Chapter 554 - Fame (1)
The cold air of the dungeon slowly gave way to the more familiar warmth outside as the team neared the exit of the second rank-6 gate. Their breaths were heavy, their bodies aching from the grueling battles they had endured. Frost and dirt clung to their armor and clothes, and despite the exhaustion etched on their faces, there was a quiet sense of accomplishment among them.
Kurt limped slightly, his shield showing signs of heavy use. Gareth's barriers had flickered out long ago, and he was leaning on his staff for support. Dorian had a fresh cut along his arm, the result of a close call with one of the creatures they had faced, and even Elena's usually sharp, pristine appearance was dulled, her robe singed and covered in soot from her magic.
Lila's golem had sustained visible damage but still hovered near her protectively, and Astron, while standing tall, showed signs of strain. His breath came in slow, deliberate exhales, and the fatigue in his muscles was palpable, though hidden beneath his usual calm exterior.
Just as they were about to step fully out of the gate, the sudden noise of voices and the flashing of cameras greeted them. A crowd of reporters—far more than they had seen before—stood at the entrance, their faces alight with curiosity and excitement. Several drones hovered in the air, recording the scene from every angle.
Reporters from different agencies were jostling for position, eager to get the first words from the team.
The team exchanged weary glances, taken aback by the sheer number of reporters waiting for them.
"Didn't think we'd have this kind of reception," Dorian muttered under his breath, glancing at the sea of cameras with a mix of surprise and annoyance.
Kurt wiped a streak of dirt from his forehead, his voice low. "I thought the first interview was intense… this is on a whole other level."
Before anyone could react further, the reporters surged forward, their voices overlapping as they bombarded the team with questions.
"How did you manage to clear two rank-6 gates in one day?" "What challenges did you face inside?" "Is it true that this is one of the most difficult gates under Vanguard Haven's jurisdiction?"
Astron's sharp gaze quickly scanned the crowd, his exhaustion tempered by his instinct to assess the situation. 'This was no coincidence,' he thought. 'They were waiting for us.'
Liana had mentioned the increased attention, but this—this was more than he had anticipated.
One reporter, her face familiar from their previous encounter, pushed forward. It was Shira Fenn, her expression alight with excitement as she addressed the team. "Vanguard Haven's rising stars! How are you feeling after completing yet another successful dungeon clear? What can you tell us about the difficulties you faced this time?"
Astron glanced at his team, noting their exhaustion. He could tell they weren't in the mood for an extended media session, but this wasn't something they could avoid. He stepped forward slightly, his presence drawing the attention of the reporters, just as Liana had expected.
"Today's clears were difficult," Astron said, his voice steady despite the weariness. "Rank-6 gates aren't easy, and the challenges we faced were real. But we prepared, we worked together, and we pushed through."
Astron's gaze didn't falter. "This team has been pushed to grow quickly, and they've risen to every challenge. We're doing what needs to be done, but every victory comes with its cost. We're just focused on continuing to improve."
Dorian, standing behind Astron, couldn't help but smirk despite his weariness. "Yeah, you could say we're putting in the work. But let me tell you—rank-6 gates don't go easy on you."
As the reporters saw the team's haggard state, many of them seemed to pause for a brief moment, taking in the exhaustion and battle-worn expressions. But the pause didn't last long. The rush for answers, the drive to get a scoop on the latest rising stars, overpowered any sense of empathy.
Questions began to fly from all directions, overlapping in a chaotic barrage:
"What kind of training regime does Vanguard Haven put you through to prepare for rank-6 gates?" "How do you manage your personal life while handling such intense challenges?" "Do you ever get time off, or is it all work for Hunters like you?"
The team, overwhelmed and visibly tired, exchanged uncertain glances. The relentless attention was a stark contrast to the quiet moments they had shared during their time inside the dungeon. Dorian, Kurt, Elena, Gareth, and Lila all seemed to hesitate, unsure of how to respond to the sudden flood of questions.
Astron, sensing the rising tension among his teammates, stepped forward calmly. His expression remained composed despite the exhaustion. Without saying a word, he gave a small nod toward the team and gestured for them to continue, silently encouraging them to answer. His steady presence seemed to ground them, offering a quiet reassurance that they could handle this, too.
