Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 524

Chapter 524 117.6 - Second Mission

The morning light filtered through the curtains of the Mayor's office, casting long shadows across the room. The Mayor, seated behind his desk, appeared restless, his fingers drumming lightly on a stack of documents. His eyes, weary from lack of sleep, flitted over the papers, but his mind was clearly elsewhere. He occasionally glanced at the door as if expecting someone to enter at any moment.

The silence was abruptly broken by the soft creak of the door opening. The Mayor looked up, his expression a mix of hope and anxiety. Astron Natusalune stepped into the room, his presence commanding despite his young age. The Mayor quickly straightened in his chair, trying to mask his unease.

"How was it?" the Mayor asked, his voice tinged with anticipation. "Were you able to find anything useful?"

Astron nodded, his expression calm and composed. "Yes, I was," he replied. "The investigation is finished."

The Mayor's eyes widened in surprise and relief. "You were able to find the reason?" he exclaimed, his voice rising with excitement. "Then, what is it? What's causing the blight?"

Astron remained steady, his gaze unwavering. "I did find the reason," he confirmed, his tone measured. "But before I explain, I need you to call a few people."

The Mayor's enthusiasm faltered slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "Of course," he agreed, his eagerness still apparent. "Who do you need?"

"Please call Miss Celia, Miss Maria, and Mister Damian," Astron requested, his voice calm yet firm.

The Mayor blinked, clearly taken aback by the names. "How are they related to all this?" he asked, the confusion deepening in his voice.

"It's important," Astron replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Please comply."

The Mayor hesitated for a brief moment, his mind racing as he tried to connect the dots. But seeing the resolve in Astron's eyes, he quickly nodded, the urgency of the situation overriding his questions. "Very well," he said, reaching for the intercom on his desk. "I'll have them summoned immediately."

As he made the arrangements, the tension in the room thickened, the Mayor's earlier excitement now tempered by a growing sense of unease.

There was something, something that he could not make complete sense of.

Something that was in his gaze sent shivers down the Mayor's spine.

As for Astron, he was just standing there without saying anything.

Not long after the Mayor sent the summons, the door to his office creaked open once more. Maria entered first, her steps slow and measured. The signs of her illness were more apparent in the daylight; her skin was pale, and her movements were slightly unsteady. Despite this, she carried herself with a quiet dignity, though her tired eyes betrayed her fatigue.

Behind her followed Damian, his expression fierce and protective. The young man's eyes immediately locked onto Astron, his glare sharp with suspicion and anger. The fact that his mother, clearly unwell, had been called to the Mayor's office without explanation only fueled his ire.

"Why did you call us here?" Damian demanded, his voice hard as he stepped forward, placing himself slightly in front of Maria as if to shield her. "My mother is sick. She shouldn't be dragged into whatever this is."

Astron met Damian's glare with calm indifference, his expression unchanging. He simply raised a hand in a gesture of patience. "Please, just wait a little," he said, his tone even and composed. "You will soon see the reason why."

Damian's eyes narrowed, his frustration evident. He wasn't satisfied with the vague response, and the tension in the room spiked as he clenched his fists. "This better be good," he muttered, clearly ready to argue further, but before he could, Maria placed a gentle hand on his arm.

"Damian, please," Maria said softly, her voice carrying a soothing calm despite her weariness. She looked up at her son with a tired smile, trying to ease his temper. "Let's hear what Mr. Natusalune has to say."

Damian glanced at his mother, the protective anger in his eyes softening slightly at her touch. He hesitated, clearly torn between his desire to shield her and her request to stay calm. After a moment, he let out a quiet sigh, stepping back slightly but keeping a wary eye on Astron.

Maria nodded in gratitude to her son before turning her attention back to Astron. Her expression was one of quiet patience, though her eyes held a hint of curiosity, wondering what had brought them here.

Astron acknowledged her with a small nod, his demeanor remaining steady. The room fell into a tense silence as they waited for the final person to arrive, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone present.

The tension in the room thickened, and just as the silence began to settle, the door to the office swung open with a loud creak. Celia burst into the room, her entrance accompanied by a shout.

"What's the meaning of this? I was just woken up! Why am I being dragged here so early?" Her voice was sharp, tinged with annoyance, and she stormed into the room with her usual haughty demeanor.

Celia's appearance was slightly disheveled, her hair not yet fully tamed, and her attire hastily thrown on, clearly indicating that she had been roused from sleep. She looked around the room, her eyes narrowing in confusion and irritation as she noticed the others gathered.