Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 635 139.5 - Prepare

"Senior."

"Junior," Maya greeted back with a soft smile as she reached the table. She slid her coat off smoothly and draped it over the back of her chair before sitting across from Astron, their usual quiet understanding filling the space between them.

Astron's eyes flicked over her for a brief second before he spoke again, his tone calm, as usual. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

Maya shook her head lightly, a knowing look passing between them. "Not really," she admitted. "I had a morning shake, but nothing more substantial." Her lips curved slightly as she continued, "I thought we might eat together, and it seems I was right."

Astron nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I was waiting for you."

Maya settled into her seat more comfortably, appreciating the way their interactions always seemed to flow effortlessly. There was never any need for grand gestures or drawn-out conversations. It was the simplicity of their companionship that often brought her the most comfort—especially now, knowing that soon enough, they would part ways again.

She glanced at the menu on the table, but her attention was still partly on him, noting the way he seemed more relaxed than usual. Perhaps it was the calm of the morning, or maybe it was the small reprieve they were sharing before the inevitable departure. Whatever it was, Maya found herself savoring the moment, just as she had promised herself she would.

"Any recommendations?" she asked, raising an eyebrow slightly as she looked at the menu. Though she frequented Ardmont, she had never been to this particular café before. It had a cozy charm to it and judging by the inviting aromas wafting through the air, it seemed the food would live up to its ambiance.

Maya glanced up from the menu to see Astron staring at her with a blank expression, his head tilted ever so slightly, as if to say, Shouldn't you know this? Isn't this the city where you grew up?

She blinked, taken aback for a split second, and then a soft laugh escaped her, a sound that was as much an attempt to cover her amusement as it was at her own slight oversight. "Right, right," she said with a small grin, shaking her head. "I should be the one making the recommendations, shouldn't I?" n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Astron didn't say anything, but the faintest hint of a curve tugged at the corner of his lips, his violet eyes holding that quiet, knowing look she had come to recognize. Of course, he didn't need to say a word to get his point across—it was all there, in the way he looked at her, in the subtle shift of his posture.

She cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure, and focused back on the menu. "Alright, let's see…" she murmured, scanning the local delicacies that filled the page.

The café offered a variety of dishes typical of Ardmont's eastern region—a mix of hearty breakfast platters with fresh ingredients, artisan breads, and a selection of pastries infused with local spices. Her eyes wandered over a few familiar items until they landed on something she hadn't had in a while: a traditional breakfast spread with smoked fish, eggs, freshly baked bread, and a side of seasoned vegetables.

"This looks good," she said, mostly to herself but loud enough for Astron to hear. "Smoked fish and fresh bread. It's simple, but I think it's exactly what I need this morning."

She glanced up again, meeting Astron's gaze. "What about you? Or are you just going to copy my choice since I know this city better than you?" she teased, the playfulness returning to her voice now that she had settled back into the rhythm of their banter.

Astron gave a small shrug, his expression neutral but with a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Maybe I will," he said, his tone calm, as always. "You seem to know what you're doing."

Maya chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Well, I'll take that as a compliment."

She placed her menu down and leaned back slightly in her chair, feeling the comfort of the moment settle in around them. The smell of coffee and freshly baked goods filled the air, and outside, the city of Ardmont was beginning to stir more as the day fully set in.

********

Their order arrived promptly, the aroma of freshly baked bread and smoked fish filling the space between them as the server placed the plates in front of them. Maya took a moment to appreciate the simplicity of the meal—something familiar, and comforting. She picked up her fork, cutting into the soft bread, and glanced across the table at Astron, who had already begun to eat with his usual calm, methodical demeanor.

For a while, they ate in comfortable silence, the sounds of the café and the distant hum of the city outside providing a soothing backdrop. Maya let herself savor the moment, the taste of the food and the warmth of the quiet morning settling around them.

But eventually, the question she had been holding back surfaced in her mind, and she couldn't ignore it any longer.

