Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 696 156.2 - She can't say

The Emberheart estate's grand doors creaked open, and a maid ushered Astron and Irina into the hallway leading to the Matriarch's study. The ornate corridor stretched endlessly, lined with paintings of Emberheart ancestors and tapestries depicting their fiery legacy. Each step echoed in the silence, a rhythmic reminder of the confrontation awaiting them.

Irina straightened her shoulders, her fiery gaze unwavering as they reached the polished wooden doors of her mother's room. She didn't glance at Astron, but she could feel his calm presence beside her-a steady anchor in the brewing storm.

The doors opened with a soft creak, revealing the Matriarch seated at her desk, her posture regal and her eyes sharp as ever. The air in the room was thick, charged with an unspoken authority that seemed to press down on them as they entered.

The Matriarch's gaze shifted to the two of them, her lips curving into a faint, sardonic smile. "Well, well," she said, her tone laced with subtle mockery. "It seems the two of you must have had quite the night... to even miss breakfast." Her narrowed eyes lingered on them, sharp and calculating.

Irina's face flushed faintly, but she quickly masked her embarrassment, her posture stiffening in defiance. "We don't need to report every moment of our lives to you, Mother," she said firmly, her tone tinged with annoyance but steady.

The Matriarch's smile widened, her eyes glinting with amusement at her daughter's quick response. "Ah, Irina," she said, her voice carrying a hint of mock sweetness, "you misunderstand. I wasn't asking for a report. I was merely observing. After all, it's not every day that you miss a meal."

Irina's jaw tightened, but she refused to look away. "And yet, here we are. Is there something you wanted, or are we here for another lesson in breakfast etiquette?" The Matriarch leaned back in her chair, her fingers steepling as she regarded her daughter with an almost predatory calm. "Always so fiery, my dear," she said smoothly, her gaze flicking briefly to Astron before returning to Irina. "But no, this is not about etiquette. I've called you here to discuss your... upcoming plans."

Irina's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain composed. "What about them?"

The Matriarch's gaze turned to Astron, studying him with an intensity that seemed to peel back layers. "Your companion here," she said, her tone cool and measured, "is an intriguing choice for such a trip. I wonder... how much of this planning was influenced by his presence?"

Astron stood silently, his expression unreadable as the Matriarch's sharp gaze bore into him. He could speak if he wished, but he chose not to, leaving the floor to Irina.

He understood the value of moments like these-this was her confrontation to navigate, her growth to claim.

Irina met her mother's gaze with a steady defiance, her fiery eyes unwavering. "Yes, Mother," she said firmly, her voice calm but resolute. "He is the reason I planned this trip. Is there a problem with that?"

The Matriarch's eyes narrowed, the sharp glint in her gaze turning colder. "This openly admitting, Irina?" she asked, her voice deceptively mild but laced with an edge. "You are aware, I trust, that such things cannot be taken back. Keeping this attachment within the Emberheart estate is one matter; taking it into the public eye is quite another."

Irina's jaw tightened, but she didn't falter. "I'm aware," she replied. Her fiery gaze flicked briefly to Astron before returning to her mother. "But I'm not foolish enough to put a target on my back. We will be disguising ourselves."

The Matriarch's eyebrows arched slightly in intrigue, her tone cooling further. "Disguising yourselves? And how, exactly, do you intend to achieve that? With his face, Irina, I doubt 'discretion' is even remotely feasible."

Irina smirked faintly at her mother's words, a glimmer of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. "I've thought about that too, Mother." She reached into her spatial storage, retrieving two silver rings engraved with intricate runes. She held them up, the faint glow of their enchantments catching the light. "With these."

The Matriarch's eyes narrowed as she leaned forward slightly, examining the rings from a distance. "And where, may I ask, did you acquire such items? These are not the kind of trinkets one simply stumbles upon."

Irina's smirk deepened, her confidence shining through as she answered. "I had them commissioned weeks ago by a craftsman in Ingelheim-one of the few that Lilia trusts with this level of enchantment. They're mana-infused and calibrated to create a shifting illusion around the wearer. Hair color, eye color, facial features... even subtle aura dampening. Everything can be masked."

The Matriarch's expression didn't change, but the faintest glint of approval flickered in her eyes. "And the cost of such a commission?" she asked, her voice calm but

probing.

Irina's tone remained unwavering. "Considerable, but worth it. I planned for every detail of this trip, including the risk of exposure. These rings are essential for ensuring our safety and anonymity."

The Matriarch leaned back slightly, studying her daughter with an unreadable expression. "I see. And you believe these measures will suffice?"

"They will," Irina replied confidently. "The enchantments are top-tier, and I've verified the craftsman's reputation thoroughly. With these, no one will recognize us unless they're actively searching for us-and even then, it would take an expert to pierce the

illusion."

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of Irina's words settling between them. The Matriarch's gaze flicked to Astron, then back to her daughter, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Interesting.....What if I wanted to test it?"

Irina's gaze didn't falter as she met her mother's challenge. "If that's what it takes to prove their effectiveness, then go ahead. Test them."

