Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Alden chuckled softly, shaking his head in mild amusement. "I should have expected as much. Arcadia doesn't produce anyone less than exceptional. I suppose I'll have to accept that Maya has chosen someone with more than just brains."

Maya, who had remained quiet throughout the exchange, finally allowed herself to relax, though her thoughts still lingered on the subtle tensions beneath the surface. There were layers to the evening that hadn't been fully uncovered, secrets that lay buried between the three of them. And yet, for now, there was a temporary reprieve. Alden's laughter had softened the atmosphere, easing the tension that had once thickened the air.

But Maya knew her brother well. His acceptance of Astron wasn't full or complete. There would be more questions and more tests, and Alden, in his own way, would continue to evaluate Astron—perhaps not as directly as before, but certainly with the same scrutiny.

"Let's finish dinner," Alden said, gesturing toward the meal laid out before them. "After all, I'd hate for good food to go to waste, especially after such an enlightening conversation." His smile remained, but Maya knew it was laced with the unspoken understanding that this was just the beginning.

As they returned to their meal, the room settled into a quieter rhythm, though the weight of Alden's earlier revelation still hung over them. Maya's mind wandered back to her brother's nonchalant admission of his own vices and, more disturbingly, to the realization that Astron's presence in her life had become an unspoken addiction of her own. She glanced at him, sitting calmly across from her, and felt that familiar tightening in her chest—the weight of something unspoken but undeniably present.

Alden's voice broke through her thoughts once more, his tone light but edged with curiosity. "You know, Astron, if you've mastered observation and combat, it wouldn't hurt to show me firsthand one day. I'd be interested to see what kind of hunter Arcadia has produced."

Astron met Alden's gaze with that same unwavering calm. "I'd be happy to demonstrate, should the opportunity arise."

Alden's smile widened, his curiosity deepening. "I'll hold you to that."

As the conversation shifted, Alden's intense gaze softened into something more conversational. His sharp features, once honed with the weight of scrutiny, now relaxed as he turned his attention to lighter topics. "So, Astron, tell me—how has life been at the academy? I imagine it's quite different from what most expect."

Astron, never one to miss a beat, nodded. "It's been challenging, as one would expect. The curriculum is rigorous, but it's designed to push students beyond their limits to prepare us for the real world. We've had our share of difficult moments, but that's the nature of a place like Arcadia."

Maya, listening quietly, felt a small sense of relief as the conversation moved away from the earlier tension. Yet, even as Astron spoke, she couldn't shake the lingering feeling that Alden was still assessing him, just from a different angle now.

Alden leaned forward slightly. "I've heard rumors about certain... incidents at the academy. Slip-ups that endangered the students." His voice had a more serious undertone now, though he kept his tone measured. "There was a time when I considered pulling Maya out of there. After all, when safety is compromised, it raises serious questions about the institution's credibility."

Maya stiffened slightly at her brother's words. She knew exactly what he was referring to—the near-disastrous incidents, the fights with creatures far too powerful for students to handle, and the academy's mishandling of certain situations that had put lives in jeopardy. Yet, despite it all, Maya had chosen to stay, determined to continue her journey.

Astron, noting the shift in the conversation, responded with his usual calm. "There have been challenges, yes. And it's true that the academy hasn't always handled things perfectly. But those incidents, as dangerous as they were, also taught us something critical: that the world outside the academy is even less forgiving. In a way, the academy's trials have hardened us, made us more prepared for the dangers that exist beyond its walls."

Alden didn't seem entirely satisfied with the answer, his brow furrowing slightly as he thought it over. "Hardened, yes. But at what cost?" His voice was low, carrying the weight of an older brother who had nearly lost his sister once and wasn't eager to let it happen again.

"It is definitely understandable. When a life is lost, it never comes back. I know that feeling well."

Hearing Astron's words, Alden fell silent for a moment, his sharp gaze softening slightly as if he understood the deeper weight behind Astron's statement. There was something unspoken in those words, a shared experience of loss that needed no further explanation. Alden's eyes narrowed briefly, contemplating this new layer of Astron that had been revealed. The calm yet somber tone in his voice spoke of someone who had faced that irreversible pain—someone who had seen death and understood its cost all too well.

For a second, the room seemed to hold its breath. Maya, watching both men, could feel the gravity of the moment settling between them. Alden, though always quick to judge, was not blind to the nuances of those who had seen the world's darkest side.

