Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 734

Chapter 734 167.2 - Return to the Academy

Ethan adjusted the strap of his bag as he stood at the base of the mountain trail, glancing back one last time at the rugged peaks he had called home for over a month. His aunt, Kaya, stood a few feet away, arms crossed and her sharp gaze softened just slightly by a hint of pride.

"Remember," Kaya said, her voice carrying the weight of both a warning and

encouragement, "this strength is a tool, not a trophy. Don't get comfortable. Growth doesn't stop just because you've leveled up."

Ethan nodded, the weight of her words settling in his chest. "Got it, Aunt Kaya. Thank you for everything"

As he turned to descend the trail, Ethan couldn't help but smile to himself. Finally, home.'

The path down the mountain was steep, but Ethan moved with practiced ease, his movements sure and steady from weeks of Kaya's grueling training. The once-daunting terrain now felt almost welcoming, as if the mountain itself acknowledged his progress. His bag bounced lightly on his back as he picked up his pace, the thought of returning to the Hartley Manor spurring him onward.

'A real bed. A bath. Full technology again. The thought sent a ripple of excitement through him. Living under Kaya's watch had been an experience-brutal, relentless, and entirely devoid of comfort. She hadn't allowed anything beyond the essentials. No entertainment, no social media, no distractions. 'She called it purification... and maybe she was right.'

Despite the hardships, Ethan felt lighter, as though shedding those conveniences had cleansed something inside him. He hadn't realized how much noise filled his life until it was gone.

But even as he reflected on this newfound clarity, a pang of longing stirred in his chest. He quickened his steps, feeling his heart rate pick up for a reason unrelated to the descent. His friends came to mind-Julia, Lilia, Lucas, Carl, Irina-and, unbidden, Jane.

Her name lingered longer than the others, and with it came the memory of her tearful smile when he had saved her. His face flushed as his heart thudded in his chest. 'What is wrong with me?"

He shook his head, trying to dispel the thought, but it lingered stubbornly. I told her I'd be gone for training. She understood... but what if-no. She's fine. She's strong.' Even as he reassured himself, the worry crept back in.

A breeze rustled through the trees lining the trail, and Ethan picked up his pace until he was nearly jogging. The path opened up, and the familiar sight of the Hartley Estate came into view. The sprawling grounds were a welcome sight after weeks of rugged terrain and makeshift accommodations.

With a burst of energy, Ethan broke into a full sprint. The ache in his muscles from training, the weight of his bag-none of it mattered. The wide, open fields leading to the manor felt like freedom itself, and he reveled in the sensation. 'Almost there.'

The grand Hartley Manor stood tall, its pristine facade gleaming under the midday sun. Ethan slowed to a stop at the main entrance, panting slightly as he took in the sight. 'Home.'

He stepped inside, his boots clicking softly against the polished marble floors. The familiar scent of lavender and cedar filled his senses, a comforting contrast to the earthy, sweat-soaked reality of the past month. A servant approached, bowing politely.

"Welcome back, Young Master Ethan. Shall I prepare a bath for you?"

Ethan couldn't suppress the grin that spread across his face. "Yes, please. And make it hot"

As he ascended the grand staircase, he reflected on the solitude of the past weeks. Kaya's strict regimen had left no room for indulgence, and he hadn't dared to question it. 'She's an S-rank hunter for a reason. If she thought was necessary, it probably was.'

Still, the idea of sinking into a hot bath, surrounded by the comforts of home, felt almost surreal.

The bathroom was a haven of luxury, its modern fixtures gleaming under soft, ambient lighting. Ethan sank into the steaming water, the heat enveloping him like a warm embrace. He let out a sigh of relief as the tension in his muscles began to melt away. "This... this is heaven.'

For a few moments, he allowed himself to simply exist, his thoughts drifting. But as the water soothed his aching body, his mind wandered back to his friends-and to Jane.

As his gaze wandered lazily around the bathroom, his eyes fell on the counter where his smartwatch rested. It had been placed there by the maids, likely when they were preparing the bath. The sleek device gleamed under the soft lighting, a small but sharp reminder of the world he had momentarily left behind.

Ethan reached over, droplets of water trailing from his hand, and picked it up. The screen lit up as soon as he tapped it, and a flood of notifications erupted across the display. He blinked in surprise as the device buzzed incessantly in his hand, the sheer volume of updates almost comical.

'What the...?"

The screen scrolled through an endless list of messages, pings, and alerts, the overwhelming stream of activity making him feel a strange mix of excitement and unease. He hadn't realized just how much he'd been cut off from everything.

Social media updates flashed before his eyes-likes, comments, and posts from friends and acquaintances. His inbox was equally chaotic, filled with messages he hadn't

seen.

"This feels... surreal.'

Ethan opened his messaging app, his thumb hovering for a moment before diving into the chaos. Group chats were alive with activity, and he scrolled through the backlog of messages, catching up on conversations he'd missed.

One particular group chat caught his eye, the name flashing with familiarity: The Chaos Squad. He opened it, greeted by a flood of messages.

[Julia: Yo! Anyone wants to come? Let's meet this weekend?]

The message was from four weeks ago, and seeing it felt like unearthing a memory frozen in time.

[Lilia: I wnta to emoe, but I cna't emoe.....] freēwebnovel.com

Ethan chuckled softly. It was a typo, clearly mocking Julia's message, and seeing the banter between the two brought a wave of nostalgia. It was as if nothing had changed

in his absence.

[Lucas: Guys, stop being weird in the chat. You're scaring away the normal people.]

[Julia: What normal people? You mean YOU?]

[Lucas: ... I walked into that one.]

The back-and-forth felt familiar, grounding. Despite everything, their dynamic

remained unchanged.

Ethan scrolled further, noticing several messages addressed to him directly.