Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 803 Chapter 186.1 - Blown up

?Chapter 803 Chapter 186.1 - Blown up

"See....That is why you're losing."

Maya flinched, her free hand clenching into a fist as the voice echoed louder, its malice cutting through her fragile composure.

"Look at her," it whispered, venom dripping from every word. "Standing there beside him as if she belongs. As if she has the right. And you? You're here. Watching. Seething. Weak."

"Stop," Maya muttered under her breath, her voice trembling. She tried to shut the voice out, but it pressed on, unrelenting.

"You had the chance to stand tall, to stake your claim. But you faltered. And now, look. She's there. And you're nothing but a bystander, watching as someone else takes what could've been yours."

Maya's hands trembled, her nails digging into her palm as she fought to suppress the surge of emotion welling up inside her. Her mind raced, the images on her phone blurring as the voice's words burrowed deeper.

"This is why you need me," it continued, its tone softening but losing none of its venom. "Without me, you'll always be like this. Weak. Watching. Waiting. Alone." Maya closed her eyes, trying to drown out the voice, but its words resonated too deeply, pulling at the insecurities she had tried so hard to bury.

She exhaled shakily, forcing herself to focus. "You're wrong," she whispered, though her voice wavered. "I'm not weak. I don't need you to fight my battles."

The voice chuckled, a low, mocking sound that sent chills down her spine. "Oh, Maya. Sweet, naive Maya. You've already lost. You just don't want to admit it."

Maya's breath quickened, her heart pounding as she stared at the pictures again. The knot in her chest tightened further, and for a moment, she felt as though the walls of her room were closing in.

And yet, amidst the chaos, a single thought cut through the storm: "This isn't over." Maya's fists unclenched slightly, the tension in her shoulders casing as she inhaled deeply. The voice might be loud now, but it didn't define her. She had faced it before, and she would face it again.

Her gaze hardened as she stared at the images once more, her mind steadier now. "This isn't over," she said aloud, her voice quiet but resolute.

The voice fell silent, but its presence lingered, watching, waiting.

For now, Maya focused on the task ahead. She wouldn't let this be her defeat. Not now. Not ever.

The voice chuckled, low and smooth, its tone curling through Maya's thoughts like a teasing smirk.

"So," it murmured, almost lazily. "You've finally decided to accept me. Took you long enough. But let's not forget..."

The playful edge in its voice sharpened suddenly, cutting through Maya's brief sense of clarity.

"I have my conditions."

Maya's breath hitched, the memory surfacing unbidden.

It was that time-the first time.

The crimson void. The suffocating weight. The piercing crimson eyes of her other self boring into her with an intensity that had felt overwhelming.

And those words.

"I want to be the one talking to him."

At the time, Maya had refused outright. She couldn't risk letting this wild, dangerous part of her psyche near Astron. The other self's unrelenting hunger, its chaotic nature -it had been too much.

Even now, as she recalled it, a chill ran down her spine.

The voice didn't wait for her response, its tone dipping into something almost amused. "You remember, don't you? When I told you what I wanted? I wasn't lying then, and I'm not lying now. If you want to keep fighting Irina-or anyone else-you need me. And if you don't want to lose, then next time..."

It paused, as if savoring the weight of the moment, then finished with deliberate precision.

"...let me have the time."

Maya's jaw clenched, her fingers curling into fists once more. "Let you?" she asked, her voice tight, her tone edged with disbelief.

"Yes," the voice replied smoothly, almost as if the request were simple. "Remember my condition? I want to be the one to speak to him. I want him to see me."

Maya shook her head, her breath quickening. "That's not happening. It's not an option."

The voice laughed again, softer this time but no less unnerving. "Still so stubborn, aren't you? You think I want to hurt him?"

"I know you're crazy enough to try," Maya snapped, her voice rising slightly. "Crazy?" the voice echoed, mockingly. "Oh, Maya, I'm not crazy. I just feel what you refuse to acknowledge. That pull. That connection. And I feel it... stronger than you

ever could."

Maya's breath caught, her heart pounding in her chest. The words struck a chord she didn't want to admit existed, and the voice took full advantage.

"Look at you," it continued, its tone into something almost coa "Even now, you're hesitating. You're afraid-afraid that if you let me in, he'll see me. But isn't that the point? Don't you want him to see all of you? Or are you content to let him look right through you?"

"Enough," Maya said, her voice trembling but resolute. "I won't let you take over. Not now. Not ever."

The voice sighed dramatically, a sound of exaggerated disappointment. "Such a shame. You're still clinging to the idea that you can do this without me. But you'll see, Maya. You'll see soon enough."

