Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 502 114.6 - Young Hearts

"Senior?" Astron's voice came through the phone, pulling her out of her thoughts.

Maya took a deep breath, forcing herself to keep her voice steady. "Sorry, Junior. I was just… thinking," she replied, trying to sound composed.

"Is everything all right?" Astron asked, his tone carrying a hint of concern.

"Yes," she said quickly, perhaps too quickly. "I'm just… tired from the training. But I'm fine."

But she wasn't fine. Not really. The fear of losing Astron to someone else, especially someone like Irina, gnawed at her, making her feel vulnerable in a way she hadn't experienced before. She had always prided herself on being strong, composed, and in control, but this was different. This was a matter of the heart, and it terrified her.

'He's mine,' she thought fiercely, a surge of possessiveness rising within her. 'I can't let anyone take him from me. Not Irina, not anyone.'

She knew it wasn't fair to think this way, but emotions weren't always fair. The connection she felt with Astron was special and unique, and she wasn't about to let anyone come between them.

She had to find a way to secure her place in his life, to make sure he saw her as more than just a senior, more than just a mentor.

She had already confirmed her feelings, but when it came to things regarding relationships like this, she was still immature.

After all, with her unique condition, she was not able to have any relationship with any other man before, and that still did not change.

And it was not like she had any reason to do so since she had never gotten into such a situation before.

"You are tired of your training, huh? You must not push yourself too hard."

"Don't worry, I am not pushing myself."

"That is good. As we talked before, if you tire yourself too hard, your vampiric tendencies will be harder to suppress."

"I know, I know," Maya said.

As she leaned back in the tub, her mind was racing with thoughts of how to secure her place in Astron's life.

She knew that being physically present around him would be the most effective way to deepen their bond, to ensure that she wasn't just another senior or mentor to him.

"When will you finish your training?" she asked, trying to sound casual but unable to fully mask the underlying eagerness in her voice.

Astron's response was as measured as ever. "My training is almost complete, Senior. But I need to take care of a few things during the remaining break."

Maya sensed an opportunity. This was her chance to intertwine their lives more closely, in a way that felt both natural and significant. She leaned forward slightly, a subtle smile playing on her lips as she spoke into the phone.

"I see," she said, her tone thoughtful. "But, Junior, do you need any help?"

"Help?" Astron echoed, a hint of surprise evident in his usually steady voice.

"Yep," Maya confirmed, her smile widening just a fraction. She could almost picture the slight arch of his brow on the other end, his mind processing her unexpected offer. Memories of their past interactions flashed through her mind, reminding her of the patterns she had observed in him over time.

Astron had a principle he lived by—a steadfast rule that guided his interactions. He always believed in balancing the scales, repaying in kind whatever he received. Acts of kindness were met with equal generosity, and he held a deep respect for the wishes of others, especially when they aligned with his own moral compass.

Drawing on this knowledge, Maya continued smoothly, "After all, you've been helping me all this time. It's only fair that I repay you."

There was a brief pause before Astron responded, his tone measured. "That's not necessary, Senior. You've already done more than enough."

Maya's eyes gleamed with determination as she leaned back against the cool porcelain of the tub, refusing to relent. "No, I don't think so, Junior. The support and guidance you've given me have been invaluable. I feel like I owe you, and I want to make sure I balance things out."

A soft sigh filtered through the speaker, and Maya could almost feel the slight shift in his demeanor. "If you insist," he conceded finally, his voice carrying a hint of resignation. "I wouldn't want to disregard your feelings on the matter."

"Great!" Maya replied brightly, satisfaction evident in her tone. "Just let me know how I can assist you, and I'll make the necessary arrangements."

There was a momentary silence, a pause that seemed to stretch just a bit longer than usual. Then, Astron's voice came through, tinged with a subtle curiosity. "Senior, your family… it's not simple, is it?"

Maya's lips curved into a knowing smile, intrigue sparking in her eyes. This was an unexpected turn in the conversation but one she found intriguing. "What makes you say that?" she asked, her voice smooth and inviting.

"I've noticed certain things," Astron replied, his tone as composed as ever. "For instance, not many families have the resources or capabilities to procure something like 'Starbloom Essence' so readily, let alone cultivate it themselves."

"Really? I thought everyone had that at home."

