Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 636 - 136.6 - Prepare

"Please take a look at this."

Maya's gaze drifted downward, settling on the small object Astron had slid across the table. It was delicate but intricately crafted, a charm or amulet of sorts, made from some dark metal that glinted in the morning light.

Its surface was etched with fine, twisting lines, forming patterns that seemed to ripple across the metal like waves. There were symbols too, unfamiliar and complex, carved with such precision that they seemed almost alive, shifting subtly as she examined them.

Her brow furrowed slightly as she tilted the object, taking in the faint traces of energy pulsing through it.

Despite her extensive knowledge, she couldn't fully decipher its purpose. It felt old, ancient even, as if it had been crafted long ago by hands that understood magic in ways she hadn't yet explored.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice soft with intrigue, her gaze lifting to meet his.

Astron watched her for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he began. "It's a construct that I had requested to be made after studying [Psychic] magic and its core principles," he said, his tone measured, as though this explanation had been forming in his mind for some time.

Maya felt her heart quicken, and though she kept her face composed, a quiet warmth bloomed within her. He had studied psychic magic, her magic.

It wasn't something he would have had much use for on his own—his talents lay elsewhere. A thought crept into her mind, unspoken but vivid: he had done this for her.

He had delved into unfamiliar territory, expending time and energy, to understand something she struggled with. It was such a small thing, yet it felt monumental.

Astron continued, unaware of the shift in her thoughts. "In my free time, I looked into the theory behind it. Psychic magic is different from other forms and more personal. It relies on control and a clear mind, and it can be difficult to manage because of how easily emotions can bleed into the magic itself."

Maya nodded, absorbing his words. She knew all too well the dangers of psychic magic as this was a piece of common knowledge amongst the Awakened community.

For most people, Psychic magic was a very dangerous tool, as resisting it was not something that one could improve just by advancing their strengths.

Willpower, mind power, and many other things would need to be taken into consideration which was not something the Awakened community liked.

Though she listened, it was rare to hear him speak about magic in this way, his tone contemplative yet focused. There was a quiet understanding in his voice, one that seemed to bridge the gap between her struggles and his own experience.

"As I was researching," he went on, his gaze drifting slightly, "I found references to an old tradition, something used by mages in ancient times."

Astron's gaze grew distant, as though reaching through layers of thought to pull together the words. "In some traditions," he began quietly, "they called it the [Inner Demon]—others, [Split Subconscious], or even [Hidden Face]. It was thought to be a shadow within the mind, a construct that would allow mages to work through dangerous emotions by separating them from their core selves, channeling the intensity without letting it interfere with their rationality."

Maya felt herself drawn in further, sensing that this was something beyond mere theory, something connected to her struggle. She remained silent, allowing him the space to continue.

"When your evolution to a vampire failed," he continued, his tone careful yet unwavering, "your body was left in a state that isn't fully human, nor fully vampire… and even still not quite elf. The incompleteness isn't just in your physical self but extends into your psyche." His violet eyes held her gaze with steady focus. "Most of the time magic requires a singular mind, a clarity of self. But your thoughts… your emotions—they're constantly at odds."

Maya absorbed his words, a quiet acknowledgment blooming within her. She had always felt the duality within her, that faint disconnect—a lingering war between rationality and instinct. The part of her that craved control, and clarity, and the part that, since the failed evolution, felt darker, more volatile.

Astron gestured to the amulet. "This charm," he explained, "is made to help you confront and control that duality. It's a construct meant to channel your psychic energy separately from your emotions, letting you keep them distinct." He paused, his gaze steady. "The challenge is to balance it, to face those parts of yourself that are hard to control—acknowledge them without letting them consume you."

Maya's fingers brushed over the delicate amulet again, her thoughts stirring. The [Inner Demon], the part of her that she struggled to contain, could it be tempered through this?

She could feel its latent power—a carefully designed construct that resonated with the complexity of her own mind. Finding someone who could craft something of this caliber wasn't just uncommon; it was nearly impossible.

The blend of psychic magic with a method for channeling conflicting emotions was rare knowledge, practically ancient, and yet… here it was, right in her hands.

