Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 317

Chapter 317 Chapter 75.1 - Not perfect

<Sunday Evening, Arcadia Hunter Academy, Archery Club Training Grounds>

As the Monday approached, it signaled the start of the academic week. Therefore, some students utilized the last moment of their weekend while others were training on their training grounds.

'I hadn't been able to train much recently.' Lilia thought to herself, remembering what she had done in recent weeks. She had her own fair share of competitions in her family's guild, so she needed to focus on that for the time being.

However, there were many assignments as well, thus making it harder for her to focus on her training. Though, now that she had found the chance, she was not going to waste it.

As Lilia entered the Archery Club building, she immediately sensed a change in the atmosphere. The usual tranquility of the training grounds was replaced by a palpable tension, and the space seemed more crowded than usual.

'That is the expected outcome, isn't it? After all, rather than hearing about the results of falling behind, seeing it directly will be a lot different.'

She thought. Seeing the consequences of something directly would be a lot more convincing than hearing them, and she was now witnessing that clearly.

'But, I guess it will no longer be peaceful as before.'

Despite her initial intention to train quietly, she couldn't help but notice the curious glances directed her way as she made her way towards the archery range.

After swiftly changing into her training attire, Lilia stepped onto the range, bow in hand, ready to focus on honing her skills. However, her concentration was shattered when she caught sight of Adrian leaning casually against a nearby pillar with a smirk playing on his lips.

"Well, well, if it isn't Lilia Thornheart gracing us with her presence," Adrian remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I must say, it's a rare treat to see you here. Have you finally decided to grace us with your superior archery prowess?"

'Tch…This bastard…'

Though expecting it, she couldn't help but get angry. Her jaw clenched slightly at his taunting tone, but she remained outwardly composed. She was all too familiar with these penchants for provocation, but she had hoped for a moment of respite from Adrian's antics. She had already been dealing with such things in the guild.

Ignoring Adrian's jibe, Lilia raised her bow and prepared to take her first shot.

"Well, as expected. It is better for you to show respect to your seniors, isn't it?" Adrian smiled slightly as he took the court just right beside Lilia.

–SWOOSH! THUD!

As Lilia released the arrow, once again ignoring his words, the arrow flew and stabbed the target from the midsection, showing Lilia's skills.

"A splendid shot," Adrian remarked, looking at the target and the arrow. Following that, he turned to face Lilia with a smile while raising his bow.

–SWOOSH!

But, just in that instant, Adrian released the arrow while still looking at Lilia's face. The arrow glided in the air.

–THUD! CRACK!

And in an instant, it stabbed. However, a rather unfamiliar sound came from the arrow range.

"What?"

"This is?"

The arrow that Adrian had shot wasn't targeted at the target before him but rather the target before Lilia! It smashed the arrow Lilia shot, tearing it into pieces.

"Wow….Captain Adrian is really skilled."

As Lilia raised her head to assess the damage, her eyes narrowed in frustration. The shattered remnants of her arrow lay scattered on the ground, a stark reminder of Adrian's calculated interference.

'Calm down…He is doing this on purpose.'

Anger simmered beneath the surface of her composed facade, but she forced herself to remain calm, unwilling to give Adrian the satisfaction of seeing her lose her cool.

Adrian's smirk widened as he observed Lilia's reaction, clearly relishing in her momentary discomposure. "My apologies, Junior Thornheart," he said with faux innocence, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Seems like my aim was a bit off. But I suppose accidents happen, don't they?"

Lilia clenched her jaw, struggling to suppress the urge to lash out at Adrian. She knew this game all too well; he was trying to goad her into a reaction, to throw her off balance and assert his dominance.

But she refused to give him the satisfaction. This was the common psychological type of warfare, and she had her fair share of these when she was managing her guild.

"Indeed, accidents happen. Especially for someone like you, whose skills still need a lot more polishing." She replied with a calm smile, gracefully turning to face Adrian.

"Hmm….My skills need polishing, you say? How come? From this side, you are the one who needs that 'polishing'?"

Yet, this whole thing was bound to take a toll on her precisely because she was already mentally exhausted.

Lilia's lips twitched with restrained frustration as Adrian continued to needle her with his thinly veiled insults. She could feel the eyes of the other club members on them, their murmurs of interest growing louder as the tension between the two leaders escalated.

"Perhaps you're right, Senior Adrian," Lilia replied coolly, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "After all, it takes real skill to aim for someone else's target instead of your own."

Following that, she walked into a different court and raised her bow with one hand while still looking at Adrian.

–SWOOSH! CRACK! THUD!

And then shot the arrow without breaking eye contact. The arrow flew and then stabbed the same arrow that Adrian had shot, breaking it into pieces.

Lilia's sneer spoke volumes as she observed the shattered remnants of Adrian's arrow. "However, if that's the extent of your skills, Senior Adrian," she remarked, her voice laced with disdain, "then I fear for the future of the Archery Club under your leadership. After all, it takes more than petty tricks to maintain your position."

Adrian's smirk faltered slightly at her words, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features before he composed himself once more with a smirk. "Touché, Junior Lilia," he replied smoothly, his tone masking his irritation. "But words mean nothing without action to back them up."

With a swift motion, he retrieved another arrow from his quiver, his eyes gleaming with determination. "How about we settle this the only way that matters?" he proposed, a challenging glint in his gaze. "A competition between the two of us?"

The murmurs among the gathered club members grew louder at Adrian's suggestion, their excitement evident. The prospect of seeing the esteemed captain of the club face off against a talented newcomer like Lilia was too enticing to resist.