Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

494  Chapter 113.2 - Rewards

I made my way back to my room; my mind focused on the words Reina had left me with. The sense of the impending missions was already settling in, but I felt ready, or as ready as I could be.

The rewards I had received were a tangible reminder of the progress I had made, but the real test was yet to come.

As I reached the door to my room, I heard familiar voices inside. Pushing the door open, I found Kael and Lyra, who had just returned from their own training sessions. They both looked up as I entered, and Lyra immediately broke into a teasing grin.

"Well, well, look who's here at a normal hour for once," Lyra quipped, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Did you finally decide to take a break from all that nonstop training?"

I nodded my head, knowing she wasn't entirely wrong. Usually, by this time, I would still be immersed in some form of training, pushing myself to the limit. But today was different.

"Actually," I replied, my tone casual, "my training here has finished."

The room fell silent instantly, Lyra's teasing smile fading as she processed my words. Kael, who had been busy unpacking his gear, froze mid-motion, his eyes snapping up to meet mine.

"Your training for 'today' has finished, right?" Lyra asked cautiously as if seeking clarification.

I shook my head, keeping my expression calm but serious. "No. My training here has finished. From now on, I'll be sent on missions."

The moment the words left my mouth, both Lyra and Kael's eyes widened in shock. They exchanged a quick glance before turning back to me, their mouths slightly agape.

"Missions already?" Kael finally managed to say, disbelief coloring his voice. "That's… fast."

Lyra's usual playful demeanor was replaced by a more serious expression as she looked at me. "Are you sure you're ready for that? I mean, I know you've been training hard, but… missions are a whole different level."

"They think I am ready."

"I can see that…..But are you really ready? It has just been three weeks."

What Lyra was saying made sense. Who would have believed that one would become a fully-fledged member in just three weeks?

But at the same time, they looked like they had forgotten that I was a student of Arcadia Hunter Academy.

"I am ready." And I started getting bored in this place. While training and other things were fine, without putting them to use, why would it matter?

My goal was never to become the strongest, after all. "You really are something," Lyra said. I could see that she was genuinely surprised. Normally, being in a child's body was made up of illusions, and most of the emotions she would show were fake.

But this time, it looked genuine.

Kael nodded in agreement, his brow furrowed in thought. "Yeah, how did you manage it so fast? Is it because you're of a different breed, like everyone else has been saying? Or is there something else going on?"

I couldn't help but feel my mouth twitch slightly at the mention of being "a different breed." For the past two weeks, it seemed like that phrase had become my unofficial title among the trainees. It was starting to make me cringe every time I heard it.

Shaking my head, I let out a small sigh. "It's not about being a 'different breed' or anything like that. I've just been focused, that's all. I came here with a goal, and I've been working toward it."

Lyra tilted her head, studying me with those sharp eyes of hers. "You make it sound so simple, but I guess it's not that surprising. I've seen how you train and approach everything. It's like you're always thinking three steps ahead."

Kael chuckled, though there was still a hint of disbelief in his voice. "I guess that's what it takes to stand out around here. But still, getting through training that quickly… You really are something else, Astron."

I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "I've just been doing what needs to be done. No point in dragging things out."

But even as I said that I knew there was more to it than just hard work. The truth was that I was indeed of a "different breed," but let's not acknowledge that.

But I wasn't about to dive into the details with them. It wasn't necessary, and besides, they had their own paths to follow.

"Well," Lyra said, her voice softening as she smiled, "whatever the case, you've earned it. But seriously, don't push yourself too hard out there. We heard that missions can be unpredictable, and you never know what might happen."

"I'll keep that in mind," I replied.

"Sigh….Who am I even talking to….With how you have done things before, you would do it easily…." He said and then looked back.

"Do you want to eat something? We have ordered pizza."

I nodded to Kael, appreciating the offer but knowing that my mind was elsewhere. "Not now. I need to take care of something first."

"Alright," Kael replied, waving a hand dismissively. "You know where to find us if you change your mind."

With that, I turned and made my way to my room. As soon as I stepped inside, I closed the door behind me and immediately activated the room's soundproofing function.

The hum of energy surged as the room's walls seemed to thicken, isolating me from the outside world.

I then moved to deactivate the signals that monitored and transmitted data from within the room. While the surveillance was likely a safety measure, ensuring the well-being of trainees by monitoring their mana levels and physical health, it wasn't something I was comfortable with.

During my training with Reina, I learned how to decipher psion lines and detect the subtle flows of energy in the environment. It was during these lessons that I realized each room had surveillance woven into its very structure.

The lines of psion energy that transmitted data were invisible to most, but to my trained eyes, they were clear. While the organization likely used this for health monitoring, I wasn't interested in giving away any more information than necessary. Blocking a part of the data transfer was my way of maintaining some semblance of privacy.

Once I was confident that the room was secure, I turned my attention to the box containing my rewards. I took a deep breath, feeling the anticipation build as I opened it.

The first item I retrieved was [Celestalith], manifesting it in its formless state. The weapon appeared as a shimmering mist in my hand, its ethereal presence comforting in its familiarity.

Next, I carefully took out the [Moonstone] from its protective casing. The moment the [Moonstone] was exposed to the air, [Celestalith] reacted.

