Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 609

Chapter 609 135.7 - The Banquet

"Lady Evergreen. I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting yet."

Maya turned toward him, her expression momentarily surprised before she composed herself. Her blue eyes flicked up to meet his gaze, and Zharokath could sense the faint tension in her posture.

"Mr. Vayne," she replied softly, clearly aware of who he was. Her voice was calm, but there was an underlying thread of nervousness she couldn't quite hide.

Zharokath offered a polite nod to the others in the group before focusing his attention entirely on Maya, his smile never wavering. "It is truly an honor to meet a member of the esteemed Evergreen family. Your reputation precedes you."

Maya blinked, a slight 'blush' creeping into her cheeks at the compliment.

She glanced briefly at Astron, who stood silently a step behind her, his watchful gaze never leaving Zharokath. But Zharokath wasn't concerned about him—not yet, at least.

Why would he be?

After all, how could a mere bodyguard sense what he was doing? Though that guy certainly looked really handsome, there was nothing else that gave an impression of him.

Most likely, he was a boy's toy prepared for Maya to use, as most of the high-ranking families had such traditions.

"Thank you," she replied with a faint smile, her tone modest. "I'm only here to learn."

Zharokath's smile widened ever so slightly. "Ah, but learning is the first step to greatness, is it not? And I'm certain you will make quite an impression here tonight."

Her blush deepened, and she looked down briefly, clearly still adjusting to the attention. Zharokath found it endearing in a way, though more than that, he saw it as an opening—a way to slip past her defenses.

'She's unguarded,' he thought, his predatory instincts sharpening. 'This will be easier than I thought.'

Zharokath continued his conversation with ease, allowing the words to flow smoothly, each one carefully chosen to keep Maya engaged while subtly planting seeds of influence. His smile remained calm and inviting, the perfect mask of a gentleman, but beneath that facade, his mind was working, calculating how best to manipulate the situation to his advantage.

"Experience is everything," he said, his voice smooth and measured. "The art of ruling, of managing people, is not something one simply learns from books or tutors. It must be lived, experienced firsthand." He gave Maya a knowing look. "Your presence here tonight is already a step in that direction. Soon, you will understand the subtleties of power—the way it ebbs and flows, and how it can be wielded to shape the future."

Maya nodded, still playing the role of the eager but modest learner. "I have much to learn, Mr. Vayne. But I hope to understand it all in time."

Zharokath's smile widened slightly as he shifted the conversation toward himself. "I was much like you once—an observer in the world of politics and influence. But as time went on, I learned that true power lies not just in commanding others, but in knowing when to influence from the shadows, when to let people believe they are in control."

As he spoke, he began to subtly release a thin stream of his demonic energy, letting it weave through the air toward Maya. The energy was faint, barely perceptible, but it carried with it a familiar resonance that would reach out to the dormant power within her.

Zharokath watched closely, sensing for any reaction from the demonic energy within her. His aim wasn't to fully control her—not yet. It was a test, an experiment to see if he could stir something within her, perhaps even command a part of her, as demons held an innate ability to influence their lesser kin. He doubted Maya was fully aware of the energy lying within her, which made her even more susceptible to his influence.

As the demonic energy reached her, he noticed a slight shift in her posture—a momentary flicker in her expression. Her eyes, though still focused on him, seemed to darken briefly, as if something stirred within her.

'There it is,' Zharokath thought, satisfaction blooming within him. The connection was faint, but it was there, responding to his energy. 'This will work.'

He didn't need her to fall under his control immediately. What he sought was more subtle—an influence that would slowly make her view him more favorably, perhaps even develop a sense of trust or admiration. It was a method he had used many times before, gradually bending people's perceptions in his favor without them ever realizing it.

"Of course," Zharokath continued, his voice softening slightly, as if sharing something personal, "I have learned that true leadership is not about force. It's about understanding the desires and fears of others and using that knowledge to guide them. People are often drawn to those who seem to understand them, who make them feel seen."

As he spoke, he sent another pulse of demonic energy toward her, just enough to nudge the dormant power inside her, to see if he could push it further. Maya's breath seemed to catch for a moment, and she blinked, her eyes briefly clouded with confusion before she quickly composed herself.

'Interesting,' Zharokath mused, watching her closely. He could feel the stirrings of the demonic energy within her reacting, though it wasn't strong enough for him to fully command yet. Still, the fact that it responded at all meant that, over time, he could nurture it, slowly coax it to the surface until she became more susceptible to his control.

Maya, meanwhile, seemed unaware of the subtle manipulation at play. Her expression remained calm, though Zharokath could sense a faint unease within her, as if she were trying to shake off a strange sensation she couldn't quite identify.

"Do you ever feel," Zharokath asked, his tone now more intimate, "that there's something more waiting for you? Something beyond what you've been taught or what your family expects of you?"

Maya hesitated for a moment, clearly caught off guard by the question. "I… I suppose," she replied, her voice quieter. "But I've always followed my family's guidance."

But this time, her hesitation was real.

It was because she was really feeling uncomfortable, as if something inside her was burning. Even though Astron had warned her beforehand that such a thing would happen and she had prepared herself for these types of sensations, she still did not expect it to be like this.

She really was having a hard time holding herself from breaking down.

Zharokath's smile softened, almost as if he were sympathizing with her. "It's natural to follow, but there comes a time when we must step beyond the expectations of others and seek our own path. I sense that within you—a potential for greatness, for something more."