Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 865

"You should give up on him." she said, her voice soft but laced with malice. "You know how things are right now, don’t you?"

Jane didn’t respond, but her jaw tightened.

Melanie clicked her tongue, feigning disappointment. "Oh, come on, Jane. Don’t play dumb." Her gaze flickered toward the empty hallway before settling back on Jane. "The freshmen and sophomores? They’re practically at each other’s throats. It’s only a matter of time before things escalate. And when they do..."

She leaned in again, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"You’ll be caught in the middle."

Jane clenched her fists, feeling the nails dig into her palm.

"Imagine how badly that could go for you," Melanie continued, her voice sweetly cruel. "Ethan? He’s a freshman. You’re a sophomore. Do you really think that’s going to sit well with anyone?"

Jane knew what she was trying to do. Knew that Melanie was using the tensions between the year groups as an excuse—just another tool in her arsenal to make her life hell.

But knowing didn’t make it sting any less.

Melanie stepped back, tilting her head, studying Jane with something close to amusement. "You think you can pretend like this doesn’t matter? Like you can just ignore it?" Her expression twisted into something darker. "You always act like you’re above it all. Like you’re better than us."

Jane’s grip on the towel tightened. She wasn’t above anything. She wasn’t better.

She was just tired.

"Tch. I hate girls like you." Melanie’s tone was sharp now, the thin veil of amusement slipping. "Always acting so perfect, so untouchable. But you’re not, are you, Jane?"

She leaned in once more, her lips curling into a smirk.

"Because I remember."

Jane’s breath came shallow, but she forced herself to stand firm. She couldn’t show any more weakness.

Melanie exhaled slowly before taking a step back, as if satisfied. "Anyway," she drawled, "consider this a warning. Or advice, if you’re feeling hopeful. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from Ethan."

She gave Jane one last look before turning on her heel, her footsteps light against the cold floor.

As she disappeared down the hallway, Jane let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

The towel slipped from her grip, falling to the ground.

She clenched her jaw, forcing down the shaky feeling in her chest.

Mia.

That name still had power over her.

And Melanie knew it.

Jane took a deep breath, her hands tightening into fists at her sides.

She wasn’t going to let Melanie win.

She stood there for a moment, staring at the empty hallway where Melanie had just disappeared.

Her breathing was steady now, controlled. The initial sting of the words had passed, replaced by a cold, familiar emptiness.

This wasn’t new.

People like Melanie had always been around—picking, prodding, waiting for a moment of weakness to exploit. Jane had seen it before. She had felt it before. It was like walking through a storm you knew would never truly pass, only change direction.

But she had long since learned how to stand in the rain.

Without a word, she bent down, picking up the towel from the ground. She didn’t bother dusting it off—her hands felt too stiff, her movements too mechanical. She needed to get rid of this feeling.

She turned on her heel and walked. Not toward the library, not yet.

She needed a moment.

The academy bathrooms were empty at this hour, the pale glow of the fluorescent lights flickering against the pristine white tiles. The quiet hum of the ventilation system was the only sound as Jane stepped inside, letting the door click shut behind her.

She moved toward the sink, placing both hands on the cool ceramic surface. Her grip was firm—steady, even as the tension in her shoulders refused to ease.

She turned on the tap.

The rush of cold water filled the silence, and without hesitation, Jane leaned down and splashed it onto her face. The shock of it sent a jolt through her system, grounding her. Her breath hitched slightly as she let the icy sensation wash over her skin, chasing away the lingering heat of anger, of discomfort.

Drip.

Water slid down her face, pooling in the hollow of her collarbone before sinking into the fabric of her training suit. Her fingers curled against the sink’s edge as she slowly straightened, staring at her reflection.

Her brown eyes, still sharp.

Her expression, still composed.

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Her face, still hers.

Jane exhaled, forcing a small smile onto her lips.

"It’s fine. You can do it."

Her voice was soft, meant only for herself, a quiet reminder that she wouldn’t break. That she had been through worse. That this—Melanie’s threats, the tension between the freshmen and sophomores, the exhausting weight of it all—was just another thing to endure.