Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

The doors to the Guild Master's office opened smoothly, revealing the spacious room bathed in the soft glow of the overhead lights. Guild Master Toren sat behind his large desk, his presence as commanding as ever. As Astron and Liana entered, Toren greeted them with a welcoming smile, his eyes sharp with a mix of anticipation and approval.

"Astron," Toren said, his voice carrying a warm yet authoritative tone. "Good to see you."

Astron returned the greeting with a nod, his expression neutral but focused. Without wasting time on pleasantries, he stepped forward and asked directly, "What are your expectations for me, Guild Master?"

Toren's smile widened slightly, clearly pleased by Astron's straightforward approach. He leaned back in his chair, studying Astron for a moment before responding. "Straight to the point, as always," Toren remarked, his tone carrying a note of appreciation. "I expected nothing less from you."

He placed his hands together, leaning slightly forward as he spoke. "My expectations for you are simple. We will be using your name for marketing to gather more talented Hunters who will be working for us, and to do that, we need your face to be seen on the media."

Toren's eyes gleamed with a mixture of satisfaction and anticipation as Astron acknowledged the underlying strategy. "I had expected that much," Astron said, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.

The Guild Master nodded, leaning forward slightly, his fingers steepling as he spoke. "Good. Then you'll also understand the next part. The plan is to intentionally leak the performance of your team to media companies through our connections with the Hunter Association."

Astron's gaze remained steady, but there was a flicker of interest. Toren continued, clearly enjoying the reveal of the carefully crafted strategy. "I've already set things in motion, with someone in place to make sure the right details reach the right people. Once that happens, the media's attention will naturally shift to your team. They'll want to know more about how Vanguard Haven is clearing dungeons so efficiently."

Toren's smile widened, his voice carrying a tone of confidence. "As the news spreads, interview requests will start rolling in. It won't be on a global scale—at least, not yet—but considering Nexoria City is the second-largest city in the Valerian Federation, the attention from news companies here will be significant. The hunters, guilds, and corporations all keep a close watch on developments in this city. It's a hub for information and opportunity."

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Astron. "The more organic the media coverage, the more credibility it gives us. That is where you will step in."

Toren's words hung in the air, and Astron took a moment to consider the implications before speaking. "So, my face as a member of the Arcadia Hunter Academy will be the one representing the team," Astron stated, his tone thoughtful. "Someone will need to present us, and none of the other team members can do that."

Toren nodded, clearly expecting this conclusion. "Exactly. While your teammates are talented in their own right, none of them carry the weight that the name 'Arcadia Hunter Academy' does. That kind of prestige makes a difference, especially in a city like Nexoria. And beyond that, they're new to this sort of thing. Even with their skills, they could make mistakes in a high-profile setting."

Astron's gaze shifted slightly as he weighed his next words. "I'm not that different. This will be the first time I've stood in front of this many people as well."

Toren nodded, acknowledging Astron's point. "I know you haven't had much exposure to the media," he admitted, "but you're also affiliated with the organization. If you've reached this stage of your training, I'd wager they've prepared you for situations like this, whether directly or indirectly. You're not completely untested in handling pressure."

Astron remained quiet for a moment, processing Toren's words. He had been through many trials and had navigated complex situations, but this would be a different kind of challenge—a performance in the public eye. However, he understood what was at stake for the guild.

"As expected from a Warden." Astron nodded as he listened. It was something that was expected from a warden, and he was not surprised.

Toren leaned back, clearly pleased with Astron's calm acceptance. "Then, if that is the case," Astron continued, "when will the first interview be?"

"For now," Toren began, his voice steady, "we are expecting it to take place tomorrow evening. Once you've cleared all the dungeons and the data has been officially registered into the Hunter Association's database, my contact will leak the news. The media attention will follow shortly after."

"I see," Astron replied, his gaze unwavering. "Then I'll be ready."

