Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

The Emberheart Armory loomed before Astron, its heavy, ornately engraved doors casting long shadows in the dim light. This was no ordinary armory-it was the culmination of centuries of Emberheart legacy, a place where power was not only stored but guarded with an almost sacred reverence.

Standing there, he understood why Irina's mother had put him through such a brutal test. Irina had clearly spoken highly of him, likely even bragged, and that alone would have sparked her mother's interest. But granting an outsider access to this armory? That was a different matter entirely.

For someone outside the Emberheart family, gaining entrance to the armory was a privilege beyond imagination. Even Irina herself had limited access to its treasures; if she needed an artifact, it would be brought to her, not something she could simply choose freely.

It wasn't that her mother wanted to hold her back-far from it. The Matriarch was

Strict, but her discipline was rooted in a desire to see her daughter's potential fully realized. For an outsider, however, earning the Matriarch's trust was another challenge entirely.

Astron, of course, had known this. He understood the implications of requesting access, and he'd prepared himself for the scrutiny that would follow. He was fully aware that Irina's mother would need to assess him thoroughly, and he had accepted the Chamber of Emberheart's trial without question. As he stood there, he took a deep breath, his mind steady and focused. This wasn't just about accessing powerful artifacts-it was about respect and proving that he was worthy, even by the exacting standards of the Emberheart family.

Just then, he heard quiet footsteps behind him. Irina approached her expression a mixture of pride and quiet satisfaction. She glanced at him, noting his calm, ready demeanor, and gave a slight nod.

"I knew you'd make it here," she said, her voice filled with quiet pride. "My mother doesn't let just anyone step foot into this place. You've earned it."

However, at the same time, she somehow felt like this guy knew everything from the beginning. "Were you.....expecting this?"

Astron shrugged, a calm expression on his face. "This much was evident. If I were in the Matriarch's shoes, I'd have done the same. It's understandable."

Irina studied him, a spark of curiosity in her eyes. "Not even the Chamber of Emberheart?"

He paused, a flicker of surprise passing over his face-barely noticeable, but she caught it. For just a moment, his composed demeanor slipped, and she realized that even he hadn't expected to be thrown into that kind of trial. She couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. Here he was, the man who always seemed to have everything under control, showing a glimpse of uncertainty. It reminded her that he was just as human as the rest of them.

The realization softened her gaze. He's not invincible, she thought, feeling a warmth she couldn't quite name. He's here, facing challenges head-on, and even if he doesn't know exactly what's coming, he's still willing to take the risk.

She gave him a faint smile. "So, you don't always have everything figured out, do you?" she said lightly, a teasing note in her voice.

He looked at her, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "Apparently not. Even I miss a few details now and then."

Irina felt her heart skip a beat at his subtle, self-aware humor. The detachment he usually showed seemed to soften, just for that moment, and she liked seeing him like this-more grounded, more real. The quiet vulnerability he'd shown reassured her somehow, a reminder that despite his strength, he was also figuring things out one step at a time, just like she was.

"Well," she said, folding her arms and feigning indifference, "I'm glad to know you're human after all. Makes things a little more... manageable."

"I am of course a human. What else can I be?"

"A blockhead, humph," Irina replied, folding her arms with a smirk. "That's exactly what you'd be without me."

Astron shook his head, amused. "I'll take that as a compliment-if it means I'll be spared more of your... instruction."

For a brief moment, it was just them, the usual tension between formality and duty absent. Irina felt lighter than she had in days, as if they'd managed to step outside the expectations of their world, if only for a moment.

But their lighthearted exchange was soon interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Irina turned, her smile fading as she recognized Esme, her old nanny and her mother's closest aide, approaching them. Esme offered a polite bow, her expression professional and unyielding.

"Lady Irina. Mr. Natusalune," Esme greeted them, her tone formal. "The Matriarch has requested that I oversee Mr. Natusalune's visit to the Armory. I will ensure everything is conducted properly."

Irina's expression shifted, a hint of annoyance crossing her face as she shot Esme a displeased look. She'd been hoping to guide Astron through the Armory herself, to show him each artifact in her own way, without the formality and oversight that Esme's presence would bring. But she knew better than to argue; her mother had likely anticipated this and sent Esme as a precaution. She kept her frustrations to herself, managing a curt nod instead.

Astron, on the other hand, simply nodded in acknowledgment, his demeanor calm and respectful. "I understand. Thank you, Miss Esme."