Its presence began to recede, its final words lingering like a haunting whisper. "You can fight me all you want. But eventually, you'll come to me. Because without me... you'll lose him."

The silence that followed was deafening, the weight of the voice's words settling heavily over Maya like a suffocating shroud. She sat there for a long moment, her hands trembling slightly, her thoughts a tangled mess of defiance and doubt.

"No," she whispered to herself, her voice quiet but firm. "I'll find another way. I don't need you to do this."

Her gaze flickered to the faint moonlight streaming through her window, a small but steady reminder of the light she clung to amidst the darkness.

But even as her resolve hardened, a part of her couldn't shake the voice's final words. Would she, one day, be forced to face the truth of them?

********

The classroom buzzed with its usual energy as students filtered in, chatting about everything from the previous day's lessons to rumors circulating the academy. Ethan sat at his desk, his bag slung over the back of his chair as he scrolled through his tablet, trying to focus on the syllabus for the day.

The sound of familiar footsteps made him glance up, and he wasn't surprised to see

Julia striding toward him, her energy as vibrant as ever. Behind her, Lilia followed with her usual measured pace, Lucas trailed with a casual air, and Carl brought up the rear, his steady presence grounding the group.

Julia plopped into the seat beside Ethan, dropping her bag on the desk with a loud thud. "Well, well, well," she said, leaning toward him with a mischievous grin. "Guess

what kept me up until midnight?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow, already sensing trouble. "Grinding ranked?"

Julia's grin widened. "That too. But no, I'm talking about the pictures."

Ethan's stomach sank slightly, but he kept his face neutral. "The pictures?"

"You know..." Julia sing-songed, her voice carrying just enough to draw the attention of nearby students. "Those pictures. Our 'silver' fire queen and Mister Cold-a match made in icy flames."

Lilia raised an eyebrow as she took her seat, her red eyes gleaming with curiosity. "You mean Irina and Astron?" she asked, her tone calm but intrigued. "Exactly!" Julia said, turning to face Lilia with mock excitement. "I mean, come on, Who would've thought? Irina Emberheart, queen of fire and fury, spending time with Astron Natusalune, the guy who could probably freeze time with a glance?"

Lucas snorted softly, leaning back in his chair. "I saw the pictures this morning. Pretty tame if you ask me. But people love to read into things."

"Oh, please," Julia said, waving him off. "Tame or not, the implications are what's juicy. They were at a museum together, Lucas. A museum. That screams scandal-or

romance.

Carl sighed, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair. "Or, you know, they

could've just been at the same place at the same time. Not everything is a conspiracy"

Julia ignored him, her grin sharpening as she leaned closer to Ethan. "And get this," she said in a stage whisper. "I think that's why he didn't choose me."

Ethan blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"You heard me," Julia said, her tone dripping with mock tragedy. "I, Julia Middleton,

was rejected by Mister Cold because his icy heart has already been thawed by a

certain fiery someone."

Ethan rolled his eyes, though he couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips. "Or maybe he just didn't want to deal with your... energy."

Julia gasped, placing a hand over her heart in mock offense. "Ethan Hartley, how dare

you. My energy is what makes me irresistible."

"Sure, if by irresistible you mean overwhelming," Lilia chimed in, her tone light but

cutting.

Julia shot her a glare, though it was softened by her grin. "Don't you start, Thornheart. We all know you secretly thrive off my chaos."

Lilia smirked, leaning back in her chair. "It's entertaining. I'll give you that." As the group bantered, Ethan's gaze drifted toward the door, half-expecting Irina or Astron to walk in at any moment. The images from the forum post were still fresh in

his mind, and while he wasn't one to jump to conclusions, he couldn't deny the

curiosity gnawing at him.

V

Julia, ever observant, caught his wandering gaze and leaned closer. "What's on your mind, Zeus? Thinking about the fire queen and her frosty companion?"

Ethan gave her a flat look. "Stop calling me that."

"Fine, fine," Julia said, waving her hand dismissively. "But seriously, don't tell me you're

not curious. I mean, it's not every day you see someone like Irina willingly spend time with someone like Astron. Let alone in a place like Stellamare."

"I'm curious," Lilia admitted, her tone thoughtful. "But I agree with Carl-there's no

point speculating without facts. Irina's smart. If she's spending time with Astron, there's probably a good reason."

"Or," Julia said, her grin returning, "she's fallen for his mysterious, brooding charm. You know, the whole 'silent protector with a tragic backstory' vibe."

Lucas rolled his eyes. "You're reading way too many novels again." "Guilty," Julia said with a wink. "But hey, can you blame me? Reality's so much better

with a little spice."

CREAK!

Just then the door opened...

And Irina entered.