Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

741 Chapter 169.1 - Second Semester

The sound of footsteps echoed through the garden, sharp and deliberate. Each step seemed to reverberate through the air, silencing the growing buzz of speculation and chatter. Like a tide retreating from the shore, the noise around the garden receded, leaving behind an eerie stillness.

Julia, in the midst of her teasing, froze mid-sentence, her words dying on her lips. Irina's sharp yellow gaze snapped toward the source, and the rest of the group instinctively turned, their collective curiosity now replaced by something more akin to reverence or apprehension.

The headmaster had arrived.

Tall and imposing, he strode into view with the air of someone who commanded absolute authority. His dark robe, lined with intricate golden embroidery that shimmered faintly with mana, flowed behind him with each purposeful step. His piercing blue eyes, sharp as a blade's edge, swept over the gathered students like a judge weighing their worth.

Even those who had been distracted or whispering moments earlier fell silent, the weight of his presence pressing down on them like an invisible force.

"That's..." Ethan murmured, his voice barely audible as he took in the sight of the headmaster. Though he had seen him before, the sheer gravity of his presence always caught him off guard.

"Headmaster is here, it appears."

Well, they were not people who would be shaken with things like these, hence they were fine instantly.

The silence in the garden deepened as the headmaster Jonathan, stepped fully into view. A smile adorned his face, but it was a smile unlike any other-a smile that seemed to hold the weight of the world while still radiating warmth. His presence was paradoxical: inviting and terrifying, gentle yet commanding. His dark robes shimmered faintly with golden threads, each step exuding an effortless authority that felt as though it could bend reality itself.

Jonathan was not just a man; he was a legend in his own right. Known across the domain as one of the strongest hunters, his mere presence was a testament to the might of Arcadia Hunter Academy. It was said that if he chose to, he could shake mountains, split the skies, or flatten armies-though he never boasted of such power. The calmness in his demeanor only made his strength more daunting, as if the storm resided just beneath the surface, waiting for a reason to unleash.

"Ah, the garden," Jonathan mused aloud, his voice smooth but carrying an undertone that resonated deep within every student. "Always such a lively place to begin the

semester."

pull of

presence, stood rooted in

The students, still caught in the gra place, their gazes fixed on him. The smile on his lips broadened slightly, and his piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd, taking in every face as though each individual mattered.

"Good morning, my young hunters," he greeted, his tone warm yet brimming with the undeniable weight of authority. "It brings me great joy to see so many of you gathered here, eager to begin the next chapter of your journey."

His words carried across the garden like a gentle wave, yet the air around him felt charged as if each syllable was etched with mana. Even the most distracted students found themselves hanging on his every word, compelled by the sheer magnetism of his presence.

Jonathan clasped his hands behind his back, his expression softening as he began to walk slowly along the path, his gaze shifting from one group to another. "Arcadia Hunter Academy is not merely a school," he said, his voice deepening slightly. "It is a sanctuary, a forge, and a battlefield. It is where the potential is realized, where strength is tempered, and where character is tested."

He paused, turning to face the crowd fully, his smile fading into an expression of solemnity. "Discipline," he said, his voice now edged with steel, "is the foundation upon which all greatness is built. Without discipline, strength is wasted. Without discipline, even the brightest spark will wither into nothingness."

The students stood in silence, their expressions a mix of awe and trepidation. Jonathan's words seemed to weigh on them, pressing against their very souls.

"Many of you," he continued, his piercing gaze sweeping across the crowd, "have already begun to grasp this truth. Some of you," his eyes briefly lingered on Astron(?), whose calm demeanor didn't falter under the headmaster's scrutiny, "may still be learning what it truly means to harness your potential."

He resumed his slow walk, his golden-lined robes shimmering in the sunlight. "Let me make one thing clear," he said, his voice gaining a quiet intensity. "The trials you face here are not designed to break you-they are designed to reveal you. To show you what lies beneath the surface when the world pushes back."

The crowd remained utterly still, captivated by his presence. Even Julia, usually quick with a quip, stood silently, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the headmaster.

"This academy," Jonathan continued, his smile returning faintly, "is more than a place to learn how to fight. It is a place to learn who you are, what you are capable of, and what you are willing to become. But know this: the world outside these walls will not wait for you to find yourselves. It is harsh, unforgiving, and filled with threats that will test you far beyond what you think you can endure."

Ilis smile widened slightly, though the weight of his words didn't lessen. "And that is why we are here. To prepare you. To push you. To see you rise."

Jonathan's gaze swept over the students once more, his smile softening into something almost paternal. "So I urge you all: take this semester seriously. Embrace the discipline, the challenges, and the lessons that lie ahead. Because when the time comes to face the world, you will not have the luxury of hesitation."

For a long moment, the garden was silent, the weight of the headmaster's words settling over the gathered students like a blanket of unyielding resolve.

