Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 557

Chapter 557 124.4 - Fame (2)

"A Newly Rising Star of Vanguard Haven? Who is Astron Natusalune?"

This time, the article was not focused on her but on Astron. Normally, she was used to being the center of attention in these gossip columns, with journalists speculating on her personal life, alliances, and family matters. But this… this was different.

The article delved into Astron's recent activities, detailing his involvement with the guild, Vanguard Haven, which had become the subject of increasing attention due to its successful dungeon clearings and high-profile missions. The fact that Astron was affiliated with them, despite being a first-year student at Arcadia Hunter Academy, seemed to be the trigger for this newfound scrutiny.

"Astron Natusalune, a promising young intern at Arcadia Hunter Academy, has recently made waves in Nexoira City's Hunter circles due to his affiliation with Vanguard Haven. This guild, known for taking on high-risk dungeons and its meteoric rise in rankings, has added a new dimension to the academy freshman's reputation."

The article highlighted his recent achievements, from his performance in the academy to his involvement with Vanguard Haven, painting him as a rising talent in the Hunter world. But it wasn't just praise—it was also filled with thinly veiled skepticism.

"Despite his low ranking within the academy, Astron Natusalune has caught the attention of several powerful figures. His meteoric rise within Vanguard Haven has sparked speculation about his abilities and connections, with many wondering if he's simply lucky—or if there's more to his story."

"Moreover, Astron's close association with Irina Emberheart, heiress of the powerful Emberheart family, has raised eyebrows. How has an orphan with no notable background found himself amidst some of the most influential circles of Nexoira? What is the nature of his relationship with the Emberheart family? Is there more behind his sudden rise in status?"

The tone was insidious, casting doubt on Astron's merits as if implying that his accomplishments were due to his connection with her rather than his own skills.

'They are trying to undermine him.' frёewebηovel.cѳm

It was evident that this article was written by a media organization that was rather hostile to him.

Irina had long since grown accustomed to seeing her name splashed across headlines, often twisted and manipulated to suit the narrative of whatever media outlet had decided to take aim at her. She had been forced to get used to it over the years—rumors, innuendos, and outright lies were the price one paid for being in the spotlight, especially when you belonged to a family like the Emberhearts. But seeing Astron caught in the crossfire of these media attacks was different.

Her fingers hovered over the screen, her irritation bubbling just beneath the surface as she scrolled through the article. 'They're trying to undermine him,' she thought again, this time with a sharper edge to her anger.

It was clear that whoever wrote this piece had an agenda, an attempt to frame Astron's recent successes as anything but his own doing. It was the same tactic they'd used on her in the past—paint them as entitled, unworthy, their accomplishments a product of their connections rather than their own skill.

But this wasn't about her. Astron was different. He didn't care about media or gossip. She had seen how rumors about him spread back at the academy, how people whispered about his strange abilities and his lack of connections, and he had never so much as flinched.

'He won't care about this,' Irina reminded herself. He had bigger things on his mind. But still, it bothered her. Not because she thought he'd be hurt by it, but because it was unfair. He worked harder than anyone she knew, and the idea that someone would try to tear him down just to sell a story made her blood boil.

But then her eyes caught the headline again: "A Newly Rising Star of Vanguard Haven?"

She paused, her curiosity piqued. Vanguard Haven—it wasn't a name she was familiar with. And that was odd, given her connections. The article had mentioned the guild's recent rise in popularity, but she hadn't heard much about it until now. That was unusual in and of itself. How had Astron become involved with them, and why hadn't she known about it sooner?

'What is this guild up to?' she wondered. If they were tied to Astron, they were worth investigating.

Irina leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest as she scrolled through the articles about Vanguard Haven. The guild's rise to prominence seemed steady, with numerous reports praising its accomplishments in clearing high-level dungeons and taking on increasingly difficult missions. It was impressive, no doubt, but in her mind, it was far from extraordinary. After all, she was an Emberheart, and her standards were… considerably higher.

'They've done well for a B-rank guild,' she thought. For most people, their rise would be something to marvel at, but for Irina, it barely scratched the surface of what true power meant. The Emberheart family, after all, was one of the most influential and formidable families in the Hunter world. Their reach extended far beyond that of a mid-tier guild like Vanguard Haven. In her world, the kind of success Vanguard Haven was experiencing was just the beginning.

As she continued reading, her curiosity about the guild's structure and leadership began to wane. Nothing particularly caught her attention until she stumbled upon a series of articles about Astron himself. At first, it was just a mention of his recent rise in popularity within the guild, but as she clicked further, the tone of the articles began to change.

A few clicks later, she found herself on social media, where the conversation had taken a sharp turn from the professional to the personal.

Photos of Astron began to surface—some real, some clearly edited—but all of them focused on his appearance. His chiseled features, his striking purple eyes, his enigmatic presence.

There were threads of girls—fangirls, really—fawning over him, posting everything from screenshots of his recent dungeon runs to blatantly photoshopped images that turned him into some sort of fantasy heartthrob.