Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

After leaving Irina, Astron moved like a phantom, his figure weaving through the smoke and shadows of the collapsing museum with practiced ease. The faint pulse of the suppression knots still active glimmered in his mind's eye, their locations etched into his memory. Each second counted-not only to dismantle the remaining two suppressors but to ensure Irina's safety.

He'd seen the spark of telekinetic force in her during their spars, subtle but potent. It was enough to give him confidence that she could hold her own, at least temporarily. Still, the five elite operatives, especially their leader, were no ordinary opponents. Irina wasn't ready to face them alone-not without her fire.

'Keep them off her. Buy her time."

That is why, he had already formulated a plan.

'Indeed."'

Astron slipped into the shadows, his body dissolving into the inky tendrils of [Shadowborne]. The oppressive weight of the suppression fields no longer hindered his movements as severely; with each knot he broke, his connection to his mana grew stronger.

Ahead, three operatives loomed, their heightened senses scanning for him. One of them, clad in enchanted armor etched with runes, barked an order.

"Spread out! He's using the shadows-don't let him isolate us!"

Astron's mouth faintly, his form reappearing behind one of the operatives. In a single, fluid motion, he drove a dagger into the man's exposed joint, bypassing the enchanted plates of his armor. The operative crumpled with a muffled cry, his weapon clattering uselessly to the ground.

The other two turned, their blades flashing with suppression runes. But before they could react, Astron melted back into the shadows, his presence vanishing as if he'd never been there.

"He's toying with us!" one shouted, his voice tinged with frustration.

The second operative turned, swinging wildly at the sound, but it was futile. Astron reappeared to his left, his dagger slicing cleanly across the man's back. The operative stumbled, and before he could recover, Astron struck again-precise and lethal. The man fell, joining his comrade on the cold stone floor.

The last operative stood frozen, his eyes wide as he scanned the smoke-filled room. Astron emerged behind him, his purple eyes glowing faintly.

"Run," Astron whispered, his voice icy.

The man didn't hesitate, bolting down the corridor. Astron didn't follow; he had no time to waste. Instead, he turned his focus toward the second suppression knot, shimmering faintly through the haze.

****

Rovan Kael observed the skirmish from a higher vantage point, his sharp eyes narrowing as he tracked Astron's movements.

"He's faster than expected," one of his elites muttered, stepping beside him.

"Taster, yes," Rovan replied, his voice cold and measured. "But not unstoppable. He's playing guerilla, relying on the shadows and his speed. He won't hold out once we force him into open combat."

The elite operative nodded. "Shall we engage directly?"

Rovan's lips curled into a faint smile. "Not yet. Let him break another knot. It'll give us the opening we need."

Astron reached the second knot, its intricate structure embedded in the ceiling of a narrow hallway. He pulled out a dagger, channeling his mana into the blade until it glowed faintly with blue energy. With a sharp throw, the dagger streaked toward the knot. ᚱÄƝȯВΕṡ

BOOM!

The explosion rocked the hallway, sending fragments of stone raining down as the suppression field weakened further. Astron felt the pressure ease slightly, his mana flowing more freely.

'One left.'

But as he turned, he felt a sudden shift in the air-an oppressive presence that made his instincts scream.

Rovan Kael stepped into the hallway, flanked by two of his strongest operatives. The man exuded calm authority, his stance loose but calculated. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of a curved blade at his side.

"You've been a nuisance," Rovan said, his tone almost conversational. "But this ends now."

Astron's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on Celestalith. He didn't reply, his focus locking on the three opponents in front of him. He could feel the weight of their presence-these weren't ordinary hunters. Their movements were deliberate, their coordination precise.

Rovan drew his blade, its edge glowing faintly with suppression runes. "You can't keep running. Let's see how well you fight in the light."

The fight began with blistering speed. Rovan's operatives surged forward, their

Weapons flashing with mana as they attacked in tandem. Astron darted into the shadows, reappearing behind one and striking with his dagger.

CLANK!

The man deflected the blow with surprising speed, forcing Astron to retreat.

SLASH!

Rovan advanced, his blade slashing through the air with deadly strength.

One hit and it would be over.

Astron dodged, his movements fluid, but the second operative closed in from the side, their coordination forcing him onto the defensive.

"They're good,' Astron thought, his mind working rapidly. 'But they're not invincible.'

He feinted left, drawing the second operative closer, then twisted sharply, driving his dagger into the man's exposed side. The operative staggered, and Astron vanished into the shadows before Rovan's blade could find him.

"You're persistent," Rovan remarked, his tone calm. "But this isn't a game you can win."

Astron didn't respond, his focus already shifting to the final suppression knot. It glimmered faintly behind Rovan and his remaining operative, its intricate structure glowing faintly with mana.

'If I take that out, Irina will have full access to her flames.'

