Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 793 Chapter 183.3 - Outer Currents

Chapter 793  Chapter 183.3 - Outer Currents

<Headmaster Jonathan's Office>  
The heavy oak doors of the Headmaster's office creaked open, revealing the grand yet somber room within. The late afternoon sun streamed through the tall arched windows, casting long shadows over the polished wooden floor. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with tomes of knowledge spanning centuries, while an ornate desk stood as the centerpiece, cluttered with reports, letters, and sealed envelopes bearing the academy's crest. 
Behind the desk sat Headmaster Jonathan, a man of sharp features and a graying beard that only added to his air of authority. His deep-set eyes, framed by wire-rimmed glasses, were fixed on a document before him, though his furrowed brow and tightened lips betrayed his irritation. 
Before him stood Professor Eleanor and her daughter, Vice Headmaster Amelia. Eleanor was composed, her hands clasped in front of her, while Amelia had her arms crossed, her sharp eyes mirroring her mother's determined gaze. 
Jonathan sighed, setting the document aside. His voice carried the weight of both authority and frustration as he addressed them. 
"Let me make this clear," he began, leaning back in his chair. "I was, and still am, against the Mentorship Program in its current form. With the recent attacks on the academy, introducing an initiative that sends our cadets out into the field alongside hunters is not only risky but borderline reckless." 
Eleanor inclined her head slightly, her tone calm but firm. "Headmaster, I agree with you. I've reviewed the potential vulnerabilities this program creates, and there's no denying the risks involved. With the current instability in the Federation—particularly the conflicts between the Hartley-Phillips and Hawkins-Emberheart families—it feels like the worst possible time to push for something like this." 
Jonathan's gaze softened slightly at her agreement but quickly turned steely again. "And yet here we are, forced to bow to the government's demands. They've dangled more resources in front of us like bait and threatened cuts if we refuse. Normally, I would push back—I would fight them—but this…" He paused, his voice dropping. "The families. They're the ones who've complicated everything." 
Eleanor nodded. "It's true. The families are fully convinced this is a step forward for their children. They see it as an invaluable opportunity for them to gain experience and forge connections with professional hunters. Convincing them otherwise would be an uphill battle." Her amber eyes flashed with restrained frustration. "But that doesn't make it the right decision." 
Jonathan's lips pressed into a thin line. "Exactly. They're being shortsighted, Eleanor. They don't see the bigger picture. These cadets came here for protection, for education—not to be used as pawns in the government's schemes or thrust into the chaos of the outside world before they're ready." 
Amelia uncrossed her arms, stepping forward. Her voice, though respectful, carried a distinct edge of conviction. "Father, with all due respect, I disagree. Hunters don't grow stronger in safety. They grow through experience, through challenges. This program, while risky, gives the cadets exactly that—an opportunity to face the real world while still under guidance. Sheltering them here won't prepare them for what's out there." 
Jonathan's glare turned icy as he fixed his daughter with a piercing look. "And you think throwing them into the fire is the answer? Chaos is spreading across the Federation, Amelia. The Hartley-Phillips conflict alone has destabilized half a dozen markets. And the Hawkins-Emberheart feud? It's spilling over into areas that were once neutral. Every day, new skirmishes erupt, new alliances are formed, and new enemies emerge. You call that 'real-world experience'? I call it recklessness." 
Amelia didn't flinch. "It's the reality they'll face the moment they leave this academy. Hunters aren't trained to live in comfort; they're trained to survive. This program provides them with a controlled introduction to that reality. Yes, it's dangerous, but so is the life they've chosen." 
Jonathan's jaw tightened. "You're not seeing the bigger picture. This push is too thorough. The government is insistent, yes, but the families being so easily convinced? That wasn't part of the plan. Someone is working behind the scenes, Amelia. And until I understand who or why, I won't believe this program is as innocent as it seems." 
Eleanor broke the rising tension, her voice measured and calm. "Headmaster, I understand your concerns—and Amelia's perspective. But at this point, we're past debating whether the program should proceed. The government has made it clear: if we don't comply, they'll cut our resources. That's a risk we can't afford to take." 