A soft glow emanated from the weapon, its misty form pulsing with energy. Without hesitation, I held the [Moonstone] closer to [Celestalith], and in an instant, the weapon absorbed it, drawing the [Moonstone] into its core.

The room was suddenly filled with a brilliant light as [Celestalith] began to change. I could feel the weapon's energy surging around me, its presence enveloping me in a cocoon of power. It was as if the weapon was alive, moving through the air and wrapping itself around me. The sensation was overwhelming, a blend of warmth and strength that left me breathless.

Then, just as quickly as it began, the light faded, and the room returned to its dim, soundproofed state. I looked down at my hand and saw the new form that [Celestalith] had taken.

The weapon was no longer just a formless mist; it had taken on a shape, a form that was perfectly suited for a [Martial Artist], a testament to the influence of my recent training with Dakota.

The weapon had split into two distinct parts, covering both my hands and feet. The material felt like a seamless extension of my own body, wrapping around my fists and forming a sleek, almost gauntlet-like structure.

The metal was dark and reflective, with subtle, flowing patterns etched into the surface that resembled the phases of the moon. It was flexible yet firm, allowing for full movement while providing enhanced protection and striking power.

My feet were similarly covered, the metal forming a light, almost boot-like structure that extended up to my ankles. The design was sleek and streamlined, allowing for swift and fluid movement. The soles had a subtle grip, ensuring that I could maintain my balance and agility in any situation. The material was flexible enough to accommodate the full range of martial arts stances and techniques while also reinforcing the strength of my kicks.

As I flexed my fingers, I felt the energy of [Celestalith] respond to my will, shifting and adapting to my movements.

'Indeed, just as I thought….The weapon now has a different form.'

From then on, I slowly started inferring some things.

'For me to unlock a new weapon form, do I need to get an enlightenment?'

This was something that had been in my mind for a while now. Why were there some specific weapons that Celestalith could form?

Was there a correlation?

At first, I thought about the book that I had found. There were only five phases mentioned in that book. But now, I can easily say that there are more than just five.

There can be more.

Just like this one.

The [Martial Arts] form, or the transparent [Lunar Mana].

That meant there could be possibly more.

'I feel like it is highly linked to that figure….'

Every type of weapon that [Celestalith] had transformed into was displayed by that figure.

'It must be.'

But in the end, the information was still limited for the time being.

As I continued to test the weapon, I noticed something remarkable. With each strike I made, a shockwave rippled through the air, a forceful burst that seemed to carry the weight of my attack far beyond its physical reach.

From then on, it was not hard to infer that this form of [Celestalith] was not just about physical enhancement; it was about amplifying the impact of each move, extending its power and reach.

I paused, flexing my fingers and feeling the energy of [Celestalith] flow through me. The shockwaves weren't just a byproduct—they were a fundamental aspect of this form's abilities.

This form was designed for a [Martial Artist], allowing me to harness my own physical power and convert it into a force that could dominate the battlefield.

Intrigued, I opened the panel to examine [Celestalith]'s updated properties.

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▶ Celestalith, the Transcendent Eclipse ◀

Type: Weapon Grade: ????? (Growth Type - Stage 1)

Description: Celestalith is a unique, ethereal weapon created through the masterful craftsmanship of Vorgvir, the legendary blacksmith. It is a manifestation of the bond between the wielder, Astron Natusalune, and the essence, infused with the essence of the Forbidden Mana Nucleus.

The weapon has six different forms, each form containing a different ability, outline, and type of mana that is used by Astron Natusalune. Each mana type has its corresponding weapon outline specialized in the form of utilizing the effects to the maximum. Celestalith is the epitome of the weapons precisely crafted for Astron Natusalune, and it is highly related to the user's traits.

Properties:

Nocturnis, the Twilight Gaze (Green Moon): A ranged form that condenses energy into bullets, allowing precise and powerful long-range attacks.

Solstice, the Solar Ignition (Blue Moon): Transforms into a bow, creating explosive bursts with each arrow shot, suitable for versatile mid-range combat.

Lunaris, the Moon's Embrace (Red Moon): Dual blades that slash through the air, leaving a trail of crimson energy capable of withering anything in its path.

Astra, the Celestial Discs (Silver Moon): A pair of spinning discs connected by threads of silver energy, displaying graceful and mesmerizing movements for both offense and defense.

Umbralith, the Darkened Nebula (Black Moon): Utilizes a set of rings to control dark forces and crush the surroundings, demonstrating overwhelming gravitational power.

Vortexium, the Eclipsed Tempest (New Moon): The latest form, suited for a Martial Artist, covers the hands and feet with dark, reflective metal that channels shockwaves with every strike. This form amplifies physical attacks, allowing the user to project their power beyond physical limits, creating devastating force through air and space.

Celestalith is the epitome of the weapons precisely crafted for Astron Natusalune, and it is highly related to his trait [Lunar Enigma]. Since it is the manifestation of the user's inner essence, the growth of the weapon is linked to the growth of the user to a large extent. Every time the user experiences growth related to their traits, the weapon Celestalith will also experience growth.

Current Stage: Stage 1

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As I read through the updated panel, I nodded my head. Just as I had thought, the Celestalith had received a new form.