Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 829

829 /1039

"And….who is this?"

Lilia immediately noticed the subtle shift in Selene’s demeanor as her sister’s sharp brown eyes lingered on Astron. The glint in Selene’s gaze was unmistakable, and it made Lilia’s stomach churn with irritation. She knew that look all too well—a gleam of interest, curiosity, and something else that could only be described as thirsty. Selene had worn that same expression countless times before when she found someone—or something—she wanted to toy with.

’Of course,’ Lilia thought bitterly, her lips pressing into a thin line. She would.

Astron, on the other hand, seemed completely unaffected. His expression was as unreadable as ever, his dark purple eyes calm and detached as he met Selene’s gaze without so much as a flicker of emotion.

"And… who is this?" Selene repeated, her smile widening ever so slightly as she stepped forward, her movements deliberate and graceful. She tilted her head, her gaze sweeping over Astron with thinly veiled interest.

Astron’s eyes shifted briefly to Lilia before returning to Selene. His face remained impassive, his tone neutral as he introduced himself. "Astron," he said simply. No elaboration, no flourish—just his name, delivered with the same calm detachment that defined him.

Selene’s smile didn’t falter, but the gleam in her eyes grew sharper. "Astron," she repeated, letting the name roll off her tongue as though testing it. "A pleasure to meet you."

Astron didn’t respond immediately, his gaze steady but uninterested as he looked at her. "Likewise," he said finally, though his tone suggested he was saying it more out of politeness than sincerity.

The surrounding cadets, who had been watching the interaction with growing curiosity, exchanged glances. It was rare to see someone remain so unaffected in Selene’s presence—she had a way of commanding attention and charming those around her without much effort. But Astron… Astron was different.

Selene, of course, noticed. Her smile deepened, and she took another small step closer, her posture relaxed but calculated. "You don’t seem like the type to frequent parties," she remarked, her tone light but probing. "What brings you here, Astron?"

Astron raised an eyebrow slightly at Selene’s probing question, his expression remaining calm and composed. "What do you mean?" he asked, his tone as neutral as ever. "I’m here because I’m a member of the Archery Club."

Selene’s eyebrows lifted in surprise, the faintest flicker of intrigue crossing her face. "A member, you say?" she repeated, her voice lilting with curiosity. She let her gaze sweep over him again, more deliberate this time, as though sizing him up. "I would not have missed… someone like you."

Her eyes lingered a moment longer before she smiled, her tone almost teasing as she added, "A face like this. I suppose you must have just arrived."

"It appears you’re mistaken," Astron replied, his voice calm but firm. "I’ve been here from the start."

Selene tilted her head slightly, her smile deepening as though she found his unflinching demeanor amusing. "Really?" she asked, her tone feigning surprise.

"Yes," Astron said simply, his gaze meeting hers without hesitation.

The tension between them was palpable, though Astron’s calm refusal to engage in Selene’s subtle game only seemed to draw more attention. The surrounding cadets, who had been quietly observing the exchange, watched with growing curiosity, their whispers muted but noticeable.

Before Selene could respond, another voice cut through the conversation.

"Well, this is interesting," Adrian said smoothly, stepping into their line of sight with his usual confident stride. His gaze landed on Astron, and though his expression was polite, there was a faint edge to his tone that didn’t go unnoticed. "Junior Astron… It seems you’ve changed quite a bit."

Astron turned his head slightly, his dark purple eyes meeting Adrian’s gaze with the same detached calm he had shown Selene. "Changed?" he echoed, his tone even. "What kind of change we are talking about?"

Adrian’s smile widened, though it didn’t reach his eyes. There was a sharpness to his gaze as he looked at Astron, his tone light but carrying an undercurrent of challenge. "The kind of change that makes people curious," he said smoothly. "You weren’t like this before."

Astron tilted his head slightly, his calm expression unchanging. "Like what?" he asked, his tone clipped but polite.

Adrian chuckled softly, though there was a faint edge to the sound. "Let’s say… you weren’t this handsome?" His gaze swept over Astron deliberately, his smile turning almost mocking. "Your face has clearly improved."