Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest-Chapter 665 146.3 - The Matriarch

Astron's voice broke through the tension, calm yet firm. "For what reason are you suspecting this, Madam Emberheart?" he asked, his gaze steady as he held her eyes. "Could you clarify?" The Matriarch's smile widened, her amusement barely veiled as she met his question with a touch of condescension. "Of course, Young Natusalune," she replied smoothly. "You see, at the beginning of the semester, your ranking was… well, how should I put it? 2450 out of 2450 students." She leaned forward slightly, her voice carrying a subtle edge. "It was, frankly, a surprise that you were even accepted into the academy with such a standing. Typically, such placements require considerable talent or, at the very least, influential connections." She paused, her eyes narrowing with a feigned look of pity. "Unfortunately, it appears you possess neither." She let her words settle, watching Astron's reaction as she continued, "Yet, despite such a low start, you have climbed significantly in rank by the semester's end. And what's more interesting is that almost all of your major projects, dungeon raids, and practical assignments have been completed alongside Irina. Surely, you can understand why a mother might question whether this association has… perhaps provided you with a certain advantage." The implication was clear: his rise in rank, she suggested, could hardly be attributed to his own efforts alone. Instead, she hinted, it was his connection to Irina that had opened doors he would not have managed otherwise. Irina straightened, a spark of frustration flashing in her eyes as she opened her mouth to respond. "Mother, it's the academy's policy that once a group is formed, they continue together until the end of the semester—" But before she could finish, the Matriarch raised a hand, silencing her with a single, authoritative gesture. Her gaze remained fixed on Astron, her expression cool and unyielding. "Those things that I mentioned should suffice as a reason, wouldn't you think, Young Natusalune?" Astron met her gaze without hesitation, his voice calm but resolute as he responded. "Madam Emberheart, if I truly lacked connections or talent, as you imply, then Arcadia Hunter Academy would be… well, foolish to accept me. It is, after all, the best academy in the entire human domain. They have no reason to waste a slot on someone without potential, given the fierce competition to enroll." The Matriarch's eyes narrowed, her gaze turning sharper, her lips curving into a faint, almost mocking smile. "And yet, the very same academy you hold in such high regard has been infiltrated and attacked by demon contractors no less than three times in recent years." She leaned forward slightly, her tone cold and cutting. "Do forgive me if their judgment seems questionable. I have every reason to doubt their competence in selecting students… or in protecting them, for that matter." Astron's expression remained calm, though his eyes held a steady resolve as he continued. "It is indeed true that the academy's competence should be questioned in recent times, Madam Emberheart. However, these incidents are recent developments. Before this semester, Arcadia's prestige and reputation were well-earned, built over countless years of service and competence. And I believe that's precisely why you chose to send Irina—your family's heir—there in the first place." The Matriarch's lips curved into a faint smile, a glint of amusement in her gaze as she considered his words. "Oh? Then are you suggesting that my sources somehow failed to uncover the truth of how you were admitted to the academy? Are you claiming I missed something so crucial?" Astron met her gaze steadily, unphased by the implication. "It might be the case, Madam, one would not know without the information." Astron continued, his tone calm yet unwavering. "To add more, Madam Emberheart, the academy is far from ignorant. They are well aware of the potential for students to benefit unfairly from group projects. That's why individual assessments are conducted separately, and every team captain is required to submit detailed group reports on each member's contributions. As Irina was the one submitting these reports, it implies she considered my work worthy enough to credit." The Matriarch's smile thinned, a glint of sharpness flashing in her eyes. "Or perhaps," she replied smoothly, "my daughter's vision has been… compromised by certain emotions, emotions that might cloud her judgment." Astron didn't miss a beat, his voice steady as he met her gaze head-on. "If that were the case, Madam, then it would suggest that she lacks the discernment to choose the right person to stand by her side. And perhaps… such a shortfall could be attributed to decisions made by her predecessors?" The Matriarch's smile froze, her expression hardening as the meaning of his words sank in. He had not only defended Irina's judgment but subtly implied that if she had any such blind spots, it might reflect the influence—or failure—of her own upbringing and guidance. Her gaze sharpened, a flicker of irritation breaking through her composed exterior. "A bold statement, Young Natusalune. It seems your manners are lacking, perhaps because of the lack of parents to teach you?" Astron's eyes narrowed slightly at the Matriarch's pointed remark, the subtle sting of her words hitting deeper than she could see. But he quickly regained his