Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 776 Chapter 179.3 - Violence

Chapter 776  Chapter 179.3 - Violence

The door to the infirmary swung open with a sharp creak, and the air seemed to shift as Irina strode in. Her fiery hair shimmered under the sterile lights, and her yellow eyes blazed with a mixture of faux concern and unmistakable purpose. 
"Astron!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a dramatic edge that made the medics glance up briefly from their tasks. Without hesitation, she rushed toward him, her movements deliberate as she closed the distance. 
Astron straightened slightly, his sharp purple eyes narrowing as he met her gaze. "Irina," he said evenly, his tone calm despite the sudden intrusion. 
Ignoring his composed demeanor, Irina stopped right in front of him, placing her hands firmly on his shoulders as she inspected him. "Are you okay? What happened?" she asked, her voice dripping with exaggerated worry. Her amber eyes flicked over his bruised face and bandaged arms, lingering just long enough to sell the act. 
Before Astron could respond, Irina pulled him into an embrace, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "You should've told me," she said, her voice muffled slightly as her fiery hair brushed against his cheek. "Do you have any idea how worried I was when I saw that video?" 
Astron's posture stiffened, his arms remaining at his sides as he endured the sudden hug. His sharp eyes flickered with a faint glint of amusement that he quickly masked. "I'm fine," he said calmly, though there was a subtle edge to his tone. "You're overreacting." 
Irina leaned back slightly, still holding onto his shoulders as she tilted her head to meet his gaze. Her lips curved into a faint smirk, her expression shifting to one of playful mischief. "Am I? Maybe. But isn't it my right to worry?" 
The medics exchanged glances, clearly intrigued but too professional to comment. Irina ignored them entirely, her focus solely on Astron. 
"You didn't tell me you were planning something like this," she continued, her voice softening slightly. "You just let yourself get beaten up like that? What were you thinking?" 
Astron's gaze remained steady, his expression unreadable as he replied, "I didn't think it was worth mentioning." 
Irina sighed, stepping back and crossing her arms, though her fiery presence still dominated the room. "Next time, mention it. Or at least let me in on whatever scheme you're running." 
She whispered the last part, looking at him right into his eyes. 
Astron tilted his head slightly, his sharp eyes glinting with faint curiosity. "And why would I do that?" 
Her smirk widened as she placed a hand on her hip. "Because I'm good at making an entrance. Imagine how much better it would've been with me in that room." 
Astron tilted his head slightly, his sharp eyes glinting with faint curiosity. "And why would I do that?" 
Her smirk widened as she placed a hand on her hip. "Because I'm good at making an entrance. Imagine how much better it would've been with me in that room." 
Astron didn't respond immediately, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he shook his head slightly. "That would have been impossible." 
"Why?" 
"You know why." 
"Heeee...Really?" 
"….." 
Irina's smirk widened as she leaned closer, clearly enjoying the fact that Astron couldn't respond freely with the medics hovering nearby. Her fiery yellow eyes gleamed with playful mischief, her confidence radiating like the heat of a well-contained flame. 
"Come on, Astron," she teased, tilting her head slightly as her fiery hair shifted over her shoulders. "You don't have to be so secretive. Why not just admit that you needed my help?" 
Astron's sharp purple eyes narrowed faintly, his expression calm but betraying a flicker of exasperation. She was relentless, and they both knew she was pushing him for the sheer enjoyment of it. For a moment, he simply regarded her, his unreadable gaze steady as if deciding how to respond. 
Then, without warning, his hand moved—quick and precise. His fingers found the vulnerable spot on her side and pinched gently but effectively. 
"Hiick!" Irina yelped, her entire body jolting in surprise as the unexpected sensation sent her bolting backward. Her arms weakened, her confident posture faltering as she instinctively squirmed away from his touch. 
Taking full advantage of the moment, Astron slipped effortlessly out of her arms, his movements deliberate as he stepped back. As he did so, he stumbled slightly, his body swaying as though the motion had exacerbated his injuries. 
The medics immediately stepped forward, concern flashing across their faces. "Cadet, be careful!" one of them chided, reaching out to steady him. 
Astron held up a hand, regaining his balance with practiced ease. "I'm fine," he said, his voice as calm and measured as ever. The faintest trace of amusement lingered in his eyes as he straightened, glancing at Irina. 
Irina, on the other hand, was still recovering from the shock, her hands instinctively rubbing at her sides as she glared at him. Her earlier confidence had been temporarily replaced by an incredulous expression. 
