Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 657 144.5 - Finally

Irina stepped out of the vehicle alongside Esme, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor of the Teleportation Center's main hall.

The bustling space was grand and imposing, built to accommodate travelers from all corners of the federation, but even here, her presence commanded attention. Her bearing, her Emberheart attire, and the subtle, simmering aura of power she carried marked her as someone unmistakably highborn.

The personnel at the entrance immediately noticed her arrival. Normally, strict protocols kept those awaiting arrivals and those arriving via the teleportation gate in separate areas, but the Emberheart name held its own influence, bending the rules and making exceptions as naturally as breathing.

A young attendant approached, bowing slightly with an air of respectful caution. "Lady Irina, please note that you are advised to limit your exposure to the spatial mana. Prolonged presence can have… side effects."

Irina dismissed his concern with a wave of her hand, her tone calm yet edged with a touch of impatience. "I can take care of myself, thank you."

The attendant nodded, bowing again, though she caught a hint of apprehension in his expression before he stepped back. She could feel the eyes of others around her—subtle glances, whispers that seemed to follow her every step. After all, she was Irina Emberheart, heiress of one of the Six Pillars, the "princess" of the Emberheart family. Her reputation preceded her, and for some, it brought awe; for others, it caused intimidation.

She ignored the stares, her gaze fixed on the door leading to the teleportation chamber. Esme moved beside her, her calm, composed presence grounding Irina's anticipation as they walked further into the center.

As she entered the teleportation part, the faint hum of spatial mana surrounded her, a whisper of power that vibrated through the air. She barely noticed it, her focus set entirely on the moment to come.

'This is it,' she thought, a small, almost imperceptible smile pulling at her lips. Any moment now, the portal would open, and he would step through. She could already picture his calm, composed expression, but a part of her hoped for a flicker of surprise when he saw her standing there instead of the agent he'd expected.

She folded her arms, her posture relaxed yet commanding, her presence unmistakable to anyone who dared glance her way. The whispers around her grew softer, a mix of curiosity and reverence that filled the room. But she paid them no mind.

'Let them stare,' she thought, the faintest trace of satisfaction settling over her. She had worked too hard to be affected by the idle murmurs of strangers. And soon enough, they'd see exactly why she'd chosen to meet him herself.

As Irina stood waiting, her gaze fixed on the portal, Esme moved quietly beside her, her presence a reassuring shadow amidst the growing anticipation. After a moment, Esme leaned in slightly, her voice low and respectful.

"Lady Irina, would you like anything? Perhaps… I could remain inconspicuous and give you a chance to surprise him?"

Irina's lips curved in a faint smirk, though her eyes remained on the portal. "It's a thoughtful idea, Esme, but he's perceptive. He'd notice me the second he arrived, no matter how well I tried to hide."

Esme raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise evident in her usually composed demeanor. She said nothing more, merely giving a slight nod. "Understood, my lady."

Irina continued to wait, the anticipation growing stronger with each second. The soft hum of spatial mana, the subtle whispers around her—all faded into the background. She'd come here prepared, her posture poised, ready to greet him as he stepped into her world.

Just then, her smartwatch vibrated softly. Glancing down, she saw the caller ID: Assistant Lora, the attendant who had been sent to coordinate Astron's departure from Arcadia.

With a quick swipe, she accepted the call. "Yes?"

"Lady Irina," Lora's voice came through, formal but calm. "I wanted to inform you that he is preparing to enter the teleportation gate. His portal will be arriving at Etheria Haven through Gate A02."

"Thank you," Irina replied, her voice steady as she ended the call.

She turned her gaze toward Gate A02, her heart beating a little faster. The portal was beginning to glow with an intensified light, signaling an imminent arrival. Irina straightened, her presence still commanding but carrying a subtle warmth beneath the formality.

This was her moment—not just to see him again but to make clear, even in her own subtle way, that he belonged here.

The portal's glow intensified, casting a bright shimmer across the chamber, and then, through the light, a figure began to take shape.

Irina's breath caught for a moment as she watched him step forward—Astron, his presence unmistakable even before she could make out his features. He wore his usual attire: a simple black shirt beneath a dark coat, jeans that fit him casually yet perfectly, the same calm, effortless look she knew so well.

