Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 671

Chapter 671 148.2 - Armory

The Emberheart Armory loomed before Astron, its heavy, ornately engraved doors casting long shadows in the dim light. This was no ordinary armory-it was the culmination of centuries of Emberheart legacy, a place where power was not only stored but guarded with an almost sacred reverence.

Standing there, he understood why Irina's mother had put him through such a brutal test. Irina had clearly spoken highly of him, likely even bragged, and that alone would have sparked her mother's interest. But granting an outsider access to this armory? That was a different matter entirely.

For someone outside the Emberheart family, gaining entrance to the armory was a privilege beyond imagination. Even Irina herself had limited access to its treasures; if she needed an artifact, it would be brought to her, not something she could simply choose freely.

It wasn't that her mother wanted to hold her back-far from it. The Matriarch was

strict, but her discipline was rooted in a desire to see her daughter's potential fully realized. For an outsider, however, earning the Matriarch's trust was another challenge entirely.

Astron, of course, had known this. He understood the implications of requesting access, and he'd prepared himself for the scrutiny that would follow. He was fully aware that Irina's mother would need to assess him thoroughly, and he had accepted the Chamber of Emberheart's trial without question. As he stood there, he took a deep breath, his mind steady and focused. This wasn't just about accessing powerful artifacts-it was about respect and proving that he was worthy, even by the exacting standards of the Emberheart family.

Just then, he heard quiet footsteps behind him. Irina approached her expression a mixture of pride and quiet satisfaction. She glanced at him, noting his calm, ready demeanor, and gave a slight nod.

"I knew you'd make it here," she said, her voice filled with quiet pride. "My mother doesn't let just anyone step foot into this place. You've earned it."

However, at the same time, she somehow felt like this guy knew everything from the beginning. "Were you.....expecting this?"

Astron shrugged, a calm expression on his face. "This much was evident. If I were in the Matriarch's shoes, I'd have done the same. It's understandable."

Irina studied him, a spark of curiosity in her eyes. "Not even the Chamber of Emberheart?"

He paused, a flicker of surprise passing over his face-barely noticeable, but she caught it. For just a moment, his composed demeanor slipped, and she realized that even he hadn't expected to be thrown into that kind of trial. She couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. Here he was, the man who always seemed to have everything under control, showing a glimpse of uncertainty. It reminded her that he was just as human as the rest of them.

The realization softened her gaze. He's not invincible, she thought, feeling a warmth she couldn't quite name. He's here, facing challenges head-on, and even if he doesn't know exactly what's coming, he's still willing to take the risk.

She gave him a faint smile. "So, you don't always have everything figured out, do you?" she said lightly, a teasing note in her voice.

He looked at her, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "Apparently not. Even I miss a few details now and then."

Irina felt her heart skip a beat at his subtle, self-aware humor. The detachment he usually showed seemed to soften, just for that moment, and she liked seeing him like this-more grounded, more real. The quiet vulnerability he'd shown reassured her somehow, a reminder that despite his strength, he was also figuring things out one step at a time, just like she was.

"Well," she said, folding her arms and feigning indifference, "I'm glad to know you're human after all. Makes things a little more... manageable."

"I am of course a human. What else can I be?"

"A blockhead, humph," Irina replied, folding her arms with a smirk. "That's exactly what you'd be without me."

Astron shook his head, amused. "I'll take that as a compliment-if it means I'll be spared more of your... instruction."

For a brief moment, it was just them, the usual tension between formality and duty absent. Irina felt lighter than she had in days, as if they'd managed to step outside the expectations of their world, if only for a moment.

But their lighthearted exchange was soon interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Irina turned, her smile fading as she recognized Esme, her old nanny and her mother's closest aide, approaching them. Esme offered a polite bow, her expression professional and unyielding.

"Lady Irina. Mr. Natusalune," Esme greeted them, her tone formal. "The Matriarch has requested that I oversee Mr. Natusalune's visit to the Armory. I will ensure everything is conducted properly."

Irina's expression shifted, a hint of annoyance crossing her face as she shot Esme a displeased look. She'd been hoping to guide Astron through the Armory herself, to show him each artifact in her own way, without the formality and oversight that Esme's presence would bring. But she knew better than to argue; her mother had likely anticipated this and sent Esme as a precaution. She kept her frustrations to herself, managing a curt nod instead.

Astron, on the other hand, simply nodded in acknowledgment, his demeanor calm and respectful. "I understand. Thank you, Miss Esme."

With Esme now leading the way, the three of them moved through the grand corridors, Irina and Astron following behind. The faint disappointment Irina felt was evident, though she forced herself to let it go. It wasn't worth making a scene over, especially with her mother's trust riding on Astron's respectful conduct. Still, she couldn't help but glance over at him now and then, a small, knowing smile shared between them whenever Esme's back was turned.

Finally, they reached the entrance to the Emberheart Armory, a pair of towering doors adorned with intricate carvings and blazing fire motifs, the legacy of the family engraved into every corner. Esme stepped forward, placing a hand on the doors and activating a concealed mechanism that caused the heavy doors to part slowly, revealing the treasures within.

*******

As Esme stepped forward, her hand reaching out to touch the carved flames on the towering doors, I watched with a careful eye. Her fingertips ignited with a controlled flicker of fire, and she placed them on specific points along the door's intricate carvings. The flames licked across the surface, tracing a path in sync with the patterns embedded in the wood. It was almost ceremonial, each touch igniting another section of the door, like a series of locks being released in succession.