Dorian was the first to speak up, his smirk returning despite his obvious fatigue. "Our training? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. You'd be surprised how much you can learn when you're pushed to your limits."
Elena, drawing strength from Astron's silent support, added, "It's intense, but necessary. If you want to succeed as a Hunter, you have to be willing to go beyond your comfort zone. Vanguard Haven's regime prepares us for that. Personal life… well, that takes a backseat when you're focused on survival."
Kurt nodded in agreement, wiping a layer of sweat and grime from his forehead. "It's about dedication. There's not much balance when you're trying to stay alive in a dungeon. But you make it work."
Lila, quieter than the others, smiled softly. "It's not easy, but we've all grown stronger because of the challenges. You learn to manage your time and push through, especially when you have a team like ours backing you up."
The reporters, eager for more, pressed on with follow-up questions, each trying to dive deeper into the team's lifestyle and the methods behind their growing fame. Yet, despite the onslaught, the team held their ground, their earlier exhaustion slowly fading as they drew courage from Astron's unspoken leadership.
"You've been working together for a while now—do you ever find it difficult to balance teamwork with your personal goals as Hunters?" one reporter asked, clearly aiming for a deeper, more personal answer.
Gareth, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke. "It's not always easy, but we've learned to rely on each other. Each of us has personal goals, sure, but as a team, we're stronger. We push each other to be better."
Another reporter quickly followed up, her voice filled with curiosity. "And how about you, Astron? You've become a key figure in this team. How do you balance your personal ambitions with the team's needs?"
Astron paused, meeting the reporter's gaze directly. "Every Hunter has their own path. But in a team, we support each other's growth. There's no balance—there's just doing what needs to be done. The rest comes naturally."
The reporters continued to scribble notes and shoot questions, but as the team stood there, supported by each other and guided by Astron's steady presence, it became clear that while the media attention was overwhelming, they were beginning to adapt to this new challenge, just like they had with the rank-6 gates.
As the questions continued to flood in from the reporters, Astron maintained his calm composure, answering with measured responses. But something in the atmosphere shifted, and his heightened senses picked up subtle movements in the crowd—movements that felt out of place, deliberate.
Midway through answering a question about the team's future plans, his eyes narrowed slightly. 'Something's wrong.'
He turned his head slightly, surveying the crowd more carefully. Among the sea of reporters, a few individuals stood out—too rigid in their stance, their eyes not on the team but scanning the surroundings, as if they weren't here for the interview at all.
Astron held up his hand politely, pausing mid-answer. "Excuse me for a moment."
He stepped back slightly, turning toward Liana, who stood beside him, her expression calm but observant. Leaning in, he whispered, "There are some suspicious people among the crowd. They're not here for the interview. I'm sensing potential sabotage."
Liana's eyes flicked briefly in his direction, but her face remained composed as she continued to look out at the crowd. "How many?" she asked in a low voice, keeping her tone casual to avoid drawing attention.
"Four that I can see," Astron replied quietly. "They're blending in with the reporters, but their movements are too calculated. They're positioned near the edges of the crowd. Their strength… moderate, but enough to cause trouble. I'd estimate mid-rank-5 Hunters. Two men, tall, both wearing black coats.
One with a scar above his left eyebrow. A woman, dark hair tied back, wearing sunglasses. And another man, shorter, closer to the front—his hand hasn't left his pocket since we arrived."
Liana gave a subtle nod, her expression unchanged as she processed the information. "Understood," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the noise of the crowd. "Stay on alert. I'll take care of it."
Without breaking stride, Liana stepped away from the group, her movements smooth and deliberate, so as not to draw attention. As she left the stage, her hand subtly moved toward the communication device on her wrist. She spoke into it softly, her voice barely carrying through the noise.
"This is Liana. We've got a potential security breach in the crowd. Four targets, described by Astron. Prepare to engage discreetly."
The response on the other end was swift and professional. The guards from Vanguard Haven had anticipated the possibility of sabotage, and they were already stationed nearby, blending in with the crowd. Liana's quick actions ensured they would be ready.
Astron, meanwhile, returned to the team, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. He subtly scanned the area again, keeping track of the movements of the suspicious individuals while answering more questions from the reporters.
