Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 747 170.4 - Attention

RING! 
When the ring that signaled the end of the Eleanor's lesson rang, the chatter of students around them created a lively buzz, everyone eagerly discussing Professor Eleanor's lecture, the expanded facilities, and, of course, the Mentorship Program. Julia led the way, her energy unflagging despite the grueling lesson. 
"I mean, a mentorship program?" Julia said, throwing her arms up for emphasis. "How are we supposed to get excited about something that's mandatory? What if we get paired with some grumpy old guy who thinks teaching us is a waste of time?" 
"I think it's a good idea," Carl said, his tone steady. "Having someone experienced guide us could make a huge difference in how we handle real-world challenges." 
"Sure," Julia shot back, "but what if your mentor turns out to be someone who just wants to make us run laps all day? That's not exactly a 'learning experience.'" 
Lilia chuckled, her green hair catching the sunlight as they walked. "I think it depends on the mentor. Some of them might actually be interesting—if we're lucky." 
Lucas, who had been quiet during the conversation, finally spoke up, his cold blue eyes glinting with faint amusement. "Julia, you're acting like the academy is going to assign you a drill sergeant. Relax. They're probably pairing us based on compatibility." 
Julia snorted. "Yeah, because the academy is so good at reading personalities. Watch, they'll pair me with someone who hates sarcasm." 
Ethan, walking beside Julia, gave her a sidelong glance. "Maybe they'll pair you with someone who matches your energy. Could be fun." 
Julia grinned, elbowing him lightly. "Careful, Mountain Boy. You're dangerously close to volunteering." 
"Not a chance," Ethan replied, shaking his head with a smirk. "I've had enough of Aunt Kaya's 'mentorship' to last me a lifetime." 
"It's not just the mentorship program that's new. The expanded facilities… the lake, the urban zone, the desert simulation—it's all so much." 
"You noticed that too, huh?" Lilia said, her sharp red eyes glancing at Irina. "It's like the academy suddenly decided to overhaul everything during the break. Even the wards—they weren't this strong last semester." 
"I guess they're trying to address what happened," Carl said, his voice thoughtful. "Those incidents last term… they can't afford to let something like that happen again." 
Ethan nodded, his brow furrowing. The memory of the disguised dungeon and the unexpected danger in the Phantom's Land was still fresh in his mind. "It feels like they're preparing us for something bigger. Like they know things are going to get worse." 
The group was still seated at their desks when it hit them—a faint ripple in the air that carried an unmistakable weight. It was subtle at first, like the distant hum of a storm, but it quickly grew, brushing against their senses with a distinct heat. 
Ethan stiffened, his instincts kicking in. He glanced toward Irina, who was sitting just a few seats away, her expression unreadable. But it wasn't her face that caught his attention—it was the aura she was unconsciously emanating, flickering like a slow-burning flame. 
"Irina?" Ethan called, his voice low but steady. 

Irina didn't respond. Her amber eyes were fixed on something across the room, her focus sharp and unyielding. Without a word, she stood, her movements deliberate as she began to walk toward the cluster of girls still gathered around Astron's desk. 
Julia straightened in her seat, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What's going on with her?" 
Lilia, ever observant, leaned forward slightly, her gaze flicking between Irina and the group near Astron. "I think we're about to find out." 
The subtle warmth in the air grew heavier as Irina closed the distance, her presence commanding the attention of everyone in the vicinity. The group of girls, previously chattering and giggling around Astron, fell silent as she approached, their movements slowing as they sensed the shift in atmosphere. 
One of the girls, the petite brunette with soft curls who had leaned in earlier, glanced up, her smile faltering as she caught sight of Irina's fiery gaze. 
"Excuse me," Irina began, her tone deceptively sweet but carrying an edge sharp enough to cut through steel. "Did I miss the announcement that this classroom was hosting auditions for desperate groupies?" 
The effect was immediate. The group of girls froze, their expressions ranging from confusion to outright shock. The petite brunette took a small step back, her cheeks flushing a deep red. 
The rest of the room stilled as well, the tension palpable. Astron, still seated at his desk, tilted his head slightly, his sharp purple eyes shifting to Irina. There was no surprise in his gaze—just a calm, almost knowing amusement. 
Julia leaned toward Ethan, her voice barely above a whisper. "Oh, this is going to be good." 
And as the scene commenced, Julia couldn't hold back a snort of laughter, quickly covering her mouth to stifle the sound. Lilia, sitting beside her, raised an eyebrow, her expression half-impressed and half-amused. 
"Wow," Lilia murmured. "She's really going all in." 
Lucas smirked faintly, leaning back in his chair. "Necessary or not, this is… entertaining." 
Yet there was a glint in his eyes. 
'This guy…..I had felt it at the start of the semester, but he changed…..He had changed much more than any of these fools think….' 
