Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 544

Chapter 544 122.2 - Fame

The doors to the Guild Master's office opened smoothly, revealing the spacious room bathed in the soft glow of the overhead lights. Guild Master Toren sat behind his large desk, his presence as commanding as ever. As Astron and Liana entered, Toren greeted them with a welcoming smile, his eyes sharp with a mix of anticipation and approval.

"Astron," Toren said, his voice carrying a warm yet authoritative tone. "Good to see you."

Astron returned the greeting with a nod, his expression neutral but focused. Without wasting time on pleasantries, he stepped forward and asked directly, "What are your expectations for me, Guild Master?"

Toren's smile widened slightly, clearly pleased by Astron's straightforward approach. He leaned back in his chair, studying Astron for a moment before responding. "Straight to the point, as always," Toren remarked, his tone carrying a note of appreciation. "I expected nothing less from you."

He placed his hands together, leaning slightly forward as he spoke. "My expectations for you are simple. We will be using your name for marketing to gather more talented Hunters who will be working for us, and to do that, we need your face to be seen on the media."

Toren's eyes gleamed with a mixture of satisfaction and anticipation as Astron acknowledged the underlying strategy. "I had expected that much," Astron said, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.

The Guild Master nodded, leaning forward slightly, his fingers steepling as he spoke. "Good. Then you'll also understand the next part. The plan is to intentionally leak the performance of your team to media companies through our connections with the Hunter Association."

Astron's gaze remained steady, but there was a flicker of interest. Toren continued, clearly enjoying the reveal of the carefully crafted strategy. "I've already set things in motion, with someone in place to make sure the right details reach the right people. Once that happens, the media's attention will naturally shift to your team. They'll want to know more about how Vanguard Haven is clearing dungeons so efficiently."

Toren's smile widened, his voice carrying a tone of confidence. "As the news spreads, interview requests will start rolling in. It won't be on a global scale—at least, not yet—but considering Nexoria City is the second-largest city in the Valerian Federation, the attention from news companies here will be significant. The hunters, guilds, and corporations all keep a close watch on developments in this city. It's a hub for information and opportunity."

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Astron. "The more organic the media coverage, the more credibility it gives us. That is where you will step in."

Toren's words hung in the air, and Astron took a moment to consider the implications before speaking. "So, my face as a member of the Arcadia Hunter Academy will be the one representing the team," Astron stated, his tone thoughtful. "Someone will need to present us, and none of the other team members can do that."

Toren nodded, clearly expecting this conclusion. "Exactly. While your teammates are talented in their own right, none of them carry the weight that the name 'Arcadia Hunter Academy' does. That kind of prestige makes a difference, especially in a city like Nexoria. And beyond that, they're new to this sort of thing. Even with their skills, they could make mistakes in a high-profile setting."

Astron's gaze shifted slightly as he weighed his next words. "I'm not that different. This will be the first time I've stood in front of this many people as well."

Toren nodded, acknowledging Astron's point. "I know you haven't had much exposure to the media," he admitted, "but you're also affiliated with the organization. If you've reached this stage of your training, I'd wager they've prepared you for situations like this, whether directly or indirectly. You're not completely untested in handling pressure."

Astron remained quiet for a moment, processing Toren's words. He had been through many trials and had navigated complex situations, but this would be a different kind of challenge—a performance in the public eye. However, he understood what was at stake for the guild.

"As expected from a Warden." Astron nodded as he listened. It was something that was expected from a warden, and he was not surprised.

Toren leaned back, clearly pleased with Astron's calm acceptance. "Then, if that is the case," Astron continued, "when will the first interview be?"

"For now," Toren began, his voice steady, "we are expecting it to take place tomorrow evening. Once you've cleared all the dungeons and the data has been officially registered into the Hunter Association's database, my contact will leak the news. The media attention will follow shortly after."

"I see," Astron replied, his gaze unwavering. "Then I'll be ready."

Toren smiled, the confidence in his voice matching Astron's calm resolve. "That would be nice. We'll handle the rest, but you'll be the face of our success. I know you won't disappoint."

Memory updated

Astron's gaze shifted slightly as he considered another angle of the plan. "Will the other team members be informed about this?" he asked, his voice calm but inquisitive.

Toren leaned forward with a small, knowing smile. "What do you think?"

Without hesitation, Astron replied, "They won't be informed. Their reactions of surprise need to be organic to avoid raising any suspicions. If they know beforehand, it could compromise the credibility of the narrative we're trying to build."

Toren nodded, clearly pleased with Astron's insight. "Exactly. Their genuine reactions will add authenticity to the media coverage. We need it to appear as natural as possible—like the attention came from an external source, not something orchestrated by us. That way, it erases any doubt that this is anything other than a genuine display of Vanguard Haven's growing reputation."

Astron gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

"Understood," Astron replied, his voice steady. "It makes sense to keep them in the dark. Their reactions will sell the story."

Toren's smile widened slightly, clearly impressed by Astron's ability to grasp the subtleties of the situation. "You're proving to be as perceptive as ever, Astron. That's why we're confident you're the right person for this."

Astron remained composed, though his gaze sharpened slightly. "As long as the focus stays on the team's success and not just on me."

There was one thing that he would refuse to do.

Gaining too much attention. As a member of the Arcadia Hunter Academy, he could already be perceived as a privileged and strong Hunter; at the same time, if he were to make a huge name even among the students of the Academy, that would have hurt his freedom.

'Association….The corruption must be getting deeper and deeper.'

For his following plan, he needed to keep his name under control.

Toren raised an eyebrow, recognizing the underlying concern in Astron's words. "Of course. While your participation will be highlighted, what is important is that the entire team gets recognition. The stronger the team appears, the more credible Vanguard Haven becomes. You'll be the focal point, but the narrative will reinforce the strength of everyone involved."

Astron nodded in approval. "Then I'll continue to lead them through the next clears. We'll make sure the performance speaks for itself."

Toren stood, extending his hand. "Good. That's all I can ask for."

Astron shook his hand, the agreement sealed. He turned to leave, knowing tomorrow's clears would be crucial—not just for the guild's reputation but for the narrative they were shaping.

"Be prepared," Toren added as Astron headed for the door. "Tomorrow is just the beginning."

Astron gave a final nod before stepping out of the office, fully aware of the weight of the expectations placed upon him.

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