Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 961 221.1 - The Antagonist

The early morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the academy's central training hall, casting long shadows across the polished stone floor. The walls were reinforced with mana-inscribed barriers that shimmered faintly-an ever-present reminder that what happened in this space would not be gentle.

The students stood lined up in neat rows, dressed in their reinforced combat. uniforms, each with their weapon of choice either strapped across their back or summoned at their side.

This wasn't a strategy lecture.

This was a combat class.

And now that clubs were gone and the academy was tightening its rules, classes like these had become more intense... and more frequent.

At the center of the room stood Instructor Verren, a tall, broad-shouldered man with grey hair swept back and a voice that could silence a room with a single word. A seasoned warrior with years in the field, Verren had little patience for excuses-and even less for wasted potential.

His sharp eyes scanned the class as he spoke.

"Listen up."

The chatter immediately died.

"Without club activities and private training groups, you now have fewer outlets to develop your combat. That is no excuse to stagnate. From now on, these sessions will be held twice a week-and every time, you will fight."

There was no resistance. No one dared to complain.

He began calling names.

Instructor Verren's voice rang clear in the vast training hall, a blade slicing through any remaining tension.

"Today's sparring assignments have been pre-determined," he said. "These are mandatory. You will engage with full focus and intent. Controlled strikes only-but fight as if your advancement depends on it."

He glanced down at the slate in his hand.

"First match-Victor Blackthorn vs. Ethan Hartley."

The moment the names were spoken, a stillness fell across the room.

Dozens of heads turned at once.

Victor.

The name alone carried weight-undeniable weight.

Recently, he had become something of a phantom within the academy. Months ago, he had been omnipresent: top of the charts, impossible to ignore, a prodigy in every measurable sense.