Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 483

Chapter 483 108.3 - Monster

<Combat Training Arena, Tenth Day of Training, 5 A.M.>

The air in the training hall crackled with energy as Astron stood in the center, focused and ready for another intense session.

The previous day's introduction to the [Storm Stance] had left him eager to learn more.

Dakota entered the arena with her usual confident stride, but there was an extra spark in her eyes this morning. "Today's going to be a bit different, Astron," she began, stopping in front of him. "We're going to focus on refining your control over the [Storm Stance], specifically how you expel your mana using different strikes."

Dakota gestured for him to watch closely. "In the [Storm Stance], it's not just about releasing mana in a single, powerful blast. There are different ways to channel that energy, each with its own purpose and method of circulation. I'm going to teach you five specialized strikes, each one with a unique way of circulating and expelling your mana. But to pull these off, your control over your virtual core needs to be precise."

She took a deep breath, her expression serious as she demonstrated the first strike. "The first one is called [Thunderclap]." She moved into a stance, grounding herself firmly. "With this strike, you gather your mana in your virtual core and then release it all at once in a sudden burst. The key here is to channel the energy into a single point, creating an explosion of force."

–BOOM!

Dakota's fist shot forward, and the air around her seemed to shudder as she released the pent-up mana in a single, devastating blast. The force of the strike sent a shockwave rippling through the hall, the impact echoing like thunder.

Astron watched, understanding the technique but recognizing the difficulty. "The timing needs to be perfect," he muttered to himself, already visualizing how to execute it.

"Exactly," Dakota said, catching his words. "The mana needs to be released in one precise moment. No hesitation, no leakage. Your virtual core control is critical for this one."

She moved on to the next strike. "The second is [Typhoon Burst]. This one's different. Instead of a single point of impact, you're going to circulate the mana throughout your limbs, building up momentum and then expel it in a sweeping motion. It's more of an area attack, meant to clear multiple opponents."

Dakota demonstrated, her body spinning fluidly as she gathered her mana. As she completed the motion, she released the energy in a wide arc, the air around her shimmering with the force of the attack. The strike created a powerful gust that spread out in all directions, mimicking the destructive force of a typhoon.

"[Typhoon Burst] is all about control and flow," Dakota explained. "You need to keep the mana circulating evenly until the moment you release it. It's perfect for when you're surrounded or need to break through a group."

Astron nodded, already visualizing how he would adapt his movements for this technique. "I'll need to balance the flow carefully, making sure the energy spreads evenly."

"Exactly. Now, the third strike is [Quake Fist]." Dakota's stance shifted again, this time lowering her center of gravity. "This one is all about grounding. You channel your mana into the earth through your legs and then release it through your strike, creating a shockwave that travels through the ground. It's a great way to destabilize your opponent."

She stomped the ground, her mana flowing into the earth. As she punched forward, the ground beneath them trembled, a ripple of force spreading out from the point of impact. The floor cracked slightly, showing the sheer power of the technique.

"[Quake Fist] requires you to be fully grounded," Dakota said. "Your connection to the earth needs to be solid, and your mana control needs to be steady. It's not just about the punch—it's about how you direct the force."

"The fourth strike is [Tempest Wave]. This one is similar to [Typhoon Burst] but more focused. You're going to channel your mana into a wave that travels through the air, cutting through anything in its path. It's perfect for long-range attacks."

She moved into the stance, gathering her mana in her virtual core before releasing it in a powerful, focused wave that shot through the air like a blade of wind. The force of the strike cut through the air with a sharp whistle, demonstrating its precision and power.

"[Tempest Wave] is all about focus," Dakota explained. "You need to keep the energy contained until the moment of release, then direct it in a straight line. It's like wielding a blade of wind."

"And finally, the fifth strike is [Stormbreaker]. This is the most powerful of the five. You're going to gather all your mana into your virtual core, compress it, and then release it in a massive, all-out attack. It's a finishing move, meant to break through even the toughest defenses."

Dakota took a deep breath, centering herself. She gathered her mana, compressing it into her virtual core. Then, with a powerful shout, she released the energy in a devastating strike that sent a shockwave through the entire hall. The force was immense, the air around her vibrating with the sheer power of the attack.

"[Stormbreaker] is all or nothing," Dakota said, her voice serious. "You put everything into this one strike. It's risky, but when done right, it's unstoppable. Your control over your virtual core needs to be perfect—you can't afford to waste any energy."

Astron watched, his mind racing with possibilities. These strikes were powerful, but they required a level of control and precision he had only begun to master.

'Interesting….So, that is what she meant by Virtual Core control.'

Astron thought to himself.

In a way, if the [Gale Stance] was more focused on the fluidity of body movements, this one was focused on the fluidity of the mana.

Dakota stepped back, giving him space. "Now it's your turn, Astron. Start with [Thunderclap] and work your way through the strikes. Take your time—focus on your virtual core, control the flow of mana, and release it at the right moment."

Astron nodded, his expression one of intense focus. He closed his eyes, centering himself and visualizing his virtual core. He could feel the mana gathering, ready to be unleashed. Opening his eyes, he moved into the [Storm Stance] and began with [Thunderclap].

His fist shot forward, the mana bursting out in a powerful strike. It wasn't as strong as Dakota's, but it was a solid start. He continued, moving through each of the five strikes—[Typhoon Burst], [Quake Fist], [Tempest Wave], and finally, [Stormbreaker]. Each one required a different approach, a different way of channeling and releasing the energy.

By the end of the session, around one hour later, Astron was drenched in sweat, his muscles burning from the effort.

But he had made progress—each strike was stronger, more controlled than the last. It was also thanks to Dakota's feedback. While he instantly absorbed the knowledge, there were still some minor body adjustments that he needed to make, and Dakota's help was crucial.

Dakota watched with a mixture of pride and approval. "Not bad, a solid start," Dakota mumbled as she looked into Astron's body. "For the time being, you will practice on your own."

She left Astron to train further after saying that.