Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 801 Chapter 185.2 - Scandal

Chapter 801  Chapter 185.2 - Scandal

<Arcadia Hunter Academy, Library> 
The library was quiet, the only sounds were the soft rustle of pages turning and the occasional tap of fingers on keyboards. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting golden streaks across the rows of bookshelves and study tables. Ethan adjusted the strap of his bag as he entered, scanning the room until his eyes landed on Jane. 
She was sitting at a table near the back, her dark brown hair catching the sunlight as it cascaded over her shoulder. A neat stack of books surrounded her, and she was scribbling something in her notebook with practiced ease. Ethan couldn't help but smile at the sight—she looked so focused, so at ease in this environment. 
'She seems different here,' he thought as he approached. 
Jane looked up just as he reached the table, a small smile spreading across her lips. "Hey, Ethan." 
"Hey," he replied, setting his bag down and taking a seat across from her. "Thanks for agreeing to meet me. I figured we could both use the library time." 
Jane raised an eyebrow, her smile turning slightly playful. "You figured you could use the library time." 
Ethan chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Guilty. I'm not exactly acing everything right now." 
She tilted her head, studying him with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "I wouldn't have guessed that. You seem like the type who would get straight As without even trying." 
"Not even close," Ethan admitted, shaking his head. "Between training, missions, and everything else, I'm barely keeping up. And honestly, I've never been great at subjects like history or advanced mana theory." 
"Well," Jane said, tapping her pen thoughtfully against her notebook, "it's a good thing you've got me, then." 
Ethan blinked, caught off guard. "Wait… are you saying you're going to help me?" 
"Why not?" Jane said with a shrug, her green eyes sparkling with a mix of confidence and warmth. "Contrary to what you might think, I'm actually pretty good at this stuff." 
Ethan tilted his head, skeptical. "I mean, you did say you struggled last year…" 
Jane's expression softened, but she didn't lose her composure. "I struggled personally, not academically. My grades were fine—better than fine, actually. Top 50 in theory in my year." 
That caught Ethan completely off guard. "Wait, what?" 
Jane chuckled at his surprise, her cheeks tinged slightly pink. "Yeah. Surprised?" 
"A little," Ethan admitted, leaning back in his chair. "I guess I just assumed…" 
"Let me guess," Jane interrupted, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "You assumed that because I was… going through stuff, my grades suffered?" 
"Well, yeah," Ethan said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, most people would…" 
"Most people aren't me," Jane replied her voice light but tinged with quiet determination. "Studying was one of the few things I could control back then. It kept me grounded." 
Ethan nodded, suddenly feeling a newfound respect for her. "That's… impressive." 
Jane's smile softened, and she gestured to the stack of books in front of her. "So, if you're serious about studying, I can help. Advanced mana theory, history, tactics—name it." 
Ethan hesitated for a moment, then grinned. "All right, but don't be too hard on me. I've got a reputation to maintain." 
"Don't worry," Jane said, opening one of the books and sliding it toward him. "I'll be nice. Mostly." 
As the session went on, Ethan found himself genuinely enjoying the time spent with Jane. She was patient but firm, guiding him through concepts he'd struggled with for weeks. Her explanations were clear, her insights sharp, and she even managed to make dry topics like mana density theory seem interesting. 
"See?" she said after walking him through a particularly tricky equation. "Not so bad once you break it down." 
"Not bad at all," Ethan admitted, leaning back and stretching. "I can't believe you're this good at it. Why haven't you been tutoring me all along?" 
Jane laughed softly, a sound that made the quiet library feel warmer. "Because you never asked. And because I didn't think you'd want my help." 
"Well, I'm asking now," Ethan said, his tone light but sincere. "Thanks, Jane. Really." 
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she glanced away, pretending to jot something in her notebook. "You're welcome." 
For a moment, neither of them spoke, the comfortable silence stretching between them. Ethan found his gaze drifting to Jane again, her focus now back on her notes. She looked peaceful here, surrounded by books and sunlight, her confidence shining through in a way he hadn't fully noticed before. 
'She's incredible,' he thought, the realization settling quietly but firmly in his chest. 
"Ethan?" Jane's voice broke through his thoughts, and he blinked, realizing he'd been staring. 
"Yeah?" he asked, trying to sound casual. 
"Focus," she said with a small smile, tapping the book in front of him. "We're not done yet." 
Ethan chuckled, leaning forward again. "Yes, ma'am." 
Ethan's smartwatch vibrated softly on the table, interrupting the peaceful rhythm of their study session. He glanced down at the notification. It was from Lilia. 
