Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 700 157.3 - The Trip

As the cabin fell silent, Astron did not say much for a while.
"Maybe you're right," Irina said finally, her voice softer. "But at the very least… I'd still fight back."
Astron's gaze lingered on her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "That's because you've never had to question whether it was worth it."
Irina opened her mouth to argue but stopped herself, her frustration mingling with a newfound understanding. He's right. I've always had the power to push back, to make people listen. But what about someone who didn't? What about someone like him?
The rhythmic hum of the train filled the silence between them as Irina stared out the window, her hazel eyes tracing the glowing cliffs and shimmering waterfalls outside. The Arcadia Dominion's mana-infused beauty passed by in a blur, but her mind was elsewhere, caught in the web of Astron's words and the quiet truths they carried.
You've never had to question whether it was worth it.
She sighed softly, her thoughts turning inward. He's right, isn't he? I've always had the ability to push back, to fight for what I want. But that's because I've had the strength, the resources, and the privilege to do so. It's easy for me to talk about freedom when I've never truly lacked the power to claim it.
Her gaze drifted over the passing scenery, the landscape shifting from glowing forests to intricate ley lines stretching across vast fields. The Arcadia Dominion was a place of unparalleled beauty and development, a hub of magic and innovation, yet even here, she realized, no one was truly free.
The unawakened… they rely on Hunters for protection. They can't live freely because their lives are bound by the need for someone stronger to shield them. And Hunters… Her thoughts lingered on her training, the rigorous discipline instilled in her as an Awakened. We're always on guard, always careful. Even the strongest among us live with the weight of their power and the responsibility it brings.
She frowned, her fingers drumming lightly against the armrest. If I were the strongest—stronger than anyone else—would that make me free? Could someone like my mother, who is bound by the rules of society and her role as the Matriarch, live freely if she had no equal?
Her lips pressed into a thin line as she remembered her mother's rigid discipline, her endless meetings, and the constant demands of their family's name. But even if she were the strongest, she'd still be bound by her own rules. She'd still choose to carry the responsibilities she has. Because strength doesn't erase responsibility—it just changes the form it takes.
The train let out another soft chime, its mana conduits glowing faintly as it began to ascend a ridge. The view outside opened up, revealing a breathtaking panorama of the Arcadia Dominion's cities and landscapes. Irina's thoughts darkened further, spiraling into a question she couldn't quite shake.
What if the only way to truly be free is to become something more than human? A god, maybe. But even that… doesn't seem right. Gods, if they exist, have their own rules and roles, don't they? Their own burdens.
She exhaled sharply, shaking her head as if to dispel the heavy thoughts. This is philosophy. It's pointless to think about it too much. But…
Her gaze shifted back to Astron, who remained calm and composed, his sharp gray eyes fixed on the passing scenery.
In the end, is it because he is strong that he can live by himself, or is it because he no longer feels attached?
Her expression softened slightly, a new perspective dawning on her. Maybe that's the answer. Even if I escape one set of responsibilities, another will always find me. There's no such thing as true freedom, not really. What matters is how you carry what you're given—and what you choose to do with it.
Irina leaned back in her seat, letting out a quiet sigh. "I hate to admit it, but you've got a point," she said, her voice low.
Astron glanced at her, his expression unreadable but patient. "Oh?"
"Even if I wanted to escape everything—to just be free—it wouldn't last. Something else would take its place eventually." She smirked faintly, though there was no humor in her tone. "Freedom isn't what I thought it was. It's not just running away or living without rules. It's… something else."
Astron didn't respond immediately, his gaze returning to the glowing landscape outside. "It's finding your own way," he said quietly, almost to himself. "Even within the constraints."
Irina blinked, caught off guard by the uncharacteristic depth in his voice. She studied him for a moment, her smirk fading into something softer. He's not just detached. He's navigating his own version of this, isn't he?
KNOCK!
Just then, a soft knock at the cabin door broke Irina's reverie, pulling her out of her thoughts. She sat up straighter, glancing at Astron, who remained calm but turned his sharp gray eyes toward the door.
"Come in," Irina called, her voice steady.
The door slid open to reveal the attendant from earlier, her professional smile in place. "Mr. Calden, Miss Elira," she said warmly, addressing them by their disguised names. "It's time for your dinner service. As I mentioned earlier, we'll prepare the cabin for your meal now."
