Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter  462 104.3 - Everchanging Glyph

Dakota quickly made her way to the facilities where the necessary preparations for the Everchanging Glyph could be arranged. The Glyph, a powerful and ancient mark, required a controlled environment and precise conditions to be safely and effectively engraved on Astron's body.

She reached the specialized chamber designed for such procedures, a high-tech room filled with intricate machinery and glowing runes embedded in the walls. The atmosphere hummed with latent energy, ready to be harnessed for the delicate operation ahead.

Dakota approached the head technician, a seasoned mage named Thalia, who was overseeing the preparations. Thalia looked up from her console, her eyes lighting up with recognition.

"Dakota, what brings you here?" Thalia asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"We need to prepare the chamber for the Everchanging Glyph," Dakota replied, her tone leaving no room for hesitation. "I have Steelclad's permission to proceed with the engraving for Astron Natusalune."

Thalia's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "The Everchanging Glyph? That's quite a step. Is he ready for it?"

"He's more than ready," Dakota assured her. "His potential is remarkable, and this will help him reach new heights. I'll be personally overseeing his training."

Thalia nodded, her expression becoming serious. "Understood. We'll make sure everything is set up correctly. This process requires precision and caution."

Dakota watched as Thalia and her team moved efficiently, adjusting the runes and calibrating the machinery. The room began to glow with a soft, pulsating light, the energy building up in preparation for the engraving.

Once everything was ready, Dakota contacted Astron through her communication device.

[Disciple, come to this location. I have something for you.] **************

Just as I was deeply focused on my training, an immense headache suddenly struck me down. The pain was sharp and intense, radiating through my skull like a thousand needles. I staggered, barely able to keep my balance, and instinctively reached up to my face. My fingers came away smeared with blood from my nose.

I realized that I had pushed my limits too much. Reina had left me alone some time ago, trusting me to practice and figure things out on my own. Her guidance had been invaluable, but she had also made it clear that self-reliance was crucial.

Wiping the blood from my nose, I took a moment to sit down and breathe, trying to let my mind settle. The headache slowly began to recede, but the experience left me feeling drained and vulnerable. It was a stark reminder of the importance of balancing effort with caution.

Wiping the blood from my nose, I took a moment to sit down and breathe, trying to let my mind settle. The headache slowly began to recede, but the experience left me feeling drained and vulnerable. It was a stark reminder of the importance of balancing effort with caution.

"Overexerting my mind and mana like this could have serious consequences," I muttered to myself. "I need to recognize my limits and avoid pushing past them."

I closed my eyes, focusing on slow, measured breaths. The headache continued to subside, leaving me with a lingering sense of exhaustion. I knew that I had made significant progress today, but it had come at a cost.

The pressure to constantly improve was immense, but I had to remember that pushing too hard could be just as detrimental as not trying hard enough.

"Balance is key," I reminded myself, echoing Reina's earlier words.

After a few more minutes of rest, I stood up slowly, feeling a bit steadier on my feet. I knew I needed to take the rest of the evening to recover and recharge. My training would resume tomorrow, but for now, my priority was to take care of myself.

As the headache subsided to a manageable level, I made my way towards the cafeteria, the familiar hallways quiet in the evening. The routine of training was physically and mentally exhausting, but the structure also provided a sense of stability.

Entering the cafeteria, I found it less crowded than usual. Most trainees were likely still engaged in their own training sessions or taking the time to rest. I approached the serving counter, the same aroma of freshly prepared food wafting through the air.

"One Reddish Hydra Serpent Steak and one Ironhide Boar Roast, please," I said to the attendant.

The attendant nodded, quickly preparing my order. Within minutes, the same two steaming plates were placed before me, the scents mingling with the spices, making the food seem more palatable despite its notorious taste.

I took my tray to an empty table, grateful for the quiet. The cafeteria's hum was soothing, a backdrop that allowed me to reflect on the day's events. Picking up my utensils, I started with the Reddish Hydra Serpent Steak, the flavors rich and slightly spicy, replenishing the energy I had expended.

As I ate, I considered the progress I made today. Despite the overexertion, I had achieved a deeper understanding of my abilities.

–RING!

Just as I was eating more, suddenly, my smartwatch rang.

[Dakota Hellen: Disciple. Come to this location. I have something for you.]

The message was blunt and simple, just like Dakota's style. I shook my head with a sigh, thinking how straightforward she always was. And it reminded me of a certain someone once again. Today, this was the second time this happened.

