Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest-Chapter 674 - 149.1 - Really

With their exchange winding down, Irina cast a quick glance at Esme, who had been silently observing from a distance. As she'd anticipated, Esme's expression betrayed a hint of disapproval, her usual calm demeanor tinged with something sharper. The display between her and Astron had evidently struck a nerve, though Irina felt little concern. 'We didn't do anything wrong,' she thought with a shrug. Besides, she'd made her intentions toward Astron quite clear from the beginning, even if Esme had reservations.

Esme stepped forward, her gaze shifting between Irina and Astron, before settling on the bracelet. "Is this truly your final choice?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with curiosity. Irina could sense her subtle intrigue—Esme, like herself, was likely wondering what Astron had seen in such a simple piece.

Irina watched Astron, who only nodded in quiet confirmation, his expression unchanging. She noticed the brief flicker of curiosity in Esme's eyes as she studied the bracelet once more. "To choose a modest artifact like this… I suppose there must be something unique to it," she murmured, half to herself. "After all, anyone who can endure the Chamber of Emberheart has already proven to be resilient. And since you are one of those, I wonder what you have seen in it."

Irina felt a pang of pride at Esme's words, realizing how Astron's reputation was growing even within her own household.

Astron glanced at Esme, his expression as calm as ever. "What do you think, Miss Esme? Can you sense anything different about this bracelet?" His tone was polite, but Irina couldn't help but feel there was a subtle edge to his question, almost as if he were testing her perception—or her opinion of him.

Esme's gaze lowered to the bracelet, her face composed as she examined it, though Irina could see her cautious pause. "I can't sense anything out of the ordinary," she replied, her tone respectful but measured. "And I certainly don't possess qualifications above those of the appraisers who have examined it. They would have noted any unique properties." She lifted her gaze, the statement hanging in the air as a quiet challenge. If Astron was mistaken about this artifact, it might imply he had overestimated his insight, possibly lowering his standing within the household's eyes.

Astron, however, didn't seem fazed. He shrugged slightly, his expression unbothered. "That's normal," he replied with an expressionless face. "Most people wouldn't notice. You don't need to worry." The words were mild, yet there was an unmistakable undertone that Irina picked up on—a subtle assertion that Esme was just like most people in matters such as these, lacking the insight he possessed.

Esme's eyebrows lifted ever so slightly, her gaze sharpening, though she maintained her composure. She chose not to respond, merely inclining her head in acknowledgment, though Irina could sense the flicker of disapproval beneath her stoic expression.

With a final nod from Esme, who had been observing them carefully from the start, Irina and Astron exited the Emberheart armory. Esme had seen every move they'd made, noting that Astron had only taken the single item the Matriarch had allowed. Satisfied that nothing amiss had transpired, she closed the doors behind them, leaving the two alone in the quiet hallway.

They stepped out into the slightly cool air of the Etheria Haven, the twilight casting a gentle, muted glow over the surroundings. Irina took a deep breath, letting the crispness of the evening air calm the lingering thoughts from their exchange in the armory. A silence stretched between them, comfortable yet tinged with the weight of their earlier conversation.

Irina cast a sidelong glance at Astron, the bracelet now settled on his wrist. She still couldn't shake her curiosity—there had to be more to that artifact than met the eye. He walked with his usual calm, but there was an undeniable air of satisfaction about him, like he'd achieved something only he understood.

"So… was this all part of the plan?" she asked her tone light yet probing.

"What do you think?" novelbuddy.cσ๓

As they walked, Irina's mind whirled with questions she didn't dare voice aloud. She cast another glance at Astron, her gaze narrowing as she took in his composed expression, that faint smirk still lingering on his face as if he were savoring some private victory.

She huffed, unable to resist. "I refuse to believe you'd go through the trouble of requesting access to the Emberheart armory, winning a bet and all, just to pick… that." Her words came out sharper than intended, her tone a mix of irritation and something else—a deeper curiosity she couldn't suppress.

Astron tilted his head, unbothered by her tone. "Is that so? And what did you expect?"

A pang of frustration flared within her. 'This guy,' she thought, clenching her fists subtly, 'why does he always act like he knows something no one else does?'

