Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 500 114.4 - Young Hearts

"Who was it?"

Alfred, ever efficient, responded, "The caller is recorded as Junior, and they left a message."

"Ah…" Maya murmured, a small, knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips. As expected, Astron wouldn't leave her uncontacted for too long.

However, Maya was acutely aware of the many eyes that were constantly on her. The maids, the staff, and even Alfred, though loyal, were all observant.

It wouldn't do to show too much interest or excitement, not when so many were watching. She needed to maintain her composure and handle things with the grace expected of her.

"Thank you, Alfred," she said, her voice steady and controlled. "I'll attend to that later."

There was no need to rush; she had other matters to attend to first.

Maya entered her home, and the familiar and comforting surroundings welcomed her as she made her way to the dining room. The table was set elegantly, and a sumptuous meal awaited her, as Alfred had promised.

She sat down and allowed herself a moment of peace as she enjoyed the meal. The flavors were rich, the textures delicate—everything had been prepared to perfection. Yet, despite the delicious food, her thoughts occasionally drifted to the message left by Astron. She wondered what he wanted to say, but she remained patient, focusing on the present.

Once her meal was finished, Maya gracefully rose from the table and made her way to her private quarters. The bath was prepared just as she liked it, warm with the scent of lavender filling the air. She slipped into the bath, letting the warmth seep into her muscles, relaxing her body from the strain of her recent training.

The tension she had carried melted away in the soothing water, and she allowed herself to sink into the moment, letting the bath do its work. Her thoughts became clearer, and she finally had the chance to grab the smartwatch.

She grabbed it and saw that there was indeed a call from Aher Junior as well as a message.

As the message played, Maya listened intently, her expression carefully neutral, though her eyes flickered with a hint of anticipation. The recording was brief, efficient, and to the point—just like Astron.

"—Senior Maya, it's your Junior, Astron. I'm in the middle of some secluded training, so if you can't reach me, that's why. I just wanted to let you know that things are going well, and I'm making progress. Take care and stay safe."

The message ended, leaving a silence that felt heavier than Maya had anticipated. She stared at the smartwatch for a moment, processing what she had heard. The message, while informative, was distant. There was no warmth, no personal touch, just a simple update on his status and a brief well-wishing.

It had been two weeks since the message was left, and despite the efficiency of his words, Maya couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. She had hoped for something more, something that felt a bit more candid and heartfelt.

Her expectations had been higher, even if she hadn't fully realized it until now. Perhaps she had wanted to hear a hint of concern for her well-being or maybe a small personal note that would break through the formality that seemed to shroud Astron in his every interaction.

But no, this was Astron—reserved, focused, always keeping a certain distance even when he seemed close. He was secretive.

It was one of the things that drew her to him, his enigmatic nature, but at the same time, it was also what frustrated her the most.

With a soft sigh, Maya leaned back in the tub, letting the warmth of the water envelop her once more. The message replayed in her mind, and she found herself wishing there had been more to it.

'Is that all you have to say, Junior? Just a progress report?' she thought to herself, a small frown creasing her brow.

Maya's fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the bathtub as the cold realization set in—she was angry. Not just disappointed but genuinely frustrated. The cold, distant tone of Astron's message had stirred something in her that she couldn't quite shake off.

'How can you be so detached, Junior? After everything we've been through, is that all I am to you? Just another person you give status updates to?' she thought, her thoughts turning darker with each passing moment.

Unable to let it go, she made a decision. She would call him. She needed to hear his voice again, to see if maybe, just maybe, there was more to him than this constant, infuriating distance.

With a determined resolve, Maya reached for her smartwatch. She tapped the screen, initiating the call to Astron. As she waited, the seconds seemed to stretch into eternity. Her breath quickened slightly, anticipation mixed with a trace of anxiety.

But then, an automated response interrupted her thoughts. "The number you are trying to reach is currently on another call."

The words echoed in her ears, each syllable a sharp jab at her already fragile composure. He was on another call with someone else.

For a brief moment, Maya's heart sank. A pang of something dark and unfamiliar twisted in her chest. Was it jealousy? Anger? She couldn't tell, but whatever it was, it wasn't pleasant. The idea that Astron was talking to someone else, perhaps giving them the attention she had hoped for, ignited a fire within her.

Her eyes narrowed, a cold glint replacing the softness that had been there just moments ago. She didn't know who he was speaking to, but the fact that he was prioritizing someone else over her—now—was something she found herself unwilling to tolerate.

'Who are you talking to, Junior?' she wondered, her thoughts turning colder and more calculating. 'Why are you avoiding me?'

