Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 449   102.4 - Examination

"...What do you think Lyra?"

Kael asked, looking at the dummies that had been pierced by the arrows.

"Just as expected…..He is not normal, just like us." Lyra replied. However, in her reply, the childlike sound was far, long gone. Her eyes were focused, contrary to her childish appearance.

"Indeed," Kael replied. "He was also not raised normally." He mumbled, his memories surfacing once again—the memories of childhood. The memories of them alone, though it was far, long gone now with this place taking them in, those memories still made them what they were today. They would never be able to forget it, nor did they want to.

After all, only by not forgetting where they came from could they appreciate the opportunities that they are given today.

On the other side of the exam part, Dakota continued to talk.

"You will be given missions that would need to be accomplished, and each of them will test one type of skill."

Astron nodded as the VR environment around him activated, transforming into a bustling urban landscape complete with realistic sounds, smells, and the feeling of the wind against his skin.

"Understood."

He took a moment to orient himself, noting the impressive realism of the simulation.

"Now, for your first mission," Dakota's voice echoed through the VR, guiding him through the initial steps. A holographic display materialized in front of him, outlining the details of his first task.

Mission 1: Observation and Investigation

Objective: Identify and gather intelligence on a hidden enemy base within the city. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The mission and the objective were clear. And since this was a test to measure, no complex missions were given.

'For a normal individual, it should take around 25 to 30 minutes. But, those with the eyes will be different.' Dakota analyzed as Astron moved through the city streets, his senses heightened.

He blended in with the crowds, taking note of subtle details that might indicate enemy activity. His eyes scanned for anything out of place: unusual traffic patterns, concealed surveillance devices, and suspicious individuals.

He did all of these in just five seconds.

'Even with his Eyes….This is just something else….'

Reina thought. She had seen her fair of eye users, but none of them did it as fast as this one.

For him to be able to move this efficiently, he both needed to be talented at it and, at the same time, needed to have some experience.

'The reports of the Local Awakened Security in the Western Uxbridge seem to be true. Even then, he was careful about the surveillance.'

Being someone of a higher authority in the organization, she had quite a deep access to the information. Especially things like these, where documents of lower level security of the federal government are required.

As Reina was thinking about all the set things, Astron was already reaching the end of his investigation. He soon spotted a nondescript building with an unusually high level of security.

Astron approached cautiously, noting the presence of hidden cameras and guards in civilian attire. It was evident that he was careful and good at spotting cameras, something that most of the trainees would attain as a skill after they were trained for it.

And that was not the end. He also identified one of the executives. After that, he silently approached the executive and stole the device. There was also a deception there, as the device that was the target was actually hidden behind the executive's neck, and there was a dummy device to make it harder to get stolen.

However, those with clear eyes would see the mana flow and would identify which one was real.

After taking the correct device, he found a map of the city with strategic points marked inside. He took photos of the documents and transmitted them back to the control center. His thorough investigation was completed, and Astron moved to the next task.

"First mission completed. Elapsed time: 7 minutes, two seconds. A new record." Dakota whispered in a voice that only Reina could hear.

'Indeed. Master would not make a wrong choice like this for such an important event.' Just as she thought, Astron moved to the next task.

Mission 2: Infiltration and Stealth

Objective: Infiltrate a secure facility and retrieve a classified item without being detected.

Astron took a moment to steady his breathing as he prepared for the next mission.

The urban environment shifted, transforming into a high-security facility brimming with advanced surveillance systems and high-ranking wards designed to detect magical intrusions.

The stakes were higher, and the challenge was evident.

He moved towards the facility with practiced ease, blending into the shadows and avoiding the guards' patrol routes. His stealth abilities, while not as powerful as his investigative skills, were still formidable. He relied on a combination of physical agility and keen observation to remain undetected.

'As per the record, he does not have a stealth ability aside from a passive that thins his presence. Though that passive may be helpful in daily life, in situations like these, it will not make much difference.'

Reina's analysis went on.

'But aside from that, the same skills that he had shown while stealing the device in the first mission are still evident. That is not bad; we won't need to spend too much training him in the basics. The academy must have put some importance on this in their curriculum.'

As Reina predicted, Arcadia Hunter Academy did put importance on how to move stealthily. Rather than because of infiltrating some places, it was to make sure the cadets would be able to efficiently navigate in the dungeons when they were full-fledged Hunters.

But, that would not help here, as this rather required advanced knowledge and experience, which Astron had from somewhere far away.