composure, his tone calm but carrying an unmistakable edge as he replied. Astron's gaze remained unwavering, a calm defiance simmering beneath his composed exterior. "True, Madam," he began, his tone carrying a quiet edge. "People like us tend to learn manners on our own, to find our own way. But it appears there are also those whose parents are present—yet absent when it comes to guiding them in more… meaningful ways. Don't you think, it is more pitiful for such people to exist?" The Matriarch's expression froze for a fraction of a second, her eyes narrowing as his words settled in. He hadn't raised his voice or wavered in his tone, yet the implication was clear. In his measured, polite response lay a subtle reproach, suggesting that mere presence alone didn't guarantee influence or genuine guidance—a pointed remark on the hollowness of some bonds. An icy silence hung between them, and Irina glanced anxiously between her mother and Astron, sensing the depth of the moment. The Matriarch's lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze colder than before, though her curiosity was unmistakable. Few dared to speak to her so boldly, especially while standing on such uncertain ground. Her voice, when she finally spoke, was smooth but sharp as a blade. "A bold observation, Mr. Natusalune." Few people dared to speak to her mother so directly—let alone imply any form of shortcoming. And yet, Astron's calm, measured tone held no arrogance, only a steadfast confidence that gave weight to his words. 'This is…..not good….' It was not going in the direction she wanted at all…..This guy, why was he talking like that to her mother? Did he have a death wish!? The Matriarch's expression darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line as she regarded Astron. Despite his respectful tone, his words cut deeper than any arrogance might have, challenging not only her reasoning but the pride she took in her judgment. Anger simmered beneath her calm exterior, her pride feeling the sharp sting of his unyielding resolve. "It seems, Mr. Natusalune," she said, her voice dangerously low, "that you may have mistaken your worth, or overestimated your strength." Her aura intensified, and flames began to flicker around her, moving with a controlled precision that hinted at the sheer depth of her power. The heat in the room grew oppressive, the flames dancing closer to him, warning him of the peril his words had invited. "One should tread carefully, lest they vanish in a single moment," she said, her tone carrying the weight of her threat. But Astron stood firm, his posture unwavering despite the suffocating heat. His voice remained steady as he responded, his gaze unflinching. "Madam, I only speak the truth as I see it. Everyone's life hangs by a thread at every moment, and yours is no exception." He took a measured breath, seemingly undeterred by her fire. "An Archmage wields the power to annihilate millions in a heartbeat. I have no control over the actions of such a person, nor over whether I will survive those actions. Given that reality, I prefer to speak my mind honestly rather than hide behind empty flattery." 'This….' For some reason, the moment Irina heard those words, she was reminded of the times when she acted the same. At that time she was also offended by his words, and back then she was much more fiery ever than before. And he had replied to her words, in the same manner, without any ounce of fear and regret. The same eyes, that only felt cold and empty. 'Hahah....' And for some reason, she felt like laughing, though she hardly suppressed her emotions. His calm, logical reply cut through the tension, striking a chord in the room that even the Matriarch couldn't ignore. There was no pleading, no fear in his words—only the acceptance of his vulnerability and the resolve to stand by his convictions. The Matriarch's flames subsided slightly, her eyes narrowing as she took in his words, her anger tempered by an undeniable curiosity. Few people dared to speak with such honesty before her, let alone someone with so little apparent power. Despite her pride, a part of her could not help but respect his stance, however infuriating she found it. After a long, tense silence, she allowed a faint smile to return to her face, though it lacked warmth. "You really are interesting." The Matriarch's faint, chilling smile lingered as she observed Astron with renewed interest. Though his defiance had stirred her irritation, it had also, finally, brought her to the point she had intended all along. "Well," she began, her voice smooth but carrying an unmistakable edge, "if you're so certain of yourself, it's time you proved that certainty." She glanced briefly at Irina as if to remind her of the glowing praise she had once given this young man. "When Irina spoke of you, her words were filled with… remarkable confidence. She believed you worthy of privileges within this house, even access to the armory." Irina's expression shifted, her gaze turning wary as she caught on to her mother's intentions. "But," the Matriarch continued, turning her gaze back to Astron, "I cannot grant such privileges to someone who is all words and no action. So I ask you, Mr. Natusalune—will you back up that bold stance of yours?" Astron's eyes met hers without flinching, his voice steady. "What would you have me do, Madam?" The Matriarch's smirk grew, a glint of challenge flickering in her eyes. "One day in the Chamber of Emberheart. "Mother!"