Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 796: Chapter 184.2 - Understanding

Chapter 796: Chapter 184.2 - Understanding

The crisp evening air greeted Sylvie as she stepped out of the dormitory, her damp hair swaying slightly with each step. The weather had turned chilly as the day wound down, the faint breeze sending a shiver down her spine. She pulled her jacket closer, her thoughts steadying as she spotted Astron waiting by the courtyard. 
As usual, Astron seemed completely unbothered by the cold, his calm posture and steady gaze making him look as though he had all the time in the world. His purple eyes flicked toward her as she approached, and he gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. 
"Hey," Sylvie greeted, her voice light but tinged with a nervous edge. 
Astron nodded again, his expression unreadable. "Sylvie." 
She fought the urge to fidget under his gaze, the frustration of not being able to read him simmering quietly in the back of her mind. 'Why is it always so hard to tell what he's thinking?' she wondered, though she quickly pushed the thought aside. This wasn't the time to let her own nerves get the better of her. 
"Mind if I walk with you?" she asked, gesturing toward the path that led through the courtyard. 
Astron tilted his head slightly, then turned to start walking without a word. Sylvie took that as an agreement and fell into step beside him. The faint crunch of their footsteps on the gravel path filled the silence for a few moments before she spoke again. 
"So… how was your day?" she asked, keeping her tone casual. "Anything interesting happen?" 
Astron glanced at her briefly before returning his gaze to the path ahead. "Nothing out of the ordinary," he replied. "Classes, some training. The usual." 
"Ah, right," Sylvie said, nodding. "That makes sense. I guess everyone's still trying to settle back into the semester. It always feels a bit chaotic at first, doesn't it?" 
Astron gave a faint hum of agreement, his posture relaxed but his expression as composed as ever. Sylvie found herself blabbering a little more, the weight of the earlier tension pushing her into a stream of casual chatter. 
"And Professor Eleanor's classes, huh?" she continued with a small laugh. "She doesn't waste any time, does she? Two blocks right at the start of the semester—I thought half the class was going to fall over by the end of it. How did you manage?" 
"By paying attention," Astron said simply. 
Sylvie let out a soft laugh, brushing her hair back as she glanced at him. "Well, you make it sound so easy," she said lightly. 
"Why?" 
Sylvie let out a small sigh, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she found herself falling into the rhythm of their walk. The casual conversation felt like a balm to the tension that had been building inside her all day. But as they walked, a thought bubbled to the surface, and before she could stop herself, she began speaking. 
"You know," she started, her voice softer now, "it's been harder for me to focus lately. On my tasks, my studies, even in class. It feels like my attention just keeps slipping away." 
Astron glanced at her, his purple eyes calm but inquisitive. "Do you use social media a lot?" he asked, his tone matter-of-fact. 
Sylvie blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Uh, I mean… when I'm on breaks from studying," she admitted. "Not a ton, though." 
"Do you watch short content often?" Astron continued, his gaze steady as he turned his head slightly toward her. "Videos that condense everything into a minute or less?" 
Sylvie tilted her head, thinking for a moment before shaking it. "No, not much. I usually watch longer videos if I watch anything at all." 
Astron studied her for a second, his expression thoughtful. "If that's the case," he said slowly, "then your attention span isn't being disrupted by external factors. It's not because of messed-up brain timers or an addiction to quick dopamine hits." 
Sylvie blinked, a small, confused laugh escaping her lips. "Messed-up brain timers?" she echoed. "What are you even talking about?" 
"Short-form content trains your brain to expect constant stimulation," Astron explained, his tone calm and deliberate. "It can make it harder for people to focus on things that require sustained attention. But if that doesn't apply to you…" 
He paused, his sharp gaze meeting hers with a precision that made her heart skip a beat. "That means there's something in the classroom that's taking your attention." 
Sylvie felt her breath hitch at his words, her grip tightening on the strap of her bag. His statement felt so matter-of-fact, so accurate, that for a moment, she wasn't sure how to respond. 
'It is you.' 
The thought rose unbidden, sharp and insistent, but she bit her tongue before it could escape. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she forced herself to look away, focusing instead on the gravel path beneath her feet. 
