Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 305

Chapter 305 Chapter 72.2 - Moving Pieces

"Emily Anderson."

As the sound of Eleanor echoed in the classroom, I turned my attention to the girl who was looking somehow lost on her desk.

Her eyes were unfocused, and she seemed to be absorbed in her thoughts. She wasn't even showing any signs of listening.

"Sigh…."

It seemed like Eleanor shared the same thoughts as me as she released a hearty sigh.

"Emily Anderson!" Eleanor called out once again, this time more assertively. Emily finally raised her head from her desk, her green eyes darting around the classroom as she seemed to be surprised by the attention.

"Ah…." Emily made a startled exclamation, realizing that she was the one Eleanor had been calling.

Eleanor, with a no-nonsense expression, informed her, "Your name has been picked. Now, pay attention. You'll be facing a fellow cadet in the upcoming exam."

Emily nodded, understanding as she looked at me. I noticed that she had stiffened a little as she looked at me.

'Just as I had expected.'

Seeing one of the people who knew about her guild must have made her remember the situation once again.

Eleanor continued, "Now, let's move on. The next student is..."

I returned to my desk without saying anything, acknowledging Emily's presence with a subtle nod.

As I settled into my seat, my mind began to work, thinking about the reason behind the seemingly elaborate assignment of writing names with mana and picking opponents.

The process struck me as more than just a creative way to pair cadets for the upcoming exam. It had a strategic element that hinted at the academy's intention to level the playing field for all students.

The academy may be ruthless, but at the same time, they needed to ensure fairness. Even though there were definitely structures in the academy because of the lineage of the students, at the very least, they needed to make sure that they were neutral.

Therefore, the order in which the cadets picked the papers was crucial. The bottom-ranked students were given the opportunity to choose their opponents first. It wasn't just a random draw; it was a tactical advantage for those who might lack combat prowess but possessed keen mana senses.

By having the lower-ranked students pick their opponents, the academy provided a chance for those with exceptional mana perception to leverage their skills.

They could observe the mana signatures of their desired opponents and track the corresponding papers.

This way, even if they were at a disadvantage in terms of raw power or combat experience, they had the opportunity to strategize and choose opponents based on their mana properties.

This was the reason why we were asked to write our names with solely our mana. That way, we would expose our mana properties onto the paper, making it easier to track. And if you were a low-ranked student because of your lack of combat prowess, then you could at least choose your opponent.

And if you are both weak and unable to sense your target's mana correctly, then it means you are at the bottom of the food chain.

The assignment was a clever way to introduce an element of fairness and strategy into the exam pairing process.

It ensured that students with different strengths and weaknesses had an equal opportunity to face opponents they believed they could handle, leveling the playing field and fostering a more diverse range of combat scenarios.

'And, I didn't think the opportunity would present itself like this.'

Since the school gave me the opportunity, why shouldn't I use it? After all, such an exam was perfect for my field, and it was quite easy for me to choose my 'target.'

'Now, I only need to encourage a little.'

With that thought, I sat at my desk, waiting for the practical test to start.

********

The students gathered in the newly constructed training grounds, a sense of anticipation lingering in the air. Eleanor, with her commanding presence, stood before them, ready to explain the upcoming duel.

"Now, Cadets," she began, her stern gaze scanning the assembled students. "We will start with the practical examination. You will be fighting a duel and will use your main weapons."

Eleanor pointed to the formation in the middle of the training grounds. "This formation is designed to prevent any sustained fatal injuries during the duels. However, we will be monitoring closely, and any excessive force will be immediately stopped."

The students exchanged glances, a mix of excitement and nervousness evident on their faces.

"Now, step into your assigned duel arenas and prepare to face your opponent," Eleanor commanded.

As the students dispersed to their respective dueling spaces, Emily found herself unfocused on the impending duel. Her mind was preoccupied with the challenges her guild faced, casting a shadow over the training session.

'Let's get this over with.'

She thought as she entered the ring. The familiar feeling of her sword on her waist.

'Also, why did I match with this guy?'

She couldn't help but think to herself. Maybe fate was playing with her somehow, as he was one of the two who had known about her previous guild situation.

'Well, it is not like that is important. I should just finish it fast.'

She thought inwardly. She was not in the mood to fight, let alone train. Subconsciously, she regarded Astron below her. It was the normal thought process, considering Astron was still on the lower side of the ranks.

Astron, on the other side of the ring, readied his daggers, determined to give his 'best' despite the ranking difference. He understood the unspoken hierarchy but saw the duel as an opportunity to prove his skills. At least, that was how it looked to Emily.

Eleanor's authoritative voice cut through the murmurs in the training ground, "Begin!"

–SWOOSH!

With that signal, Emily swiftly rushed forward, her sword gleaming in the sunlight.

********

As I looked at the girl in front of me, I gripped my daggers. Normally, the most optimal choice for me would be to utilize my bow from a distance, just like previously.

However, I decided not to do so since I knew about Emily's speed from the dungeon.

'Also, I wonder how far she has developed.'

It had been a while since I went to the dungeon exploration with her, so I wanted to see what the average student's growth was like.

"Begin."