Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 733 167.1 - Return to the Academy

The faint aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the hotel suite as Irina stepped out of the bathroom, her fiery hair damp and clinging to her shoulders. She wore a soft white robe, loosely tied around her waist, the faint heat of her skin still lingering from the shower.

Her amber eyes swept the room, landing on Astron seated in the plush armchair near the small tea table. He had also showered, his damp hair tousled, and wore simple black pajamas that added to his relaxed yet composed demeanor.

On the table beside him sat a teapot and two cups, one of which emitted faint wisps of steam. Irina's lips curved into a small smile as she approached, her steps light on the carpeted floor. 'He made tea,' she thought, a flicker of warmth settling in her chest. It was a simple gesture, but after the day they'd had, it felt comforting.

She settled into the chair beside him, her movements uncharacteristically quiet. Reaching for the cup, she let her fingers linger on the warm porcelain before lifting it to her lips. The first sip was soothing, the earthy aroma mingling with the heat to chase away the last traces of tension from her body.

"Thanks," she said softly, her voice breaking the quiet but without disrupting the calm atmosphere.

Astron glanced at her, his sharp purple eyes briefly meeting hers. He gave a faint nod, his usual calmness ever-present. "I figured you'd need it."

Irina leaned back in her chair, the cup still cradled in her hands. The shower had done wonders for her mood, and the tea was a perfect follow-up. She felt lighter, more grounded, though the seriousness of their earlier encounter lingered at the edges of her thoughts. After a moment of silence, she spoke, her tone quieter than usual.

"So... Hawkins," she began, her voice carrying a note of resignation. "They really don't know when to quit."

Astron didn't reply immediately. He took a sip of his own tea, his gaze steady as he seemed to weigh his words. "They're escalating," he said finally, his tone matter-of-fact. "And it's not just about you anymore."

Irina sighed, setting her cup down on the table. "I know. They're not just after me- they're challenging my family. This isn't about personal grudges. It's about power, politics, and..." She hesitated, her fingers curling slightly. "And pride."

Astron tilted his head slightly, watching her carefully. "According to what you have said, they've been careful so far, but today's attack was different. It was reckless."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Or calculated," Irina countered, her amber eyes narrowing. "They wanted to send a message."

Irina's fingers tightened slightly around the teacup, the warmth seeping into her

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palms as she stared into the amber liquid. The thought of her mother's involvement in this matter brought a flicker of reassurance to her, but it was tempered by an undercurrent of unease. She exhaled softly, leaning back against the chair, her damp hair falling over her shoulder.

"I've already told my mother about this," she said, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm, but there was a weight to her words. "And as expected, she said she'd handle it. On her watch, no one dares to challenge the Emberheart family."

Astron didn't react outwardly, simply taking another sip of his tea as he regarded her with those ever-calm purple eyes. "Do you trust her methods?"

Irina let out a dry chuckle, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Her methods..." she echoed, her voice soft. "Let's just say I know exactly how she operates. And if the Hawkins think they've seen the worst of us, they're about to learn otherwise." 'Mother doesn't leave loose ends.' Irina's thoughts drifted to the cold efficiency her mother employed when protecting their family's name. If they dared to strike first, she'll make sure they regret it. No one plays with fire and walks away unscathed.' She set the cup down, her gaze flickering to Astron briefly. His composed demeanor seemed unshaken, as though he had already considered every angle of the situation before she'd even mentioned it. It was a quiet strength that Irina found herself appreciating more than she cared to admit.

Reassured by her mother's resolve, Irina allowed herself to relax slightly. Her thoughts wandered to the events of the day, the tension and danger that had unfolded with an almost surreal intensity. But as the adrenaline ebbed, she found herself reflecting on something else-something that made her lips curve into a small, unbidden smile.

'It's strange,' she thought, her gaze softening as it lingered on Astron. Today wasn't what I expected. Our trip was interrupted, derailed by danger and chaos, but... it wasn't all bad."

She glanced at him again, noting the way he seemed so effortlessly calm despite everything they'd gone through. "This is the first time I've been in a situation like that with just him. Back in the Phantom's Land, Sylvie was there too. But today... it was just us. And somehow, I liked that.'

Her smile faded slightly, replaced by a faint blush as she leaned her cheek against her hand. 'What am I even thinking? Liking a life-and-death situation? That's not normal. But... it was different. Trusting someone to watch my back, knowing he's there, steady as ever... it felt good."

Astron's voice interrupted her thoughts, low and steady as always. "You're unusually quiet."

Irina blinked, straightening slightly as she realized she'd been lost in her thoughts. "Just thinking," she said, brushing it off with a faint shrug. "Today was... different." Astron tilted his head slightly. his sharp purple eyes studving her with quiet curiosity.

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"How different?"

