Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 658 144.6 - Finally

"Ah….."

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.

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

The face before her… it was still Astron, undeniably him, but somehow, subtly, everything about him had sharpened, deepened.

His purple eyes, once enigmatic, had grown impossibly alluring, their depths pulling her in with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.

His nose, now more refined, angled perfectly in a way that suited his features. His cheekbones were more pronounced, his eyelashes longer and darker, framing his eyes with an almost mesmerizing effect.

His lips… slightly fuller, with an edge of softness that made her stomach twist.

'What… happened?' she thought, feeling a wave of warmth spread across her cheeks. He had always been handsome, but this?

This was different, magnetic in a way she hadn't expected. She found herself lost, her gaze lingering over each detail as if committing it to memory, unable to tear her eyes away. Words abandoned her, and she simply stared, her usual composure crumbling under the sheer impact of his presence.

Astron raised an eyebrow slightly, the faintest hint of amusement glinting in those impossibly captivating eyes. "Speechless?" he murmured, his voice holding that familiar, calm resonance, though now she felt it more acutely than ever.

She managed a shaky breath, realizing how long she'd been staring. Her lips parted, but no words came, only the slightest sound of disbelief as she continued looking at him, mesmerized. She knew she should say something, anything to break the spell, but all she could do was hold his gaze, awestruck by the transformation.

Astron's lips curved into a beaming smile, the kind that was so rare it left her utterly stunned. "Indeed, you are…" he said, his voice low and teasing. "The expression you're making right now… it's priceless."

Irina's mouth fell open, her breath catching once more. That smile of his—no matter how many times she'd seen it, it never failed to disarm her completely. But as she gazed at him, a sudden, cool sensation rippled through her, as if an invisible force was pulling her back to reality. Her focus sharpened, and she felt the faint, familiar hum of her artifact pressing against her skin, the one she wore as a precaution against enchantments and charms.

'Wait… what?' she thought, blinking as her mind scrambled to process. Her artifact had activated? Her artifact, which only ever reacted to strong enchantments. Did her own reaction just… count as someone who was charmed?

Heat flooded her cheeks, and she tore her gaze away from his smile, pressing her lips together as her mind raced. 'No… No way. There's no chance he just… charmed me, right?'

She shot him a narrowed, accusing look, hoping it would mask her embarrassment. But Astron merely looked back, his expression as calm as ever, though the faintest spark of amusement danced in his eyes as if he knew exactly what had just happened.

"This… This is absurd," she muttered under her breath, clenching her fists slightly as she tried to compose herself. 'How did I let my guard down so completely? And over… him?'

But no matter how hard she tried to push the thought away, the memory of his smile lingered, igniting that spark of warmth all over again. It seemed that no matter how much she prepared herself, this bastard still knew how to leave her completely off-balance.

Whether it was intentional or not….

But then, Irina froze, her face heating up as she heard his question. "What is absurd?" he asked, an innocent look on his face, though his eyes betrayed a glint of mischief. "Also, that surge of mana just now… did you do something?"

She could feel her face turning even redder. How was she supposed to explain this? Her artifact activating because she had reacted too strongly to his presence? This was a nightmare. If he found out, she'd never hear the end of it. He'd have more ammunition to tease her for ages, and by the look in his eyes, he already suspected something.

'Does he know?' she thought, noting the way his gaze lingered knowingly, almost as if he was waiting for her to crack. She clenched her fists, swallowing down the wave of embarrassment that threatened to spill over.

"Nothing!" she exclaimed, her voice a touch sharper than she intended. With a quick motion, she pushed him back, her hands firm against his chest as she forced some space between them. She needed the distance to breathe, to regain some semblance of control. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Astron didn't resist, his eyebrow quirking with that infuriatingly calm expression as he stepped back, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. She tried to ignore the warmth in his eyes, the hint of laughter that seemed to be lurking there.

Without meeting his gaze, she turned to compose herself, desperately trying to shove down the lingering traces of flustered excitement. She took a deep breath, determined not to let him get the better of her.

'This was a mistake,' she thought, fighting the blush that refused to fade. 'Next time, I need an artifact to guard against him, specifically.'

Just then, Esme stepped forward, breaking the tension with her calm, composed presence. "Welcome, Sir Astron," she said, inclining her head respectfully. Her voice was soft but carried the steady tone of someone who'd been through her share of dignified introductions.

The sudden shift in attention made Irina aware of just how many eyes were fixed on them. The teleportation chamber, once filled with hushed whispers and curious glances, now seemed to hum with a different kind of energy.

She caught flashes of light as cameras and magical artifacts activated, capturing the moment from every angle. Some mages even discreetly murmured incantations, weaving spells to record the scene—a rare and noteworthy meeting between one of the Emberheart heiresses and the enigmatic Astron.