"Maybe," she said finally, her voice light but strained as she tried to deflect. "Or maybe I'm just tired. You know how it is at the start of the semester—everything feels overwhelming at once." 
Astron hummed in acknowledgment, though his gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he looked ahead again. Sylvie could feel her pulse quickening as they walked, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn't voice. 
'It's not just the classroom,' she thought, her chest tightening. 'It's whenever you're there.' 
But saying these words out loud…. 
It was easier said than done. 
Hence she changed the topic. 
"I know a place we can go. It's new, and I think you might like it." 
Astron raised an eyebrow, glancing at her with faint curiosity. "Where?" 
"It's called The Nexus," Sylvie replied, gesturing down a different path. "It's this massive building the academy just opened. They set it up for cadets to study, relax, or hang out. It's got everything—study blocks, lounges, even a café. And the best part? It's affordable, so you don't have to worry about spending too much." 
Astron gave a faint hum of acknowledgment, his expression neutral but seemingly agreeable. "Lead the way," he said simply. 
Sylvie smiled, quickening her pace as they made their way toward The Nexus. The building was impossible to miss—a sleek, modern structure with glass-paneled walls and soft, glowing lights that illuminated its surroundings. The faint hum of machinery blended seamlessly with the quiet chatter of students entering and leaving. 
Inside, The Nexus was just as impressive. The ground floor was wide and open, divided into various sections. Rows of study blocks lined one side, separated by glass panels for privacy, while a spacious lounge area with comfortable seating occupied the other. Robots moved efficiently through the space, preparing and serving drinks, tidying up tables, and even delivering meals. Everything was automated, creating an atmosphere that was both futuristic and strangely calming. 
Sylvie led Astron to one of the quieter corners, a small section near a row of study blocks. The lighting here was softer, the noise from the main lounge muted enough to make conversation comfortable. A robot approached them as they sat down, its sleek metallic frame gliding smoothly across the floor. 
"Welcome," it said in a pleasant, artificial voice. "May I take your order?" 
Sylvie glanced at Astron, her eyebrows raised. "Want anything?" 
"Just a black tea," Astron replied without hesitation. 
Sylvie nodded, then turned back to the robot. "I'll have the same, and a slice of the honey cake, please." 
The robot whirred softly, confirming their order before gliding away. Astron leaned back slightly in his seat, his sharp gaze flicking around the space as he took in their surroundings. 
"This place is newly opened?" Astron asked, his sharp purple eyes scanning the quiet surroundings. His tone was calm, but Sylvie could hear the faint curiosity in his voice. 
Sylvie nodded, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she leaned back slightly in her seat. "Yeah, it's new," she replied. "I actually just discovered it yesterday. Since it's a new facility, the academy didn't really have time to advertise it properly. They sent out a mail about it, but I guess not many people noticed—or cared enough to check it out." 
Astron gave a small hum of acknowledgment, his gaze flicking briefly to a nearby robot gliding past with a tray of drinks. "Quiet," he remarked. "Empty. I can see why you chose it." 
Sylvie smiled faintly, taking a sip of her tea. "That's exactly why I came here," she admitted. "After what happened in the cafeteria, I figured it'd be nice to find a place where I wouldn't be… interrupted." 
Astron's gaze returned to her, his expression as unreadable as ever. "Interrupted?" 
Sylvie hesitated for a moment, her mind flashing back to the crowd in the cafeteria—the questions, the stares, the overwhelming tension of being looked at by that Snack-loving scary senior. 
She set her cup down, her fingers brushing lightly against the table as she tried to find the right words. 
"Yes, interrupted." 
"Is it related to the topic that you want to talk about?" 
Sylvie took a deep breath, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of her teacup. Her nerves simmered just beneath the surface, but she pushed them down, focusing on the steady, composed presence across from her. 
"Yes," she admitted, meeting Astron's gaze. "It's related to what I want to talk about." 
Astron's expression didn't shift, but she could feel the weight of his attention settle fully on her. The silence stretched for a moment, his calm gaze urging her to continue. 
"What happened to Senior Maya?" 
She finally dropped the bomb that she was looking for.