Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 704

Chapter 704 158.2 - Coffee

Irina and Astron sat on a smooth stone ledge by the edge of one of the mana-infused pools. The faint glow of the water reflected on their faces, and the soothing sound of the cascading waterfalls filled the air. Irina leaned back slightly, her arms supporting her as she tilted her head to gaze at the shimmering canopy of bioluminescent leaves above.

"This," she said softly, her hazel eyes thoughtful, "is what peace should feel like, isn't it?"

Astron, sitting beside her, rested his forearms on his knees as his sharp purple eyes scanned the surroundings. For a moment, he didn't reply, his expression unreadable. Then, with his usual calm tone, he said, "It may look peaceful to you, but for someone who can discern the details, it's far from peaceful."

Irina raised an eyebrow, turning her head toward him. "What do you mean?"

Astron gestured subtly toward the forest and springs around them. "Look closer. Watch carefully."

Irina narrowed her eyes, following his gaze. At first, all she saw was the serene glow of the springs, the gentle sway of leaves in the breeze, and the faint movement of small creatures. But as she concentrated, she began to notice more.

"Over there," Astron said, pointing to a cluster of bushes across the spring. "See that small deer-like creature grazing?"

Irina nodded slowly. "Yeah, I see it."

"Now look to its left," Astron continued, his tone calm but edged with purpose. "There's a predator—a Slothien-Caster Wolf, crouching and waiting to strike."

Irina blinked, her hazel eyes sharpening as she spotted the faint shimmer of the wolf's fur blending with the surroundings. "I didn't notice that…"

"And that's not all," Astron added, pointing toward the water. "In the pool just below us, there's a school of mana fish. But look closer—see the serpentine shape weaving through the rocks?"

Irina squinted, her breath catching as she spotted the faint outline of a predator fish stalking the smaller ones. "They're hunting," she murmured.

"Exactly," Astron said, leaning back slightly. "Everywhere you look, there's movement, tension. The insects in the air—some of them are hunting others on a microscopic scale. In the distance, I can see two lesser mana beasts locked in a territorial fight."

Irina's gaze darted around as she took in the details Astron pointed out, her initial sense of tranquility giving way to a deeper understanding. "So… what you're saying is, what looks peaceful to us is actually full of chaos."

Astron nodded slightly. "For us, who aren't part of this ecosystem, it looks like a serene, untouched world. But for the creatures that live here, this is survival. Every moment is filled with their own conflicts, struggles, and balance."

Irina was silent for a moment, her thoughts swirling as she absorbed his words. "That's… kind of unsettling," she admitted, her tone quieter now. "But I guess it makes sense. Just because something looks calm on the surface doesn't mean it really is."

"Exactly," Astron replied, his gaze fixed on the water. "Perspective changes everything."

Irina leaned back again, her fingers tracing the smooth surface of the rock beneath her. "You always have a way of turning simple things into something complicated," she said, though her tone lacked its usual bite. Instead, there was a note of admiration hidden beneath her words.

"Or," Astron countered, "maybe I'm just seeing what's already there."

Irina chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Fine. You win this one."

The two of them fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts as the glowing springs and the chaotic, vibrant world around them carried on. It wasn't the peace Irina had imagined, but it was a different kind of understanding—one that left her feeling oddly grounded.

The gentle sounds of the springs and the subtle hum of mana-filled air surrounded them as Irina and Astron continued to sit in silence. Irina leaned back, watching the glowing water ripple with soft waves, her mind drifting aimlessly. Just as she began to relax fully into the moment, a loud grumble echoed through the quiet.

Irina froze, her cheeks immediately flushing as her stomach betrayed her. She glanced sideways at Astron, whose sharp purple eyes were now fixed on her, his eyebrows raised in silent question.

"Did you not plan for this?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying a faint trace of amusement.

"I—of course, I did!" Irina shot back, her embarrassment clear in her tone. She coughed lightly, rummaging through her bag. After a moment, she pulled out a neatly packaged set of portable meals, the branding of a high-end prepped meal company prominently displayed.

Astron tilted his head slightly, his gaze shifting from the meals to Irina's face. "That again?" he asked, his tone carrying a note of exasperation.

"What do you mean 'that again'?" Irina huffed, trying to mask her embarrassment as she began to unwrap one of the packages. "These are efficient, and they taste good. What's your problem?"

Astron sighed softly, his expression unreadable as he reached over and gently pushed the meal package back toward her bag. "Put those down," he said, his tone firm but not unkind.

Irina blinked, taken aback. "What? Why?"

Astron stood, brushing off his hands. "You always bring those whenever you go on an expedition or a dungeon crawl, don't you? A specific brand of prepped meals because you're a picky eater."

Irina crossed her arms, glaring at him. "So what? They're convenient and reliable. I don't see the problem."

"The problem," Astron replied, his voice calm as he pulled out his own supplies from his bag, "is that we're not in a dungeon right now, and there's no reason for you to eat something so bland when there's time to prepare something better."

Irina stared at him, her indignation faltering as curiosity took over. "You're going to… cook?"

Astron nodded, pulling out a compact cooking set and a small assortment of fresh ingredients. He set them up on a flat rock nearby with a quiet efficiency that left Irina momentarily speechless.

"You actually brought fresh ingredients?" she asked her tone somewhere between disbelief and curiosity.

"Of course," Astron replied, slicing into a mana-infused herb with practiced precision.

Irina folded her arms, her fiery gaze narrowing as she watched Astron work. "Since when did you become someone who isn't practical?" she asked, her tone carrying a mix of teasing and genuine curiosity. "You're always the one who prioritizes efficiency and practicality over everything else."

Astron didn't glance up as he continued slicing the mana-infused herb with meticulous precision. "You're not wrong," he admitted calmly. "I usually do prefer prepped meals when I'm on expeditions or in combat scenarios. They're quick and provide the necessary nutrients."

"Exactly," Irina said, leaning forward slightly as if she'd just won the argument. "So why are you suddenly acting like a chef out here?"