Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest-Chapter 654 144.2 - Finally

Irina's steps were light as she left the dining room, her heart lifting in a way she hadn't felt in a long time. The cold, lingering tension of her breakfast with the Matriarch seemed to fade behind her, replaced by a rare sense of satisfaction.

'Well,' she thought, a small, triumphant smile pulling at her lips, 'it appears Mother underestimated me today.'

Her gaze wandered through the grand, silent corridors of the Emberheart mansion, the echoes of her footsteps a steady rhythm that matched her thoughts. She had known from the beginning that her mother would see through her intentions, the subtle maneuvering that allowed her to "request" free time without suspicion. But that was exactly why she had led the conversation there, planting the idea firmly in her mother's mind before broaching her true desire—to meet Astron in person, without subterfuge or deceit.

'Why hide what can be set in plain view?' she mused, feeling the thrill of her victory. 'If he's going to stand by me, then let it be known from the start.'

It was a risk, certainly, but one she was willing to take. As she ascended the winding staircase leading to her wing, she felt the weight of her decision settle comfortably on her shoulders, blending with her confidence. Her mother's words, though laced with warning, had also hinted at a reluctant respect for her choice. Irina would carry that small victory forward, making it the foundation for everything that would follow.

'Mother may be ruthless,' she thought, a faint smirk tugging at her lips, 'but she respects strength. And today, I showed her a glimpse of mine.'

Reaching her room, she pushed open the door, stepping into the quiet sanctuary she had crafted for herself. The heavy wood closed behind her with a satisfying thud, sealing her off from the rest of the mansion, and she allowed herself a deep breath. For the first time since her grueling days in the Chamber of Emberheart, she felt a calm wash over her.

'So, he'll be here soon.'

The thought sent a shiver of anticipation through her. She moved toward the window, gazing out over the estate's vast grounds, her mind drifting to Astron. In the darkness of the Chamber, when her strength had been tested to its limit, she'd often found herself thinking of him—of the quiet reassurance his presence offered, a strength that complemented her own.

'I really had been waiting for the whole month….' she told herself, her gaze steady on the horizon. 'I've trained, endured, sacrificed. And now, I'll finally have him.'

Irina lingered by the window, the faint warmth spreading through her chest as she thought of Astron, and how soon he'd be here.

But she wouldn't let herself dwell on the feeling for long. She had a task to complete, and sentiment was no excuse for negligence. She'd waited a full month to see him, but she wanted to make sure she was ready to greet him with the poise her family demanded—on her terms.

Turning away from the window, she approached the tall mirror that hung in the corner of her room. Her reflection looked back at her, bearing the faint marks of her grueling training.

Dark lashes framed her sharp gaze, and her hair, though tied up, fell in disarray, a reminder of the exhaustion she'd barely had time to shake off. She traced her fingers through the loose strands and considered what she'd need to do.

'No extravagant makeup, just enough to look… presentable,' she thought, tilting her head slightly. Extravagance wasn't her style, nor did it fit the meeting she had planned. She wanted him to see her as she was, not hidden behind layers of paint. Still, a touch of refinement couldn't hurt; it had been a long time since she'd seen him in person.

Just then, a gentle knock sounded on her door.

"Enter," Irina called, her voice calm and steady.

The door opened, and Esme stepped in, her demeanor as composed and respectful as always. Irina had called her earlier, knowing the maid's practiced hands could bring out a polish that matched the Emberheart standards without overwhelming her natural features.

"Good morning, Lady Irina," Esme greeted, giving a slight bow.

Irina nodded, stepping back from the mirror and gesturing to the chair by her vanity. "I'd like to keep things subtle. I don't want an elaborate look."

Esme nodded, understanding the instruction immediately. "Of course, Lady Irina. A simple, refined look. I'll ensure it's perfect."

As she sat down, Irina allowed herself a final, fleeting thought of Astron. Soon, he would see her again—not just as the Emberheart heiress, but as someone who had endured for his sake as well as her own.

The girl she had once been, trying to meet her mother's impossible expectations, was gone. She was different now—stronger, sharper, and fully prepared to stand at his side.

'After all,' she mused, watching her reflection as Esme began gathering her hair with quiet precision, 'this is just the beginning.'

