Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 1006

"I guess you could say I'm one of the lucky ones. I get to travel, meet new talents, and... maybe even steal a few stars away before the bigger guilds grab them."

He grinned, but behind that grin, Sylvie sensed something—an edge too smooth to be careless.

Her instincts twitched faintly.

But Leonard's gaze was warm. Familiar. A brother's gaze.

It made doubting him feel wrong.

"You always liked wandering around," Sylvie said, forcing a small smile. "I guess it suits you."

"It does," Leonard agreed. "And besides…" He turned his head slightly, looking toward the Academy's sprawling training grounds, where the distant clash of practice bouts echoed faintly against the stone. "Arcadia's not a bad place to find stars waiting to rise."

Sylvie followed his gaze, but the unease lingering in the pit of her stomach didn't fade.

She wrapped her arms a little tighter around her bag and walked a bit closer to him, drawing comfort from the simple proximity even as questions stacked quietly in the corners of her mind.

Leonard didn't miss it.

He didn't push.

There would be time enough for that later.

For now, he simply smiled again—a smile full of fondness and patience—and led her onward, deeper into the heart of a campus blooming with talent, ambition… and sleeping danger.

*****

They found a quiet diner tucked away from the main arteries of the Academy—a modest place with soft, warm lighting and thick wooden tables, far from the flashier, bustling venues closer to the central plaza. Sylvie led the way to a booth near the back, settling her bag beside her as Leonard slid in opposite her, leaning his elbows casually on the table.

The smell of freshly baked bread and simmering stew hung in the air, cozy and familiar. It calmed her a little, easing the last of the tension that had followed her like a shadow.

Their meals arrived quickly: a simple roast plate for Leonard, a creamy herb soup for Sylvie. The warm broth soothed her chest, still tight from the pressure of the week.

Leonard waited until she had taken a few bites before leaning back slightly and flashing her a relaxed smile. "So," he began, "how were your exams?"

Sylvie swallowed and wiped her mouth neatly with a napkin. "Not bad," she answered, choosing her words carefully. "Theory was... decent. It could've been better if I had guessed the topics better, but I think I held my ground."

Leonard arched a brow, amusement flickering across his features. "Held your ground, huh? Sounds like someone's being modest."

Sylvie chuckled softly, a genuine sound. "Maybe. But my healing practical? I'm pretty confident about that one."

She smiled, a faint but proud curve of her lips. "I think I aced it."

Leonard's grin widened, the kind of grin that made her chest ache a little with nostalgia. "Of course you did. Little sister's a real prodigy now."

Sylvie flushed slightly and busied herself with her spoon. "Tomorrow's our team exams," she said, changing the subject quickly. "That's the last part."

Leonard nodded knowingly. "Yeah. I figured."

His gaze was calm, thoughtful. "Since I'm stationed here as a scout, we get updates. I know the schedule."

Sylvie nodded, stirring her soup slowly. She knew what he would ask next even before he spoke.

"So, should I come watch? When's the best time to see my brilliant little sister in action?" Leonard's tone was teasing, but there was a sincerity behind it—he genuinely wanted to see her at her best.

Sylvie bit her lip, thinking. She wanted to impress him. Wanted to show him she wasn't the timid little girl he remembered from years ago.

Jasmine perked up at that, crossing her arms and grinning. "Yeah, spill. You looked pretty smug when you came back."

Sylvie, sitting neatly with her hands folded in front of her coffee cup, blinked once before giving a rare, self-assured smile. "It went well," she said simply. "Really well."

Layla raised an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Jasmine. "Oh? That confident?"

Sylvie nodded without hesitation, her green eyes calm and steady. "Yes. I think I'll be ranked first."

There was a brief beat of silence, followed by Jasmine letting out a low whistle. "Whoa, listen to you! I didn't know our little Sylvie could flex like that."

Layla laughed, nudging Sylvie lightly with her elbow. "Yeah, seriously. You're scaring me a little."

Sylvie allowed herself a small chuckle, the confidence in her voice unshaken. "I mean it. Everything clicked perfectly. My mana control was sharp, my recovery efficiency was the highest among the group… I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be."

Jasmine grinned, tossing a thumb over her shoulder. "Damn. Confidence looks good on you."

Irina, who had been quietly sipping her coffee, glanced at Sylvie with a faint smirk. "Good. If you're that confident, then that's one less thing we have to worry about today."

Astron, seated across from them, remained silent, merely observing. But his gaze lingered a second longer on Sylvie—a subtle acknowledgment that he, too, approved of what he heard.

Layla tapped her fingers on the table lightly. "Alright, then. Healer's ready. Shield's ready. Pressure line's ready." She nodded toward Irina and Jasmine. "Now we just need to review positioning one more time before our slot."

Jasmine checked her wristband, flicking through the digital schedule. "Our time's between 1 PM and 2 PM. Plenty of time to eat, finalize our plan, and triple-check our gear."

Sylvie smiled faintly, the steady thrum of anticipation settling into her chest.

For some reason she had a good feeling today.