Esme's entrance had added a formal touch, her presence reinforcing the significance of this reunion. She knew Astron from the brief encounter after the Phantom's Land mission when Irina, Sylvie, and Astron had received their rewards.

Though their interaction had been wordless—a mere exchange of glances—the recognition in her eyes was clear.

Astron nodded in response to Esme, his expression respectful but still laced with his usual calm demeanor. He gave no indication of being affected by the attention, his gaze flickering briefly to the onlookers before returning to Irina.

"Lady Irina, I have arranged for the private transport as requested," Esme continued, a slight smile on her lips as she observed the subtle shift in Irina's demeanor—a touch of flustered irritation mingling with her usual confidence. "If you're ready, we may proceed before the crowd grows any larger."

Irina, grateful for Esme's intervention, gave a brisk nod, forcing herself to ignore the lingering heat in her cheeks. "Yes, let's go," she replied, casting a quick look at Astron. "I'd prefer not to have an audience for the entire journey."

She took a step forward, allowing Esme to guide them, and Astron followed, his expression as unbothered as ever, though she could feel his gaze on her, probably relishing the lingering traces of her embarrassment. She shot him a quick, pointed glare, her pride flickering back into place.

As they exited through the back door of the teleportation center, Irina caught sight of the sleek black car waiting for them, discreetly parked to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. The driver gave a respectful nod as Esme stepped forward, holding the door open for Irina and Astron.

But before stepping in, Astron cast a brief glance back toward the front of the teleportation center. Even from the back entrance, he could see the growing crowd of reporters, photographers, and mages gathered there, their anticipation evident as they waited for a glimpse of the Emberheart heiress and her unexpected companion.

"You certainly took your time, didn't you?" he remarked, his tone calm but with that unmistakable hint of amusement. "Looks like you gave them more than enough time to gather."

Irina shot him a sharp look, though her lips betrayed the faintest hint of a smirk. "Are you suggesting I planned this? Unlike you, I didn't expect to become a spectacle today."

Astron's gaze flickered with mild amusement as he leaned against the car, waiting patiently as she composed herself. "Just pointing out the obvious. Seems the Emberheart heiress can't escape attention—whether she plans it or not."

Her smirk grew, laced with a touch of defiance. "Perhaps. But I didn't come here for them. They're just… collateral."

With a slight tilt of his head, Astron watched her, the quiet curiosity in his gaze making her heart skip a beat, though she maintained her composed facade. She knew he wasn't fooled; he'd seen right through her flustered moments earlier. But if he wanted to tease her, he'd have to work harder.

"Cough…..Miss, the car is ready." Esme's voice cut through, her usual patience strained by the commotion outside.

Irina took a breath, nodded, and finally stepped into the car, sliding gracefully onto the seat. Astron followed, settling beside her, and Esme joined them, sitting on the driver's seat.

As the car pulled away from the teleportation center, leaving the throng of reporters behind, Irina leaned back in her seat, feeling the tension of the day begin to fade.

She turned her gaze to Astron, studying his calm expression as he looked out the window, taking in the sights of Etheria Haven.

"What do you think?" she asked, her tone softer, curiosity woven into her words. "The city… it's different from Arcadia City, isn't it?"

Astron glanced at her, his purple eyes reflecting the faint glimmer of the city lights outside. "It is," he replied thoughtfully, his voice carrying a hint of admiration. "There's… more to it than I expected. The atmosphere here… it feels like the magic is alive."

A faint smile played on Irina's lips as she nodded. "It's true," she murmured, almost to herself. "I may not like the constant expectations or the endless scrutiny from my family… but Etheria Haven has its own kind of magic. The entire Arcadia Dominion does."

She looked out the window, watching as the city lights cast a warm glow over the streets, illuminating the intricate architecture that melded seamlessly with the vibrant pulses of mana. Magical artifacts adorned storefronts, soft blue lights hovered along the pathways, and enchanted banners floated in the air, announcing events and displays that were unique to the capital.

"Every corner feels… connected," she continued, her voice carrying a note of reverence. "There's a constant hum of magic like the city itself is alive and breathing. It's different from the academy, where everything feels contained. Here… everything feels endless."

Astron listened, his gaze steady on her as she spoke. He seemed to absorb her words, his expression thoughtful. "I see why you'd feel that way," he said finally, his voice a quiet acknowledgment. "The city has a depth to it. Layers you can't find in a place like the academy."

"Indeed." Irina nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction that he understood. "It's why I wanted you to come here… to see this side of it. The side that isn't just tradition and obligation."

For a moment, silence settled over them, comfortable and reflective. She leaned back, feeling the car glide smoothly down the road, the city lights flickering like stars in the distance. Though her family's pressures weighed heavily on her, she found solace in this moment, sharing this side of herself, and of Etheria Haven, with him.

A small part of her hoped he felt the same spark of connection that she did—a connection not just to the city, but to everything she'd worked for.