Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73 Chapter 18.2 - Small but not small help

It was early morning, the sun still tucked behind the horizon, casting a gentle golden hue across the academy grounds. The cool breeze played with the strands of Maya Evergreen's hair as she strolled along, a handful of chip packets clutched in her hand. With each step, she crunched on the chips contentedly, a carefree smile lighting up her face.

"Hmm... Hmm..."

Her humming mingled with the sound of her snack, creating a strangely harmonious melody that only the morning birds and the occasional early riser could hear. Her enjoyment was evident as if she had found the secret to perfect mornings: chips and solitude.

As she walked, she glanced around, her sharp eyes taking in the tranquil scene. The campus was quiet, most students still wrapped in slumber. Maya's leisurely pace continued until a thought crossed her mind.

"As expected, waking up early is the best... Especially with chips..."

She nodded to herself, convinced of this newfound wisdom. After all, she had the world to herself at this hour, and the chips were an unexpected yet delightful companion.

With her chips in tow, Maya wandered the academy grounds, her steps carrying her toward the training area. The empty paths welcomed her, and she reveled in the peacefulness. Her munching seemed to blend in with the rustling leaves, becoming just another note in the morning symphony.

"I should train today. Yesterday, I slept for the whole day," Maya murmured, her words punctuated by the sound of her chips. Just like most of the students, Maya was a girl with a weird sleeping schedule. Sometimes, she wouldn't sleep for the whole day, and sometimes she would sleep for.

"It is Elemental Chamber today, then."

The training grounds loomed before her, and Maya's eyes brightened with determination. The Elemental Chamber awaited her, a place where her skills would be put to the test. With a final crunch, she finished the last of her chips and discarded the empty packets into a nearby bin.

As Maya stepped onto the training grounds, she noticed a few academy personnel already bustling about, setting up for the day's activities. She flashed a grin at a passing instructor, who nodded in acknowledgment. Maya's reputation as the first-ranked student in the second-year class had preceded her.

The instructor paused in her preparations, looking at Maya thoughtfully before accepting the offered chips. "Thank you," she replied appreciatively.

Maya's grin widened, pleased by the instructor's response. "You're welcome! I find that starting the day with a bit of energy from chips is quite refreshing."

The instructor chuckled, munching on a chip. "I can see the appeal. So, Maya, where are you planning to head this morning?"

Maya tilted her head, her expression playful. "I'll be heading to the Elemental Chamber. It's where I feel most at home."

The instructor smiled in understanding. "You certainly have a strong connection with that place. Always striving to master your elemental magic."

Maya's eyes sparkled with determination. "Absolutely. It's the perfect environment to challenge myself and make progress. After all, I am the world's best nature mage."

The instructor nodded in agreement. "You sure are always up for a challenge. The Elemental Chamber is all yours, given your ranking as the top student. Your dedication to improvement is commendable."

Maya's expression turned thoughtful. "Thank you. I also want to set a good example for the juniors."

The instructor's smile grew fond. "You truly are a dedicated student. Your enthusiasm and commitment are truly inspiring."

A faint blush colored Maya's cheeks at the compliment, but she maintained her cheerful demeanor. "I appreciate that. I genuinely enjoy the process of learning and growing."

As they conversed, Maya's attention was drawn to a series of clashing sounds coming from a distance. She turned her head, curiosity evident on her face.

"Do you hear that?" she wondered aloud, her gaze directed toward the source of the noise. She felt like she knew where the sound was coming from, but she couldn't put her mind to where it was.

"Ah….It is the PhantomGlide Dummy." The instructor replied, looking at the source of the sound. "A freshman student just came before you and said he wanted to challenge the PhantomGlide Dummy."

Recognition dawned on Maya's face, and she nodded in understanding. "Of course, the PhantomGlide Dummy. Someone must be engaging in rigorous training with it."

The instructor's eyes twinkled with a touch of admiration. "Indeed. It's rather impressive to witness such dedication from a freshman, especially this early in the morning."

Maya's lips curved into a pleased smile. "Early mornings often reveal the true enthusiasts of self-improvement."

As they drew closer to the source of the sounds, the instructor's gaze remained focused on the training area. "It appears the freshman is taking on quite the challenge," she observed.

Maya's curiosity deepened, and a hint of intrigue laced her words. "I wonder who that freshman might be and how they're faring against the PhantomGlide Dummy."

The instructor's expression turned thoughtful. "While I appreciate their enthusiasm, it's important for individuals to recognize battles that might not be in their favor."

Maya's brows furrowed slightly, a touch of dissent in her voice. "But isn't the academy about pushing our limits and striving for growth?"

The instructor nodded, acknowledging Maya's perspective. "Indeed, it is. However, there's a fine line between growth and setting oneself up for an insurmountable challenge. Not every battle is worth pursuing."

Maya's gaze held a glimmer of determination. "I believe that perseverance and determination can overcome even the most daunting odds."

The instructor's lips curved into a gentle smile. "While that's true, sometimes knowing when to step back is a valuable skill as well. Wisdom lies in recognizing which battles are truly worth fighting."

Maya's stance stiffened momentarily, a flash of disagreement crossing her face. "But if we always shy away from challenges, how can we ever achieve greatness?"

The instructor's gaze held a mix of understanding and wisdom. "It's not about shying away, Maya. It's about choosing battles that align with your strengths and have a realistic chance of success. Taking on battles that are overwhelmingly stacked against you might lead to unnecessary setbacks."

However, this was not something that Maya liked to talk about because it reminded her of the times of the past.

'The true warrior is the one that never steps back even in front of the battle they can't win.'

Feeling that she didn't want to talk with the instructor any longer, she waved her hands and made her way toward the Elemental Chamber.

CLANK! CLANK! CLANK!

However, with each step she had taken, the sounds of clashing echoed louder and louder.

If it was the normal time, Maya would simply step back and ignore the sounds since sounds would fill every corner of the training grounds.