Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 822  190.1 - No title

Chapter 822  190.1 - No title

'You really have not changed.'

Eleanor's eyes narrowed slightly as she reread the message, her lips pressing into a thin line. It was just like the Matriarch to interfere in such a subtle but deliberate way. Irina's position as the heir to the Emberheart family carried with it expectations and obligations, and Astron—enigmatic and unorthodox as he was—was clearly viewed as a potential variable worth scrutinizing.

'Astron Natusalune,' she thought, leaning back in her chair. It wasn't surprising that he had drawn the Matriarch's attention.

His unique demeanor, his hidden strength, and the way he often avoided the spotlight made him an anomaly even among the exceptional cadets of HA25.

And Irina… Irina's fiery determination and strong-willed nature were unmistakable, but Eleanor had also noticed her recent interactions with Astron. Their dynamic, though not overtly close, carried a subtle charge that might warrant the Matriarch's concern—or interest.

'But at the same time….'

Eleanor leaned back in her chair, her sharp eyes lingering on the faint glow of her smartwatch's screen. The message from Esme wasn't just a request; it was layered with subtext, a veiled warning wrapped in the guise of formality. Her lips pressed into a thin line as her thoughts raced.

She knew all too well how people like the Matriarch operated. The Emberheart family didn't issue direct requests unless it suited their purpose, and they certainly didn't involve outsiders in matters they deemed insignificant. If this were a normal occasion, they would have dealt with Astron quietly, without the academy ever catching wind of it.

That this message had even reached her desk was telling.

'This isn't just oversight,' Eleanor thought, her sharp gaze narrowing. The Matriarch had acknowledged Astron Natusalune—enough to involve her directly. The underlying implication of the message became clear as she dissected it further.

'This cadet now holds my family's interest,' Eleanor mused, imagining the Matriarch's voice in her mind. 'Make sure to treat him well.'

Eleanor's lips curled into a faint smile. "Interesting," she murmured. Gaining the attention of the Emberheart family—let alone the approval of its Matriarch—was no small feat. If Astron had managed that, it spoke volumes about his strength and potential. The Matriarch didn't waste her time on cadets who weren't worth her attention.

But somehow…

Eleanor's smile faded slightly as another thought surfaced, one that nagged at the edges of her mind. This wasn't entirely about Astron's benefit. She knew how the powerful played their games, and this felt like more than a mere endorsement.

'If they truly cared about him and his interests,' she thought, her mind racing, 'they would have helped him hide his strength better. They would have ensured that even someone like me couldn't see through him.'

And yet, Astron remained an open secret, his potential visible enough to draw Eleanor's attention and now the Matriarch's intervention. It was deliberate—too deliberate.

'The Matriarch has other intentions,' Eleanor concluded. Whether it was to test Astron, to manipulate him, or to simply observe how he navigated the challenges ahead, she couldn't be certain. But one thing was clear: Astron wasn't just a cadet in this equation—he was a piece on the board, and the Matriarch had just made her first move.

Eleanor tapped her fingers lightly on the desk, her sharp mind processing the implications. She wasn't one to shy away from complex games like this; in fact, she relished them. But this added another layer to her role as an instructor—and as a mentor to Astron.

"In any case…" she murmured, her gaze drifting back to the message, "this will be an opportunity to see just how far you can go, Astron Natusalune."

******

<Emberheart Estate, Matriarch's Chambers>

The room was quiet, the faint crackle of the fireplace casting a warm glow across the elegant furnishings. The Matriarch of the Emberheart family sat near the window, her figure silhouetted against the moonlight streaming in. In her hand, a crystal glass of deep crimson wine swirled lazily as she lifted it to her lips, savoring the sharp, velvety taste.

Her amber eyes reflected in the glassy surface of the window, watching the faint outlines of her sprawling estate. A faint smile played on her lips, one that held no warmth—only an icy amusement.

"Now," she murmured, her voice soft and edged with quiet menace. "Let's see how you will hide your strength, Astron Natusalune."

She raised the glass to her lips once more, taking a slow sip as her eyes lingered on the reflection.

