Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest-Chapter 931 - 214.1 - No title

Irina let out a slow breath, feeling the tension that had been weighing her down since her conversation with Ethan finally ease.

It wasn’t that everything was solved. It wasn’t that the situation was suddenly less complicated. But somehow, after talking with Astron, after hearing his steady, unshaken perspective, she felt…

Refreshed.

Like her mind wasn’t trapped in the endless cycle of frustration and uncertainty that had been annoying her all day.

She stretched her arms above her head, then—on impulse—stood up and started jumping in place, the sudden burst of movement shaking off the last remnants of that heavy, suffocating feeling.

Her lips curled into a grin as she turned to him.

"Ahhh, that feels better," she said, exhaling dramatically. Then, with an easy, genuine smile, she looked at him and said, "Thanks, Astron."

Astron simply nodded, accepting the gratitude without much reaction, but that was just how he was. He wouldn’t say anything unnecessary. He didn’t need to.

Still smiling, Irina leaned against him slightly, resting her weight against his side. It wasn’t much, just a small shift, a quiet acknowledgment that she appreciated him being here.

"In things like this," she said, voice carrying just a trace of teasing, "you’re quite manly."

Astron’s mouth twitched at that.

Irina grinned, because oh, she saw that.

"You don’t have to react," she mused, nudging him slightly. "But I saw that."

Astron exhaled slowly, as if already regretting letting that moment slip.

"…Your word choice is questionable," he said flatly.

Irina just laughed. "Hah! Just take the compliment, InfernoKnight."

Astron sighed, rubbing his temple. "Only this once."

"We’ll see about that," she smirked, still leaning on him just a little longer than necessary.

*****

The classroom was already filled with chatter and speculation by the time Eleanor entered.

The air was thick with unease.

The news had already spread—though no official announcement had been made yet, the rumors of the headmaster’s decision to suspend club activities and increase surveillance had reached the students.

Everyone expected Eleanor to clarify the situation.

What they didn’t know was just how bad it was going to get.

As soon as Eleanor stepped into the room, the murmur of conversation immediately died.

Her sharp gaze swept over the cadets as she walked toward the podium. She said nothing at first.

That alone was enough to build tension.

Julia, ever one to break the silence, muttered under her breath, "Well, that’s never a good sign."

Ethan gave her a look. "Shut up."

Eleanor set her tablet down on the desk, standing tall as she finally addressed the class.

"Listen carefully."

Her voice cut through the silence like a blade.

"This will not be a normal lecture."

The cadets straightened instinctively.

"There are new policies that have been enacted as of this morning." She didn’t soften her words. "These changes will affect everyone in this academy."

She tapped on her tablet, sending a notification to every cadet’s device.

A list of new regulations appeared on their screens.

Club activities are officially suspended indefinitely.

2. Increased surveillance will be enforced throughout the academy, including dormitory perimeters and common areas.

3. Unauthorized group gatherings of five or more will be flagged for review.

4. Additional faculty oversight will be assigned to monitor high-risk locations.

5. Disciplinary actions will be stricter for all cadets involved in altercations.

A wave of stunned silence fell over the class as they read the words on their screens.

Then—

The room erupted.

"Wait—WHAT?!"

"They’re actually shutting down the clubs?!"

"This is insane—how are we supposed to—"

"Surveillance? Are they serious?"

Julia, not one to hold back her opinions, immediately slammed her hands onto her desk. "You’ve gotta be kidding me. They’re treating us like prisoners now?"

Ethan, though less outwardly vocal, frowned deeply, his hazel eyes scanning the list again, as if hoping he had read it wrong. "They really went through with it…"

Lilia sighed, rubbing her temples. "I knew the tensions were bad, but I didn’t think they’d go this far."

Irina, who had been silent until now, finally spoke—her tone calm, but laced with quiet frustration.

"Who decided this?"

Eleanor met her gaze without hesitation. "The Headmaster."

That sent another ripple of unease through the cadets.

They had all expected some kind of action to be taken after the escalating tensions between first-years and sophomores—but this?

This was far beyond what they had imagined.

Eleanor allowed the noise for a moment before raising her hand slightly.