'Tsk. I am getting soft.' I grumbled inwardly.

I sent a quick reply:

[I'm eating now. Would it be okay if I came 10 minutes later? Or is it urgent?]

Almost immediately, a message came back from Dakota: [It's fine if you're eating. In fact, it would be even better.]

An ominous feeling enveloped me. The fact that Dakota said it would be better if I came after eating meant I would do something that either required more energy or something that needed me to be in top condition. I quickly finished my meal, making sure to eat every last bite to maximize my energy reserves.

Once done, I made my way to the location Dakota had specified. The corridors were quieter now, with most trainees immersed in their evening routines. I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation mixed with a hint of apprehension.

Reaching the designated room, I took a deep breath and opened the door. Inside, Dakota was waiting, her posture as rigid and commanding as ever.

"Good, you're here," she said, her eyes scanning me critically. "How are you feeling?"

"Better now that I've had something to eat," I replied while seizing the room from top to bottom.

It felt sterile, almost like a place for someone to get surgery. The walls were lined with intricate machinery and glowing runes, and there was an underlying hum of energy that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Dakota noticed my unease and gave a small, reassuring nod. "This room is designed for precision and control, necessary for what we're about to do."

"What exactly are we about to do?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"We're going to engrave the Everchanging Glyph on you," Dakota explained. "It's a powerful and ancient mark that will enhance your abilities and help you reach new heights."

'Everchanging Glyph? What is that?' I thought to myself, and then, as I looked for the information in my head, I was not able to find anything. There was no mention of such a thing in the game. It was evident that this was something that was hard to access.

"What exactly is this Everchanging Glyph?" I asked, curious and with a hint of apprehension in my voice.

Dakota smiled a hint of pride in her eyes. "While I was teaching you, I mentioned the first thing you were lacking: mana control. Do you remember?"

I nodded. "Yes, I remember. Since I had never fought while using mana before."

"Correct," Dakota said, nodding her head. "But aside from that, there was one other thing you were lacking."

I narrowed my eyes, trying to think of what it could be. "What is it?"

I frowned, considering her words. "So the Everchanging Glyph will help with that?"

"Exactly," Dakota confirmed. "The Everchanging Glyph is an ancient and powerful mark that enhances your body and balances your muscles. It adapts and evolves with you, ensuring that your physical condition remains optimal for any weapon you use. Since you're a [Weapon Master], you'll be using many different weapons, each requiring a different set of physical attributes. The Everchanging Glyph constantly overwrites and adjusts your muscles and body structure to suit the weapon you're wielding at the time. This will solve the problem of adapting your body to different weapons."

She gestured to the intricate machinery and glowing runes surrounding us. "This room is designed to ensure that the engraving process is precise and controlled. The Everchanging Glyph is not something to be taken lightly. It requires a delicate and careful approach."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. "I understand."

There was absolutely no reason for me to refuse such an offer, as this was something that had been in my mind for a while as well.

While we were being taught the Federal Swordsmanship in the Academy, I came across this problem as well. The sword did not move the same as the dagger. My body, which was trained with a dagger and bow for a long time, could not easily adapt to the sword.

This solved this problem exactly, with a solution that I could not think of since I did not even know it existed.

At that moment, the woman that Dakota had just talked to came.

"We are ready."

"Okay." Dakota nodded, her expression serious. And then she turned to me and gestured. "Lie down on the table and relax. Thalia and her team will handle the engraving process."

I complied, lying down on the cold metal table in the center of the room. Thalia and her team moved around me, making final adjustments to the machinery. The room's hum intensified, and I could feel the energy converging around me.

"Ready?" Dakota asked, her eyes locked onto mine.

"Ready," I replied, my voice steady. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Thalia began the process, and I felt a sharp pain as the engraving started. It was intense, but I focused on my breathing, trying to remain as still as possible. The pain ebbed and flowed, and I could feel the energy of the glyph merging with my own.

As the procedure continued, I lost track of time. The pain was a constant companion, but so was the sense of power growing within me. The Everchanging Glyph was becoming a part of me, enhancing my abilities and unlocking new potential.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the process was complete. The machinery powered down, and the glowing runes faded. Thalia and her team stepped back, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction.

"It's done," Thalia said, her voice tired but pleased. "Now, please move him towards the bathroom. His body needs nutrients."

"Understood, Miss Thalia." The assistants that were right beside her nodded their heads and then slid me through the place.

WOOSH!

And threw me into the orange-looking water.