Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 637 - 140.1 - Concocting

Maya leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on the amulet resting in her hands as the weight of Astron's words settled over her. She let herself sink deeper into the chair, feeling the smooth wood beneath her back as her thoughts spun.

'This charm… it will allow me to confront the other part of myself.'

The concept wasn't foreign to her, not entirely. She had been aware, in her own way, of that shadow lingering within her. How many times had she woken from a nightmare, hearing a voice, her own voice, yet different—harsher, filled with a desire she couldn't quite understand?

It had been unsettling, those nights when she'd lie awake afterward, dismissing it as some lingering memory of the failed evolution.

'But was it really just a dream? Or was it something more?'

Her fingers brushed over the delicate carvings, feeling a faint warmth from the charm as if it held a life of its own, quietly awaiting activation. And yet, now that Astron had given her a name for it—a method to face it—she felt a weight lift, even as a new gravity took its place.

'This other self… I've tried to bury it. Suppress it. But all that's done is make it stronger, hasn't it?'

The thought sent a shiver through her, but she kept her face composed, her breathing steady. She was beginning to see the truth in Astron's words, that accepting this side of her wasn't a weakness—it was part of her path forward.

'If I want to understand myself… to have the control I need, then I can't keep denying it. I need to hear it, let it speak, learn why it wants what it does.'

As she lifted her gaze to Astron, a quiet resolve settled within her, mingling with a hint of vulnerability. He had gone to lengths she hadn't anticipated, researching unfamiliar, ancient practices to help her bridge the gap she had been too afraid to cross alone.

'Indeed….if he had spent all that effort, from now on I should do it on my own. He had already done so much.' Maya's gaze lingered on the charm for a moment longer before she exhaled softly, a subtle but steadying sigh as she clenched her fists beneath the table, feeling the cool edge of resolve settle within her.

'He's already done so much,' she thought, her fingers tightening slightly. 'From here on, it's up to me.'

If she wanted to be able to wield her power as both a mage and a vampire, she needed to embrace the duality within her—without fear of losing herself to one side or the other. She'd kept the two separated, thinking it would protect her from slipping into something uncontrollable. But this… this was a chance to unify her strengths. A way to bring balance.

Her eyes lifted once more, finding Astron's steady gaze, and she felt a quiet resolve settling deeper within her. This path he walked, with his unyielding determination, his goals, and his vengeance… wasn't an easy one. And she knew that he would face challenges she might never fully understand.

'If he's already willing to put this much thought into helping me… I won't be a burden,' she vowed silently. 'I'll become someone he can rely on.'

The weight of that commitment was tangible, pressing into her chest like a slow, steady pulse, and she welcomed it. She wasn't simply a student following a mentor's lead—she wanted to be an ally, someone he could trust, someone who wouldn't fall apart the moment he wasn't there.

Maya straightened in her seat, holding that newfound resolve close, feeling it settle into her like a quiet, stabilizing presence. She had spent so much time thinking of herself as incomplete, of her instincts as dangerous impulses to suppress.

But now, as she considered the balance she would need to strike, she realized she was on the edge of something more—a unity within herself that would let her truly wield her strength. The amulet, still warm in her hand, felt less like a tool and more like a bridge toward that goal.

She glanced at Astron, a soft but firm expression in her eyes, and remembered what else she'd meant to tell him before they parted. She felt a flicker of excitement at the thought, mingling with her newfound purpose.

"Astron," she began, her voice calm but carrying a hint of eagerness, "there's something I meant to mention before you leave."

He raised an eyebrow, his violet gaze attentive as always, waiting for her to continue.

"Kieran contacted me yesterday," she explained, watching his reaction as she continued. "He said the weapon you requested is ready. He mentioned that we could come by whenever you're free to take a look."

Astron's gaze shifted slightly, a subtle glint of interest passing over his usually composed expression. "Good," he replied, his tone calm.

"Then, should we take a look at it right now?"

Maya felt a quiet warmth blossom inside her as she saw the subtle interest flash in Astron's gaze. She knew him well enough by now to recognize the meaning behind his calm expression; this wasn't just a visit to pick up a weapon. Astron had been testing Kieran's capabilities with this request, gauging not only the quality of his craftsmanship but also his trustworthiness and potential as an ally. The thought brought a smile to her lips—Kieran would finally have a chance to show just how skilled he truly was, something she'd always known but had rarely seen acknowledged by others with Astron's level of scrutiny.