"…..You really….." Astron said with a sigh. "Well, this alone shows that your family is not normal. Aside from that, the fact that you are able to retain your position as the top student in the sophomore year while there are many students of high-ranking families without getting pressured yourself alone shows that you also must have a backing."

Maya chuckled softly, a melodic sound that echoed lightly in the steamy confines of the bathroom. "You're quite perceptive, as always," she remarked. "Yes, my family isn't exactly ordinary. We prefer to stay out of the public eye and avoid entanglements with the central families, but we hold our own influence where it counts."

"I suspected as much," Astron responded thoughtfully. "The ease with which you provided the essence indicated a level of resourcefulness and access that's quite rare."

Maya's eyes softened as she considered his words, a sense of pride welling up within her.

Her family had always valued discretion and autonomy, choosing to operate silently rather than bask in the limelight.

Well, it was not that they loved staying in the shadows. But there was a reason for everything.

"Next time, I should look at the normal people a little bit more, then."

Astron nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer for the moment. "That would be better," he said thoughtfully. Then, after a brief pause, he continued, "Your family… do they have any connections with a family named 'Cox'?"

Maya's expression shifted slightly as she thought back to the connections her family had. The Cox family was indeed a name she was familiar with—one of the smaller, though respectable, families in the area near where her own family operated. They had some business ties but nothing particularly noteworthy from her perspective.

"Yes, I know of them," Maya replied, her tone more contemplative. "The Cox family is connected to us through some business dealings, though nothing major. They're a respectable family, but not one that commands significant influence compared to others we work with."

Astron seemed to weigh this information for a moment before speaking again. "If that's the case, are you aware of the banquet they're hosting next week?"

Maya frowned slightly, trying to recall any mention of such an event. After a moment, she shook her head. "No, I wasn't aware. But that's not surprising—I've been in secluded training recently, and my family doesn't usually concern themselves with the affairs of smaller families. It's not something that falls under my responsibility either."

Astron remained silent for a few moments, considering what she had said. "I see. I thought you might have heard about it, given your connections. The banquet is supposed to be quite an event—several key families from the region are expected to attend. It's likely to be more significant than usual."

Maya raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Astron's knowledge of the event. "And how did you come to know about this, Junior? It's not like you to be interested in such gatherings."

Astron's expression remained calm, but there was a hint of something more in his eyes—perhaps a trace of caution or even anticipation. "I have my sources, as well Senior."

"What sources are they?" n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"It would be a breach of contract if I were to mention."

"Junior, you like to hide a lot of things."

"It is not that I like to hide, it is just revealing them is tricky."

Maya's curiosity deepened as she listened to Astron's measured responses. There was something more to this banquet than just a social gathering, and Astron's interest in it was anything but casual.

"What about this banquet, Junior?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of genuine curiosity. "Why are you so interested in it?"

Astron paused briefly as if weighing how much to reveal. "I need to attend that banquet if possible, Senior. There's something I need to do there, something important."

Maya's eyes lit up as a thought began to form in her mind. This was her opportunity not only to assist Astron but also to position herself closer to him.

'Hehehehe...'

If she played her cards right, she could ensure that they attended the banquet together, further solidifying their bond.

A plan started to take shape. "If that's the case, then I can certainly help you attend," Maya said, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "My family has the influence needed to secure an invitation for you. But," she added, leaning forward slightly, "you'll need to come here before the banquet. There are preparations we'll need to make, and I can ensure everything goes smoothly."

Astron considered her offer, understanding the implications. Maya's assistance would indeed make his entry into the banquet easier, and her presence could provide him with additional cover. It wasn't an opportunity he could easily pass up. He nodded, his decision made. "Alright, Senior. I'll come to you before the banquet."

Maya felt a surge of satisfaction at his agreement, her plan moving forward exactly as she'd hoped. Not only would she be able to attend the banquet with Astron, but she would also be in a position to help him with whatever task he needed to accomplish there. It was a win-win situation for her, and it brought her one step closer to solidifying her place in his life.

"I'll make the arrangements," she said, her voice warm with the promise of their upcoming collaboration. "And Junior, don't worry. I'll make sure everything is perfect."

'Perfect, so that you can see what I can do for you….So that you can never leave me.' Astron nodded again, appreciating her offer. "Thank you, Senior. I'll be there soon."

A little bit of a Maya arc is coming.