Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 713 161.2 - Market

The competition's rules were simple: one would haggle first while the other observed from a discreet distance, then they'd switch, each attempting to get a better price for the same item. At the end of three rounds, they'd compare receipts to declare the victor.

Irina, her hazel eyes blazing with determination, volunteered to go first. She stepped up to the first stall-a vibrant display of handwoven scarves, each shimmering faintly with mana-infused thread. Astron lingered just out of carshot, his posture relaxed but his sharp gray eyes clearly watching.

******

The first haggle was about a scarf.

Irina picked up a pale blue scarf, running her fingers over the delicate fabric as the vendor beamed at her.

"Ah, a fine choice," the vendor said, clasping his hands. "Mana-woven silk, perfect for warding off the chill while enhancing your magical resonance. 3000 Valer."

Irina tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. 'Alright, start strong. Compliment the item, but cast doubt on its worth! She held the scarf up to the light, her lips curving into a small smile.

"It's lovely, but I've seen similar scarves priced lower in Stellamare's main market," she said smoothly. "For 3000 Valer, I'd expect something rarer. How about 1500?"

The vendor's smile faltered. "1500? Madam, this is no ordinary scarf! The mana infusion alone makes it worth far more. I could go to 2500 for you, but not a coin

less."

Irina arched an eyebrow, her tone taking on a polite but firm edge. "2500 is generous, but I doubt you'll move these at that price today. I'll offer 2000 Valer-right now."

The vendor hesitated, glancing between her and the scarf. After a moment, he sighed. "Alright, 2000. You drive a hard bargain."

Irina's lips curled into a triumphant smile as she handed over the coins. She glanced toward Astron, who gave no visible reaction, before moving on to the next stall.

******n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

At the next stall, Irina examined a pair of golden earrings shaped like phoenix feathers, their edges glinting faintly with enchantment.

"Ah, exquisite taste!" the vendor exclaimed. "These earrings are imbued with minor fatigue resistance-practical and stylish. Only 8000 Valer."

Irina raised an eyebrow. 'Overpriced. Time to play the long game.' She set the earrings down gently. "8000? They're charming, but for that price. I'd expect a stronger

enchantment."

The vendor looked startled but recovered quickly. "The craftsmanship alone-"

"Is excellent, but not worth more than 5000 Valer," Irina interjected, folding her arms. "That's my offer."

The vendor grimaced. "5000 is far too low... I could do 7000, but not a coin less." Irina gave a small, calculated shrug. "Then I'll look elsewhere. Plenty of vendors carry similar designs."

As she turned to leave, the vendor panicked. "Wait! 6000 Valer. Final offer."

Irina paused, her lips twitching into a victorious smile before she turned back. "Deal"

She handed over the coins, her gaze darting toward Astron. He stood a few stalls away, arms crossed, watching with quiet interest.

******

At the final stall, Irina selected a small mana trinket-a pendant that shimmered faintly with shifting colors.

"This is a rare piece," the vendor said proudly. "Crafted with spectral mana. 10,000 Valer."

Irina let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "This one's absurdly overpriced. Heh....you think you can trick me into doing this?' She leaned forward slightly, her tone turning skeptical. "10,000 for this? It's lovely, but I've seen better-crafted pendants with stronger mana flow."

The vendor's smile wavered. "Ah, but this one-"

"I'll offer 4000 Valer," Irina said firmly. "That's more than fair for something of this

level."

"4000? Impossible!" the vendor exclaimed. "The materials alone-"

"Are standard," Irina interrupted, holding his gaze. "Look, I don't want to waste either of our time. 5000 Valer, and we'll make the deal now."

The vendor hesitated, his expression conflicted. Finally, he sighed. "Alright, 5000 Valer. You drive a hard bargain, miss."

Irina paid for the pendant, clutching the receipt as she walked back toward Astron. Her eyes sparkled with triumph as she gestured for him to take his turn.

******

Irina returned to Astron's side, her hazel eyes glowing with triumph as she clasped her hands behind her back. She exuded confidence, the faint smirk on her lips practically daring him to try and top her performance.

"Well," she began smugly, tilting her head slightly. "I hope you were paying attention, Astron. You might learn a thing or two. I managed to get those vendors down to what I'd call very reasonable prices. I'd be surprised if you could even come close." Astron glanced at her, his gray eyes calm and unreadable. "You seem confident," he said simply.

Irina crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, I am. Those prices were practically unbeatable. You should just accept your loss now and spare yourself the

embarrassment."