As the guards began to move into position, the atmosphere around the stage remained deceptively calm. The team continued their interviews, unaware of the threat lurking in the background.
Chapter 555 - Fame (2)
As Astron returned to the group, the barrage of questions from the reporters resumed almost immediately. But this time, the tone shifted. Instead of focusing on the team's accomplishments or the intense battles they'd just fought, the questions began to veer into more personal territory.
A reporter from a lifestyle magazine leaned in with a playful grin. "Astron, you've got quite the fanbase growing. Everyone's wondering—how do you keep your face looking so flawless after all these intense dungeon clears? Is there a secret behind your striking appearance, especially those unique purple eyes?"
Astron's eyes flickered slightly, but he maintained his calm demeanor. He wasn't unfamiliar with these kinds of questions, but it was clear they were digging for something more. Before he could answer, another reporter jumped in.
"And speaking of your appearance, we've been hearing rumors that your romantic life has caught some attention. Can you share if there's anyone special? Maybe someone from your time at Arcadia Hunter Academy?"
Astron remained silent for a moment, but he could already sense where the questions were heading. The reporters, now emboldened by the relaxed atmosphere, continued.
"Word is you were seen with Irina Emberheart, one of the most powerful heirs in the Federation. There were even pictures of you walking with her—anything you'd like to share about your relationship with her? Are you close with the other heirs as well?"
The mention of Irina Emberheart made Astron pause internally, but outwardly, he kept his expression neutral. He had expected the media to dig into his past eventually, but the personal nature of these questions was clearly designed to provoke a response.
'So, they did their research.'
He took a slow breath before addressing them, his voice measured and calm. "As for my appearance and eyes, there's no special secret. It's just a result of being an Awakened, like many others. We undergo changes as our bodies adapt to the use of mana. The higher our rank, the more our appearance shifts due to the elimination of impurities."
The reporters listened attentively, but it was clear they were waiting for him to address the more personal questions.
"As for my time at Arcadia Hunter Academy," Astron continued, his tone steady, "I'm focused on my training and mission there, just as I am here. Yes, I've crossed paths with many people, including heirs like Irina Emberheart. But my priority is my growth as a Hunter, and that's where my focus remains."
He deliberately kept the mention of Irina vague, not offering any details about their relationship. The truth was far more complicated than any of the reporters could understand, and Astron had no intention of feeding the media frenzy around it.
One of the reporters, however, wasn't ready to drop the subject just yet. "So you and Irina are just… acquaintances? There's been a lot of speculation, especially with her reputation in the Federation. She's not someone who spends time with just anyone."
Astron's expression remained neutral, but there was an underlying firmness in his reply. "Irina Emberheart is a powerful figure, and I respect her abilities as a Hunter. Beyond that, I have nothing more to add."
His calm and controlled response didn't give the reporters the reaction they were hoping for, but it was clear that Astron wasn't going to indulge in any rumors or personal details.
The crowd buzzed with whispered discussions as the reporters scribbled down notes, but the focus began to shift again. They realized they wouldn't get much more from him on the topic of his personal life. Instead, they returned to safer ground, asking more about his time at Arcadia Hunter Academy and how his training there had shaped his abilities.
Just as Astron finished answering another question about his time at Arcadia Hunter Academy, the air shifted. A sudden tension crackled through the crowd, barely noticeable at first, but Astron's heightened senses picked it up immediately. His eyes flickered to the suspicious figures he had marked earlier, and in that moment, everything happened at once.
The group of saboteurs, all Awakened, sprang into action. Shouts filled the air, cutting through the chatter of the reporters. "Vanguard Haven, know your place!" one of them yelled, their voice laced with fury. The crowd erupted into chaos as the attackers launched a direct assault, targeting the reporters and anyone associated with the interview.
It was a blatant act of terrorism.
The first blast of mana surged toward the cluster of reporters, knocking some of them back with a forceful shockwave. The drones that had been hovering overhead for the live broadcast wobbled and crashed to the ground as the crowd scattered in fear. Several saboteurs, their bodies radiating dark mana, charged forward, their intentions clear.