This wasn't something Astron could have come up with overnight.

She realized that he must have spent hours, maybe days, contemplating her situation, researching psychic principles that had nothing to do with his own abilities, pushing his understanding to find a way to help her.

'Indeed….it wouldn't be that easy.'

A quiet sense of gratitude crept into her, though she kept it contained, a steady warmth that settled in her chest.

Finally, she looked up at him, meeting his unwavering gaze. "How does it work?" she asked, her voice soft but carrying a subtle intensity. "How do I use it… and will it really keep the… other part of me in check?"

Astron nodded slightly. "It's a start," he replied. "The amulet works in stages. Its function is to hold your psyche apart from emotional influence, allowing you to observe those impulses objectively. Each time you wear it and focus, it should make you more aware of those shifts within yourself. Over time, you'll learn to recognize when that darker side is trying to take control."

He paused, his gaze shifting slightly as though choosing his words carefully. "But it won't suppress it entirely, and it shouldn't. Confronting those parts of yourself—recognizing them without letting them rule you—is part of the process."

Maya nodded, absorbing his words. She had always tried to shut out that part of herself, to bury it under logic and discipline. But this amulet… it wasn't about suppression; it was about acceptance, about balance. The very thought was daunting, yet somehow, with Astron's guidance, it felt possible.

"What about the specifics?" she asked, looking back down at the amulet, her fingers still trailing over the etchings. "Will it require constant use, or is it something I activate as needed?"

Astron's gaze held steady as he continued, watching her fingers trace the amulet's intricate patterns. "Once you activate it," he began, his tone deliberate, "the amulet will allow the other side of you—a more instinctual, less restrained part of yourself—to become a voice within your consciousness."

He paused, his eyes sharp as he gauged her reaction. "It won't take over or alter your actions, but it will exist as a presence you can communicate with. Think of it as a bridge between your rational self and this… darker side. This way, you'll have a clearer sense of what it wants, why it reacts the way it does, and how to balance it with your other instincts."

Maya felt her heartbeat quicken slightly, though she kept her expression composed. The idea was unsettling yet somehow… intriguing. The thought of giving that shadowy part of her a voice, a presence, meant no longer burying it under layers of control. It meant meeting it face-to-face.

"Will it feel like… me?" she asked, her voice softer now, almost hesitant.

Astron nodded. "It's still part of you, but separated enough that you can observe it as a distinct presence. That's why it's a construct—it provides that distance, that division, so you're not just reacting to it. Instead, you'll be interacting with it, understanding it, even working with it. Over time, this dialogue can bring that other side into alignment with who you are as a whole."

Maya absorbed his words, her gaze drifting back to the amulet. It would mean facing things she had suppressed, parts of herself she had denied since the failed evolution. But perhaps, if she could give it a voice, and understand its desires, she might find the peace she'd been missing.

Astron's voice cut into her thoughts. "This won't be easy, Senior. The charm only facilitates the connection—it's your resolve and self-awareness that will make it effective. Think of it as a guide, not a cure."

Maya felt the weight of his words settling over her, each one a quiet reminder that this journey would require more than just a charm; it would demand an unflinching look inward. Her fingers tightened around the amulet as if drawing strength from its intricate form. There was a part of her that felt both anxious and strangely eager, the thought of facing herself in such a raw, unfiltered way stirring emotions she couldn't quite name.

She lifted her gaze back to Astron, her voice steady but holding a glint of determination. "I understand," she said. "It's a chance to finally see that part of me as it truly is, to stop denying it."

Astron's expression softened slightly, an almost imperceptible nod acknowledging her resolve. "Yes," he replied, "and when you're ready to use it, remember—it's not about forcing control. It's about inviting understanding. Take your time and approach it without judgment."

The words resonated deeply, like a whisper of calm. This wasn't about power or strength alone. It was about integration, about finding a way to exist with all of herself.

'That is right. I need to face it myself.' With a final, grateful look, she tucked the amulet safely away, the anticipation within her mingling with a newfound resolve.

"Thank you, Junior," she said quietly. "I won't waste this."

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