Toren smiled, the confidence in his voice matching Astron's calm resolve. "That would be nice. We'll handle the rest, but you'll be the face of our success. I know you won't disappoint."

Memory updated

Astron's gaze shifted slightly as he considered another angle of the plan. "Will the other team members be informed about this?" he asked, his voice calm but inquisitive.

Toren leaned forward with a small, knowing smile. "What do you think?"

Without hesitation, Astron replied, "They won't be informed. Their reactions of surprise need to be organic to avoid raising any suspicions. If they know beforehand, it could compromise the credibility of the narrative we're trying to build."

Toren nodded, clearly pleased with Astron's insight. "Exactly. Their genuine reactions will add authenticity to the media coverage. We need it to appear as natural as possible—like the attention came from an external source, not something orchestrated by us. That way, it erases any doubt that this is anything other than a genuine display of Vanguard Haven's growing reputation."

Astron gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

"Understood," Astron replied, his voice steady. "It makes sense to keep them in the dark. Their reactions will sell the story."

Toren's smile widened slightly, clearly impressed by Astron's ability to grasp the subtleties of the situation. "You're proving to be as perceptive as ever, Astron. That's why we're confident you're the right person for this."

Astron remained composed, though his gaze sharpened slightly. "As long as the focus stays on the team's success and not just on me."

There was one thing that he would refuse to do.

Gaining too much attention. As a member of the Arcadia Hunter Academy, he could already be perceived as a privileged and strong Hunter; at the same time, if he were to make a huge name even among the students of the Academy, that would have hurt his freedom.

'Association….The corruption must be getting deeper and deeper.'

For his following plan, he needed to keep his name under control.

Toren raised an eyebrow, recognizing the underlying concern in Astron's words. "Of course. While your participation will be highlighted, what is important is that the entire team gets recognition. The stronger the team appears, the more credible Vanguard Haven becomes. You'll be the focal point, but the narrative will reinforce the strength of everyone involved."

Astron nodded in approval. "Then I'll continue to lead them through the next clears. We'll make sure the performance speaks for itself."

Toren stood, extending his hand. "Good. That's all I can ask for."

Astron shook his hand, the agreement sealed. He turned to leave, knowing tomorrow's clears would be crucial—not just for the guild's reputation but for the narrative they were shaping.

"Be prepared," Toren added as Astron headed for the door. "Tomorrow is just the beginning."

Astron gave a final nod before stepping out of the office, fully aware of the weight of the expectations placed upon him.

*******

The morning sun barely crept over the horizon as the team stood at the entrance of the first dungeon, "Crimson Ridge." Its jagged cliffs stretched high into the sky, casting deep shadows over the pathway that led into the heart of the dungeon. The air was still, a sharp contrast to the day that lay ahead of them. Astron stood at the front, his eyes scanning the terrain, noting the small shifts in mana flows and the distant signs of activity.

The others waited in silence, but there was a calm intensity to their presence, each member mentally preparing for the grueling schedule ahead. Liana, as always, was nearby, giving her final instructions before they entered.

"This is the first of five," Liana said, her tone even. "You've done well so far, but today's pace will push you harder. We'll need precision and efficiency."

Astron nodded, turning toward his team. "Same strategy as before. Clear each wave, minimize damage, and keep moving. We're on a time limit, so no unnecessary engagements. Everyone knows their roles."

Kurt adjusted his shield, the familiar weight settling into place. "Understood. We'll keep the pace."

Dorian smirked, twirling his swords as he readied himself. "As long as I get to slice through something, I'm good."

Elena gave a small nod, her staff glowing faintly as she prepared her magic. "Let's not waste time. We'll follow your lead."

With the brief exchange over, the team moved forward, slipping into the mouth of the Crimson Ridge with practiced ease. The first waves of enemies—a group of flame-wreathed ogres—charged at them with brutish force, but Astron's quick commands sent the team into motion.

"Kurt, left flank. Elena, fire suppression. Dorian, hit the gaps."

