Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 447 102.2 - Examination

As I arrived at the examination site, I saw Dakota already present, standing with an air of authority. Around her were numerous trainees, all focused and serious. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation.

Dakota stood at the front, her posture rigid and professional. She acted as though she didn't know me, maintaining a completely professional demeanor. This was, after all, an official examination.

She stepped forward and addressed the assembled trainees. "Good morning, everyone. Today, we have a newcomer who will be tested. Please give him your attention. This is Astron Natusalune."

The trainees turned their gazes toward me, their eyes assessing and calculating. It was rare for them to have a new candidate at this point in the training, and they were clearly curious about my abilities.

Dakota continued, "Astron comes to us from the Arcadia Hunter Academy. He has been recommended by Miss Reina herself."

A murmur went through the crowd at this announcement. I could feel their scrutiny intensify, their interest piqued by the mention of Reina's endorsement.

One of the trainees stepped forward, a tall and lean young man with sharp eyes. "Miss Dakota, is it true that Miss Reina recommended him?"

Dakota nodded. "Yes, that is true. Astron is here on Miss Reina's recommendation."

The trainee nodded thoughtfully, his gaze lingering on me. "I see. That's quite the endorsement. But, I wonder how capable he is to be recommended by such a figure."

His words were just as I had expected and was told. After all, it was said that Reina was basically a role model for many people here, though I was not that much aware of her achievement.

And considering that I was nominated here by their idol, it was not that incomprehensible for them to want to see my skills.

After all, there were many such phenomena on Earth, too. People checked their idols' private lives, constantly tested their partners, etc., to see if they deserved 'them.' However, that doesn't mean what they are doing is right. After all, they are just outsiders.

But that is one of the things that most humans possess. Thinking that they are entitled to interfere with another person's life.

As I contemplated this, I sensed a familiar presence entering the area. The weight of the steps and the commanding aura were unmistakable. I turned my head to the side and saw Reina standing there, her gaze fixed on the scene before her.

Dakota also sensed Reina's presence and shifted her attention to her. Following Dakota's lead, the other cadets turned as well, eventually noticing her. The murmur of conversations ceased, and an air of respect and anticipation filled the room.

Reina walked forward with an air of quiet authority, her eyes briefly meeting mine before scanning the crowd. "Good morning," she greeted, her voice calm yet commanding. "I see you're all here to witness the examination."

The trainees straightened, their expressions a mix of awe and respect. "Miss Reina," they chorused, acknowledging her presence.

Reina nodded in acknowledgment before focusing on Dakota. "I thought I'd observe the examination myself."

"…." Dakota will throw a quick look at Reina, seizing her. But, the look in her eyes was not filled with reverence like others, and there was a faint glint there.

Still, she gave a small, respectful nod to her. "Of course, Sentinel Reina. We're about to begin the physical capability tests."

'Sentinel Reina ….. This is my first time hearing about his.' I thought inwardly. It seemed there was more to this organization and ranks than I had learned, but well, that was to be expected as this was just my first day in this place.

Reina's gaze returned to me, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I have high expectations. Show them why you're here." Yet, in this smile, there was a sense of coldness there.

It seemed that the results that I had shown in the academy were still not enough, and they wanted to see something more.

'If that is what you want, you are going to see something good.'

Since I decided not to hold back, at least in terms of my physical and mana capabilities here, I should show a good sight, no?

Dakota stepped back, giving me space to prepare. "We'll start with a test of your combat capability." While she was saying that, there was a faint smile on her lips.

It seemed the small test that she did with me this morning and keeping it to herself somehow made her feel different.

'In Reina's presence.'

I sensed a small rivalry between her and Reina, though it may have been a one-directional rivalry as well.

Dakota's voice carried clearly across the room. "Astron Natusalune's main weapons are daggers and bows. Since that is the case, the first test will be a dagger test." She turned to me, her eyes sharp and focused. "Take your position, trainee."

I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Understood." I moved to the designated area, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze on me.

Dakota continued, "This test will push you to your limits. It may be a bit overwhelming, but it is necessary to gauge your true capabilities."