And naturally, her thoughts turned into something wrong and dark at that exact second.

She wasn't used to feeling this way—possessive, almost territorial—but she couldn't deny the surge of emotions that flooded her.

So, she waited.

**********

On the other side, Astron and Irina were talking.

"How's your training going?" she asked, her voice softer now, carrying a hint of concern. "Any progress?"

There was a brief pause on the other end as if Astron was considering his words carefully. –"I've almost finished," he replied. "Tomorrow, I'll be sent on a mission."

"A mission?" Irina's heart skipped a beat, worry creeping into her voice.

–"Yes, just a routine assignment," Astron confirmed, his tone steady but with a hint of something that Irina couldn't quite place. "Nothing to worry about."

She wanted to press him for details, to know exactly what he was getting himself into, but she knew better. There were things he couldn't share, things that were part of his world—the world he was immersed in. Pushing him wouldn't get her anywhere. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Be careful," she said instead, her voice carrying more weight than she intended. "Just… come back in one piece, okay?"

–"You….Do you think we are filming a drama right now? What is with just coming back in one piece? I am not going to war."

"You!" To that, Irina felt furious. The fact she said something like that because she was concerned….Now, she felt like an idiot. "Humph…..It is my fault for worrying about you."

–"It is," Astron retorted smoothly. –"I can take care of myself, you know. I've been doing it for quite some time now."

"That doesn't mean I'm going to stop worrying!" Irina shot back, crossing her arms even though he couldn't see her. "You're impossible."

–"And yet, you still call me ever," Astron said, the amusement clear in his voice. –"Who's the impossible one now?"

Irina huffed, trying to hide the smile that tugged at her lips. "That's only because I have to make sure you haven't gotten yourself into trouble. Knowing you, it's only a matter of time before you do."

–"That is coming from you? You are the one who got herself in trouble during times of trouble."

"I did not get myself into trouble knowingly. But you are different. You do it intentionally all the time."

–"Maybe, but I haven't yet," he replied confidently. –"And when I do, I'm sure you'll be there to lecture me about it afterward."

"You bet I will," she said, unable to suppress a grin. "You'll never hear the end of it."

–"I'm counting on it," Astron teased. –"It gives you something to look forward to, doesn't it?"

Irina rolled her eyes, though the warmth in her chest was undeniable. "You really are the worst, you know that?"

–"So I've been told," he responded with a chuckle. –"But I don't see you giving up on me yet."

"Don't push your luck," she warned, though the affection in her voice was unmistakable. "I'm only tolerating you because... well, I guess I like having someone to argue with."

–"Likewise," he replied, the amusement still evident. –"It's good for the soul."

"Good for the soul?" she repeated incredulously. "Where do you even come up with this stuff?"

–"Who knows?" Astron said, a hint of mystery in his voice. –"Maybe it's a talent."

"Bastard….You are always talented at useless things."

–"Heh…."

Irina's heart skipped a beat as she heard that familiar short laugh from Astron. The sound triggered a flood of memories, transporting her back to that time when she had first seen him smile under the moonlight. It was such a rare sight, and every time it happened, it felt like a small treasure she wanted to hold onto.

But before she could fully sink into that memory, Astron's voice cut through her thoughts.

–"Someone's calling me," he said, his tone slightly more serious now.

Irina frowned slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Who is it?"

There was a brief pause before he replied, –"Senior Maya."

Irina's eyes narrowed at the mention of Maya. The name instantly brought back a certain scene to her mind, one that she would rather not think about. She had seen Maya with Astron before, and while she tried to dismiss it as nothing, the unease it brought always lingered.

Astron, oblivious to her sudden change in mood, continued, –"We should probably stop for today. I'll talk to you later."

But Irina wasn't ready to end the conversation, especially not now. The thought of him going off to speak with Maya right after talking to her sent a spike of irritation through her.

"Wait," she said, trying to keep her tone light but failing to hide the edge in her voice. "We're not done yet."

–"Why?" Astron asked, his tone curious but calm.

Irina felt a pang of panic. She didn't want to admit the real reason—that she didn't want him to talk to Maya—but she also couldn't find a good reason to keep him on the line. Her mind raced, searching for something, anything, to say that would make sense and not come off as needy or jealous.

But nothing came to mind.

There was a moment of silence, and she could almost feel Astron waiting for her response, his patience somehow making the situation even worse.

So, she did what she always did.

Forcing her way.

"You must continue to talk to me."

–"Why?"

"Just because."

–"What kind of reason is that?"

"I don't care. You are not allowed to end the call."

–"You…..You are jealous, aren't you?"