Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 636

Chapter 636 - 136.6 - Prepare

"Please take a look at this."

Maya's gaze drifted downward, settling on the small object Astron had slid across the table. It was delicate but intricately crafted, a charm or amulet of sorts, made from some dark metal that glinted in the morning light.

Its surface was etched with fine, twisting lines, forming patterns that seemed to ripple across the metal like waves. There were symbols too, unfamiliar and complex, carved with such precision that they seemed almost alive, shifting subtly as she examined them.

Her brow furrowed slightly as she tilted the object, taking in the faint traces of energy pulsing through it.

Despite her extensive knowledge, she couldn't fully decipher its purpose. It felt old, ancient even, as if it had been crafted long ago by hands that understood magic in ways she hadn't yet explored.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice soft with intrigue, her gaze lifting to meet his.

Astron watched her for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he began. "It's a construct that I had requested to be made after studying [Psychic] magic and its core principles," he said, his tone measured, as though this explanation had been forming in his mind for some time.

Maya felt her heart quicken, and though she kept her face composed, a quiet warmth bloomed within her. He had studied psychic magic, her magic.

It wasn't something he would have had much use for on his own—his talents lay elsewhere. A thought crept into her mind, unspoken but vivid: he had done this for her.

He had delved into unfamiliar territory, expending time and energy, to understand something she struggled with. It was such a small thing, yet it felt monumental.

Astron continued, unaware of the shift in her thoughts. "In my free time, I looked into the theory behind it. Psychic magic is different from other forms and more personal. It relies on control and a clear mind, and it can be difficult to manage because of how easily emotions can bleed into the magic itself."

Maya nodded, absorbing his words. She knew all too well the dangers of psychic magic as this was a piece of common knowledge amongst the Awakened community.

For most people, Psychic magic was a very dangerous tool, as resisting it was not something that one could improve just by advancing their strengths.

Willpower, mind power, and many other things would need to be taken into consideration which was not something the Awakened community liked.

Though she listened, it was rare to hear him speak about magic in this way, his tone contemplative yet focused. There was a quiet understanding in his voice, one that seemed to bridge the gap between her struggles and his own experience.

"As I was researching," he went on, his gaze drifting slightly, "I found references to an old tradition, something used by mages in ancient times."

Astron's gaze grew distant, as though reaching through layers of thought to pull together the words. "In some traditions," he began quietly, "they called it the [Inner Demon]—others, [Split Subconscious], or even [Hidden Face]. It was thought to be a shadow within the mind, a construct that would allow mages to work through dangerous emotions by separating them from their core selves, channeling the intensity without letting it interfere with their rationality."

Maya felt herself drawn in further, sensing that this was something beyond mere theory, something connected to her struggle. She remained silent, allowing him the space to continue.

"When your evolution to a vampire failed," he continued, his tone careful yet unwavering, "your body was left in a state that isn't fully human, nor fully vampire… and even still not quite elf. The incompleteness isn't just in your physical self but extends into your psyche." His violet eyes held her gaze with steady focus. "Most of the time magic requires a singular mind, a clarity of self. But your thoughts… your emotions—they're constantly at odds."

Maya absorbed his words, a quiet acknowledgment blooming within her. She had always felt the duality within her, that faint disconnect—a lingering war between rationality and instinct. The part of her that craved control, and clarity, and the part that, since the failed evolution, felt darker, more volatile.

Astron gestured to the amulet. "This charm," he explained, "is made to help you confront and control that duality. It's a construct meant to channel your psychic energy separately from your emotions, letting you keep them distinct." He paused, his gaze steady. "The challenge is to balance it, to face those parts of yourself that are hard to control—acknowledge them without letting them consume you."

Maya's fingers brushed over the delicate amulet again, her thoughts stirring. The [Inner Demon], the part of her that she struggled to contain, could it be tempered through this?