She thought of the other timeline—the world she'd glimpsed in fragments, where Astron was someone else entirely. So much of him didn't line up with what she remembered. It wasn't just his actions, but the way he looked at her, as though he held secrets too vast to even begin explaining. And those secrets weren't limited to his knowledge of her family or the academy; no, it was as if he saw through the very core of her, stripping away her pride and defenses with that unreadable gaze.

Irina hesitated, her thoughts tangling. She wanted to ask, needed to, but the courage seemed to slip from her grasp each time. How did he know so much about her, about her family, about the vulnerabilities she'd tried so hard to hide? Why did he behave differently than he should, as if shaped by some force she couldn't comprehend?

Yet, her voice faltered as she looked up at him. 'There's no way I can just ask him outright,' she thought, feeling the familiar weight of pride holding her back. She shook her head, trying to brush off the lingering questions, her voice softening. "Sometimes, it feels like you're… different," she murmured, barely loud enough for him to hear.

Astron's gaze flicked toward her, his expression curious. "Different, how?"

She swallowed, casting her eyes away. "It doesn't matter," she replied quickly, her cheeks warming as she realized she'd said more than she'd intended.

With their steps falling into a comfortable rhythm, Irina's thoughts turned to the deal she'd won through stubborn determination and a well-placed bet. She had brought Astron into the Emberheart armory, navigating the endless obstacles her mother had thrown her way, from sudden changes in plans to last-minute "tests of worthiness" designed to keep Astron out. But she'd done it—she'd fulfilled her end of the bargain.

And now it was his turn.

The thought brought a spark of excitement to her chest, something she'd held onto through the grueling weeks in the Chamber of Emberheart. The relentless fire, the constant pain—it had all been endurable because she knew that on the other side of it waited this moment. A whole week. Just her and Astron, no distractions, no outside interruptions, a promise he'd made when she won their bet.

She cast a glance his way, a flicker of anticipation showing in her eyes. "Now that I've delivered on my end, it's time for you to keep your promise, isn't it?"

Astron looked over at her, a hint of amusement softening his usually impassive face. "You mean you actually remember that?"

Irina rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she walked. "Of course, I remember. Do you think I endured three weeks of burning in the Chamber of Emberheart just to let this slip?" She huffed, though there was a playfulness to her tone that she couldn't hide. "For the whole week, you're mine. You promised."

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze steady. "I did. Though I have to admit, I'm curious what exactly you're planning."

She smirked, a mischievous glint lighting her eyes. "You'll find out soon enough. But first…" She hesitated, looking away as a flicker of uncertainty crossed her face. For all her anticipation, now that the moment was here, a small part of her felt oddly self-conscious. 'After all this time waiting, I can't back down now,' she thought, steeling herself.

"Hehehe…..You will see."

Hearing her saying that Astron raised his eyebrows.

Irina shot him a smug grin, crossing her arms with a self-satisfied look. 'Get a taste of your own medicine, you bastard,' she thought, feeling a surge of satisfaction at the baffled look in his eyes. Astron had left her hanging so many times, tossing her half-answers and cryptic remarks whenever it suited him, always keeping her guessing. Now, finally, it was her turn to keep him in the dark.

"Oh?" he asked, his curiosity piqued, but she could see the flicker of wariness beneath his calm expression.

But she wasn't about to give him anything more. "Just wait," she replied, practically humming with triumph. She could practically feel him straining to figure her out, and it was a glorious reversal.

They walked side by side, her mind racing with the plans she'd laid out for their week. Every detail was tucked away in her mind, carefully prepared. She wanted to give him a glimpse of her world—the parts she valued most. And, maybe, she wanted to learn more about him, to coax out the person beneath his usual guarded front.

In the silence, she felt the anticipation build, knowing she held all the cards this time. Glancing over at him, she caught the slight crease in his brow as he pondered, and her grin widened.

'Now you know how it feels to be on the other side,' she thought with a quiet thrill. 'Hope you're ready, Astron. This is just the beginning.'

As they continued walking, Astron suddenly stopped and turned to her with that familiar, unreadable expression of his. "By the way, Irina," he began, his tone casual, "is it possible to use one of your training grounds?"

Irina blinked, her momentum halted. "Our training grounds?" She raised an eyebrow, eyeing him with suspicion. "Why? Planning to give me a private show of your skills?"

He shrugged, his gaze unbothered. "Not quite," he replied smoothly. "I need to test the equipment. That's it."