'It is indeed him.'

Before she could stop herself, Irina felt her heart leap, the anticipation spilling over into action. She'd told herself she'd wait, remain composed, and let him come to her, but now that he was here, her resolve broke in an instant.

Without a second thought, she took off in a sprint, her controlled elegance giving way to something entirely different—pure, unrestrained joy.

"Astron!" she called out, her voice echoing across the teleportation chamber as she closed the distance.

For once, she imagined to see the surprise flicker in his eyes, a rare break in his usual composure as she launched herself forward.

In a swift motion, she leaped, throwing her arms around him before he could so much as react. The weight of the past month's anticipation, the struggles, the determination—it all came pouring out in that one, reckless moment.

She could feel his hesitation at first, but it quickly faded as his arms found their way around her, steadying her.

"Hehehe….."

A soft, unexpected giggle escaped her lips, a sound she didn't quite recognize, but couldn't hold back. She buried her face against his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall as he adjusted to the sudden embrace, his arms wrapping around her more firmly.

The month apart, the training, the anticipation—all of it melted away as she let herself savor the moment.

But as she rested her head there, she couldn't help noticing something… different. Pressing her cheek slightly against him, she felt the solid strength of his frame, stronger and sturdier than she remembered. She pulled back just enough to look up, a faint curiosity in her eyes.

'Did he… get taller?' she wondered, noting how she had to crane her neck a little more to meet his gaze. And his build—what had once been lean felt subtly reinforced, as if he'd been through trials of his own since they'd last met.

"Have you… been working out?" she asked, half-joking but feeling the genuine intrigue seep into her voice. She let her fingers rest lightly on his shoulders, testing the tension beneath the fabric of his coat, which felt like it fit differently now.

Astron merely raised an eyebrow, his usual calm masking any trace of surprise. "Did you forget that I had been training," he replied simply.

"Cough…." Irina scoffed lightly, though she couldn't deny the faint thrill it gave her. The familiar scent of lavender lingered around him, yet even that seemed deeper, more intoxicating somehow. It wrapped around her senses, blending with the steady warmth of his presence and grounding her in a way that made her feel unexpectedly at ease.

"You certainly don't seem like you've been taking it easy," she murmured, her tone almost teasing as she held his gaze, a slight smile tugging at her lips. She didn't pull back just yet, allowing herself a few seconds longer to enjoy the unexpected strength that had somehow become even more reassuring.

"You do know, I never take it easy." His calm voice reached out. "But, for how long you will be staying like this….Quite a lot of people are already looking at this way."

Irina tightened her hold around him, ignoring the curious stares from bystanders in the teleportation chamber. She felt a flicker of embarrassment at first, but the warmth of his presence overpowered it. Looking up, she gave a slight pout, unable to mask her need for just a few more moments.

"It's been so long, Astron," she murmured, her voice softer than usual. "Let me feel this."

He let out a small, almost amused sigh. "You've really become bolder, haven't you?" His gaze was steady, a touch of playfulness glinting in his eyes, though Irina couldn't see. "Don't you care what your mother will say about this?"

The mention of her mother sent a brief shiver down her spine, her body tensing slightly in his arms. She knew all too well that her mother's scrutiny was as sharp as ever, and she could practically hear the disapproving comments that would await her back home. But the moment she felt Astron's steady embrace again, the worry faded, replaced by a quiet defiance she hadn't felt before.

"Whatever," she said, her tone laced with unexpected confidence. "I don't care."

"Is that so?" His voice held a note of amusement, and for a brief, unguarded moment, she could've sworn there was a smile in his tone. It was rare for him to show even the smallest hint of emotion, but here—just for her—there was something different, something softened.

That is why, she wanted to check that smile.

At this point, surprised face or whatever, she cared about none of those.

She just wanted to see his face.

With a slight shift, Irina tilted her head upward, her curiosity pushing her to confirm the faint hint of a smile she thought she'd heard in his tone. Her heart raced as she looked up, fully expecting the familiar, calm expression she'd come to know so well.

"Ah….."

But the moment her eyes met his face, her breath caught, a split second of shock rippling through her.

It was…..It was just breathtaking…. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

'Ah….'

Even her thoughts stopped…..