She set her fork down gently, looking across the table at Astron, her expression soft but serious. "So…" she began, her voice casual, though there was an unmistakable note of curiosity beneath it. "Now that everything is taken care of, what's next for you? What are you planning to do?"

Astron didn't stop eating immediately, but she could tell her question had his attention. He swallowed his bite of food, then placed his fork down as well, his violet eyes meeting hers with that same calm, unreadable expression.

After a brief pause, he answered, "I've completed what I came here for. Silas Vayne is no longer a problem."

Maya nodded, already knowing as much but waiting for the part she wasn't sure of—the part where he would tell her his next steps and plans.

She knew him well enough to understand that he never stayed in one place longer than necessary, and now that his mission was over, she wondered where he would go next.

Astron glanced out the window for a moment, as if contemplating how much to share. "I'll be heading out soon," he said, his tone as steady as ever. "There are other things I need to take care of before the second semester begins. I'll be moving around for a while."

Maya felt the weight of those words settle in her chest, but she had already expected them. She knew how practical Astron was—how focused he remained on his goals. Still, hearing him confirm that he would be leaving soon brought a quiet pang of sadness.

But instead of dwelling on it, she gave a small, knowing smile. "Of course you will," she said softly. "That is so like you."

Astron didn't respond to that, but there was a faint shift in his expression, something almost thoughtful as if he understood the meaning behind her words.

Maya leaned back, her hands resting in her lap, her expression calm, but beneath the surface, her thoughts stirred with a quiet resentment she couldn't quite shake. She knew Astron leaving was normal—expected, even. He was always on the move, and always focused on his goals with unwavering determination. It was something she admired about him, something she had come to accept as a part of who he was.

But still… was it too selfish to want him to feel even a hint of regret? Shouldn't he feel some reluctance after everything they talked about, after all the time they'd spent together?

The thought lingered in her mind, bringing with it a pang of frustration that she struggled to suppress.

'Maybe I'm being foolish,' she thought, her gaze dropping to her hands. But despite herself, the feeling remained an ache that sat uncomfortably within her.

As if sensing her inner turmoil, Astron turned his gaze toward her, his violet eyes meeting hers with a quiet intensity that made her pause. His expression was calm but resolute, as though he understood the thoughts she hadn't spoken aloud.

"Senior," he said, his voice steady, "there's only a week and a half left until the semester starts."

Maya's breath caught slightly, her resentment faltering as his words cut through the silence between them. He continued, his tone as even as ever but with a hint of urgency, she wasn't used to hearing from him.

"The things you experienced at the banquet… while they weren't comfortable, they're things you need to understand," he said, his gaze unwavering. "The fact that someone like Silas Vayne—a demon—was able to influence your vampiric side, to push you out of your own control… it shows that there's still a lot you need to work on if you want to live comfortably with what you are."

His words struck her deeply, and she felt her initial frustration and resentment dissipate, replaced by a quieter, more profound understanding. She knew he was right. The banquet had been a wake-up call, a reminder that she still had a long way to go if she wanted to truly stand on her own.

Her dependency on Astron, her inability to resist Silas's influence—it had all been a sign that there was more she needed to learn, more she needed to master.

Maya swallowed, her gaze softening as she looked back at him. "You're… right," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I suppose I let myself get too comfortable. I thought I had more control than I actually did."

Astron gave a small nod, his expression thoughtful. "The powers you possess are not a weakness, Senior," he said calmly. "It's just something you have to work through. If you're going to keep walking this path… you need to understand what that means."

His words, though practical, held a quiet weight, a sense of care that he rarely showed so openly. And as Maya sat there, absorbing his advice, she felt a renewed sense of determination settle over her. She would work harder, she would become stronger—not just for herself, but to prove that she could stand beside him as an equal, without needing to rely on him so much.

"Then…" Maya began, her voice steady but filled with curiosity as she prepared to ask him what path she should follow, what steps she should take to master the powers she struggled to control.

But before she could finish, Astron's hand moved smoothly, almost casually, as he slid something across the table.

"Please take a look at this."