Astron, remaining composed, did not rush to fill the silence. He knew better than to defend something that didn't deserve defense. "The academy's slip-ups," he continued, his voice steady but firm, "were their mistakes. Their own incompetence, and I won't make excuses for them. Those incidents were mishandled, and it cost people more than just their peace of mind. It's something that should never happen."

He paused, letting those words sink in before continuing. "But the truth, Lord Evergreen, is that the world outside the academy is becoming more dangerous with each passing second. I believe you're already aware of this. What's happening isn't confined to just one place. The threats are growing, and no one is truly safe, no matter how careful we try to be. To prepare future hunters for the upcoming danger, more risks need to be taken. Whether it's in the academy or beyond its walls, the reality is the same."

Alden's gaze didn't waver, but there was a flicker of something—perhaps recognition—behind his eyes. He had always prided himself on being cautious, on protecting those he cared about. But Astron's words rang with a truth that even Alden couldn't ignore. The world was changing, and the threats lurking within it were no longer things that could be avoided through sheer vigilance alone.

Finally, Alden spoke, his voice measured but carrying a note of reluctant agreement. "You're right. The world is shifting, and the dangers we face are only becoming more complex. I've seen it myself—more than I care to admit. The academy should do better, but I can't argue with the fact that nowhere is truly safe anymore."

Maya, who had been silent until now, felt a small knot of tension in her chest begin to unwind. Alden wasn't completely convinced, but at least he was listening—understanding the broader picture that Astron was painting.

Astron gave a respectful nod. "All we can do is be prepared. The academy is just a part of that preparation. But it's up to each of us to understand the dangers and face them head-on."

Alden's gaze lingered on Astron for a few more seconds before he finally leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. "It seems you've thought this through more than most would. Perhaps I've underestimated the academy's ability to produce more than just warriors."

'I wouldn't say I am a product of the academy.'

Astron thought inwardly, but did not say it out loud. Though certainly, from the second semester onwards, life in the academy would no longer be the same as the first semester. Things would get a lot busier and harder now.

The tension in the room, though still present, had shifted once more. Alden's wariness hadn't disappeared, but there was a quiet acknowledgment between him and Astron now—a subtle respect that hadn't existed before.

"Is this maybe the reason why you wanted to attend that banquet?" Alden asked, his gaze shifting to Maya, then back to Astron, watching carefully for their reactions.

Alden's question came as no surprise. Both Maya and Astron had been expecting it, knowing that Alden's sharp mind would piece together the broader context behind Maya's decision to attend the banquet.

It wasn't something she had taken lightly, and the connections she'd used to gain access had not gone unnoticed by her brother. The question hung in the air, waiting for an answer.

Maya remained composed, but Astron could sense the subtle tension that accompanied her silence. She knew as well as he did that Alden wasn't asking just out of curiosity—he wanted to understand their motives, to see if there was something more at play than just a passing interest in the event.

Astron, calm as ever, met Alden's gaze directly. His voice was steady, measured, as he responded. "Yes, that was part of the reason," he began, his tone even and thoughtful. "The banquet presented an opportunity—an important one. Given the growing dangers we've already discussed, it made sense to be present, to observe and learn. But," he added, pausing for a moment, "there was also a personal reason. Something separate from the broader dangers."

Alden's eyes narrowed slightly, his curiosity deepening. "A personal reason?" He echoed, clearly intrigued by the admission but not pressing further—at least not yet. He was a man who knew how to pick his battles, how to gather information without forcing a confrontation. He leaned forward, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "And you won't elaborate on that, will you?"

Astron shook his head, his expression never wavering. "Not at this time. It's a matter I'm handling on my own. But I can assure you, it's nothing that would endanger your family."

Alden's lips twitched into a half-smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You seem to have a habit of keeping things close to the chest, Astron."

"It's sometimes necessary," Astron replied calmly, his tone neither defensive nor evasive. "Especially in uncertain times."

Maya glanced at her brother, sensing his rising curiosity but also knowing that Astron's measured response had earned a degree of respect from him. Alden was not one to push without reason, and while the vague answer might have left him unsatisfied, he understood when to back down.

Alden leaned back in his chair, exhaling softly. "Fair enough. You've made your point." His gaze flicked to Maya, his expression softening slightly. "I only ask because I need to ensure that my sister is safe, no matter what situations she finds herself in."

Astron, sensing the subtle shift in the conversation, leaned forward slightly, his voice calm and resolute. "Rest assured, Lord Evergreen," he began, meeting Alden's gaze with the same unwavering confidence that had carried him through the evening.

"It's the same for me. I won't endanger the people I hold close."

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