Astron's instincts kicked in immediately. He moved like lightning, positioning himself between the saboteurs and the panicked reporters. "Everyone, get behind me!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Dorian, despite his exhaustion, was already drawing his blades, his expression sharp as he assessed the attackers. "Damn it! These guys are Awakened!" he cursed, moving to cover the other flank of the team.
Kurt and Gareth were quick to form a defensive line, raising their shields to protect the retreating reporters. Elena and Lila, though equally drained from the dungeon, were already gathering their mana, preparing to support the team.
One of the saboteurs, his eyes wild with rage, lunged at the nearest reporter with a glowing fist, but Astron intercepted him with a swift, precise movement. His dagger flashed in the air, deflecting the attacker's blow before delivering a calculated strike to the side, sending the man sprawling into the ground.
More shouts erupted as the attackers pressed their assault. "Vanguard Haven has overstepped its bounds! Daring to resort to illegal tactics like sacrificing people in the dungeon!" They aimed not just at the reporters but at anyone wearing the guild's insignia, turning the situation into a full-on skirmish.
Astron moved fluidly through the chaos, issuing orders as he fought. "Dorian, cut off their right flank! Gareth, reinforce the barrier—keep them away from the non-combatants!" His voice was calm but commanding, even as he engaged another attacker, his daggers flashing with deadly precision.
The saboteurs, though clearly skilled, were reckless, relying on brute force and rage to fuel their attacks. One of them, a larger man wielding a club of condensed mana, charged at Kurt, bellowing angrily. "You think you can stand above us?!"
Kurt gritted his teeth, his shield barely holding up against the ferocious strike. "I've had enough of this," he growled, shoving the attacker back with a powerful counterstrike, sending the man stumbling.
Elena unleashed a torrent of magic, her staff glowing brightly as she cast a series of spells to hold back the advancing saboteurs. Fire and ice surged across the battlefield, slowing the attackers' movements and giving the team a much-needed reprieve.
In the midst of the chaos, Astron's sharp gaze flickered back to Liana, who had disappeared into the crowd earlier to alert the guild's security. She had anticipated this, and now, just as the saboteurs began to regroup for another push, Vanguard Haven's security force arrived.
A team of trained Hunters, led by one of the guild's top enforcers, surged into the fray, expertly cutting off the attackers and forcing them back. The tide of the battle began to shift in their favor, the saboteurs quickly finding themselves outnumbered and outmaneuvered.
One of the attackers, realizing their plan had failed, snarled in frustration. "This isn't over!" he spat before disappearing into a cloud of dark mana, using a teleportation technique to flee. The others followed suit, vanishing into the shadows, leaving behind only destruction and chaos.
As the dust settled, the battlefield fell eerily silent. The reporters, shaken but unharmed, began to collect themselves, while Vanguard Haven's team remained vigilant, ensuring no further threats lingered.
Liana reappeared, her expression grim but composed. "Is everyone alright?" she asked, her eyes scanning the team.
Liana turned to the reporters, her face calm but with a flicker of concern in her eyes. "Is everyone alright?" she asked, her voice steady as she scanned the group, making sure none of them were injured from the attack.
The reporters, still shaken but unharmed, began nodding their heads. "Yes, we're fine," one of them said. "Thanks to your team, nothing serious happened."
Shira Fenn stepped forward, her voice filled with admiration. "Your team intercepted the attack just in time. They were incredibly fast—almost too fast to follow." She gave a nod to Astron and the others. "I'm sure our viewers saw just how effective they were."
Some of the other reporters exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from relief to excitement. The attack had been broadcast live, and while dangerous, it had given them exactly the kind of story that would capture attention. A few even smiled, realizing they had exclusive footage of a terrorist attack and a swift counter from Vanguard Haven's elite team.
"This will make headlines for sure," one of the reporters muttered, still gripping their notepad tightly.
Liana, sensing the opportunism but maintaining her professionalism, gave them a firm nod. "I'm glad everyone's safe, but for now, the team is exhausted. I'm afraid today's interviews will have to be cut short. They've been through a lot, and they need time to rest and recover."
The reporters, understanding the situation, nodded in agreement. They had enough material to work with, and the live broadcast of the attack had more than fulfilled their expectations. One by one, they began to wrap up their reports and sign off from their broadcasts.
