Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 744

Chapter 744 170.1 - Attention

"Since you seem so preoccupied, perhaps you'd like to explain how adrenaline affects mana circulation during combat?"

Sylvie's heart sank as her mind scrambled to pull together anything remotely

coherent. The question hung in the air, Eleanor's authority pressing down on her like a physical weight.

'Focus, Sylvie. Think.' She swallowed hard, her cheeks burning as she fumbled for an answer. "Adrenaline... it, um... causes fluctuations in mana circulation because it... increases energy output?"

Eleanor's sharp gaze narrowed slightly. "Not entirely incorrect, but incomplete." She stepped closer, her presence commanding the attention of the entire room. "Adrenaline causes a spike in energy, yes, but it also introduces instability. Mana channels become more volatile, and the flow is harder to control. This is why balance and control are critical, especially in combat situations."

Sylvie nodded quickly, her face hot with embarrassment. "I... I understand, Professor." Eleanor's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before she nodded. "Good. See that you remain focused. These concepts are foundational, and you will not have the luxury of distraction in the field."

"Yes, Professor," Sylvie murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The tension in the room eased slightly as Eleanor returned to the front of the class, resuming her lecture as if nothing had happened. But Sylvie could feel the lingering stares from her classmates, their curiosity and judgment weighing heavily on her. She forced herself to look down at her tablet, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to steady her breathing.

'Get it together,' she thought, gripping her stylus tightly. You can't let this keep happening.'

But as she stole another glance at Astron, who hadn't reacted at all during the exchange, her chest tightened again. The gnawing unease refused to leave, the questions swirling in her mind louder than ever.

Sylvie was gripping her stylus so tightly her knuckles turned white, her mind still racing in the aftermath of Eleanor's reprimand. The embarrassment clung to her like a heavy cloak, weighing her down even as she tried to focus on the lecture.

Just then, she felt a nudge at her side. Jasmine leaned closer, pinching her arm lightly, drawing a startled glance from Sylvic.

"Ow-Jasmine!" Sylvie whispered, her tone sharper than intended.

"What are you doing?" Jasmine hissed back, her expression a mix of concern and

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exasperation. "You're completely out of it today. This isn't like you."

Sylvie bit her lip, unable to deny it. Jasmine was right. This wasn't like her. Normally, she prided herself on her focus, and her ability to stay composed even in stressful situations. But today? Today, her thoughts were a mess, and she had no one to blame but herself.

'Right....."

The frustration turned inward, a sharp pang of self-directed anger that only made her cheeks burn hotter. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to glance at her tablet and pretend to take notes. But as much as she tried to push the thoughts away, her gaze drifted again-back to him.

Her chest tightened as her eyes landed on him. He was still seated calmly, his attention focused on the lecture as if nothing in the world could disturb him.

The whispers from earlier had faded, but Sylvie still caught the occasional glance from other students, their curiosity lingering like an unspoken question.

Just as she was about to look away, something happened that made her freeze.

Astron turned his head.

His purple eyes locked onto hers, piercing and steady, as though he had been aware of her attention all along. The intensity of his gaze hit her like a jolt of electricity, and for a moment, the world around her seemed to blur. It wasn't a look of judgment or amusement-it was calm, measured, and unsettlingly direct.

Sylvie's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. She felt her checks flush even hotter, a wave of embarrassment washing over her. She had no idea why- why his gaze unsettled her so much, why it felt like he could see straight through her. 'Why am I reacting like this?' she thought, her mind spiraling again.

Unable to hold his gaze any longer, she quickly looked down at her tablet, her pulse racing. She could still feel the weight of his eyes, the lingering impact of that brief moment of connection.

Jasmine nudged her again, her voice a hushed whisper. "Are you crazy? Do you want to get marked by Eleanor?"

Sylvie shook her head quickly, forcing herself to refocus as Jasmine's whispered words brought her crashing back to reality. "Getting marked by Eleanor... right at the start of the semester..." she murmured under her breath. The very thought sent a shiver down her spine.

It was one of the worst things that could happen to a student inside the classroom. Eleanor's reputation was ironclad, and once she decided to mark a student, it was like being under constant scrutiny for the rest of the term. Every mistake, every lapse in focus, would be noted, amplified, and mercilessly addressed.

Sylvie's gaze darted back to her tablet, her cheeks still burning from the earlier exchange. She had to get it together. Now wasn't the time to let her thoughts spiral out of control.

Her mind flickered briefly to the stories she'd heard about Astron last semester. He had been marked by Eleanor early on, and the consequences had been brutal. Everyone in the class had whispered about it-how he'd spent sleepless nights studying, how he'd endured Eleanor's relentless corrections and critiques. It wasn't just about surviving her lessons; it was about proving you could rise above the challenge she threw at you.

And Astron had done exactly that.

Sylvie clenched her stylus tighter, her frustration mounting. If he can handle it, why