*******

<Friday, Hotel in Jarden City>

The next morning, the hotel lobby was quiet as I made my way to the front desk, the remnants of last night's calm lingering within me. The clerk greeted me with the same polite smile, the faintest hint of that familiar blush creeping back onto her face as she handed over the final bill.

"Thank you for staying with us, Mr. Natusalune," she said, her voice steady despite the soft pink in her cheeks.

I nodded, settled the bill without much thought, and made my way outside, the cool morning air a refreshing contrast to the hotel's warmth.

My stay here had been comfortable, and though it served its purpose, it was time to move on. The quiet wouldn't last long—not with the Void Dragon's death out there waiting to be noticed.

Outside, I flagged down a taxi, the driver giving a brief nod as he pulled over to the curb. I slipped into the back seat and handed over 100 Valer, settling the fare before we even began. A quiet transaction, and the driver barely looked at me as he pocketed the payment and started the car.

"To the city center," I said simply, leaning back as the vehicle eased into motion, weaving through the early morning traffic. The streets of Jarden City passed by in a blur of bustling shops opening for the day, people on their way to work, and the muted hum of morning activity.

–DING!

Just then, I suddenly got a notification from my watch. I glanced down, noting the sender's name—Kieran. The name alone brought a sense of satisfaction, a confirmation that the plan was already in motion.

Kieran had proven himself more than capable, displaying a talent I rarely encountered. His skill with enchantments, his understanding of mana, and his adaptability all spoke to a level of genius I couldn't afford to overlook. Having tested him, and seen his precision and dedication firsthand, I'd already decided to establish a firmer connection.

The watch continued to hum softly with the incoming call. I tapped to answer, leaning back in my seat as the city scenery blurred outside the window. "Kieran."

There was a slight crackle before his voice came through, laced with an unmistakable eagerness. "Morning, Astron. I have something new to show you—the adjustments we discussed. I think you'll be... pleasantly surprised."

I inclined my head slightly, keeping my voice calm. "Show me what you have in mind."

On the other end, Kieran didn't waste a second. A faint hum through the line was followed by the flickering glow of a hologram generated on my watch screen. The display flickered, then solidified, revealing the outline of a sleek, compact vehicle with streamlined edges and a sturdy frame.

"This is what I've been working on," Kieran began, the excitement clear in his voice. "A foldable transport, as per your request. Here's the concept in compact form. It collapses down to fit within a spatial compartment you can carry without trouble."

I studied the hologram carefully, noting the intricacies of the design. Kieran had gone beyond just functionality—every inch of the vehicle looked optimized for both speed and efficiency as if he'd calculated each contour for minimal resistance.

"Impressive," I commented, and his enthusiasm seemed to double.

"Glad you think so. Now, I've been experimenting with a dual-mana core setup." He paused, letting that detail sink in. "This will allow the vehicle to self-charge if it's parked in mana-rich zones. One core would handle standard propulsion, but the second core could boost acceleration when you need a quick escape. This feature would double the speed for a short burst."

I leaned closer, intrigued. "And the handling? I need it to respond without lag, regardless of the terrain."

Kieran nodded eagerly. "Ah, yes—that's where I need your input. To make it adaptable, I can use either adaptive stabilizers or an enchantment that senses terrain. The stabilizers would adjust the frame physically, while the enchantment would let it shift on a micro-level, adjusting traction and balance almost instantaneously."

I considered it, weighing the advantages. "Enchantment. It'll keep the weight lower and ensure responsiveness. What about its durability?"

A faint smirk crossed Kieran's face in the hologram projection. "Glad you asked. I planned for high-grade Kalisium alloy—light enough to avoid weighing you down but resilient to most attacks. It can withstand heavy impacts, so you won't need to worry about it failing mid-use."

I met his gaze through the screen, a glint of approval in my eyes. "You've covered every detail."

It was indeed really impressive that he would be working with this.

'But, something doesn't feel that right.' I observed the hologram of the vehicle intently, letting the structure and details settle into my mind. The design was sound, with its efficient build and dual-mana core system giving it flexibility and power. But as I mentally envisioned its framework, something felt… incomplete.

'What if it could be more adaptive?' The thought crossed my mind as I imagined the vehicle bending, shifting its shape with ease. In my mind's eye, I saw it transform seamlessly for different terrains, adapting to environments with a fluidity that no fixed structure could achieve.