Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 767

<HA25, Arcadia Hunter Academy>

The sun streamed through the tall windows of the classroom as the students of HA25 filed in, their chatter subdued but buzzing with curiosity about the new course. The setup of the room had changed slightly—desks were arranged in clusters rather than rows, hinting at a more interactive session.

At the front of the class stood a tall man with a commanding presence. His neatly trimmed beard and sharp features gave him a look of both wisdom and authority. He wore a tailored uniform adorned with the insignia of a high-ranking hunter, and his piercing gray eyes swept across the room, taking in each student.

As the students settled, he stepped forward, his boots clicking softly against the floor. "Good morning," he began, his deep voice resonating through the room. "My name is Professor Darius Kain, and I will be your instructor for this course: Team Operations and Unit Specialization."

He paused, letting his words settle as his gaze moved from one student to the next. "This class will introduce you to the foundational principles of working as a cohesive team. Whether you like it or not, the life of a hunter is rarely a solo endeavor. Your ability to operate within a unit can mean the difference between success and failure—or life and death."

The students exchanged glances, some intrigued, others slightly apprehensive. Professor Kain’s serious tone left little room for doubt about the importance of the subject.

"This course," Kain continued, "will consist of both theoretical lessons and practical exercises. Today, we’ll begin with an overview of unit specialization and team dynamics. In future sessions, we’ll move into hands-on scenarios designed to simulate real-world challenges."

He gestured toward the classroom screen, which lit up with a diagram illustrating the basic roles within a hunter team: Striker, Defender, Support, and Tactician.

"A well-balanced team," Kain explained, pointing to the diagram, "is not simply a collection of strong individuals. Each member must fulfill a specific role, complementing one another to form a cohesive whole."

He tapped the screen, and examples of team formations appeared, highlighting different strategies. "Strikers focus on offense, delivering decisive blows to weaken or eliminate threats. Defenders protect the team, absorbing damage and maintaining formation. Supports provide healing, buffs, or mana management, ensuring the team can sustain prolonged engagements. And Tacticians oversee strategy, analyzing the battlefield and coordinating the team’s movements."

Julia leaned over to Ethan, whispering, "Guess you’re the Striker, huh? Big lightning strikes and all that."

Ethan smirked but didn’t respond, keeping his focus on Kain.

Just like that, the class continued.

*****

As the class neared its end, the professor was also about to conclude.

"Each of you will naturally gravitate toward one or more roles based on your abilities, strengths, and preferences," Kain continued. "However, a hunter must also be adaptable. The battlefield is unpredictable, and you may be called upon to step outside your comfort zone."

He turned to the class, crossing his arms. "Now, this is an introductory course, so you won’t be expected to master these roles overnight. But by the end of this semester, you should have a clear understanding of your primary role and how to work within a team."

The screen shifted to display footage of an experienced hunter team in action, their coordination seamless as they navigated a dangerous dungeon. The students watched in silence, the skill and synergy of the team leaving a strong impression.

As the footage ended, Kain turned back to the class. "This," he said, gesturing to the screen, "is what you should aspire to. Not just individual strength, but unity. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link."

He glanced at the clock, noting the time before addressing the class once more. "Now, for your first assignment," he said, his tone shifting slightly. "By the end of this week, I want each of you to form a team. Three to five members. Choose people you trust and can work with. This team will be your unit for the duration of this course."

The students immediately began murmuring, the prospect of forming teams sparking a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Professor Kain allowed the students a moment to absorb the significance of his assignment, the murmurs of conversation growing louder as the gravity of forming their teams began to sink in. He raised a hand, silencing the room with his commanding presence.

"Before you leave," he said, his deep voice resonating through the room, "there’s something else you need to understand about this course. It is one of the most credited courses in your curriculum. A total of seven credits—three for the theoretical component and four for the practical exercises."

The weight of his statement seemed to hit the students all at once. A few exchanged wide-eyed glances, while others immediately sat up straighter, realizing just how important this course would be.

"The significance of these credits cannot be overstated," Kain continued his tone firm. "Your performance here will have a substantial impact on your overall evaluations, and the stakes are higher than some of you might be prepared for."

He gestured to the diagram of team roles still displayed on the screen. "Theoretical knowledge will account for three of these credits. Your team will work together to tackle assignments, analyze scenarios, and develop strategies based on the principles we discuss in class. Keep this in mind when selecting your teammates—this isn’t just about fieldwork."

The students’ murmurs grew quieter as they processed the implications. A few frowned, clearly realizing that this course would demand much more than just physical performance.

Kain’s expression softened slightly, though his tone retained its weight. "The practical component, worth four credits, will involve simulations, dungeon exercises, and live-combat training. These exercises will push you to operate as a cohesive unit, and your ability to adapt to challenges will determine your success."