Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 710 160.1 - Resting is important

The rhythmic chugging of the train filled the cabin, a steady reminder that this time, their journey was far from luxurious. Irina adjusted herself in her seat, her hazel eyes narrowing slightly as the faint creaks of the older train car reached her ears. The polished elegance of the high-class trains they'd taken before was absent here-no mana-infused amenities, no seamless enchantments. Instead, the cabin was

utilitarian, with modest wooden panels and windows that rattled faintly with cach bump in the track.

Irina crossed her arms with a soft huff, her gaze darting toward Astron, who sat across from her with his usual unbothered demeanor. His sharp gray eyes were fixed on the passing scenery, his expression as unreadable as ever. He seemed entirely at case as if the simplicity of this train suited him more than the previous luxury.

Irina leaned back in her seat with a quiet sigh, her gaze flicking to the window as the scenery blurred past. Her hazel eyes traced the rolling hills and the faint outlines of distant mountains, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

Why are we even stuck on this train? she grumbled inwardly, shifting in her seat. I spent so much time planning every detail of this trip, and now, this? A rickety old train that looks like it hasn't been updated in decades? She bit her lip, feeling a flicker of frustration.

Of course, she knew exactly why they were here. Stellamare City wasn't exactly a hub of luxury transportation. For some inexplicable reason, the usual high-class trains weren't available for the time being, leaving her with no choice but to settle for this. The Stellamare Museum... Her expression softened slightly at the thought. It was a place she'd been wanting to visit for a long while. Both Julia and Lilia had sung its praises, describing it as a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, mana relics, and interactive exhibits that could bring even the driest history lessons to life. And it's not like I've had the chance before, she reminded herself. The museum was far to the west, tucked away in a region she rarely had reason to visit.

But now, with Astron accompanying her, the opportunity had finally presented itself. She'd worked hard to include this stop in their itinerary, weaving it into the flow of their journey as seamlessly as possible. She'd even gone out of her way to ensure their other accommodations were impeccable-just to balance out this train ride.

Still, as much as she was looking forward to their destination, the journey itself was proving to be a challenge. The creaking of the wooden panels, the faint draft seeping through the cracks in the windows, the lack of any enchantments to smooth the ride... It was all so different from the polished, seamless elegance of the high-class trains she was used to.

Irina sighed again, crossing her arms as she glanced at Astron. He sat perfectly still, his sharp gray eyes scanning the passing landscape as if he were taking mental notes. He didn't seem bothered in the slightest by the train's lack of luxury. If anything, he seemed more at home here than he had in the expensive carriages of the Arcane Stream Express.

Of course, he doesn't care, she thought with a small pout. He's not the one who spent hours planning this trip down to the last detail. He probably prefers this kind of simplicity anyway. Ugh, I should've known.

Considering that guy's way of doing things, this much was evident.

She leaned her head against the window, the rhythmic chugging of the train lulling her into a thoughtful silence. Her hazel eyes lingered on the blurred landscape as a memory stirred in her mind-one she hadn't thought of in a while. It had been months ago, during her return from a one-week break. The train she'd booked had been a luxury model, of course, with a private car tailored to her comfort. But midway through the journey, a malfunction had derailed her plans, forcing her into one of the standard cars.

She chuckled softly to herself. And that's where I met him.

Astron had been sitting in one of the corner seats, calm and unbothered, much like he was now. She remembered how his sharp purple eyes had glanced at her without a hint of surprise when she stormed into the train, fuming at her change in circumstances. At the time, she'd been so irritated she hadn't even bothered to notice the quiet aura of focus he carried.

I was so caught up in my own complaints, she thought with a wry smile. And there he was, completely unfazed as if trains like that were just a normal part of his life.

She glanced at him now, still the picture of composure, his gaze fixed on the window as if the passing scenery held secrets only he could see. For some reason, the memory made her smile. Without looking away from him, she decided to break the silence. "Do you use these types of trains often?" she asked, her voice light and curious. Astron turned his head toward her, his sharp gray eyes meeting hers. For a moment, he studied her, as if deciding whether her question warranted an answer. Then, with a small nod, he replied, "If I can't use teleportation gates, yes. Trains are reliable."

"Reliable?" Irina repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You're really okay with all this?" She gestured around them, her tone holding a hint of teasing. "The creaky wood, the rattling windows, the complete lack of amenities?"

Astron tilted his head slightly, his expression as calm as ever. "It gets me where I need to go. That's what matters."

