Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 855

Ethan’s boots hit the ground in steady, rhythmic strides as he ran, his breath controlled but labored under the lingering pressure Eleanor had set upon them. The weight had lessened, but not by much—it was still pressing down on his limbs, forcing every motion to be more deliberate, more precise. Each step required effort, each inhale a conscious act of control.

But despite the strain on his own body, his focus wasn’t just on himself.

It was on Astron.

Ethan glanced sideways, his sharp eyes tracking the figure running beside him. Astron’s pace was steady, his form measured and efficient—but for once, even his typically unreadable expression was beginning to crack under the pressure. A faint tightness in his jaw, the subtle tension around his eyes. He was feeling it.

Of course he was.

Eleanor wasn’t the type to let them walk away unscathed. This wasn’t just endurance training. This was about adaptation. It was about learning how to move under conditions where most people would crumble.

But Ethan couldn’t shake a thought that kept resurfacing in his mind as he watched Astron push forward.

Learning to face stronger opponents…

Eleanor’s words lingered in his head.

Ethan had sparred with countless people. His whole life had been built around being stronger, faster, more resilient. He’d fought against talented cadets, experienced hunters, and even his own family, whose expectations had always been sky-high. He’d learned to power through most fights with a combination of sheer force and solid technique.

And yet.

Even when Astron was weaker—much weaker than he is now—he still beat me.

Not in some overwhelming, crushing defeat. Not because he was physically stronger. Not because he had some insane advantage.

But because of how he fought.

Even back then, when Ethan had first sparred with him in unarmed combat, Astron had moved in a way that was different from everyone else. He never met force with force. He didn’t waste energy where he didn’t need to. He had an eerie way of adjusting—of predicting—of slipping through the cracks of an opponent’s approach.

And that was before whatever growth had happened to him recently.

Now? With his power increasing, with his body stronger, sharper, faster?

It made Ethan wonder.

How much stronger has he really gotten?

Ethan exhaled through his nose, refocusing on the path ahead. His legs burned, but he wasn’t going to slow down. Not yet.

He saw Astron’s shoulders tighten slightly, a rare sign of exertion.

That same thought repeated in Ethan’s mind.

What the hell kind of training did this guy go through?

The more he watched, the more he understood what Eleanor had meant.

Astron wasn’t the type to fight stronger enemies. He was the type to survive them.

Ethan exhaled through his mouth this time, the burning in his legs becoming a dull, persistent ache. The rhythm of his breathing matched the steady pounding of his boots against the ground. He could keep this up—he had to. Eleanor wasn’t going to let them stop anytime soon.

But damn, was this boring.

Running under pressure was one thing. Running under pressure in complete silence? That was its own kind of torture.

He glanced sideways at Astron again. The guy was still locked in, expression mostly blank aside from the strain tightening his features. Not a single word, no complaint, no visible sign of frustration. Just running.

Ethan clicked his tongue. "You ever get bored of being quiet all the time?"

Astron didn’t respond immediately, but his eyes shifted slightly in Ethan’s direction before looking forward again.

Ethan took that as a maybe.

"Like, seriously," Ethan continued, adjusting his pace slightly, "you don’t talk in class, you barely react when Julia or Lilia mess with you, and even now, you’re just running like some silent assassin in training. Do you just not have random thoughts?"

Astron exhaled, but it was more out of exertion than exasperation. Still, Ethan took it as progress.

"I mean, look at us," Ethan went on, undeterred. "Sweating our asses off, running under whatever insane gravitational pressure Eleanor threw at us. At least throw me a bone here. Give me something to think about while I suffer."

Astron remained quiet for a moment longer, as if debating whether or not to indulge Ethan’s nonsense.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"…I think you talk to distract yourself."

Ethan blinked. "Well, yeah."

Astron didn’t argue.