In any case, in the mission, the high-ranking wards posed a significant challenge. As he approached the building, Astron could feel the pressure of the wards pressing against his mana. He slowed his pace, carefully analyzing the flow of the magical barriers. He knew that any mistake could alert the entire facility to his presence.

He waited patiently, timing his movements with the ebb and flow of the wards. This required intense concentration and a precise understanding of the magical patterns. It was a delicate dance, one that required both skill and patience.

Astron approached a side entrance, recognizing it as the least monitored point. He used a small device to disable the electronic lock, slipping inside without triggering any alarms. The interior of the facility was a labyrinth of corridors and security measures. He moved cautiously, avoiding cameras and bypassing laser grids.

Despite his skills, the high-ranking wards slowed him down significantly. He had to stop several times to wait for the right moment to pass through a barrier or avoid a guard. The pressure against his mana was relentless, forcing him to rely more on his physical abilities and strategic thinking.

Reaching the secure storage area, Astron faced another challenge: a heavily fortified vault. He examined the complex locking mechanism, using his keen observational skills to find a pattern. It took time and patience, but he eventually cracked the code, opening the vault silently.

Inside, he found the classified item—a small, intricately designed data chip. He carefully retrieved it, ensuring he left no trace of his presence. The return journey was just as cautious as he navigated the facility without setting off any alarms or traps.

Emerging from the facility, Astron transmitted the data back to the control center, signaling the successful completion of the mission.

"Second mission completed. Elapsed time: Twenty-four minutes, fifty-four seconds. Excellent work," Dakota announced, her voice filled with approval. Even though his infiltration abilities were slightly less impressive than his investigative skills, Astron's performance was still remarkable.

Mission 3: Quick Thinking and Judgment in Crucial Scenarios

Objective: Rescue a hostage from a highly volatile situation.

The VR environment transformed once more, placing Astron in a bustling marketplace. The atmosphere was tense, with civilians unaware of the danger lurking. The mission details flashed before him: a hostage was being held by a heavily armed assailant in a nearby building. The situation was volatile, and any wrong move could result in casualties.

Astron assessed the scene quickly. He noted the positions of potential cover, the location of the hostage-taker, and the safest routes for extraction. His eyes scanned the building, identifying entry points and weak spots in the structure.

He moved swiftly, using the market crowd as cover to get closer to the building. Timing his movements with the patrols of the assailant, he reached the back entrance. He disabled the lock and slipped inside, navigating the narrow corridors with precision.

As he approached the room where the hostage was held, he heard the agitated voice of the assailant. Astron knew he had to act quickly to avoid escalation. He created a distraction by knocking over a stack of crates in a nearby room, drawing the assailant's attention.

In the brief moment of distraction, Astron moved in. In his hand was a dagger that was shining grey.

–SWOOSH! He threw the dagger with precision, aiming not to kill but to incapacitate. The dagger was aimed at a specific spot on the assailant's body.

'The brachial plexus.'  Dakota thought. She was very well-informed of human anatomy as she was a [Martial Artist] who used her body as the weapon itself.

This network of nerves runs through the shoulder and upper arm, controlling the muscles of the arm and hand.

'By targeting this area, he intends to make the arm threatening the hostage limp, reducing the risk of an involuntary reaction that could harm the hostage. Not bad.'

The dagger pierced the exact spot where the nerves were concentrated, just above the clavicle. The scientific basis for this tactic is that the brachial plexus controls the motor and sensory functions of the arm. When these nerves are damaged or disrupted, it can cause immediate paralysis or weakness in the arm.

–THUD!

The assailant's arm went limp, the weapon falling from his hand. The sudden loss of control over his arm caused him to stagger, his attention completely diverted from the hostage. Astron moved swiftly, using the moment to disarm and subdue the assailant. He secured the assailant with a quick, efficient movement, ensuring there was no further threat.

She had already confirmed that he was also knowledgeable about things related to human anatomy as she tested him with different weapons.

Astron quickly secured the hostage, guiding them through the building and out to safety. The entire operation was conducted with remarkable efficiency and decisiveness.

"Final mission completed. Elapsed time: 11 minutes, thirty-eight seconds."

Dakota announced. But she was not finished.

"The total time elapsed in missions: forty-three minutes and thirty-four seconds."

And the entire room went silent.

-----------------A/W--------------

Astron did not use his [Shadowborne] because it is a trait originated from a [Primodial Demon], and he suspects that the organization can spot the origin of the skill. Hope this clarifies if you ask why he did not use that. 

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