At this point, he was becoming more and more sure. 
Meanwhile on the other side, Astron was following Irin, without saying too much. But all those things had made it clear, at least to someone like Julia. 
"Heh…..These guys...Look at our little Irina….She is finally taking her baby steps…." 
Julia's smirk widened as she silently slipped out of the classroom, her steps light and measured. She hid her presence, masking her aura to avoid drawing attention, a skill she prided herself on. Lilia followed shortly after, her red eyes glinting with curiosity. The two walked side by side, their pace slow and deliberate, the unspoken understanding between them keeping the silence intact. 
When they reached the hallway where Irina and Astron had gone, Julia motioned for Lilia to stay quiet. Peering around the corner, Julia's eyes widened slightly before her smirk deepened into something far more mischievous. 
Irina was standing close to Astron, her fiery hair catching the soft light of the hallway. Her hand was raised, fingers brushing against the collar of his uniform in a motion that was almost… tender. There was a slight furrow to her brow, as though she were lost in thought, and her expression lacked its usual fiery sharpness. 
Astron stood still, his sharp purple eyes fixed on her, his calm demeanor unshaken by the proximity. He didn't move, didn't speak, but there was an unmistakable softness in the way he watched her. 
Julia's grin widened, barely suppressing the laugh threatening to bubble out. 'How amusing… this guy.' 
Lilia raised an eyebrow, her expression more contemplative. She leaned closer to Julia, whispering, "Is she fixing his collar… or is this something else entirely?" 
Julia's smirk didn't waver. "Oh, this is definitely something else. Our little Irina is finally taking her baby steps." 
Lilia hummed softly, her sharp gaze darting between Irina and Astron. "She's not even trying to deny it, is she?" 
Julia tilted her head, her grin only growing. "That's the best part." 
Deciding she had seen enough, Julia stepped out from their hiding spot, her movements casual but deliberate. 
"OOOOH! What is this?" Julia's unmistakable, teasing voice echoed down the hallway, breaking the silence like a thunderclap. 
Irina froze instantly, her amber eyes widening slightly as her hand dropped from Astron's collar. She stepped back, her movements quick but not hurried, and straightened her posture. Her expression shifted back to its usual confident composure, though the faint color in her cheeks betrayed her. 
Astron's gaze flickered to Julia, calm and unreadable as always. He said nothing, his purple eyes holding their usual intensity, but there was a faint glint of amusement in them. 
Julia approached with the grace of a predator who had just cornered her prey, her smirk as sharp as ever. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she crossed her arms. "Well, well," she drawled, her tone dripping with teasing delight. "Am I interrupting something? You two looked pretty cozy there for a moment." 
Irina crossed her arms in return, her fiery hair shifting slightly as she glared at Julia. "Nothing was happening," she said firmly, her tone carrying a slight edge. "You're imagining things." 
Julia raised an eyebrow, her grin unfazed. "Imagining things? Sure, sure. It's not like I saw you caressing his collar or anything. Totally normal behavior for someone who's not cozy." 
Irina's lips twitched, the faintest trace of a smile breaking through her composed facade. She didn't respond immediately, instead glancing at Astron, who remained as still and enigmatic as ever. 
Lilia stepped forward then, her expression more curious than teasing. "Irina," she said softly, her red eyes glinting with amusement, "you're not even trying to deny it, are you?" 
Irina exhaled, a small, amused smile playing on her lips as she met Lilia's gaze. "Deny what? That Julia has an overactive imagination?" 
Julia let out a mock gasp, clutching her chest. "Oh, the betrayal! And here I thought we were friends." 
Irina rolled her eyes, her confidence returning as she turned back toward Astron. "There's nothing to deny because nothing happened. Right, Astron?" 
Astron blinked once, his expression calm as he responded with a simple, "Right." 
Julia raised an eyebrow, her grin never faltering. "Uh-huh. Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Irina." 
Irina shot her a look, but the faint smile on her face remained. She turned on her heel, walking past Julia with her head held high, her aura flickering slightly but no longer as sharp. 
Julia watched her go, then turned back to Astron, who was still standing in the same spot, his calm gaze now fixed on her. She tilted her head, studying him for a moment before smirking again. 
"You know," she said lightly, "you're a lot more interesting than I gave you credit for." 
Astron didn't respond, his expression unchanging as Julia turned and walked away, her laughter echoing down the hallway. Lilia followed shortly after, her gaze lingering on Astron for a brief moment before she too disappeared around the corner. 
Left alone in the hallway, Astron glanced down briefly, adjusting the collar Irina had touched before turning and walking away, his steps measured and deliberate. Whatever thoughts lingered in his mind, he kept them to himself, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. 
"Astron…" 
Yet someone called her.