Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 465 105.1 - What it means to be a Genius

After leaving Astron to train on his own, Dakota made her way to the Anchor's office once again. She needed his approval for the next phase of Astron's training—the use of the Chamber.

The Chamber was a place designed to push Awakened to their absolute limits, a place where the extreme conditions and rigorous simulations tested every aspect of their abilities.

Dakota entered the office, her expression resolute. "Sir Steelclad, I need your permission for Astron to use the Chamber."

The Anchor looked up from his desk, his brows furrowing. "The Chamber? That's not something to be taken lightly, Dakota. You know the risks involved."

"I understand the risks," Dakota replied, her voice steady. "But I believe this will greatly increase his prowess and push him to get better faster. He has the potential, and the Chamber will help him unlock it."

Steelclad studied her for a moment, his eyes thoughtful. After a pause, a smile slowly formed on his lips. "You're really invested in this one, aren't you?"

"He's special," Dakota said simply. "And he needs this opportunity." She said while looking resolute. "Just like me, the organization is the same, is it not? The amount of resources that was given to him is already too much, so I want to make it worth it."

Steelclad nodded, his smile widening. "Very well. You have my consent."

Dakota allowed herself a small smile of relief and gratitude. "Thank you."

As she turned to leave the room, she heard Steelclad's voice behind her, tinged with something. "Dakota. When did you become like this?"

She stopped and turned back to face him, her expression thoughtful. "Like what?"

But as the words left her mouth, she suddenly saw his eyes turn black. Countless different pupils swirled within them, like serpents writhing in a pit.

Dakota felt a wave of intimidation wash over her, a sensation unlike anything she had ever experienced. Her skin burned as if set on fire, and an overwhelming sensation of insects crawling under her flesh made her shiver uncontrollably. Pain surged through her being, sharp and intense as if her very soul was being torn apart.

Steelclad's voice cut through the haze of agony, cold and authoritative. "You think of Astron as a mere tool, a means to fulfill what Elias failed to achieve. Your ambition blinds you, Dakota."

She tried to speak, but the pain was too intense. Every breath felt like a struggle, every moment an eternity of suffering.

"You request something that requires immense willpower," Steelclad continued, his gaze piercing into her soul. "With the amount of training the boy is already undergoing, this could easily backfire. You have no idea the depths of pain he would endure. The pain you're feeling now is but a fraction of what he would face."

Dakota's knees buckled under the weight of his words and the unbearable sensation, but she forced herself to remain standing. The intensity of Steelclad's power was overwhelming, a stark reminder of his true capabilities.

"Do not let your greed blind you," Steelclad scolded. "Everything in this world has a limit. That kid, Astron, is not just a vessel for your ambitions. He is a person with his own strengths and weaknesses."

With a final, searing glance, Steelclad's eyes returned to normal, and the excruciating sensations vanished as quickly as they had come. Dakota gasped for breath, the lingering echoes of pain making her limbs tremble.

Steelclad's voice softened slightly, but his words were no less stern. "Remember that, Dakota. Do not push him beyond his limits, or you will lose him. Train him, guide him, but never forget his humanity."

Dakota nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes, sir. I understand."

She left the office, her mind reeling from the encounter. Steelclad's warning echoed in her thoughts, a stark reminder of the fine line she walked between ambition and responsibility.

On the other hand, after she left, the Steelclad looked thoughtful in his seat. He looked into the small hologram of the young man with purple eyes training.

"Never make him forget his humanity, or else this place will be in ruins."

Remembering "His" words, he could not help but shake his head.

'What is it that even "He" is afraid of? Even making "The One" afraid. Just who are you, young man?'

He could not help but be curious about the whole thing surrounding him, yet he remained seated.

'The time will tell.'

********

'What was I thinking?'

Dakota thought as she reflected on her past actions and how she had behaved. She realized how immature she was. While she indeed thought that she would need to push his limits to make him stronger, was this the right way?

What had she just said? Was that really a good thing? What if she were to push him from herself? Could she really call herself his master, then?

She knew she needed to tread carefully to balance her drive to push Astron to his full potential with the understanding of his limits.

On the other hand, she couldn't deny the importance of pushing boundaries to achieve greatness. The challenge lay in finding the right balance—ensuring that Astron grew stronger without breaking his spirit.

She needed to be both a guide and a guardian, pushing him to his limits while also protecting him from undue harm.

'He's not Elias,' she reminded herself. 'Astron is his own person, with his own path to walk.'

As she made her way back to the training area, Dakota resolved to change her approach. She would still push Astron but with a greater awareness of his well-being and respect for his individuality. She needed to earn his trust, not just his obedience.