With Esme now leading the way, the three of them moved through the grand corridors, Irina and Astron following behind. The faint disappointment Irina felt was evident, though she forced herself to let it go. It wasn't worth making a scene over, especially with her mother's trust riding on Astron's respectful conduct. Still, she couldn't help but glance over at him now and then, a small, knowing smile shared between them whenever Esme's back was turned.

Finally, they reached the entrance to the Emberheart Armory, a pair of towering doors adorned with intricate carvings and blazing fire motifs, the legacy of the family engraved into every corner. Esme stepped forward, placing a hand on the doors and activating a concealed mechanism that caused the heavy doors to part slowly, revealing the treasures within.

*******

As Esme stepped forward, her hand reaching out to touch the carved flames on the towering doors, I watched with a careful eye. Her fingertips ignited with a controlled flicker of fire, and she placed them on specific points along the door's intricate carvings. The flames licked across the surface, tracing a path in sync with the patterns embedded in the wood. It was almost ceremonial, each touch igniting another section of the door, like a series of locks being released in succession.

'So, the doors recognize her mana through fire... a security mechanism keyed to the Emberheart lineage.

The carvings glowed as Esme continued, the fire illuminating each motif in brilliant shades of red and orange. I could feel the power humming from the doors, the ancient magic in them responding only to her touch.

Even from a distance, the heat radiating from the doors was palpable, like standing too close to an open flame. The mechanisms, despite their age, felt potent,

Undiminished by the years.

"This isn't just magic-it's a legacy, indeed."

I glanced around, noting the intricate runes etched into the stone walls, the carefully inlaid gems pulsing faintly beneath the surface. They'd been placed with precision, reinforcing the room's structure, binding the magic to the very walls and floors of this

Place.

It was remarkable; everything looked at least three centuries old, yet it functioned as if crafted yesterday. This wasn't some show of wealth or vanity. It was the Emberheart family's way of preserving their heritage, their history etched into every corner, every

Surface.

Esme completed the sequence, and with a deep rumble, the massive doors began to part, revealing the Emberheart Armory. The air grew heavier as they opened, an aura

Of contained power seeping out. I could almost taste it-raw, concentrated, and ancient, the unmistakable weight of treasures held in one place for centuries.

"They've guarded this place well.

I stepped forward, the light from the armory spilling out around us. I glanced at Irina beside me, catching her subtle reaction-a spark of pride in her eyes mixed with a restraint that hinted at her own awe, even though this was her family's legacy. This place was as much a part of her as her very name, yet it seemed to impress her

Every time.

'Knowing her childhood and seeing this reaction, it seems she hadn't been here a lot

Either.'

At that moment, I understood a little more about what had driven her, the weight of living up to something so carefully cultivated.

As we moved into the armory, I took in the sight. Weapons of every kind lined the walls, blades, maces, and axes, each one unique and steeped in Emberheart tradition. Racks of armor stood like silent sentinels, their surfaces adorned with the same intricate fire motifs. Every artifact seemed infused with the family's signature flame, a testament to the centuries of Emberhearts who had wielded them.

I reached out, letting my fingers hover near a blade resting in its place. Even without touching it, I could feel the warmth emanating from it, a steady, controlled heat-a remnant of the fire that had forged it. It was clear each item here had been crafted with purpose, with reverence.

'Not bad... quite a collection of rare and unique-grade artifacts.'

As my gaze traveled across the racks and shelves, I recognized pieces that were undoubtedly beyond what most could ever hope to acquire. In the world outside, artifacts were classified by their power, rarity, and the skill required to wield them. At the lowest end, Common Artifacts were almost household tools-minor enhancements with simple effects, available to just about anyone with the coin. Then there were Rare Artifacts, useful in the hands of trained fighters but limited in scope

And power.

They were the types of items you'd find on seasoned mercenaries or moderately skilled hunters.

But here... here there was a different class altogether.

Unique Artifacts dotted the room, each possessing singular effects that set them apart.

From mass-produced weaponry. These artifacts often carried stories of their own, passed down through generations, their powers honed to specific abilities. Irina's family had clearly put effort into gathering such items.

A good number of the weapons I could see displayed here were of this rank, and I suspected that these, while valuable, weren't necessarily the peak of the Emberheart

Collection.

'Indeed.....There is another section that could be accessed behind the place, but that is

Not what I am after in the first place.'

I came here with a clear goal after all.

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