’s shrill tone faded, Eleanor’s sharp words still lingered in the air, leaving an unspoken pressure that kept nearly every cadet rooted in their seats. Despite being dismissed, no one moved to leave. Instead, a palpable buzz of excitement and curiosity swept through the room as students immediately reached for their tablets.

“Did you see the list yet?” someone whispered near the front.

“It’s already updated,” another replied, their tone tinged with anticipation.

Julia leaned back in her chair, flipping open her tablet with a dramatic flourish. “Well, well,” she said, her blue eyes glinting with mischief. “Let’s see what we’re working with.”

The room filled with the quiet hum of tablets booting up and excited murmurs. Irina, seated a few rows behind Julia, opened her own tablet with a far more restrained air. She glanced briefly at the screen before settling into a calm focus, while Ethan peered over Julia’s shoulder with mild curiosity.

Lilia, already ahead of the others, scrolled through the application page with her characteristic efficiency. “The names are impressive,” she remarked casually, though the faintest trace of admiration colored her voice.

Julia’s gaze scanned the list, and as the names appeared, she let out a low, appreciative whistle. “Whooo… What a list.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, leaning closer. “What do we have?”

“See for yourself,” Julia said, gesturing toward her tablet as she began reading aloud. “Callum Graves, the Thunderblade Knight. Amelia Lake, known for her dual-elemental mastery. And Selena Vayl… wait, the Selena Vayl? Moonlit Enchanter herself?”

“That’s her,” Lilia confirmed, her voice even but her eyes betraying a flicker of excitement. “She’s one of the academy’s most accomplished alumni. Enchantment specialist, tactical genius, and, if I remember correctly, she designed the mana synchronization array used in modern guild formations.”

Julia let out a low hum of appreciation. “No wonder everyone’s hyped about this. If even half these hunters are as good as their reputations, this program is going to be insane.”

Irina, scrolling at her own pace, interjected smoothly, “That also means competition for mentorship will be fierce. I wouldn’t get too excited until you see who else is applying.”

“Oh, come on,” Julia retorted with a grin, “don’t be such a killjoy. Let me dream a little.”

Ethan glanced at the list, his brow furrowing as he took in the array of names. “Callum Graves is going to draw a lot of attention,” he mused aloud. “If I remember correctly, he, Amelia Lake and Instructor Eleanor graduated together at the same time.”

“Yep,” Lilia chimed in, her tone light but certain. “They were close friends back in the day. If I remember correctly, they even founded a guild together—Silver Vanguard, wasn’t it? Though Eleanor eventually left to join the academy as an instructor.”

Julia raised an eyebrow, leaning forward with growing interest. “Wait, they started a guild and stayed friends? That’s impressive. Most partnerships like that end in drama and broken alliances.”

Ethan nodded thoughtfully. “True, but Silver Vanguard was different. They had a reputation for balancing discipline with innovation. It wasn’t just about strength—they emphasized strategy and teamwork. A lot of guilds today still follow some of their practices.”

Irina glanced up from her tablet, her fiery yellow eyes narrowing slightly. “If they were so successful, why did Eleanor leave?”

That was a question itself.

———A/N——–

Only one chapter today. There is a problem with my keyboard, couldn’t write more.