Astron let out a faint sigh, shaking his head ever so slightly. Without a word, he began walking toward the first stall, his calm demeanor unchanged. Irina blinked, caught slightly off guard by his lack of response.

'He's probably just trying to act unfazed,' she thought to herself, trailing after him. 'There's no way he'll do better than me.

When Astron reached the first stall, the vendor's expression brightened, clearly eager to make another sale. "Ah, a discerning customer! Perhaps a scarf to catch your eye?" Astron picked up the same pale blue scarf Irina had purchased earlier, running his fingers over the fabric as he examined it closely. Then, in a calm, measured tone, he spoke. "Mana-woven silk, basic threadwork. The mana infusion is low-grade-likely performed with second-hand equipment. The material cost? About 100 Valer. Labor included, 150 at most."

The vendor froze, his cheerful expression faltering. "W-well, you see-" Astron's sharp gray eyes met the vendor's, unblinking, the faintest hint of menace lurking in his gaze. "3000 Valer was a bold starting price. 2000 was still an overcharge. I'll pay 200 Valer. Or should I share these details with your other customers?"

The vendor paled, his hands fidgeting nervously. "200 Valer? But-"

"200," Astron repeated, his tone soft yet unyielding. His eyes didn't waver, and the air

between them grew heavy with an unspoken tension.

Finally, the vendor sighed in defeat. "Fine. 200 Valer."

Astron handed over the coins without another word, tucking the receipt into his pocket as he moved to the next stall. Irina, watching from a short distance, felt her jaw

tighten. 'What just happened?'

At the second stall, Astron approached the phoenix feather earrings. The vendor greeted him enthusiastically, but Astron's response was just as direct as before. He picked up the earrings, turning them over in his hands as he spoke.

"Gold-plated steel. The enchantment is rudimentary-fatigue resistance of this level barely qualifies as practical. Production cost, including enchantment, around 200

Valer.

The vendor stammered, his confidence visibly crumbling. "Sir, I—"

"8000 Valer was insulting." Astron said, his voice as calm as ever. "7000 was laughable.

I'll pay 400 Valer."

The vendor's eyes widened at Astron's blunt statement, but there was a dangerous

glint beneath his initial surprise. His fingers twitched nervously at the counter, and he leaned in slightly, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "You might be sharp, friend, but this city isn't kind to those who poke around too much. It's best not to make enemies where you don't need to."

The words were laced with a thinly veiled threat, but Astron didn't flinch. His gray

eyes remained locked on the vendor, his expression calm yet piercing, as if he could see straight through the man. Then, with an almost imperceptible tilt of his head, he spoke, his tone carrying a quiet finality.

"Tell me, do you trust the three men stationed at the eastern gate of Everhall? The one with the scar under his left eye, the second with the uneven gait near the fountain, or the third who lingers by the corner of the artisan's market? You shouldn't." The vendor froze, his blood draining from his face. The details Astron provided- specific locations, precise descriptions-cut through any bravado he had. A cold sweat broke out on his brow as his hands tightened into fists. He didn't need Astron to elaborate further; the implication was clear. Whatever connections the vendor thought he had, Astron had already noticed them and was prepared to leverage that

knowledge.

"Fine," the vendor finally muttered, his voice shaky. "300 Valer."

Astron handed over the coins with a serene expression, his movements deliberate.

Without another word, he pocketed the receipt and turned to leave, his posture relaxed but exuding quiet authority.

When he arrived, the vendor at the third stall-an older man with a shrewd look in his eyes-tensed visibly at Astron's approach. The man's gaze flicked nervously to the mana pendant on display, then back to Astron. Before Astron could speak, the vendor reached for the pendant, hastily placing it in a small cloth bag and extending it toward

him.

"It's... on the house," the vendor stammered, his smile strained. "No charge." Astron's gray eyes lingered on the man for a moment, gauging his sincerity. Then,

with a slight nod, he took the pendant, pocketed it, and turned away without another

word.

As Astron rejoined Irina, she couldn't help but feel a bit suspicious. How come this guy finished everything this easily?

Irina watched Astron approach her with his usual calm demeanor, his hands tucked

casually into his coat pockets. Something about the way he moved-the faint ease in

his steps, the utter lack of tension-set her on edge. He handed over his receipts without a word, his expression unreadable as always.

Her hazel eyes darted between the slips of paper in her hands, her brows furrowing as

she scanned the numbers.

'What?'

"What?"

Her thoughts mirrored her words.....