Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 365

Chapter 365 84.3 - Acceptance

"You really did."

As soon as the words left his lips, Irina felt a surge of embarrassment wash over her.

It was as if a veil had been lifted, and she suddenly found herself exposed, her vulnerability laid bare for Astron to see.

Quickly regaining her composure, Irina straightened her posture and smoothed out the creases in her clothes. She couldn't afford to appear weak or vulnerable, not now, not in front of him.

"It's not like I did this because of you or anything," she muttered, her tone defensive as she retreated back into her usual confident facade.

But even as she spoke, Irina couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort that lingered in the pit of her stomach. It was as if a seed had been planted, one that threatened to take root and grow into something much larger.

"….You really are something…." Astron mumbled, shaking his head.

'It is just like Irina's thing to say.' He muttered inwardly.

With a sudden clarity of moment, Irina remembered the words Astron had spoken to Seraphina about her, the doubts and insecurities he had voiced.

-Irina and I have a history, but that doesn't mean I condone her actions. Sometimes, it's easier to keep someone close to keep an eye on them rather than risk them causing trouble elsewhere.

'You bastard…Do you think you can keep an eye on me with your skills? This punk thinks I am some sort of pushover because he is smart? Do you think I am the same as those other people you see across the academy, huh?'

This time, instead of feeling hurt or betrayed by his words, Irina felt something else stir within her—a sense of determination and a desire to prove him wrong.

Whether this was because she had already resolved the insecurities in her heart or because she had resolved this feeling inside her, she didn't know the answer. But one thing was clear.

From now on, she will need to be active. She couldn't keep getting pushed around by him.

'And that time with Sylvie….'

Remembering the time when they were doing the assignment together, Irina narrowed her eyes.

With renewed purpose, Irina met Astron's gaze head-on, her eyes flashing with a newfound determination. She may have apologized for her past actions, but she refused to let them define her any longer.

"Hey."

"What?"

"Do you remember what you said?"

"What do you mean?"

"The fact that you are looking after me like I am some sort of a child?"

"Isn't it what I exactly do? Aren't you basically a problem child who wants to burn everything?"

"Tsk. Do you think you have the capabilities to say that?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"I mean what I said, you punk. What makes you think that you have the capability to look after me like I am a child?"

"…."

As Astron fell silent, Irina's words hung in the air like a challenge, daring him to respond. She could feel the tension crackling between them, a silent battle of wills playing out in the dimly lit penthouse.

For a moment, Astron seemed taken aback by her boldness, his expression unreadable as he processed her words. But then, a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes. Irina, with her family with him, could differentiate that little spark since this guy never revealed excessive facial expressions.

"Are you questioning my capabilities, Irina Emberheart?" he retorted, his voice tinged with mock offense. "Last time I checked, I've managed to keep you out of trouble, haven't I?"

Irina's eyes narrowed at his response, a defiant spark igniting within her. She refused to back down, not now, not ever.

"Keeping me out of trouble?" she scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "More like getting in the way of my plans and slowing me down."

Astron scoffed, his gaze never leaving hers as they engaged in their familiar banter.

Despite the tension between them, there was a sense of camaraderie underlying their verbal sparring, a mutual understanding that transcended their differences.

"Do you think I am holding you back?"

"You are not?"

"Do you have a fish memory or something? Did you forget that I was the one who brought us the extra point in the Phantom's Land assignment?"

"I do. But I could do it without you; it was just that you found it earlier than me, so I didn't have the chance to do so."

To be frank, Irina was very well aware that it was thanks to him that they were able to find the location, but she would most likely have been unable to find the correct answer. But, whatever the case was, right now, she wanted to pick upon him.

After all, even if she had sorted her thoughts, the resentment of him talking behind her back like that still lingered.

Astron narrowed his eyes at Irina's retort, a hint of exasperation creeping into his expression. "You're delusional," he stated bluntly, his voice tinged with annoyance.

Irina's jaw clenched at his words, her frustration simmering beneath the surface. She refused to let him dismiss her so easily. "Delusional or not, we have no way of confirming it," she shot back, her tone defiant. "So, it's just your opinion against mine."

Astron nodded. "Funny how most people with delusions tend to use that argument a lot," he remarked. "Several people claim that if they were given the opportunity of the best, they would be the best as well. Yet, with such mentality, they forget they will never be."