Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 659 145.1 - Emberheart Mansion

As the initial rush of excitement settled, Irina felt herself slowly return to her usual, more composed self. The fluttering in her chest faded, leaving behind a calm awareness. Her gaze shifted, and for the first time in a long while, she looked at Astron from a different perspective—not as the person she felt a growing attachment to, but as an Awakened, someone whose power had evolved in ways she hadn't expected.

'This… he really has grown…'

Her eyes traced over him with a calculating intensity, and she felt a pang of realization. Before, she could always sense the limits of his strength, and could somewhat grasp where he stood, even if his presence was a mystery.

Astron had always been someone who could cloak himself in silence, his aura faint yet steady, a shadow at times—someone who could slip away unnoticed. Yet, when he wanted to, he could be solid, an unyielding force even if his power hadn't matched his resolve.

But now… it was different.

Irina's mind raced as she studied him in silence, sensing a depth of strength she hadn't expected. She could no longer measure him as she once did; his presence had become layered, like the quiet hum of Etheria Haven itself—a power hidden beneath the surface, waiting. There was an undeniable aura around him now, an energy that felt impenetrable, almost unsettling in its calm.

'What did he go through?' she wondered, a faint chill creeping down her spine. The Astron she remembered was strong, yes, but this…

This was someone who felt like he could bend reality if he so chose, someone whose quiet demeanor belied an overwhelming strength lying dormant beneath.

Irina's gaze lingered on him, her mind swirling with thoughts she hadn't expected. She'd always known Astron was dedicated—someone who trained relentlessly, who honed his skills with a sharp mind and a tenacity that set him apart. She had respected that about him, admired it, even. But there had always been a quiet, unspoken understanding in the back of her mind: if it came down to a fight, she was stronger. She could defeat him.

Now… she wasn't so sure.

A part of her instincts whispered that if they faced off at this moment, the outcome would be uncertain. And that thought, strange as it was, stirred something deep within her—a mixture of intrigue, caution, and a new sense of respect. The idea that he could transform so drastically in just a month was both unsettling and exhilarating.

'What kind of training did he go through?' she wondered, still searching his face for clues he wouldn't reveal. Whatever he had faced, it had hardened him and brought something out of him that hadn't been there before. The calm, faint aura that used to surround him had grown into something impenetrable, a quiet strength layered with a sense of boundless potential.

A faint smile tugged at her lips as she looked away, her thoughts spiraling in a direction she hadn't anticipated. 'The academy… maybe it was holding him back.'

It was an insolent thought.

The best academy in the world. How could it hold someone back?

But what if?

The thought was both a realization and a revelation. The controlled, limited environment of Arcadia Hunter Academy could only push someone so far. But out there, beyond its boundaries, Astron had encountered something that had reshaped him entirely.

Or maybe, she was just wrong…..

Whatever, it was, it didn't matter.

Astron's voice broke through her thoughts, jolting her back to the present. "Looked enough?" he asked, his tone as calm as ever, though she detected the slightest hint of amusement.

Realizing she'd been staring at him without realizing it, Irina quickly composed herself, crossing her arms and giving a small, defiant huff. "Humph! And what if it wasn't enough?" she shot back, masking her momentary fluster with her usual confidence.

He raised an eyebrow, a faint raise at his lips. "Then I'd say that's your problem," he replied smoothly. "It's hardly my fault if I've become this… charming."

She blinked, momentarily speechless. This narcissistic bastard. Of course, he'd turn it around, just like that. Her face flushed slightly as she glared at him, her earlier admiration quickly tempered by irritation.

"Charming?" she muttered under her breath, barely able to keep herself from rolling her eyes. "If you're any more charming, you'll be insufferable."

Astron's amusement didn't fade, and he settled back in his seat, clearly pleased with her reaction. He'd seen through her flustered moment entirely, and she could practically see him storing it away for later teasing.

"But you…" Irina's voice softened, genuine admiration slipping through her usual teasing tone. "You have become really strong…"

Astron glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You're not so different," he replied. "I can tell you've gotten stronger too."

She raised an eyebrow, a small, pleased smile forming on her lips. "You can tell?"

He nodded thoughtfully. "Your body's more toned, and you've become more resistant to mana effects. Your willpower feels sharper—like you've tempered it somehow."

Irina gave a satisfied nod. "The Chamber of Emberheart. I had to… burn myself, and push past my limits. That's why." She glanced down at her hands, almost as if she could still feel the echoes of the intense flames she'd endured. It had been grueling, but she could feel the difference, even if her mother had barely acknowledged it.

As the memory faded, her curiosity took over, and her eyes drifted back to him, studying his features once more. What happened to this bastard's face? The transformation was undeniable, and she couldn't help but wonder about it.