'Let's focus on what we have before our eyes for the time being.'

She was already sure that the analysis team would arrange what was best for him. There was no need for her to forcefully intervene herself. She just needed to do her job as his master. She needed to guide him so that he could become a full-fetched martial artist. That was what she needed to do.

With all those thoughts in her head, she walked forward, thinking about how she needed to just adapt.

*******

The acrobatics training hall buzzed with activity as trainees navigated the intricate parkour setup. The air was filled with the sound of feet hitting mats, the soft thuds of bodies rolling, and the occasional grunt of exertion.

Astron entered the hall, his eyes scanning the obstacles before settling on Instructor Tianna. She stood at the front, her sharp eyes immediately noticing his arrival.

"Astron," Tianna called out, waving him over. "Are you ready for today's session?"

"Yes, Instructor," Astron replied, his voice steady and confident. He felt different today, more attuned to his body's movements, thanks to the Everchanging Glyph.

Tianna nodded, studying him for a moment before speaking. "Today, we'll focus on the second stage of your acrobatics training. The complexity increases, requiring more agility and precision. Let's see how you handle it."

Tianna began her demonstration with a fluid grace that spoke of years of training and practice. "Watch closely," she said, positioning herself at the start of the course. "First, let's tackle the narrow beams."

She balanced effortlessly on the beam, her body perfectly aligned. "Maintain your center of gravity. Your core should be engaged, and your steps should be light but deliberate." Tianna moved forward, her feet gliding over the beam with precision. She turned her head slightly towards Astron. "Never rush. Speed will come with mastery."

Next, she approached the higher walls. "Vaulting over these requires both strength and technique." She placed her hands firmly on the top edge of the wall and swung her legs over in a smooth, controlled motion, landing softly on the other side. "Use your arms to propel yourself and ensure a soft landing by absorbing the impact with your legs."

Tianna then moved to the wider gaps. "Jumping across these requires explosive power." She crouched slightly, gathering energy before leaping forward, her body extended in a perfect arc. She landed in a roll, minimizing the impact. "When you land, roll to distribute the force evenly across your body, protecting your joints and maintaining your momentum." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

She led him to the starting point of the second stage, a more challenging setup with narrower beams, higher walls, and wider gaps. "Remember, efficiency and control are key. Each movement must flow seamlessly into the next."

Astron nodded, his mind already visualizing the course. He took a deep breath, feeling the mana coursing through his body, the virtual core aiding in the precise control of his movements. That is right. When he had learned the theory of using the Virtual Core, he decided to integrate it into other things. Normally, splitting his brain and thought process so that he could also control his mana was not something that he found efficient. Thus, he decided to use another perspective.

As Tianna started the timer, he launched himself into the course.

His body moved with a fluidity that was incomparable to yesterday. Each step was light and controlled, his feet barely making a sound as they landed on the narrow beams. He vaulted over walls with ease, his muscles responding perfectly to his commands.

Tianna watched, her eyes widening slightly as she noted the smoothness of his movements. Astron's agility and precision were far beyond what she had expected at this stage, especially after seeing what happened yesterday.

While he may have passed the first stage in one day, it was because he already looked like he had some experience in terms of acrobatics and climbing. But, she did not expect the same performance.

Yet, here he was. He navigated the complex obstacles effortlessly, his body adapting quickly to each new challenge.

Just as Astron cleared the final obstacle with a flawless roll, he stood up, his breathing steady and controlled. Tianna couldn't help but shake her head in amazement. "I see now why you were given such an advanced program," she said, her tone a mixture of admiration and disbelief. "Your natural talent and adaptability are remarkable."

Astron nodded, grateful for the compliment but focused on the task at hand. "Thank you, Instructor."

Tianna smiled, her expression softening slightly. "Very well. I'll leave you to train alone for now. Continue to refine your techniques and push yourself. When you feel ready to be tested on the second stage, come find me."

For the next half-hour, Astron trained relentlessly. He repeated the course multiple times, each run smoother and more precise than the last. He paid close attention to the feedback Tianna had given him, ensuring his body remained relaxed on the beams and that his hand placement during vaults was perfect. With each jump across the wider gaps, he focused on generating enough power without sacrificing control.

And then, just like that, just half an hour later, he came to stand before her.

"Instructor Tianna, I believe I'm ready for the second stage test," Astron said, his voice steady.

'What a monster…..'

Tianna could not help but grimace.

------------A/N-----------

Everyone can make mistakes. What is important is to take lessons from them. Hope you liked it. This should be enough for the detailed training arc. From now on, we are going to speed up.