Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 742: Chapter 169.2 - Second Semester



Professor Eleanor stepped up to the podium, her sharp eyes scanning the room once more. The quiet rustling of papers was the only sound as she prepared to address the class, her movements precise and deliberate.

"Let's talk about this semester," she began, her voice calm but firm. "You've had your break, your time to recover and reflect. Now, it's time to move forward."

Her gaze swept across the room, lingering momentarily on a few students before continuing. "The first semester, as some of you may have guessed, was only the beginning. A prelude, if you will. It was designed not just to teach you, but to test you."

Julia raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly in her chair. Ethan noticed and smirked- Professor Eleanor always had a way of phrasing things that made even the most confident students second-guess themselves.

"Some of you may have wondered why the focus seemed less on refining your combat skills and more on assessments-tests of your knowledge, talents, and adaptability," Eleanor continued, clasping her hands behind her back. "That was deliberate."

The room remained silent, the weight of her words hanging in the air.

"This academy does not believe in relying solely on an entrance exam to evaluate potential," Eleanor stated. "The first semester was designed to test you under varied conditions. Not just your strength, but your talents-your capacity for analysis, adaptability, studying, learning, and understanding complex scenarios."

Irina shifted slightly in her seat, her yellow eyes narrowing in thought. Lilia, sitting beside her, tapped her fingers lightly on the desk, clearly intrigued.

Eleanor's tone sharpened slightly. "Your progress, or lack thereof, was not just about your grades. It was about how you responded to challenges-academic, physical, and mental. How you performed under pressure, how you adapted to increasing demands, and how you carried yourselves in the face of mounting expectations."

Julia's playful grin had faded entirely now, replaced by a contemplative expression. Even Ethan felt a small ripple of unease-it was clear that every move they'd made in the first semester had been scrutinized far more deeply than they realized.

"Some of you excelled in ways that surprised us," Eleanor said, her gaze briefly flickering to Ethan, then to Astron in his corner seat. "Others struggled but adapted. And some, as you've noticed, are no longer here."

Her words hung heavily, a reminder of the students who hadn't made it to the second semester. Carl and Lucas exchanged uneasy glances, while Julia's fingers tightened on her pen.

Eleanor's expression softened slightly, though her tone remained steady. "The second semester, however, will not be as forgiving. What lies ahead will push you harder- physically, mentally, and emotionally. The expectations are higher, and the challenges are more intense."

She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in before continuing. "You will no longer be evaluated solely on your potential. This semester, we will begin to focus on refinement-of your skills, your teamwork, and your ability to operate under duress. Each of you has talents, but talents alone will not carry you."

Ethan leaned forward slightly, his brow furrowing. Julia glanced at him, her usual smirk replaced by an expression of rare seriousness.

"The curriculum," Eleanor said, picking up a sheet of paper from the podium, "will emphasize practical application. Tactical combat, advanced analysis, and real-world scenarios. You will be placed in situations that mirror the challenges you will face as hunters. These are not games or simulations. These are lessons drawn from reality."

Lilia raised a hand, her voice calm but curious. "Professor, does this mean we'll be entering dungeons or live combat zones?"

Eleanor nodded. "Precisely. Controlled environments, of course, but the danger will be real. You will not be coddled. The academy believes that only by facing true threats can you be truly prepared."

A ripple of unease passed through the room, but no one spoke. Irina's gaze sharpened, her focus narrowing on Eleanor's words.

Irina raised her hand, her sharp yellow eyes focused intently on Eleanor. The professor paused, nodding for her to speak.

"Professor," Irina began, her tone calm but carrying an edge of steel, "last term, there were several instances where cadets' lives were put at risk due to external influences."

Her words sent a ripple through the room. Though Irina didn't elaborate, everyone understood what she meant. The memory of the real dungeon disguised as a practice dungeon, the unexpected danger in the Phantom's Land, and the attack during the final exam duels loomed large in their minds. The tension in the room thickened as students exchanged glances, the weight of those events resurfacing.

Irina continued, her voice unwavering. "I understand that danger is part of being a hunter, but can the academy ensure the safety of its students in the face of such threats?"

Eleanor regarded Irina for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she inclined her head slightly. "You raise an excellent point, Miss Emberheart."