"Did you see the news?" 
Ethan frowned, his brows knitting together. "News? What's she talking about?" 
Jane glanced up from her notebook, noticing his expression. "Everything okay?" 
"Not sure," Ethan replied, his voice tinged with curiosity. He opened the message, but it offered no clarification. Instead, another notification popped up, this time more urgent. 
"Check the school forums, quick." 
Jane tilted her head, her green eyes narrowing slightly. "Lilia doesn't seem like the type to send random messages. What's going on?" 
Ethan hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "You're right. Let's find out." 
He showed Jane the messages, and she squinted at them, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Lilia wouldn't send that without a reason. Check it." 
Pulling his tablet closer, Ethan navigated to the Academy's forums, a bustling hive of gossip, announcements, and the occasional debate. It didn't take long for them to find it. At the top of the trending posts was one with a bold, scandalous headline: 
"Heir to the Emberheart Legacy? Or Caught in a Forbidden Romance?" 
Ethan tapped on the post, his chest tightening with unease. As the page loaded, the thumbnail expanded into a collage of images that immediately grabbed their attention. His eyes widened a little as he took in the pictures, and Jane leaned closer, her face a mask of curiosity and growing concern. 
The post was filled with photos of Irina—and someone else. 
"What?" 
And that someone else was not something he had expected. 
"Really?" 
Ethan stared at the screen, his brow furrowing deeper with every passing second. The boy in the pictures was unmistakable—Astron. His distinctive purple eyes, quiet demeanor, and the detached intensity he always carried were undeniable. If this had been a few months ago, most people wouldn't have recognized him, but Astron had changed recently. His battles, his enigmatic nature, and his unexpected strength had made him a name that people remembered. 
Ethan's eyes moved from image to image. The first photo appeared to be taken in a bustling city center, a crowd milling about in the background. Astron was there, standing close to Irina, his expression calm but distant, as always. 
The second image, however, caught Ethan's attention. It showed the two of them at what looked like a museum—sleek, modern architecture with a backdrop of glowing exhibits. It seemed familiar, and after a moment of wracking his brain, it clicked. 
'The Stellamare Museum… Julia mentioned it when she went there.' 
Ethan normally wouldn't have remembered something like that, but at the time, he'd thought the place was unique. Seeing it in the photo now only made him more certain. 
"What?" Ethan muttered under his breath, his hazel eyes narrowing as he stared at the images. The more he looked, the more questions churned in his mind. Why were Astron and Irina together? And more importantly, who had taken these photos? 
Beside him, Jane leaned closer, her green eyes narrowing as she studied the screen. "That junior? Astron, right?" 
Ethan blinked, turning to her. "Hmm? You know him?" 
"Yes…" Jane's voice trailed off, her tone thoughtful. "He's gotten a little famous recently. People have been talking about his matches and… well, his attitude." 
Ethan nodded, his expression still clouded with confusion. "I see." 
Jane straightened, her gaze flicking back to the screen. "But this? This doesn't make sense. Why would someone go to this much trouble to post pictures of them together? And with a headline like that?" 
Ethan exhaled slowly, his eyes lingering on the frozen images of Astron and Irina. The captions were heavy with insinuation, but the truth behind them was shrouded in mystery. "Since she's an Emberheart," he murmured, "it makes sense she gets this kind of attention. The name alone draws the media, and even the common people can't help but watch." 
Jane tilted her head slightly, her expression softening. "I see… You must have suffered from it as well." 
Ethan blinked at her, surprised by the observation. Her gaze was steady, and for a moment, he felt exposed—like she'd seen through a layer of him he hadn't meant to reveal. A faint memory stirred, and he looked away, his voice quieter now. "When I was younger, yeah. The media had its eyes on me too." 
Those times were not easy for him either. 
Jane didn't press him, but her silence invited him to continue. Ethan leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair as the memory resurfaced. "It wasn't easy. Back then, everyone expected so much, and when I didn't measure up… they didn't hold back. A 'failure,' they called me. A disappointment to the Hartley name." 
Jane's brows furrowed slightly, but she said nothing, letting him speak at his own pace. 
"It's not something I like to think about," Ethan added, his tone firmer now. "Those times are behind me, and I've moved on. But seeing this…" He gestured to the tablet. "It reminds me of how brutal it can be. Irina's strong, but this kind of thing? It can get to anyone." 
Jane nodded, her voice quiet. "And Astron?" 
Ethan hesitated, his gaze returning to the screen. "I didn't know they were like this."