He surged forward, his body a blur as he launched himself past Rovan. The leader's

Blade flashed, narrowly missing Astron as he darted toward the knot. He drew Celestalith mid-motion, shifting it into its bow form.

TWANG!

Three arrows streaked through the air, each glowing with concentrated Lunar

Energy.

"DON'T LET HIM!"

But with his purpose evident, things wouldn't be that easy.

The moment his intent became clear, the operatives reacted swiftly, their coordination flawless. Seven additional fighters emerged from the smoke, positioning themselves strategically to block his path. From behind them, Rovan and his two elites tightened their formation, the air around them pulsing with contained mana.

"Don't let him near the knot!" one of the operatives shouted, their voices sharp and

Resolute.

Arrows, mana-infused projectiles, and bolts of elemental energy streaked through the air toward him in a relentless barrage. Astron's sharp eyes flickered, tracking the

Trajectories with precision.

SWOOSH!

He darted to the left, narrowly avoiding a crackling lightning bolt. Another projectile whistled past him as he twisted his body mid-air, his movements fluid and precise. Yet, despite his agility, the operatives weren't firing blindly. Their attacks were calculated, creating a web of suppression to limit his options.

'Not bad for a squad like this,' Astron thought, his mind racing. He could feel the battlefield narrowing around him, the open fire serving not just to strike him but to cut off his avenues of approach.

Astron's lips pressed into a thin line. In a swift motion, he gripped Celestalith, its ethereal glow pulsing faintly in his hand. With a thought, the weapon shifted, morphing into its martial arts form-a sleek, elongated staff adorned with faint,

Swirling shadows.

The air around him darkened, tendrils of shadow coiling and rising like living entities.

He activated his newly acquired defensive skills.

"[Shadow Embrace]."

The shadows surrounding him surged, enveloping his body in a protective barrier. The

Black tendrils shimmered faintly, creating a dense, shifting shield that absorbed the incoming projectiles. Bolts of energy and arrows struck the barrier, dissipating harmlessly against the swirling darkness.

The mana cost was steep; he felt it draining from his reserves like a steady tide. But Astron pressed forward, his focus unyielding.

'No time to conserve mana. The knot has to go.'

One of the elite operatives surged forward, his enchanted blade aimed directly at

Astron's chest. The man's stance was solid, his aura exuding deadly intent. Astron didn't slow. His shadow-cloaked form became a blur as he closed the gap. Just before the operative's blade could strike, Astron shifted into [Cyclone Stance], his

Movements seamless and fluid.

WHOOSH!

He twisted, his staff spinning with immense force, creating a small vortex of shadow

And wind. The operative's blade missed by inches as Astron sidestepped and countered with a precise palm strike infused with mana. The force of the blow sent the man hurtling backward, his weapon clattering to the ground.

SWOOSH!

Before the next operative could close the

Astron bent his knees and leaped

Skyward, the shadows propelling him higher. Below, another elite swung his sword in

A wide arc, but Astron's aerial maneuver carried him clear of the attack. Mid-air, he extended his hand, activating [Grapple]. A thread of mana shot out.

J

Latching onto the wall near the knot. With a sharp tug, he pulled himself forward, his body flying over the heads of the remaining operatives.

As he soared through the air, Astron extended his free hand, recalling the daggers he

Had thrown earlier. They responded instantly, ripping free from their embedded positions and streaking toward him. The operatives closest to the daggers instinctively ducked, momentarily thrown off balance.

With a deft motion, Astron caught the daggers mid-air, his grip firm and practiced.

Using the momentum of his leap, he hurled them again, this time directly at Rovan and his remaining elite.

The daggers streaked toward Rovan with immense speed, forcing the leader to halt his

Advance.

CLANK!

"Tsk."

Rovan's blade flashed as he deflected one dagger with a sharp, practiced motion. The

Second and third daggers struck the ground before him, exploding in bursts of

Concussive force.

BOOM!

The shockwave rippled through the area, sending dust and debris flying. Rovan raised

An arm to shield his face, his sharp gaze fixed on Astron even as the explosion momentarily disrupted his momentum.

Landing lightly on the wall near the suppression knot, Astron didn't waste a second.

He drew Celestalith again, shifting it back into bow form. His purple eyes gleamed as

He nocked a single arrow, channeling an immense surge of Lunar energy into the

Projectile.

TWANG!

The arrow streaked forward, striking the knot dead center.

BOOM!

The suppression knot exploded, the intricate formation shattering into a cascade of

Blue light. The oppressive weight of the mana suppression lifted entirely, and Astron

Felt a surge of relief as his full strength returned.

'Hmm...'

But that was not enough.

Something.

'Wait.'

From the corner of his eyes, Astron saw that Irina was in danger.

Umbralith.

Hence he changed the [Celestalith] in the last second.

And activated the skill, stopping the others from advancing. Though by this point, his mana reserves were really about to go down.

But he knew things would be fine by now. I've done my part. Your turn, Irina.'

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