"I understand," I replied, steadying my breathing and focusing my mind. I readied my daggers, feeling the familiar weight in my hands.

SWOOSH! Dakota nodded,

"Start."

and with a quick command, the test began.

The training dummies activated, moving with surprising speed and precision. They were programmed to mimic real combat scenarios, making them formidable opponents. Even now, their faces have turned from a robot to a completely real human.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the daggers in my hands.

SWOOSH! The first dummy lunged at me, its blade slicing through the air with deadly precision.

–CLANK! I sidestepped, bringing my dagger up to parry the strike. The clash of metal echoed in the room.

–SWOOSH! Yet, of course, there was not only one of them.

Before I could counterattack, another dummy closed in from the side, aiming a swift stab at my midsection.

–SLASH! I twisted my body, narrowly avoiding the blow. Yet, because he was using a spear, the spear's length was not close enough for me to attack.

At least, that was what it was supposed to be.

'Come here.' –GRAB! Since the moment I had evaded the strike, I had already clasped the spear right under my feet, making it stab to the ground. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

–SWOOSH! Then threw the dagger right through the neck of the dummy.

–THUD! It was so realistic that the body had its neck oozing blood, and blood spurted from his mouth, staggering.

The dummy staggered back, clutching its neck as simulated blood spurted from the wound. The sight was unnervingly realistic, a testament to the advanced technology behind these training simulations.

–SWOOSH!

At that moment, another dummy charged at me, this one wielding a large axe. Its movements were powerful and deliberate, each swing aiming to cleave me in two.

I ducked and rolled to the side, feeling the rush of air as the axe blade whistled past my head.

CLENCH!

As I rose from where I was, I pulled the dagger back. The small threads that I had connected to it shone bright, and at that second, the neck of the guy between me and the dagger was cut down.

Yet the dummy was not dead. He was shining in red.

'A berserker.'

They had a special skill that, even if they had a deadly blow, they would be able to prolong the certain death.

And the closer they were to death, the stronger they became, just like how the dummy before me was. The strength that I could sense from him was so advanced that, with one hit, it would be my end.

CRACK! The dummy's knees buckled, but it recovered swiftly, swinging the axe in a wide arc. Just as I had expected, his speed was much higher than his previous ones.

But, in my eyes, they were still slow.

SWOOSH! I leaped backward, avoiding the deadly blade by a hair's breadth.

–FLICK! THUD! With a quick flick of my wrist, I threw my remaining dagger at its head. The blade embedded itself deep into its forehead, and the dummy collapsed to the ground, twitching as its systems shut down.

Yet suddenly, I sensed a presence.

SHIVER! My body shivered as my ears picked up a special sound of the air getting compressed. Someone was behind me at that split second. Even his heartbeat was erased as if this dummy was taking the shape of a real assassin.

'Indeed, even from the start, there was one more hiding.' This one had activated [Blind Spot], a skill allowing it to teleport short distances, making its movements unpredictable. It disappeared from view, only to reappear behind me, its sword poised to strike.

I spun around, instinctively bringing up my arm to block. The sword grazed my arm, but I managed to deflect most of the blow. Using the momentum, I delivered a powerful kick to the dummy's chest, sending it staggering back.

Without hesitation, I retrieved my fallen dagger, spinning it in my hand before driving it into the dummy's heart.

As the dummy flickered and fell, I felt a sudden gust of wind. Another opponent had activated [Wind Blade], sending a crescent-shaped projectile hurtling toward me.

I dodged to the side, feeling the razor-sharp wind slice through my clothing. The dummy followed up with a flurry of strikes; its blade imbued with wind energy.

I parried and dodged, each movement precise and calculated. The enhanced speed of the wind attacks made it difficult to find an opening, but I remained focused.

Timing my move perfectly, I sidestepped a horizontal slash and closed the distance, plunging my dagger into the dummy's side. The wind energy dissipated, and the dummy fell, deactivating with a flicker.

"Stop."

Just as I rose from my feet, I heard someone calling me. It was Dakota, looking at me with weird eyes. "The test is over."

Maybe I might have overdone it.

But I could see one thing.

The eyes of the guys that were watching me were all widened.