Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 559

Chapter 559 124.6 - Fame (2)

Irina stared at her reflection, the faint smile lingering on her lips as the warmth from her earlier annoyance settled into something softer, more intimate. Her heart still beat faster than she would like, but she couldn't deny the strange comfort she felt from this small exchange with Astron. Somehow, despite his walls, despite the distance he always kept, there were moments like this—moments where she could feel something more.

"Why do you always have to be like this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

–"Like what?" came Astron's teasing reply, though the warmth in his tone was unmistakable.

Irina shook her head, realizing there was no point in pressing him further on that. He'd deflect as usual, and maybe that was fine for now. But there were still things she wanted to know. Her thoughts drifted back to the broadcast, to his involvement with that guild.

"Astron," she began, her voice more serious now, "that guild you're affiliated with… Why are you with them?"

There was a brief silence, but she knew he was still there, considering her question. When he finally answered, his tone had returned to that familiar calm neutrality.

–"I'm just doing my job, Irina. Repaying what I owe."

Repaying. The word stuck in her mind. It didn't sound like some deep allegiance or personal investment—it was just a transaction to him. A way to settle a debt. But that only raised more questions. Who did he owe, and why?

Her mind raced through the possibilities. She tried to recall everything she knew about Astron's past, which, admittedly, wasn't much. He was always so careful to keep his personal life hidden. But then, a memory surfaced—the final exams. The bulky Hunter she had seen, Garrett, standing tall and imposing, his presence almost suffocating, and the woman beside him.

'Could it be them?'

The realization hit her like a jolt of electricity. Garrett had been more than just a bystander. He hadn't acted like some mere observer during those exams and the way Astron had interacted with him… there was something deeper there, something personal.

"Garrett," she murmured to herself, the pieces slowly falling into place. Her gaze sharpened as she recalled the woman next to him, her aura one of quiet authority.

"They're the ones you're repaying, aren't they?" she asked suddenly, the question hanging between them.

–"You can say that, though that is not entirely, true."

She felt her heartbeat quicken again, her curiosity pushing her to ask, "Garrett… He's your guardian, isn't he?"

There was a slight pause before Astron answered, his voice calm but tinged with acknowledgment. –"That's correct."

Irina's mind raced, the pieces clicking into place. But if that was true, then… "Then if it's not entirely true," she continued, her tone growing sharper, "does that mean that woman is involved too?"

Astron's response was measured, almost too casual. –"Partially."

Partially? Irina's brows furrowed in irritation. Why did he always have to speak in riddles? It was like he enjoyed being just cryptic enough to drive her crazy. "Why are you speaking in riddles?" she demanded, her annoyance creeping back into her voice. "Just tell me what's going on instead of being all mysterious."

There was a faint sound on the other end, almost imperceptible, but she knew what it was—he was smiling again. –"Because it's fun."

Irina felt a surge of frustration, her fingers tightening around the edge of the tub. "Fun?" she scoffed, her voice laced with irritation. "I'm not having fun."

But even as she said the words, she knew it wasn't entirely true. Beneath her frustration, there was a flicker of something else, something warmer. She was enjoying this—enjoying the way he was slowly letting his guard down, even if it was in the most infuriating way possible.

Still, she refused to let him off that easily. "You're impossible, you know that?"

Astron's voice, though still calm, held that faint trace of amusement. –"Maybe."

Irina sighed, sinking deeper into the warm water, her irritation fading as quickly as it had come. She could never stay mad at him for long, especially when he was like this. "One of these days," she muttered, "I'm going to make you answer me properly."

–"We'll see about that," Astron replied smoothly, and she could almost hear the smile in his voice again.

"Bastard. I'll make you do all my errands; just wait. There's only one week left," Irina muttered with a sly grin, her mind already racing with ideas. The promised time was fast approaching, and the thought of Astron—usually so distant and composed—being at her beck and call for an entire week was too good to pass up.

She could picture it now: sending him on ridiculous tasks, watching his stoic face as he carried out her every whim, pretending like he wasn't secretly annoyed. A small, almost wicked smile crept onto her lips as she imagined all the ways she could tease him.

"Maybe I'll make you hold all my bags while I shop," she mused aloud, her voice playful. "Or you could fetch me snacks whenever I want. Oh, and let's not forget polishing my boots. You'll look so dignified doing that."