Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

After finishing the acrobatics training, I made my way to Instructor Kennet's session, focusing on developing my stealth abilities and mastering the art of erasing presence.

When I asked Kael if they were taught this one as well, they said they were. But it was hard.

Apparently, Instructor Kennet was someone who put importance on perfection. This training area was a stark contrast to the previous one. It was dimly lit, with various obstacles and hiding spots designed to challenge one's ability to remain unseen. The environment was perfect for honing stealth skills, with shadows and dark corners offering numerous opportunities to practice blending in.

But, aside from that, nobody was there.

'Or he is already behind me.'

The moment I thought about this, my body moved on its own.

SWOOSH! My head was tilted to the side, and then, from the corner of my ear, something went past.

"Ho...Not bad," the man said, retracing his hand back. His half-naked body was lightly clothed, his chest line wide open, showing a chiseled but not overly muscular frame.

He had an aloof demeanor, but his eyes were cold, the kind of cold that only comes from taking many lives without any ounce of regret. The eyes of someone who had lived in the shadows of blood.

Kennet nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Indeed. Welcome to your stealth training, Astron. I see you've already got good instincts. That's a start."

His presence was intimidating, a testament to his experience and skill. But I had faced intimidating figures before; I was here to learn and improve. And he was not targeting his killing intent to me, as well.

He turned to look at me, observing me from head to toe. "Lean body, indicating agility and speed. You have a natural ability to move silently, and your instincts are sharp. Your balance and coordination are commendable, suggesting extensive training in physical combat."

Kennet's eyes narrowed slightly as he continued his assessment. "You're ambidextrous, aren't you? I can see it in the way you shift your weight and use both sides of your body evenly. That's a rare and valuable trait, especially for stealth and combat."

'This guy…..He is pretty good….'

I am not particularly trying to hide details like this as they are not that disadvantageous for me, even if they are known. But at the same time, I am not particularly showing them off, either. If someone is going to know about such traits of mine, they need to be at least good.

And this lecturer…..He was good.

I nodded, acknowledging his observations. "Yes, I've trained to use both hands equally."

"Good," Kennet said, a hint of approval in his tone. "Being ambidextrous gives you a significant advantage in combat and stealth. It allows you to adapt quickly and use your environment more effectively. It's clear you've had extensive training in various disciplines, but there's always room for improvement."

He stepped closer, his gaze piercing. "Your body language shows that you're constantly aware of your surroundings, a necessary skill for someone in our line of work. But awareness isn't enough. You need to become one with the shadows, to erase your presence completely."

Kennet's tone grew more intense. "To achieve this, you must control not just your movements but your very essence. Your breathing, your heartbeat, your energy – all of it must be in harmony with the environment. This isn't just about hiding; it's about becoming invisible to the senses."

"I see." I nodded after hearing his words. This was something that I had already heard before. It was not something new to me. "But, instructor. How long are you going to keep them hidden there?"

Kennet's smile widened at my words. "What are you talking about?" he asked, but the glint in his eyes showed that he knew exactly what I meant.

"The trainees you've hidden all across the arena," I replied, my voice steady. "You've placed them in strategic positions to observe and possibly test me."

Kennet clapped his hands with a hearty laugh. "As expected, you're pretty good. Most wouldn't have noticed them so quickly."

He glanced around the dimly lit room, and suddenly, the hidden trainees began to reveal themselves. One by one, they emerged from the shadows, each looking slightly impressed and a bit wary.

"Well then," Kennet said, still smiling. "Since you've left such an impression, you won't mind if I give you some special attention, would you?"

I shook my head, meeting his gaze with determination. "That's what I was aiming for already."

"Good," Kennet replied, his smile turning more serious as he turned to the other trainees. "Today, you are all going to be training on your own. Until I deal with this cocky guy, at least."

The other trainees nodded at his words as their eyes looked at me with a clear glint.

'These guys….They did get competitive.'

It seems they disliked the fact that they were discovered this quickly by a newcomer. But, well, I had seen many who were better at erasing their presence, and I had a special cheat that helped me see them. "Understood, sir."

The trainees dispersed, moving to different sections of the training area, their eyes still casting glances my way. They were clearly motivated, irked by my quick recognition of their presence.