Irina let out a soft laugh, her fingers tapping lightly against her teacup as she leaned back in her chair. "Just... different from what I expected this trip to be," she admitted. "I thought it would be quieter-museum tours, good food, a bit of normalcy. But..." She paused, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "It wasn't bad."

Astron raised an eyebrow, his gaze steady. "Apparently, a bit of action is always good" Irina chuckled, setting her teacup down as she turned to him. "For people like us- who've been thrown into the chaos of life so many times-doesn't normalcy get a

little... boring?"

Astron didn't answer immediately. Instead, his gaze shifted toward the window, the city lights reflected in his calm, unreadable eyes. The silence stretched between them, not awkward but weighted, as though he were considering her words carefully. Irina watched him for a moment, her amber eyes softening as a bold idea sparked in her mind. She hesitated briefly, her fingers brushing against the armrest of her chair. 'What's wrong with me today?' she thought, but the idea wouldn't leave her. Before she could overthink it, she moved.

Leaning forward, she shifted in her seat and rested her head on his shoulder. The motion was fluid but tentative as if testing the waters of a new dynamic. Astron didn't. react immediately, though she felt the faintest stiffening in his posture before he

relaxed, allowing her presence.

"You didn't answer," she murmured, her voice quieter now, almost teasing.

"Didn't need to," Astron replied, his tone calm but with a faint edge of amusement.

Irina smirked against his shoulder, the tension in her chest easing slightly. She closed her eyes, her fiery hair brushing against his arm as she let herself settle into the moment. Maybe normalcy isn't as boring as I thought,' she mused, though she didn't say it aloud. Instead, she stayed where she was, content to enjoy the rare calm

between them.

For now, the weight of the Hawkins and their challenges could wait.

Since she knew that not much time was left.

********

After the first semester of the Academy had ended, Ethan's life had been consumed by

a grueling yet rewarding routine. While most students might have taken the Academy's 1.5-month break as an opportunity to relax, Ethan had no intention of slacking off. The bitter taste of his previous shortcomings, combined with the drive to grow stronger, propelled him forward.

At his home in Hartley Manor, Ethan immersed himself in relentless training. The serene estate, nestled amidst sprawling fields and dense woodlands, became the

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perfect battleground for his self-imposed regimen.

But then suddenly he was taken to a mountain to train.

However, this was no ordinary training-it was a specialized program designed by his

aunt, Kaya Hartley, an S-rank hunter known for her rigorous standards and unmatched skill. Her reputation as a warrior who thrived in impossible situations was legendary, and her methods were as unforgiving as they were effective.

Under Kaya's watchful eye, Ethan endured:

Physical Conditioning:

Early mornings began with intense workouts designed to push his body to its limits.

Weighted runs, obstacle courses, and endurance drills in harsh environments were staples of the program. The once-gentle morning breeze now carried the echo of his labored breaths and the thud of his determined strides.

Combat Drills:

Kaya's personal touch came in the form of grueling sparring sessions. She attacked

Ethan with relentless ferocity, forcing him to hone his reflexes and adapt to unpredictable scenarios. Wooden weapons, live mana practice, and even hand-to-hand combat became part of their daily duels.

"You'll face worse than this in the real world," Kaya would say, her sharp blue eyes

locking onto his. "If you hesitate, you die. Remember that."

Mana Mastery:

Kaya emphasized not just the use of raw mana but its precise control. Ethan spent

hours meditating to refine his mana channels, practicing intricate techniques, and experimenting with combining aura and elemental energy. His once-basic grasp of mana flow had grown into something far more advanced.

Mental Fortitude:

To round off his training, Kaya introduced him to scenarios designed to test his resolve. Simulations of combat under pressure, mind games, and tactical decision-making drills pushed him to think several steps ahead in any situation. Today, on a peaceful Sunday, Ethan stood in the middle of the Hartley training grounds, drenched in sweat but brimming with a newfound sense of power. His muscles ached, but it was a satisfying pain-the kind that spoke of growth and progress. His breathing slowed as he looked up at the cloudless sky, the sunlight warm

against his face.

"Not bad," Kaya said, leaning against the wooden fence nearby. Her arms were crossed, and a rare smile played on her lips. "You've come a long way, Ethan. Stronger, faster, sharper. I'd even say you're beginning to remind me of your father." Ethan's blue eyes flickered with determination. "I'm still far from where I need to be."

"Good." Kaya's smile turned into a smirk. "Complacency is the death of greatness."

She tossed him a towel, which he caught with ease. As he wiped the sweat from his face, he couldn't help but reflect on how far he had come. The Ethan who had stumbled during fights at the Academy felt like a distant memory. Now, he stood taller,

not just in strength but in confidence and purpose.

"Now, you are allowed to go down to the city...... And, Ethan was now finally allowed to go to his home......

'Heh.....it has been a while.....'

He thought as he smiled.

He had really missed his friends.....