The room was silent, every student hanging on Eleanor's next words.

"It is true," she began, her tone measured, "that the academy faced unforeseen dangers last semester. The decision to keep cadets within the campus grounds during training was made precisely to ensure your safety."

There were nods of agreement among the students, though the unease in the room didn't dissipate entirely. Eleanor's gaze swept across the classroom, her voice gaining a firmer edge. "That decision allowed us to maintain a controlled environment, one where you could develop without the immediate threat of external interference. And it worked, to an extent. But let us not forget the reasoning behind the second part of the first semester."

Her eyes met Irina's directly before shifting to include the rest of the class. "The world is changing," she said gravely. "Dungeons are appearing at an unprecedented rate. Their strength requirements and mana levels continue to rise, and the threats within them are becoming more dangerous by the day."

The students listened intently.

"Such challenges require stronger hunters-hunters who cannot be trained solely indoors," Eleanor continued. "While the academy will do its utmost to keep training within the campus, this alone will not suffice. We must prepare you for the realities of the world beyond these

walls."

Julia leaned closer to Ethan, whispering, "So, what? We're going to be guinea pigs again?" Ethan gave her a look, but his silence suggested he was just as curious.

Eleanor didn't seem to notice the muttered comment, or at least she pretended not to, as she pressed on. "Over the break, we have made significant preparations to enhance the safety of the campus grounds. New wards, barriers, and monitoring systems have been put in place to ensure a secure environment for your training."

There was a murmur of relief from some students, though others remained skeptical. "However," Eleanor said, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade, "there will still be occasions where you will need to venture outside the academy. Controlled excursions, supervised by experienced hunters, will expose you to the kinds of challenges you cannot face

here."

Irina's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't interrupt. Lilia, sitting beside her, tilted her head thoughtfully, as if weighing Eleanor's words.

"The academy does not take these decisions lightly," Eleanor added, her tone softening slightly. "But we cannot afford to shield you from reality. Our goal is not just to teach you but to forge you into hunters capable of protecting this world-and yourselves."

She looked around the room, her gaze landing briefly on Ethan, then Julia, and finally Irina. "This is not a question of convenience. It is a necessity. The world will not wait for you to feel ready. It will demand your strength whether you are prepared or not."

The room fell silent again, the weight of Eleanor's words pressing down on the students. Irina finally leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful but no longer confrontational. Julia shifted uncomfortably, muttering something about how this semester was shaping up to be

even worse than the last.

Eleanor took a deep breath, her eyes sweeping across the classroom, lingering on each row to ensure every student was paying attention. Then, she raised her voice, her tone authoritative yet tinged with a spark of excitement.

"To further prepare you for what lies ahead," she began, "the academy has expanded its facilities significantly over the break. Many new buildings and specialized training areas have been constructed, all designed to enhance your learning and development."

The murmurs of skepticism began to shift into murmurs of curiosity. Students leaned forward, intrigued by the announcement.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"The campus grounds have been significantly enlarged," Eleanor continued. "Aside from the familiar campus forest, there is now a newly created lake designed for aquatic training and scenarios. Additionally, several artificial locations have been developed to simulate specific environments, including urban zones, mountainous terrain, and desert landscapes." Irina raised an eyebrow, her arms crossing as she absorbed the information. Lilia, sitting beside her, murmured, "A whole lake? Wonder what kind of training they'll make us do

there."

"Probably drowning practice," Julia whispered to Ethan, earning a quiet laugh that he quickly stifled when Eleanor's gaze flickered toward their row.

"These new facilities," Eleanor pressed on, "are not just for show. They are fully integrated

into the curriculum and will allow you to experience a wide range of scenarios. Whether it's practicing tactical maneuvers in the urban zone or honing your stamina in the desert's harsh conditions, each area is designed to push your limits."

She paused, letting the impact of her words sink in before delivering the next announcement.

"However, the most significant change this semester is the introduction of a new system,' Eleanor declared, her tone shifting slightly to emphasize the importance of what she was about to say. "From this point onward, the academy will be implementing a Mentorship

Program."

That got the room's full attention. Students exchanged glances, whispers breaking out as they tried to piece together what this could mean.