Kennet led me to a different part of the training area, his demeanor shifting to one of intense focus. "We're going to see your limits today," he said. "I want to see how far you can go and what level you are at. Are you ready?"

I nodded. "I'm ready."

Kennet gestured to the obstacle course. "For the first test, we'll assess your skills as a non-awakened. No mana use, no special abilities—just pure footwork and technique. Move through the course without setting off any alarms."

I nodded again. However, this guy probably would not expect what he is going to see right now.

Kennet started the timer, and I began navigating the obstacle course.

Every step was crucial. The course was designed to test balance, agility, and precision. I moved carefully, my footsteps silent as I maneuvered around obstacles, under beams, and over barriers. My focus was on maintaining perfect form and avoiding any missteps.

Halfway through, I encountered a particularly tricky section with narrow beams and multiple sensors. I took a deep breath, visualizing the path ahead, and continued with measured precision. Each movement was deliberate, ensuring I didn't trigger any alarms.

As I finished the course, I glanced at Kennet. His eyes were widened, clearly impressed. "You finished it without a single alarm," he said, almost in disbelief. "Were you a thief before you became an awakened or something? Just what kind of life did you live?"

I remained silent, my expression neutral. Since even if I had explained, no one would believe it, not that I would explain it in any case. At the end of the day, there is nothing remaining of that place, as I ensured that is the case.

Kennet shook his head, chuckling. "Well, expecting someone like you to have a normal past is like expecting bread to bake itself."

He crossed his arms, studying me. "You've got the fundamentals down, that's for sure. There is no need for me to work on the physical aspect." He said as he raised his finger. "But you must also be aware that the physical skills are nothing if you can't erase your presence with mana. After all, in an Awakened world, nobody is going to listen to your steps. They are going to sense your presence."

"Understood."

"Good. Now, we'll test your skills when the mana is also included."

Kennet led me to another section of the training area, where a series of intricate wards and sensors were set up. "Just like acrobatics, we divide this training into stages. Each stage will increase the sensitivity of the wards you'll be working against. For now, we'll start with stage one."

He pointed to a series of markers and obstacles. "Stage one is designed to test your basic ability to suppress your mana and move undetected. The wards here are less sensitive, but they'll still react if you make any significant mistakes."

I nodded, taking in the layout. The goal was clear: move through the course without triggering the wards.

"Remember," Kennet said, "this isn't just about avoiding physical detection. You need to suppress your presence and make it seem as if you're not even there. Use your mana to blend with the environment, to become part of it." f

"Understood."

I took a deep breath, feeling the flow of mana within me. Focusing on the task ahead, I began to move through the course. I concentrated on suppressing my mana and reducing my presence as much as possible.

The first few steps were cautious, testing the sensitivity of the wards. I felt the familiar tingle of mana detection as I moved closer to the first obstacle. Adjusting my flow, I minimized my presence further, feeling the wards relax as I passed by without triggering them.

Each step required careful attention. I could feel the wards' faint hum, something that I had not felt before. It seemed it was heavily related to the [Perceptive Insight], as nothing else would explain it.

And just like that, while trying to erase my presence as much as I could, I moved forward and finished. Reaching the end of the course, I turned to face Kennet. He observed me with a discerning eye, noting every detail of my performance.

"Hmm….." There was an expression on his face that was different than before, as if he had figured something out. "Kid….Have you been using a stealth artifact?"

And then he asked.

The moment he said this, I knew what he meant. Though, I still decided to ask.

"Why do you think so?"

Kennet's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied me. "While you're good at controlling your body and evading radars and wards, you're not as proficient at erasing your presence. It's as if you've never learned this skill or tried to do it before. But your movements suggest you're used to something else doing it for you."

I nodded, acknowledging his observation. "That's correct. I've been using an artifact to erase my presence before." That was not true, but there was no need or way for me to reveal [Shadowborne] here, as that could make things tricky a lot.

Hearing this, Kennet nodded his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It seems not everyone can be perfect. But that's alright. It means we have a clear starting point." He said, looking at me. In his eyes, I must look more normal now. "We'll begin from scratch and build your skills from the ground up."

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