"Yes, let's," she replied, her voice steady but carrying a hint of eagerness.

As they stood, she felt her anticipation grow, knowing how much this meeting meant not only to Astron but to Kieran as well.

As they walked through the bustling city streets, Maya's thoughts lingered on Kieran. If he could meet Astron's expectations, there was a chance he'd gain a trusted place in Astron's world—a world she was quickly realizing was far more complex and dangerous than most people understood.

And if Kieran were to become someone Astron trusted, it would mean Astron might visit them more often. She felt a quiet thrill at that thought, knowing how much it would mean to her to have him around, to be able to help him in whatever small ways she could.

As they arrived at Kieran's shop, she shot a quick glance at Astron, catching the hint of anticipation in his violet gaze.

She felt a surge of pride for her friend, confident that he would rise to the occasion. The shop, tucked between more opulent storefronts, appeared modest from the outside, with its slightly cluttered displays and unpolished charm.

Yet, to Maya, it was a place filled with the essence of Kieran's brilliance, and now, she hoped Astron would see it that way too.

Pushing the door open, they entered to find Kieran already at his workbench, his focused expression shifting to one of delight when he saw them. "Ah, just in time!" he greeted, gesturing to a covered table where something rested beneath a cloth.

Astron stepped forward, his gaze steady as he regarded Kieran with that familiar, quiet intensity. Maya took her place beside him, feeling a flicker of excitement. She knew this was Kieran's moment, and she felt a subtle pride knowing her friend was about to shine.

Kieran pulled back the cloth with a flourish, revealing the weapon he'd crafted. The blade gleamed under the shop's light, every edge honed with precision. It was more than just a weapon; it was a testament to Kieran's skill, and Maya couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness, knowing Astron was finally seeing it firsthand.

"Go on," Kieran said, his voice laced with a hint of pride. "I think you'll find it meets your specifications—and then some."

Astron studied the weapon, his expression composed as he took it in, testing its balance and feeling the energy flowing through it. Maya watched closely, noting the way his eyes narrowed slightly, his scrutiny intense. She held her breath, hoping her friend's work would be enough to impress him.

After a long, quiet moment, Astron nodded approvingly, a barely perceptible smile touching his lips. "You've done well," he said simply, his voice carrying a weight of sincerity.

But someone was not happy with the wording it seemed.

Kieran raised his eyebrows, crossing his arms with a wry grin. "That's all? You've done well?" he echoed, disbelief lacing his voice. "Do you think you'll find something like this anywhere else?"

Astron's calm gaze flicked to Kieran, intrigued but silent, as Kieran stepped forward, his fingers closing around the handle of the blade with a practiced ease. He lifted it, turning it under the light so it gleamed with a faint, ethereal shimmer, and gestured for Astron to pay attention.

"Let me show you what these beauties can actually do," Kieran continued, his voice now carrying a touch of pride. "First off, I've nearly perfected the aerodynamic design on these blades. You won't hear a thing when they fly—completely silent."

He threw the blade lightly into the air, and it cut through the air without even the faintest whisper, landing perfectly back into his hand. Astron's eyes narrowed in appreciation, but he said nothing, watching as Kieran spun the blade around his fingers, demonstrating its balance.

"Each of them is enchanted with an armor-penetration attribute," Kieran explained, his green eyes gleaming with excitement. "%35 Armor Penetration, by the way." He spoke.

"No ordinary shield or defense will stop these. The enchantment lets the blade pierce through even the toughest metals, making them ideal for any encounter."

He glanced at Astron, the faintest hint of a smug grin on his lips, and continued, "Their durability's enhanced too. The metal I used isn't just strong; it's resilient. It'll hold every strike, every impact, without sacrificing agility." Kieran gave the blade another casual spin, his hand moving with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how his creation worked. "And before you ask—no, they're not heavy. All the strength, none of the bulk."

Astron's gaze was fixed on the weapon, his violet eyes glinting as he absorbed each detail. But Kieran wasn't done yet.

"Now, the best part," he said, a flicker of excitement crossing his face. "The true edge these blades hold isn't just in their silence or their piercing power. No…" Kieran swung the blade effortlessly around his fingers, letting it settle into his hand as if it were an extension of himself. "This is where the magic really happens."

With a quick flick of his wrist, he activated the enchantment, and the blade began to glow faintly, a pulsing energy tracing along the edges.

"You can change the type of poison that you want to enchant your weapon."