Shira gave Liana a respectful nod. "Thank you for your time, and thank the team for their incredible work. This was… quite an eventful day."
Liana smiled faintly, though there was a trace of exhaustion in her eyes. "Thank you for your understanding. I'll be sure to pass that along."
As the last of the reporters packed up their equipment and began to leave, the atmosphere around the gate finally started to calm. Liana escorted them out, ensuring they were safely on their way before turning back to the team. The crowd dissipated, and the chaos of the earlier attack slowly faded into the cold night.
With the area cleared and the reporters gone, Liana returned to the team, her expression softening slightly. "Let's get you all back to the guild. You've done enough for today."
But on the way, she heard Astron mumbling.
"That was quite a good plan."
Liana's smile stiffened for a moment, but she kept her composure as she turned to face Astron. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her tone light but with an edge of curiosity.
Astron glanced at her, his expression unreadable, but his voice carried a subtle hint of amusement. "It was a well-executed plan, that's all. The stage was perfectly set. The attack, the timing, the media—it all worked together. Don't you think?"
For a moment, Liana said nothing, studying him carefully. Her eyes flickered with a mix of acknowledgment and resignation. Finally, she let out a soft sigh, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "You saw right through it, didn't you?"
Astron gave a small shrug, his gaze calm but sharp. "It wasn't that difficult to figure out. The sudden increase in media interest and the reporters conveniently being here just when the attack happened—all pointed to a bigger plan. However, you could just inform me if you wanted to create such an attack out of nowhere to attract more clout. At the very least, the team could be prepared."
"Then we would lose the authenticity."
"Indeed."
Astron spoke, but something was making him tense once again.
SHIVER!
Once again, his senses were telling him that something was wrong. Yet he did not know what it was.
Until midnight, when he got a call from a certain someone.
Chapter 556 - Fame (3)
The chamber pulsed with ancient energy, its very walls alive with the history and power of the Emberheart lineage. The swirling fires that filled the air were not just flames—they were a manifestation of centuries of power, burning in different hues, each one a test of strength, endurance, and will.
In the center, surrounded by the blazing heat, stood Irina. Her body was drenched in sweat, her muscles trembling from the exertion, but her mind was focused, her eyes narrowed in determination.
The white fire of the chamber, the highest and most fearsome level of flame, crackled before her, its light casting eerie shadows across her face.
The burning sensation gnawed at her skin, as if every inch of her body was being seared by the flames. But there was no retreat in her. She had endured this pain for days now, and though it still hurt—though every breath felt like inhaling fire—she could feel the difference.
She was making progress.
'I must not fall behind,' she reminded herself once more, gritting her teeth against the pain. She could sense her own fire rising inside her, the flame of her lineage struggling to emerge against the overwhelming heat of the chamber.
Irina inhaled deeply, feeling the pulse of power inside her chest, and let it out slowly as she extended her hand toward the white flames. Her fire, a brilliant ember-red, ignited in her palm. She could feel its familiar warmth, the fire of her bloodline. And then, she thrust it forward to meet the white flames.
For a moment—just a fraction of a second—her fire held. It was there, blazing defiantly against the white fire that had devoured her so many times before.
'One millisecond.'
The thought flickered through her mind as her fire was consumed, extinguished as quickly as it had appeared. But she had seen it, felt it—a single moment where her flame had held, lasting just a little longer than it had the day before.
She smiled to herself, her chest heaving from the effort. One millisecond. It was barely noticeable, barely anything at all, but to Irina, it was proof. Proof that her strength was growing. Proof that she was getting closer to mastering the fire that had burned within her family for generations.
'One millisecond more than yesterday.'
Her skin still burned, the searing pain still radiating through her body, but she could feel the subtle change in her resistance. Her body was adapting. Where before she felt as though she was being consumed by the white fire, now she felt as though she was beginning to push back, if only by the smallest margin.
She ignited her fire again, this time with more resolve. It was still devoured in an instant, but she wasn't discouraged. Each attempt brought her closer, each failure was a step forward. She could feel the fire of the Emberheart bloodline surging through her veins, resisting the chamber's flames, becoming stronger, more resilient.