"You—!" she started, her voice a mixture of indignation and disbelief. "Did you just—" 
"I don't know what you're talking about," Astron said smoothly, his calm demeanor unshaken as he turned slightly toward the medics, as though focusing entirely on their instructions. 
Irina's mouth opened and closed as she tried to formulate a response, but her flustered state made her usual sharp retorts difficult to summon. Her fiery hair seemed to bristle as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest, her amber eyes narrowing. 
"Fine," she muttered under her breath, though the faintest twitch of a smile played at the corner of her lips. "You win this round." 
Astron didn't reply, but the subtle glint of satisfaction in his gaze didn't go unnoticed as he let the medics guide him to finish up. Irina's annoyance simmered just below the surface, but she couldn't help but feel a grudging sense of amusement at how deftly he'd turned the tables on her. 
'That bastard,' she thought, a faint smirk tugging at her lips despite herself. 'He's lucky he's good at this.' 
Irina folded her arms, her fiery yellow eyes narrowing as she watched Astron with a mixture of annoyance and reluctant admiration. 'That bastard,' she thought, her lips twitching into a faint smirk despite herself. 'How does he do it? If I didn't already know better, even I'd believe he was genuinely struggling. He's that good.' 
Her gaze lingered on him, noting the subtle details of his performance—the precise way he swayed, just enough to draw concern but not panic, the controlled flicker of weariness in his sharp purple eyes, the calm reassurance in his tone as he addressed the medics. 'No hesitation, no cracks in the act. He plays his part perfectly, like he's rehearsed this a hundred times.' 
Irina's lips pursed slightly, her mind racing as she replayed the scene in her head. 'I hate to admit it, but he's even better at controlling his expressions than I am. And that's saying something.' Her fingers tapped lightly against her arm, her thoughts spiraling into grudging acknowledgment. 'He can make anyone believe whatever he wants them to believe. It's infuriating, but damn if it isn't impressive.' 
Her eyes narrowed further as she caught the faintest glint of amusement in Astron's gaze. 'He knows exactly what he's doing. That look says it all—he's enjoying this way too much. Bastard.' 
But even as the thought crossed her mind, a new determination flared within her. Stepping forward with deliberate purpose, she planted herself firmly in front of Astron, her arms akimbo. "I will escort you." 
Astron blinked, his sharp eyes meeting hers with faint curiosity. "Escort?" he repeated, his tone calm but edged with skepticism. 
"Yes," Irina said, tilting her chin up as though daring him to challenge her. "You're injured—" she raised a hand to cut him off before he could interject—"or at least that's what you're claiming," 
Her words were clear. If you refuse my help, you will look suspicious. 
'Heh….' 
"And since I'm clearly the only one capable of making sure you don't stumble into trouble again, I'll be taking you wherever you need to go." 
"I do—" Astron started, but Irina silenced him with a pointed glare. 
"Humph. You have no right to refuse," she said firmly, crossing her arms as though the matter was settled. Her fiery hair seemed to shimmer in the sterile light, emphasizing the unyielding resolve in her posture. 
Astron's gaze shifted momentarily to the medics, who were clearly enjoying the exchange, their smiles barely hidden behind their professional facades. A faint sigh escaped him as he straightened slightly, his calm expression betraying the faintest hint of resignation. "Fine," he said evenly, his tone as composed as ever. 
Irina allowed herself a triumphant smirk, though her inner thoughts were anything but calm. 'Ha! Got you.' She turned on her heel, her fiery hair swaying with the motion as she gestured for him to follow. 'I'll make sure you remember this. Let's see you try to wriggle out of my care this time.' 
Astron followed her without protest, his movements deliberate and measured, as if already anticipating her antics. The medics exchanged knowing glances as they watched the two leave, their expressions a mixture of amusement and curiosity. 
As they approached the infirmary doors, Irina's triumphant stride slowed slightly when she spotted someone approaching from the opposite direction. The faint sound of hurried steps grew louder, and before either Irina or Astron could react, a commanding voice rang out. 

"Junior!" 
The voice was calm yet unmistakably firm, carrying the weight of authority and familiarity. Irina's amber eyes flicked up to see a strikingly beautiful woman standing in the doorway. She had lustrous purple hair that cascaded down her back, contrasting sharply with her piercing blue eyes. Her presence was magnetic, a blend of grace and strength that immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room. 
She immediately rushed forward, but Irina stepped in. 
"Senior Maya." 
It was her time to assert herself now.