Behind her, Esme stood in the shadows, her posture composed but her gaze flickering with silent concern. "Matriarch," she began cautiously, her voice quiet but firm, "was this necessary?"

The Matriarch's smile didn't falter, though her gaze shifted slightly in the reflection, capturing Esme's form behind her. Her tone turned sharp, cutting through the stillness like a blade. "Since when have you started questioning what I do, Esme?"

Esme's lips pressed into a thin line, and she lowered her head respectfully. "I would never question your decisions, Matriarch," she said softly, though her thoughts churned beneath the surface.

The room fell silent once more, save for the faint hum of the fire and the clink of the Matriarch's glass as she set it down on the side table. Esme remained motionless, waiting for any further words from her mistress, but none came.

Inwardly, Esme's thoughts stirred uneasily. A woman's vengeance… she thought, her sharp instincts reminding her of the delicate line she walked. She knew the Matriarch well, had served her long enough to see the patterns of her mind and the ruthlessness with which she pursued her goals.

Esme couldn't forget the tension at the dinner table two weeks ago. The Matriarch had remained calm, her exterior flawless, but Esme had caught the faintest flicker of something else—irritation, perhaps even insult. Astron's words, true or not, had stung her pride.

The boy is clever, Esme thought silently, keeping her expression neutral. But cleverness can be dangerous in a room like this.

The Matriarch picked up her glass again, the faint sound pulling Esme from her thoughts. "Astron," the Matriarch said, her voice thoughtful, almost musing. "He is an anomaly. One who doesn't bow. One who doesn't cower." She chuckled softly, the sound devoid of humor. "That boy thought he could challenge me with words alone."

Esme remained silent, though her mind churned with unease. The Matriarch's pride was not something to be trifled with.

Really, anyone who dared to do such a thing had met quite of her wrath.

*****

Emma reclined on her lavish chair, the dim lighting of her room casting shadows across her sharp features. The faint hum of the academy grounds buzzed faintly through her window, but her attention was fully on the phone pressed to her ear.

"Are you sure you could get the mentor that she will choose?" Emma asked, her tone clipped but laced with curiosity.

A deep, measured voice responded on the other end of the line. [Yes. I will. You don't have to worry about that part.]

Emma leaned back, her lips curling into a faint smirk. "If that is the case, I accept."

[Good,] the voice replied. [I'll let you know which mentor she chooses. But, Emma, you need to ensure you satisfy your end of the deal as well.]

She rolled her eyes, the impatience clear in her voice. "Yes, yes. I will. You'll get what you need. Just make sure this works."

With that, she ended the call, the faint beep of the disconnected line echoing in the quiet room. Emma stared at the phone in her hand for a moment, her smirk deepening into something more sinister.

Standing up, she walked over to the window, her gaze fixed on the dorms in the distance. The faint silhouette of activity caught her eye, but her focus was elsewhere—on her plan, on Taylor.

'Since you refuse to drop out, I have no choice but to do this, you know,' she thought to herself, a cruel smile spreading across her lips.

Her reflection in the glass seemed to mirror her thoughts, the shadows in her room making her look more imposing than ever. She let out a soft chuckle and turned away from the window, already envisioning the scene.

*****

The faint hum of the lights overhead filled the silence in my room as I leaned back against the chair, my gaze fixed on the ceiling. Eleanor's words replayed in my mind, each one as deliberate and sharp as the woman who'd spoken them.

'Apparently, I still gave some signs away,' I thought, letting out a quiet sigh.

I had anticipated that my movements would eventually attract attention, but not from her—not so soon, at least. Eleanor White wasn't someone who acted impulsively….

Most of the time at least.

The decisions she would make in general would be calculated, and grounded in logic and observation. For her to single me out meant that, despite my efforts, I'd revealed more than I'd intended.

I tapped my fingers lightly against the armrest, my thoughts spiraling deeper. It wasn't that her decision changed anything for me—after all, I'd known that standing out was inevitable. Still, Eleanor's sharp gaze and incisive remarks felt like a quiet reminder: You can't stay hidden forever.

'Well….Not that it matters too much.' After all, I already knew sooner or later it would come to this. ---------A/N--------

Posted the previous chapter a little bit earlier by mistake. But well, works fine I guess?