The room fell silent again, though the tension was still palpable.

She exhaled slowly, before continuing.

"I know many of you are displeased by this decision. That does not change the fact that it has been made."

Her words were final.

But before the cadets could complain again, she added something unexpected.

"However."

That one word made them pause.

Eleanor’s eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze sharper.

"This is not a punishment. It is a containment strategy. Whether you realize it or not, there is something pushing the first-year and sophomore divide further. The recent incidents have not been natural tensions—they have been deliberately provoked."

The class fell deathly quiet.

"You believe someone is orchestrating this."

Eleanor’s expression did not change.

"I do not believe. I know."

The weight of her words sent chills down the spines of several cadets.

"That’s insane. Why would anyone want to make the students turn on each other?"

Eleanor did not answer immediately.

Instead, she let the silence hang for a moment.

Then, she spoke, her tone deliberate.

"That is what we intend to find out."

The gravity of the situation sank in.

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The cadets exchanged glances—some confused, some worried, some angry.

This wasn’t just about discipline or new rules.

This was about something deeper.

Something manipulating the academy from within.

Eleanor let her words settle before continuing.

"Regardless of how you feel about these changes, they are in place for your own protection. The academy is not taking chances with this matter."

She glanced toward the class once more.

"Any further violations of conduct will result in immediate disciplinary action. If you are caught instigating conflict, there will be no leniency."

Eleanor stood straight, scanning the room one final time.

"You may voice your frustrations amongst yourselves," she said. "But do not waste my time with complaints. This decision is final."

A tense silence settled over the room.

The bell rang.

The class remained quiet as the students processed everything.

Finally, Eleanor spoke once more.

"Dismissed."

The atmosphere in the room was thick with unspoken tension.

They had all expected the academy to take action, but this?

The new policies weren’t just restrictions—they were a warning. A message to every cadet that the academy wasn’t going to allow this situation to spiral out of control. And yet, the unshakable feeling lingered in the air—this wasn’t about discipline. This was about control.

Ethan leaned against the wall, arms crossed tightly over his chest. His ribs still ached from the earlier fight, but the pain wasn’t what occupied his thoughts. Across from him, Julia sat on the edge of the table, her brows furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line.

Lucas and Carl were seated next to each other, their expressions serious, though Lucas kept stealing glances at Lilia. She looked worse up close—pale, the bruises on her arms more visible under the dim lighting of the study room they had secured.

Irina stood by the door, her golden gaze sharp as ever, watching everyone.

No one spoke for a long moment.

Then—Julia broke the silence.

"Well, this is some next-level bullshit."

No one argued.

Julia sighed, rolling her shoulders as she leaned further against the desk. "You know, I’d love to join in the collective outrage, but honestly? This doesn’t really hit me that hard."

Lucas glanced at her, eyebrows raising. "Really? No complaints? That’s a first."

Julia waved a hand dismissively. "Most of the clubs were already a mess. The travel club was already on thin ice since last time. I barely had time for anything else. So, as far as I’m concerned, this whole club ban? Meh."

Lilia snorted. "You say that like you weren’t the one crashing half the clubs for the snacks."

Julia grinned. "And? Just because I dined at different tables doesn’t mean I was invested in the menu."

"Still," Carl muttered, rubbing his chin, "this whole situation isn’t just about clubs. It’s about control. The surveillance, the monitoring, the whole ’no unauthorized gatherings’ thing—it’s more than just containment. It’s a leash."

"Exactly." Irina’s golden eyes sharpened. "And the worst part? This isn’t just a temporary measure. If they’re going this far, it means they expect things to get worse."

Ethan, who had been silent throughout the conversation, finally spoke, his voice quieter than usual. "Yeah… worse."

Julia turned to him, catching the weight behind those words. She studied his expression—more withdrawn than usual, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Unlike her, the club suspension did affect him.

"You’re thinking about the spear club," she said, not making it a question.

Ethan let out a slow breath, his grip tightening slightly. "I was looking forward to the interclub tournament. I trained for it. But now? Guess that doesn’t matter anymore."

"Puhahaha…..must suck for you."

"Julia…"

"What? Mad?"