Behind her, two additional personnel stepped in, each pushing a polished silver cart laden with covered dishes. The tantalizing aroma of gourmet cuisine began to waft through the cabin, a delicate blend of savory and herbal notes.
"Please allow us a moment to arrange everything," the attendant said, waving her hand.
The rings on the hands of the staff began to glow faintly, intricate runes shimmering to life as they activated the enchantments embedded in the room. The cabin responded immediately—the seating area shifted seamlessly, the plush chairs rearranging themselves into a more formal dining configuration. A smooth, polished table emerged from the floor between them, its surface glowing faintly with a protective mana layer.
The ambient lighting adjusted, casting a warm, inviting glow over the space. The entire process was fluid and almost theatrical, a display of magical precision designed to impress.
Irina raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a faint smirk as she watched the transformation. "They certainly know how to set the stage."
Astron, as usual, remained composed, though his gaze lingered on the glowing rings and the precise movements of the staff. "Efficient," he remarked quietly.
Once the room had been rearranged, the attendants began to place the dishes on the table. Each plate was uncovered with a flourish, revealing beautifully plated meals that looked more like works of art than food. A rich, aromatic soup sat in a delicate porcelain bowl, accompanied by a warm bread basket. There was a main course of mana-infused grilled fish, its scales glistening faintly, paired with roasted vegetables that shimmered subtly with a faint magical enhancement.
"To complement the meal," the attendant said, placing two crystal glasses on the table, "we've brought our finest enchanted wine. It's non-alcoholic but infused with a calming mana blend to enhance relaxation."
Irina glanced at Astron as the final touches were made to the table. "See? Even you can't complain about this level of detail."
"..."
Astron could only stay silent.
The attendant and her team stepped back, their hands folded neatly in front of them. "If there's anything else you require during your meal, please don't hesitate to use the communication rune. Enjoy your dinner."
With that, they bowed slightly and exited the room, leaving the two of them alone in the transformed space. The soft hum of the train continued as a backdrop, blending with the faint clinking of silverware as Irina reached for her glass.
"Well," she said, raising the glass slightly, "to the journey."
"....Speechless…."
Astron commented, his voice laced with sarcasm.
"What?"
"You need to practice these lines a little more."
"Why?"
"Why do you think?"
Astron set his glass down with a calm, deliberate motion, his sharp gray eyes glinting faintly as he regarded Irina. "Your choice of words," he began, his tone as even as ever, "sounds like someone trying too hard to be wise. It's… juvenile."
Irina's hazel eyes narrowed as she stiffened in her seat, her expression shifting from playful to annoyed in an instant. "Juvenile? Excuse me?" she shot back, her voice dripping with indignation.
Astron leaned back slightly, his gaze unwavering. "You said, 'To the journey,' like it's something profound," he said, his voice carrying just enough sarcasm to be grating. "But it came off more like you were imitating someone older and wiser than you are."
Irina's cheeks flushed, though whether it was from anger or embarrassment was unclear. "Hmph! Why am I even bothering to toast with you?" she snapped, setting her glass down with a bit more force than necessary.
Astron raised an eyebrow, unbothered by her outburst. "I was wondering the same thing," he said coolly, his lips twitching faintly as if suppressing a smirk.
Irina crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair with a dramatic huff. "You're insufferable, you know that?" she muttered, glaring at the pristine table as if it were somehow at fault for her irritation. "Here I was, trying to make this meal feel a little special, and you ruined it with your stupid remarks."
"Stupid remarks?" Astron repeated, tilting his head slightly. "I thought I was being helpful. You could use the feedback."
"Feedback?" she sputtered, her fiery gaze snapping back to him. "You're impossible."
Astron shrugged, unperturbed by her frustration. "I'm just saying, if you're going to try for a profound toast, you might want to work on your delivery."
Irina let out an exasperated sigh, slumping slightly in her seat. "Why do I even try?" she muttered, sulking as she poked at her plate with her fork.
Astron watched her with his usual calm, his expression unreadable. He didn't offer an apology or attempt to console her, instead taking another sip of his enchanted wine as if the entire exchange were entirely unremarkable.
The silence stretched between them for a moment before Irina, unable to stand it, let out another huff. "You're so aggravating," she said, though there was a faint pout to her tone now, the edge of her frustration softening.
*****
And well, just like that the nighttime came.
And another crisis occurred.
Or rather an opportunity.
"You…..did you really book a single bedroom?" Nôv(el)B\\jnn