Jonathan's fists clenched on the desk. His frustration was palpable, but he knew she was right. "The academy has never been a pawn for the government to manipulate, Eleanor. I've spent decades ensuring our independence….Sigh…" 
Amelia stepped forward again, her tone softer but no less determined. "Father, the cadets are stronger than you give them credit for. If we implement strict oversight and ensure the hunters are thoroughly vetted, we can make this program work without unnecessary risks. It doesn't have to compromise the academy's integrity." 
"Integrity…" Jonathan mumbled, the word slipping from his lips as though it carried an air of mockery. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of disbelief and quiet resignation. A humorless chuckle followed, low and dry. "Integrity. As if that's something they've left us the luxury to maintain." 
He stared at the documents on his desk for a long moment, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. Finally, he exhaled sharply, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the polished wood surface. His voice carried a bitter undertone. "The Federation shifts day by day. Young blood surges forward, alliances fracture and reform, and the power dynamics are shifting under our feet. In a time like this, they force our hand. And for what? A facade of opportunity? A convenient stage for their posturing?" 
His gaze shifted to Eleanor, the sharpness in his eyes softening ever so slightly. "Tell me, Eleanor. Has the list of hunters participating in this farce been finalized?" 
Eleanor inclined her head, her composure unwavering. "Yes, Headmaster. The list is finalized. I have it here." She reached into her satchel, producing a sleek tablet. With a tap, the names of the selected hunters illuminated the room in a faint glow. 
Jonathan gestured for her to hand it over. Taking the tablet, his eyes scanned the list, his expression unreadable. "Callum Graves… Thunderblade Knight. Amelia Lake… her elemental precision has a reputation, though she tends to take risks. Selena Vayl… Moonlit Enchanter," 
His voice carried the practiced authority of a man who knew the hunters as well as he knew his own cadets. 
'Quite a fine names we have here….I guess, Callum and Amelia wanted to volunteer….' 
Sharing the same name as his daughter, Amelia Callum was one of his own students after all. 
But then his eyes froze at the last name on the list. 
"Kaya Hartley," he read aloud. 
He set the tablet down on the desk, his hand lingering over it for a moment as though confirming what he had just read. His expression shifted from surprise to a contemplative frown, and he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "Kaya," he muttered under his breath, the name heavy with meaning. 
Of all the names he had expected to see, hers was not one of them. Kaya Hartley—the so-called genius of the Hartley family. A prodigy as much as she was a force of nature, Kaya had always been an enigma, even during her brief time at the academy. 
"She wasn't the type to stay within these walls," Jonathan said, half to himself. His sharp gaze lifted to Eleanor. "You remember her. Always restless, always wanting to venture beyond the confines of this place. Even when she was here, it was clear she had little patience for the structure, the rules. She wanted more—always more." 
Eleanor nodded, her expression composed. "I do remember, Headmaster. She was a remarkable talent, undeniably so. But you're right—she never seemed at home here. She had the drive and brilliance to outpace most of her peers, but her mind was always set on the wider world, not the academy's teachings." 
Jonathan tapped a finger against the desk, his brow furrowed. "And now she's back. Volunteering for this program, no less. What do you make of that?" 
Eleanor's response was measured, her voice steady. "This must be the Hartley family's response to the changes in the Federation. With the conflicts spreading, they likely see this as a way to consolidate their position." 
Jonathan considered her words, his expression unreadable. "Hmm. That would explain it." He exhaled sharply, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the desk again. "I spoke with Kaya during the final exams. Even then, she wasn't one to follow convention, but I never imagined this. I thought she'd stay away from this place for good." 
His voice softened, a rare hint of admiration slipping through his otherwise guarded tone. "Still… her inclusion isn't necessarily a bad thing. Kaya is one of the strongest hunters in the entire Human Domain. Her skill and experience are undeniable. If anyone can guide these cadets and show them what it truly means to be a hunter, she can also be in that list." 
"I definitely do a better job." 
"Surely, you do "