The Matriarch's faint smile grew, an almost imperceptible glint of intrigue flashing in her eyes. "Very well," she said, gesturing for Irina to proceed.

Irina took a steadying breath, then slipped one of the silver rings onto her finger. She handed the second to Astron, who wordlessly accepted it, his sharp eyes briefly meeting hers in silent understanding. With a practiced motion, Irina channeled her mana into the ring, the runes glowing faintly as the illusion took hold.

The change was subtle but striking. Irina's fiery red hair dulled to a deep, chestnut brown, cascading in soft waves instead of its usual vibrant intensity. Her eyes shifted from their ember-like glow to a warm hazel, and her angular features softened slightly. Her overall demeanor remained regal, but her identity was obscured to all but those who truly knew her well,Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Astron followed suit, activating his ring with a steady flow of mana. His striking purple eyes dimmed into a muted gray, and his sharp features smoothed slightly, the edges softened to something less severe. His black hair lightened to a deep ash tone, blending seamlessly with his new appearance. Though his posture and composure remained the same, the change in his face was enough to make him unrecognizable at

first glance.

The Matriarch's gaze flicked between the two of them, her expression unchanging as she examined the illusions. "Impressive," she admitted after a moment, her voice calm but thoughtful. "The craftsmanship is indeed excellent. The changes are precise enough to mask your identities without drawing attention to themselves." Irina nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "As I said, Mother, I planned every detail. These artifacts will ensure our anonymity without compromising our presence."

The Matriarch's eyes narrowed slightly, her sharp gaze lingering on Astron. "Though the artifacts are well-made, they cannot suppress natural charm. You may have changed your faces, but you still look... striking. That alone could draw attention." Astron's expression remained composed, his voice calm as he replied, "Anonymity does not mean blending into the background entirely, Madam. It means avoiding recognition. As long as no one knows what they're looking for, appearances will only be a fleeting curiosity."

The Matriarch raised an eyebrow at his response, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "A fair point," she said, leaning back in her chair. "Still, these illusions won't protect you entirely. There will always be those who see beyond the surface."

"I'm aware," Irina said, her tone firm. "But this is the best way to minimize risk. We'll be

cautious, as always."

The Matriarch studied her daughter for a moment longer before finally nodding. "You've prepared well, Irina. I'll grant you that. I will allow this trip, but remember: if anything goes wrong, the responsibility falls entirely on your shoulders."

Irina straightened, her expression resolute. "I understand."

With that, the Matriarch stood, her commanding presence filling the room as she

turned toward the door. "You've shown me enough. I'll leave you to your final preparations." Her gaze lingered on Astron for a brief moment, her sharp eyes conveying a silent message.

As the Matriarch reached the door, she paused, turning back with an air of nonchalance that belied the sharpness of her gaze. Her eyes lingered on Irina for a moment longer, her lips curving into a faint, knowing smile.

"While I understand the enthusiasm of youth," she began, her tone deceptively light, "I would advise you both to keep your... excitement in check. There's a time and place for everything, and it's important not to lose focus. Especially you, Irina."

Irina blinked, her fiery red eyes widening in surprise before her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. "Mother!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in a mixture of shock and embarrassment. Her composure wavered for the first time, and she stumbled over her words. "That's why would you even-"

But the Matriarch didn't let her finish. Her gaze flicked to Astron briefly, her expression neutral but her meaning unmistakable. "And you," she said, her voice cool but not unkind, "should remember that the Emberheart name carries certain expectations. While I can understand the... thirst for someone like you, there are lines that must not be crossed."

Astron, for his part, didn't react visibly, his calm demeanor unshaken as he met her gaze. "Understood, Madam," he said evenly, though the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth hinted at his amusement. "I shall make it so that, your daughter keeps her

thirst in line."

Irina, however, was still reeling. Her mother's words had caught her so off guard that she barely registered Astron's composed response. For a moment, the Matriarch sounded less like the unyielding head of the Emberheart family and more like a mother teasing her daughter-and the realization left Irina speechless.

The Matriarch didn't wait for a further response. She straightened, her commanding presence returning as she gestured toward the door. "I'll leave you to your preparations," she said smoothly, her tone once again all business. "Do try to ensure

that this trip is not wasted. Fun has its place, but you both have responsibilities to

uphold." With that, she swept out of the room, leaving an utterly flustered Irina and an unbothered Astron in her wake. The door clicked shut, and the room fell into silence.

Irina finally managed to find her voice, though it was a strained whisper. "I cannot

believe she just said that..."

Astron leaned back slightly, his expression neutral but his eyes glinting with faint

amusement. "She does have a point."

""

Irina shot him a glare, her embarrassment flaring anew. "Don't even start," she hissed,

though her tone lacked real bite. For some reason, despite the mortification, she felt a small flicker of warmth. In that fleeting moment, her mother had felt... human. But she quickly shook off the thought, her composure returning as she turned to Astron. "Let's go. We've got a lot to do before we leave."

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