Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest-Chapter 845 - 196.1 - Gaze

The classroom was alive with a quiet sense of anticipation as the cadets settled into their seats. Unlike some of the more rigorous combat or strategy courses, Artifact Studies was a two-hour weekly course that, while not mandatory for all specializations, had drawn a surprising number of students due to its engaging nature.

At the front of the room, Professor Aldric Fenwell stood beside a long table, his sharp green eyes gleaming behind his thin-framed glasses. A variety of small artifacts were carefully arranged before him, their polished surfaces catching the light from the overhead fixtures. He was one of the academy’s more charismatic instructors—not just because of his deep knowledge of relics and enchanted items, but because of his ability to make even the most mundane theoretical topics sound fascinating.

As the final students took their seats, Fenwell clapped his hands together once, a warm smile on his face. "Alright, cadets, today’s lesson will focus on entry-level artifacts—a topic that, while seemingly basic, serves as the foundation for every hunter’s career. Understanding artifacts and their practical applications can make the difference between surviving a mission and having to be carried out of a dungeon."

That last statement earned a few chuckles from the room, though most students remained focused, eager for what was to come.

Fenwell gestured toward the table. "Now, before we dive into theory, let’s start with a fundamental question. Who can tell me what defines an artifact?"

A few hands shot up. Among them, Sylvie was the first to be called on.

"An artifact is a tool or object imbued with mana," she answered smoothly. "Unlike standard enchanted weapons, artifacts don’t require their users to channel their own mana directly—they operate using embedded runes, cores, or pre-set enchantments."

Fenwell nodded approvingly. "Excellent summary, Miss Sylvie. Artifacts serve as a bridge between raw magic and practical application, allowing even those with weaker mana control to wield powerful effects. However, this also means that users must understand the limitations and risks involved."

He picked up a small, circular metal device from the table. "Take this for example—a standard-grade kinetic bracer." He held it up so the class could see. "Designed for hunters who lack significant physical reinforcement abilities, this artifact absorbs incoming kinetic force and redistributes it into controlled bursts. It won’t make you invincible, but it will let you take a hit and return one just as hard."

The cadets murmured among themselves, some leaning forward to get a better look.

"Irina," Fenwell called out, turning to her. "If you were using this artifact in combat, what would you consider its greatest advantage?"

Irina crossed her arms, her fiery yellow eyes flicking toward the bracer. "If it works as you described, it would allow someone to trade blows without taking full damage. That’s useful for front-liners who rely on counters."

Fenwell nodded. "Exactly. A fighter could absorb the impact of a strike and retaliate before their opponent fully recovers. But—" he turned toward Ethan, who was sitting a few rows back, "—what’s the catch?"

Ethan tilted his head slightly, thoughtful. "It depends on how the stored force is released. If it builds up too much without a proper output, it could backfire or strain the wearer’s body. Overuse could also make someone reliant on it, instead of improving their own defensive skills."

"Excellent observation," Fenwell said, smiling. "Artifacts are tools—not crutches. Hunters must understand how to use them without becoming dependent on them."

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He moved on, picking up a different artifact, a small crystalline orb encased in silver filigree. "Now, here’s one I think some of you will find particularly useful. A basic mana-conversion charm. It takes in ambient mana and converts it into a purified form, allowing for smoother spellcasting. This is particularly beneficial for those with unstable mana flow."

Jasmine leaned forward, intrigued. "How much does it boost efficiency?"

"About 12-15% for beginners, though experienced casters can optimize that further."

Julia, unable to resist, smirked. "Alright, but how much does it cost?"

Fenwell chuckled. "More than you’d like, Miss Julia." That earned another round of laughter from the students.

The lesson continued with Fenwell demonstrating a few more artifacts, explaining their uses and potential drawbacks. Unlike some dry theory-heavy courses, this class kept students engaged with real-world applications and practical insights. Even Astron, who was usually quiet in discussions, seemed focused, his sharp violet eyes locked onto the artifacts as Fenwell explained their properties.

By the time the first hour passed, most of the students were fully absorbed in the lesson, taking notes and occasionally whispering excitedly about which artifacts they might one day use.

Fenwell clapped his hands again, drawing the students’ attention back to him. "Now, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Theory is important, but application is what truly refines a hunter’s understanding of artifacts."

He turned toward the projection panel at the front of the room and tapped a few commands onto his tablet. "Open the Artifact Profiling System app on your academy tablets."