She'd heard of certain elixirs, ancient techniques, or even rare artifacts rumored to enhance beauty or alter one's appearance, but she'd always brushed them off as exaggerated tales. Not that she'd ever needed them herself; she'd been naturally blessed with her own beauty.

But now…

She frowned, tilting her head slightly as she considered him. "Did you… do something specific to get this look?" Her tone was half-serious, half-teasing, but her curiosity was genuine. "You look… almost too perfect, even for you."

Astron raised an eyebrow, a faint glint of humor in his eyes. "Are you saying you find me perfect?" he replied, his voice smooth as silk, clearly enjoying her reaction.

Irina scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Don't get too full of yourself, Astron. I'm just curious. If you're going to walk around with a face that looks like it belongs in an ancient hero's portrait, the least you can do is share the secret."

"Nothing so dramatic, I assure you," he said, though he didn't offer more than that, leaving her curiosity unsatisfied. "I just absorbed a flower."

"A flower? What flower?"

What kind of flower was that to have an effect like this? There was just no way, it was a normal flower.

If that was a normal flower, then what is the point of having an aesthetical surgery? Everyone would be the most beautiful then?

Astron shook his head lightly, an amused expression on his face. "It was just a flower I encountered in a forest," he replied, his tone casual, almost dismissive. "Didn't expect it to have this… side effect. Pure luck, really."

Irina narrowed her eyes, skepticism creeping in. A flower? In a forest? That simple explanation did little to satisfy her curiosity. What kind of forest would hold a flower with effects this powerful? And why did it feel like he was conveniently glossing over some key details?

'This bastard is hiding something,' she thought, her instincts kicking in. There was more to this story than he was letting on, and every fiber of her intuition told her that. She was just about to press him further, to peel back the layers of this mystery and get to the truth, when—

"Miss," Esme's voice came from the driver's seat, calm and efficient. "We have arrived."

Irina blinked, her train of thought momentarily interrupted as she looked outside the window. They had pulled into the familiar drive of her family's mansion, the grand structure looming ahead, framed by the towering iron gates and lush greenery that marked the Emberheart estate. For a moment, the mystery of the flower slipped from her mind, replaced by the awareness of where they were.

With a slight sigh, she gave Astron a final, lingering glance, her curiosity far from satisfied. "This isn't over," she murmured, barely loud enough for him to hear as she gathered herself.

"….."

Astron did not reply, simply looking at the estate and the mansion itself.

As the car came to a smooth stop, Irina straightened, the faint anticipation for what lay ahead mingling with her lingering curiosity about Astron's story. She would get her answers eventually—one way or another.

But for now, she had the entire Emberheart estate to navigate with him by her side, and that, she realized, was bound to hold its own challenges.

Especially her mother.

She needed to pass this ordeal.

******

The Matriarch sat in her office, her hands folded elegantly on the desk, the golden rays of the late afternoon sun filtering through the tall windows behind her. The time was already nearing 2:15 PM, and her eyes flicked briefly to the clock.

"She is late," she murmured, the faintest hint of annoyance threading her words. Irina was rarely late, especially when it concerned matters she held close to her heart.

But annoyance alone was not enough. With a wave of her hand, the Matriarch activated her magic computer. In an instant, a dozen holographic screens materialized before her, each displaying various streams of news and surveillance feeds. Her gaze shifted between them until one headline caught her attention—a name that appeared all too frequently in recent times.

The screen displayed images of her daughter, Irina, alongside a young man.

Her mother's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze sharpening as she took in the details. In the photograph, Irina was seen embracing him—a warm, unrestrained gesture that contrasted with the stoic composure she typically displayed in public.

The Matriarch's lips curved into a faint smile, though the glint in her eyes was anything but warm. She studied the image, her expression unreadable as her fingers tapped slowly against the edge of her desk.

"So," she murmured to herself, her tone laced with a mixture of intrigue and challenge, "this is truly the path you want to take."

For a long moment, she sat in silence, her eyes lingering on the image of Irina and Astron.

'He indeed looks good enough.' The photograph revealed more than just a bond; it exposed Irina's willingness to defy expectations, to stand openly beside him. It was a declaration, one that would not go unnoticed by their family's allies and rivals alike.

The Matriarch leaned back in her chair, her smile fading as she considered the implications. Her daughter's choices were becoming bolder, more visible—and with that visibility came risk. But there was also potential if Astron proved himself worthy.

Her gaze flickered to another screen, displaying information about Astron, his origins, his recent actions, and any scraps of data her intelligence network had managed to collect. She would study him, assess every detail, every action. Irina's loyalty to him had piqued her curiosity, but loyalty alone was not enough. If Astron could withstand the scrutiny and prove himself valuable, he might yet hold a place within her carefully guarded plans.

With a final, thoughtful look at the images on the screen, she closed the holograms, her resolve set. "Very well, Irina. If this is your choice, then let us see where it leads. I will give you enough time, for now."

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