Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 590

Chapter 590 131.4 - Alden Evergreen

"But still….I am quite curious."

Alden turned to Maya, his sharp blue eyes softening just a touch, though the intensity of his curiosity remained. "Aside from the challenges you two have faced together, Maya... what makes him different from others?" His tone was calmer now, but the underlying seriousness in his words couldn't be ignored.

Maya hesitated for a moment, her thoughts racing. This was the question she had anticipated but had hoped to avoid for just a little longer. Alden wasn't simply asking out of curiosity—he wanted to understand the depth of her connection to Astron, to see beyond the surface.

She glanced at Astron, who remained composed, quietly watching the exchange unfold. He wasn't one to offer much unless asked directly, always calculating, always careful. That was one of the many things she admired about him. It was also one of the things that made him difficult to explain to her brother.

Taking a breath, Maya chose her words carefully. "Astron is... different because of the way he handles himself, brother. It's not just about his skills or the fact that he saved my life, though that in itself is significant. It's the way he approaches everything with a level head, the way he sees the world." She paused, her mind reaching for the right explanation. "He's unlike anyone else I've met. His actions are calculated, and his decisions are made with precision. He doesn't act rashly, nor does he let emotions cloud his judgment. In a world where many rely on brute strength or sheer power, Astron stands apart because of his mind."

"Ho?"

Alden's gaze remained fixed on her, his expression unreadable. He was listening intently, waiting for more.

"And," Maya continued, "there's something else. When I'm with him, I feel like I can rely on him—not just in combat but in understanding things that others might overlook. He... sees things differently, and that has made all the difference in how we've navigated the situations we've faced."

Alden raised an eyebrow, still skeptical but intrigued. "You speak highly of him. But trust, Maya, is not something to be given lightly. Do you believe he will continue to prove himself worthy of it?"

Maya nodded without hesitation. "I do. He's earned that trust, and I believe he will continue to do so."

"Interesting. You said he approaches everything differently, and he sees the world beyond what many see. Can you please elaborate?" Alden's curiosity was evident, though his tone remained calm and measured.

Maya paused, considering how best to explain it. "It's just as I said. Astron sees what many tend to overlook. Where most people might focus on the immediate problem, he's already thinking several steps ahead, analyzing details that others would miss entirely. From where a normal person might draw one conclusion, he can draw three, or even more."

Alden's expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of interest in his eyes. "So, he's observant, then."

Maya nodded. "Indeed. He notices the little things—the subtleties in people's actions, the patterns in how they react. And he uses that understanding to make decisions that others might not even consider. It's not just about what's happening at the moment but how that moment fits into a larger picture. It's what's kept us safe more than once."

Alden leaned back, his eyes once again drifting toward Astron. "Being observant can be a powerful trait," he mused, his voice thoughtful. "It's rare to find someone who can see beyond the surface, who can calculate multiple possibilities with such precision. That's not a skill you simply pick up—it takes time, experience, and a particular mindset."

He folded his arms across his chest, studying Astron more closely. "If what my sister said is true, you may give me an example then?"

Astron's violet eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he met Alden's gaze. The room was quiet, the tension palpable as Alden leaned back, waiting for a response. Astron didn't flinch under the scrutiny, but rather embraced it, allowing the ambient mana to flow into his senses. His eyes, now shining faintly with mana, began to absorb the details that lay hidden beneath the surface. He focused on Alden, filtering through the layers of normal and special mana traces that clung to his clothes and form.

"A simple example?" Astron's voice was calm, but his eyes gleamed with insight as he began to speak. "Let me start with the most obvious—your attire, for instance. You recently attended a meeting, likely formal. The fold lines on your shirt and the slight stiffness at the collar tell me that much. However," he paused, his eyes flicking to a subtle mark on Alden's cuff, "the mana traces clinging to your clothes suggest that before that, you spent some time in a place where earth-metal attributed mana is abundant. Judging by the distinct concentration and type of mana, I'd wager a mine. You didn't linger long, but long enough for the traces to stick."

Alden's eyes darkened slightly, but he remained silent, allowing Astron to continue.

"Now, there's more," Astron said, his voice steady but his words sharp. "I see you're a perfectionist—everything about your appearance screams of precision. Your clothes, despite having traces of that meeting and the mine, are immaculately kept. You make sure that no part of your attire is out of place, and your shoes are polished to a shine, though they've seen recent activity."

Astron's gaze briefly flicked to Maya, who watched silently, her expression unreadable, then back to Alden.