The students quickly navigated through their interfaces, and within moments, their screens displayed an interactive catalog of each cadet’s ability distribution, represented by various parameters categorized under different rankings—A, B, C, and so on. Though labeled similarly to grading systems, these rankings weren’t absolute but rather an approximate way to visualize personal skill development. The distribution varied based on combat efficiency, mana capacity, adaptability, and unique abilities.

Fenwell continued, "These rankings do not determine your overall potential, nor are they meant to compare you directly to one another. They simply provide a general outlook on areas where artifacts could supplement or enhance your performance. Today, you will be working in pairs, analyzing your counterpart’s ability distribution and discussing potential artifact improvements that would complement their combat style."

The system automatically generated paired assignments based on combat compatibility and variation in skillsets. The names appeared one after another on the projected screen at the front of the class.

Irina was paired with Lilia.

Julia with Sylvie.

Jasmine with Layla.

And then—

Astron ➝ Lucas

Lucas, who had been lazily resting his chin on his palm, raised an eyebrow at the pairing before letting out a small, amused exhale. "Huh. Didn’t see that coming."

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Astron, meanwhile, merely glanced at his screen before closing it and looking toward Lucas with his usual unreadable expression. He had no objections.

Fenwell nodded in satisfaction. "I expect each pair to take a few minutes to analyze each other’s ability distribution and come up with at least one artifact that could help mitigate a weakness or enhance a strength. Once done, we’ll have a few of you present your findings."

The room quickly filled with soft murmurs as cadets turned toward their assigned partners.

Lucas took his time before moving, stretching slightly as if he were only half-invested in the assignment. In reality, his mind was already at work, dissecting everything he knew about Astron Natusalune. His hands slid into his pockets as he approached the other student, a slow, easy smile forming on his lips—natural, practiced, disarming.

As he reached Astron’s desk, he pulled out the chair opposite him and plopped down casually. "Looks like we’re partners. Lucky you, huh?" he quipped, tilting his head slightly. His voice carried the same lighthearted amusement he had always used, the kind that made him seem easygoing and carefree.

Astron, however, didn’t react. His violet eyes met Lucas’s for a brief moment before shifting back to the tablet in front of him. "Let’s just get this done." His voice was flat, devoid of any interest.

Lucas’s smile didn’t waver. If anything, it widened ever so slightly. Dull as always… but something’s different.

He leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly against the edge of the desk as he observed Astron with veiled curiosity. His posture was relaxed, but his mind was already analyzing, already searching.

This guy… he’s also assessing me.

The realization settled in his gut, an instinctual feeling more than anything concrete. Astron’s expression was unreadable, his gaze steady but not overtly probing. Still, Lucas had been watching people for a long time, and he knew when someone was watching him back.

’Or am I just overly conscious?’

He considered the thought for a brief moment, but no—he wasn’t wrong. There was something about the way Astron looked at him. Not in the way most did, with admiration, envy, or even mild interest. No, Astron’s gaze was calculating.

He’s trying to gauge me. Why?

Lucas leaned forward slightly, feigning a glance at the tablet in front of him. He already knew what it said—his ability distribution was well-balanced, with high marks in combat adaptability and mana efficiency. He knew how others saw him: talented, capable, the model cadet. But Astron?

Lucas had looked into his background over the break. Nothing particularly interesting had come up. An orphan, adopted by a Hunter named Garrett. No records of any outstanding achievements, no high-profile mentors, no clear reason for him to be here aside from the man who had vouched for him.

He should be nothing special.

Yet, somehow, here he was—entwined in Ethan’s life, in Irina’s, even in the Saintess’s. His presence was inconsistent with what he was supposed to be. And if there was one thing Lucas hated, it was inconsistencies.

Still, none of this showed on his face. His smile remained, his tone light. He tapped at his screen lazily. "So, Astron," he said, "looks like your mana control is on the weaker side. You should consider something like a mana stabilizer, maybe a modified version of that conversion charm the professor showed us."

Astron merely nodded, his expression unchanging. "And you?"

Lucas chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Oh, come on. I’m flawless, obviously. But if you had to pick, what artifact do you think I’d need?"

Astron’s gaze flicked up at him again, and for the first time, Lucas saw something in his expression—something subtle, barely perceptible, but there. A moment of quiet analysis.

Lucas met his gaze evenly, still wearing his easygoing smile.