The group moved like clockwork, cutting through the ogres with speed and precision. The ground beneath them cracked with heat, the oppressive environment threatening to slow them, but the team barely faltered. Within minutes, they had reached the core of the dungeon, where a larger, more formidable ogre waited.

"Elena, focus your magic on its legs. Dorian, flank it from the right," Astron ordered, his voice steady.

The fight was swift, their coordination flawless. By the time the creature fell, its body crumbling into molten debris, they had cleared the dungeon in record time.

"On to the next," Astron said without hesitation.

*******

The second dungeon, "Azure Hollow," offered a different challenge—its deep caverns filled with mana-infused water that shimmered beneath the dim light. The atmosphere was cold, the air thick with moisture, but the team didn't slow.

As they descended into the depths, ghostly water serpents emerged from the mist, their long bodies moving swiftly through the flooded corridors. But Astron's eyes caught their patterns, tracking their movements through the mana flows.

"Lila, use your golem to block the water channels. Kurt, stay on defense—don't let them corner us. Gareth, prepare barriers. We'll force them into a trap."

With precise coordination, the serpents were herded into narrow passages where they were swiftly dispatched by Dorian's blades and Elena's magic. The icy waters didn't slow them, and soon, the second dungeon was behind them.

Liana met them at the exit, a faint look of approval crossing her face. "Two down. The third dungeon awaits."

*******

By the time they reached the third dungeon, "Obsidian Peaks," the pace had become grueling. The dungeon was a twisting labyrinth of jagged black stone, where shadowy creatures lurked in the narrow corridors. The oppressive darkness would have unsettled most teams, but Astron's eyes saw through the gloom.

******

The fourth dungeon, "Emerald Grove," was a forest brimming with vibrant life. But beneath its lush exterior, deadly plant creatures lurked. The thick canopy overhead filtered the sunlight, casting eerie green shadows across the ground.

"This one will be tricky," Astron murmured as they entered the grove.

The plant creatures moved silently, their roots and vines blending into the environment, making them difficult to detect. But Astron's eyes caught the subtle distortions in mana.

"Elena, use fire magic to clear the path. Kurt, stay in the center to defend."

They moved methodically, cutting through the dense vegetation with practiced strikes. The creatures, though numerous, posed little threat against the team's combined strength.

At the heart of the grove, a massive plant creature awaited them, its roots digging deep into the earth. Astron's eyes narrowed as he calculated its weaknesses.

"Elena, burn the roots. Dorian, sever its main vines."

With flawless precision, they executed the plan, and soon the creature was reduced to ash.

"Last one," Astron said as they exited the grove, Liana already waiting to guide them to the final dungeon.

*******

The fifth and final dungeon of the day, "Ironclad Bastion," was a fortress-like structure carved into a mountainside. It was filled with heavily armored constructs, their movements slow but powerful.

"Their armor's tough, but we'll focus on their joints," Astron said as they entered the dungeon.

The constructs moved in unison, their heavy footfalls echoing through the stone corridors. But Astron's commands kept the team moving, striking at weak points and dismantling the constructs with brutal efficiency.

"Dorian, hit the joints. Elena, charge up for the core guardian."

At the end of the dungeon, a massive armored guardian awaited them. Its thick, mana-infused armor was nearly impenetrable, but Astron had already identified the weak points.

"Kurt, block its strikes. Dorian and Elena, hit the exposed joints."

The guardian's massive sword struck the ground with deafening force, but Kurt's shield held firm. Dorian's blades flashed as he struck at the joints, while Elena's magic shattered its defenses. In a matter of minutes, the guardian fell.

As the final construct crumbled, a sense of completion washed over the team. They had cleared five dungeons in record time, just as planned.

Liana appeared at the exit, but this time, she wasn't alone. A woman with a sleek, professional appearance stood beside her, holding a notepad and a hovering drone camera recording the scene.

Finally, someone from the media was here.

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