Then, with a subtle shift in his expression, Jonathan's warmth returned, as though he had lifted a portion of the invisible weight he carried. "Now," he said, his tone lighter but no less commanding, "go forth. Make this semester one to remember-for yourselves, for your peers, and for the legacy of Arcadia Hunter Academy"

He inclined his head slightly, the golden threads of his robe catching the sunlight as he turned to leave. The spell broke, and the garden seemed to breathe again, conversations and whispers bubbling to life as students began to process the headmaster's words.

Julia let out a low whistle, her hands on her hips as she shook her head. "Well, if that doesn't make you want to sit up straight and do some push-ups, I don't know whatn/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

will."

As the headmaster's imposing presence faded into the distance, the garden slowly came back to life. Students dispersed in clusters, their hushed conversations building into a crescendo of speculation and excitement. The air was still charged with the weight of Jonathan Arcadia's words, but now it mixed with the buzz of anticipation for the semester ahead.

Ethan slung his bag over his shoulder, glancing at the others, "Well, that was a motivational start," he said with a faint smile.

Julia snorted, adjusting her bag as she fell into step beside him. "Motivational? More like terrifying. But hey, at least he didn't single us out for anything. That's always a

win.""

"You'd think we'd be used to his speeches by now. Every time, though, it feels like he's staring straight through me."

"You're not alone," Lilia added, trailing just behind them. "It's like he knows every bad decision you've ever made and is silently judging you for it."

Irina, walking slightly ahead, glanced over her shoulder, her fiery hair catching the sunlight. "If you let his words get under your skin, you'll be second-guessing yourself all semester. Better to take them for what they are-encouragement wrapped in intimidation."

Julia rolled her eyes. "Easy for you to say, Miss Emberheart. You probably enjoy the

pressure."

Who said that I enjoy the pressure....it is you who had never felt the pressure so you can't understand it."

She thought and smirked, but didn't respond, leading the way toward the main building. Ethan followed, his mind still occupied by the subtle tension he'd felt when

the headmaster's gaze had swept over Astron. He cast a quick glance at his quiet classmate, who trailed behind the group, his expression as unreadable as ever. The group made their way through the grand stone halls of Arcadia Hunter Academy, the corridors alive with students heading to their respective classrooms. Familiar faces flashed by, some offering quick nods or waves, while others were too engrossed in their conversations to notice.

Reaching the door marked HA25, Ethan felt a sense of relief. "Looks like we're sticking to the same classroom," he said, pushing the door open.

The room was just as they'd left it at the end of the first semester. Rows of desks arranged in neat lines, the instructor's podium at the front, and the large windows overlooking the academy grounds. The sight was oddly comforting, a small beacon of familiarity amid the whirlwind of change the new semester promised.

Julia slid into her usual seat by the window, spinning her pen idly between her fingers. "Home sweet home," she said with a grin. "Here's to another semester of chaos." Ethan chuckled, settling into the seat beside her. "Let's just hope it's manageable

chaos."

Carl and Lucas claimed their usual spots in the back row, their relaxed demeanors contrasting with the subtle tension in the room. Irina and Lilia settled in the front row, Irina's posture straight and composed while Lilia leaned casually on her desk, her sharp eyes scanning the classroom. Julia and Ethan took their seats in the middle row, Julia spinning her pen idly while Ethan glanced around, taking in the familiar surroundings.

As the students around them filtered in, the classroom filled with a steady hum of chatter. Conversations ranged from recaps of the break to speculations about the new curriculum, but an undercurrent of nervous energy was palpable.

"Alright," Julia said, leaning back in her chair and stretching. "Place your bets-how long until Professor Eleanor walks in with that 'you're all behind already' speech?"

Ethan smirked. "Three minutes, tops."

"Five," Carl countered, glancing at the clock.

Lilia chuckled. "I'm going with two. She's always early."

Irina turned slightly in her seat, her yellow eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm

surprised you're all so eager to hear that speech. She's not exactly gentle with her

critiques." Julia grinned. "What can I say? I thrive on a little academic masochism."

Before anyone could respond, the sharp sound of heels clicking against the polished

floor echoed down the hallway. The room fell silent almost instantly, the students straightening in their seats as if by instinct.

Before anyone could respond, the sharp sound of heels clicking against the polished

floor echoed down the hallway. The room fell silent almost instantly, the students straightening in their seats as if by instinct.

Ethan glanced at the clock and smirked. "Two and a half minutes. Lilia wins."

The door swung open, and Professor Eleanor stepped in, her presence as commanding as ever. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, taking stock of her students with a single sweep.

"Good morning," she said crisply, setting a stack of papers on the podium. "I trust you

all had a productive break."

The silence that greeted her was telling, and Eleanor's lips twitched into the faintest

hint of a smirk. "Good. Let's get started. We have much to cover, and you're already behind."

Julia groaned under her breath, earning a quiet laugh from Ethan.

As Eleanor began outlining the changes to the curriculum and expectations for the semester, the weight of the headmaster's speech lingered in the back of Ethan's mind. The semester was only beginning, but it was clear to everyone in the room-this was going to be a challenge just as before.