Irina leaned back with a soft sigh, her arms crossing as she regarded him. "You're so practical sometimes it's almost boring"

"Boring or efficient?" Astron countered, his tone deceptively mild.

Irina smirked, shaking her head. "Efficient, maybe. But it is about the journey, the journey! Just how many times do I need to repeat!"

Astron raised his hand in mock defeat, the faintest trace of amusement flickering in his sharp gray eyes. "Journey, journey, I get it," he said dryly, his tone perfectly calm despite her dramatic emphasis.

Irina narrowed her eyes at him, her arms still crossed as she waited for more.

"But," he continued, his voice taking on a more thoughtful edge, "we're hunters, Irina. It's important to get used to situations like this-where you can't prioritize comfort." He gestured faintly around them, the subtle movement encompassing the creaky wooden panels and rattling windows of the train.

"I know that too," Irina replied with a huff, shifting in her seat to face him more directly. "But it's also important to enjoy life when you can. Don't tell me you think it's fine to just grind through everything without stopping to appreciate what's around

you."

"To enjoy life, you need to ensure safety first," Astron said, his tone calm but firm. "And this," he gestured again to their surroundings, "contributes to that safety. If you can't adapt to discomfort, you're leaving yourself vulnerable."

"Humph!" Irina crossed her legs, leaning back with a defiant smirk. "You're just using sophistry to cover up your lack of aesthetic!"

Astron's lips twitched, the barest hint of a smile threatening to break through his composed demeanor. "And you're using aesthetics to avoid acknowledging

practicality."

Irina gasped, placing a hand over her chest in mock offense. "How dare you accuse me

of such shallow reasoning!"

Astron raised an eyebrow, his expression faintly amused but otherwise unreadable.

"Because it's true?"

Irina leaned forward slightly, her fiery hazel eyes locking onto his. "Listen, Mr. Practicality, just because you can survive in a dingy cabin with no amenities doesn't mean you should. Life's too short to ignore the little things-like good food, warm lighting, and maybe a seat that doesn't creak every time you move!"

Astron tilted his head slightly, meeting her gaze with calm precision. "And if you get. too used to those comforts, what happens when they're not there? Do you freeze up? Get distracted by how much you miss them?"

"Of course not!" Irina shot back, her tone indignant. "I'm not that fragile. I just think there's a balance, that's all. You don't have to live like a hermit just to prove a point." "I'm not proving a point." Astron replied smoothly. "I'm preparing for reality" Irina harrumphed, crossing her arms and leaning back in her seat with an air of indignation. "You're just escaping," she accused, her tone sharp but tinged with playful defiance.

Astron's sharp gray eyes met hers with steady calm. "It's not that easy to maintain

such a line," he said, his voice measured and composed. "In theory, you can claim to enjoy life while keeping your practical skills unaffected. But in practice, you're lying to yourself most of the time. Comfort has a way of dulling sharp edges."

Irina tilted her head, her hazel eyes narrowing. "Are you saying I'm dulling my edges?"

"I'm saying it's inevitable," Astron replied smoothly. "For instance, if you don't use your magic for a week, even though the basics are engraved in your mind, your body won't move flawlessly all the time. Your reflexes will slow. Your control will waver. The same applies to my martial arts and my body."

He leaned back slightly, his gaze unwavering as he continued, "That same reasoning applies here. If you grow too reliant on comfort, you lose the ability to adapt. It's a

gradual process, but it happens."

Irina frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I can definitely maintain that line,"

she said firmly.

Astron's lips twitched faintly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. "We'll see."

Irina sat up straighter, her gaze sharpening. "What do you mean, 'we'll see"?" "Sooner or later, nighttime will come," Astron said simply, his tone even but with a faint edge of challenge. "And we'll see if you can adapt to these conditions and sleep

well."

Irina gasped, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "I will definitely sleep well!"

Astron raised an eyebrow, his expression as calm as ever. "Good luck with that.

The train rattled softly as it rolled over a rough patch of track, the sound underscoring their exchange. Irina huffed, determined to prove her point. She leaned back against the worn seat, already plotting how she would make the best of the

situation. I'll show him, she thought with resolve. I'll sleep so well he won't have anything to say about it.

Across from her, Astron returned his attention to the window, the faintest trace of a smirk lingering on his lips. We'll see, he thought, already predicting the restless night

ahead.

*****

"Why?"

Though apparently, Irina made a mistake....

She indeed couldn't sleep well.....

Had she known, she wouldn't have made such claims at all.....Nôv(el)B\\jnn