Irina closed her eyes, focusing inward, letting the fire burn her skin as she gritted her teeth and pushed her own flame outward. She knew what she was fighting for. She knew that this pain was temporary, and the strength she was gaining would last far beyond these moments of torment.
'Just one more millisecond. One more.'
Her fire blazed again, devoured just as quickly, but that tiny progress—one millisecond—was all she needed to push herself forward.
The next time, it would be two. Then three.
In the end, one day, her fire would be the one that would be devouring this white fire.
'Once that happens…..'
She would be the real master of Emberheart.
CREAK!
The familiar sound of the chamber door creaking open broke Irina's concentration. Her eyes snapped open, the glow of the white flames reflecting in them as she turned to face the entrance.
Esme stepped into the chamber, her presence calm and composed despite the oppressive heat that would have overwhelmed anyone else. It was a testament to her own strength that she could enter this space with such ease.
The tray in her hands bore the usual items Irina needed to replenish herself after each session—vials of healing elixirs, rare herbs, and enchanted tonics crafted by the finest alchemists.
"Young Miss," Esme greeted her, her tone formal and soft. "It is time for your recovery."
Irina nodded, extinguishing her flames and letting out a slow breath as the tension in her body began to ease. Her muscles still trembled from the exertion, and her skin tingled with the sensation of having been scorched, though not quite burnt. The progress she had made in her resistance to the white fire was undeniable, but the pain was still very real.
She glanced at Esme, her body still tingling with the aftermath of the flames. "You're a little early today," Irina noted, her voice slightly raspy from the intensity of the training.
Esme offered a small, respectful bow. "I thought it prudent to ensure you had sufficient time to recover. You have been pushing yourself harder than usual."
"..." Irina did not give any answer as she looked at Esme. Recently, since she was in her family's mansion, those feelings that she had cultivated in childhood, or when she was tired, were coming back.
The memories of the time when the same person before her turned her back to her.
They were becoming vivid once more.
'Sigh…..'
It was really hard for Irina to keep all those thoughts to herself and get rid of them when she was constantly seeing her serving.
'But, this is how it needs to be.'
Esme's expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of concern in her eyes. "You are making remarkable progress, Young Miss. But even you need rest."
Irina sighed, knowing Esme was right.
'Tsk.'
As much as she hated to admit it, her body was reaching its limits, and pushing herself too far could lead to catastrophic results. She needed to recover if she wanted to continue her progress tomorrow.
Also…..Since it was the 7th day, that meant that she could talk to him.
She reached for the tray, picking up the first vial—a high-ranking elixir designed to accelerate healing and fortify her mana reserves. Next came the rare herb, finely ground and mixed into a paste. Irina consumed it without hesitation, the taste bitter but familiar.
Finally, she took the last vial, a powerful concoction specifically designed to restore the strength of her mana channels, which had been strained to their limits in her battle against the white flames.
She could feel its effects almost immediately, the tension in her chest easing as her mana flow stabilized.
Esme watched silently as Irina completed the ritual, her gaze steady but thoughtful.
After a few moments of silence, Irina rose to her feet, her body still sore but noticeably lighter. "Let's head out."
Irina stepped out of the chamber, her body still feeling the lingering effects of the white flames. But the moment she was outside, the fresh, cool air washed over her, and it felt like a balm against her skin. She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as the tension slowly ebbed away.
The sky above was painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun began its descent. It wasn't quite evening yet, but the world was in that peaceful in-between, where the light was soft, and the shadows were long. Last week, by the time she emerged, it had been night, the moon high in the sky. But today, she had a little more time.
'A small blessing,' she thought, her steps light as she moved further away from the chamber.
Esme followed a few paces behind, as was her custom, her silent presence a constant. Irina glanced over her shoulder at her attendant but quickly turned her attention back to the path ahead.
The Emberheart estate stretched out before her, vast and beautiful, yet it felt suffocating at times. Growing up here, she had always been surrounded by expectations, rules, and the weight of her family's legacy. But now, as she walked under the setting sun, she felt a brief moment of freedom. It wasn't much, but it was enough to clear her mind before her next conversation.
She turned down a familiar path that led toward the estate's gardens. This was her favorite spot—an oasis of calm amidst the intensity of her training. As she walked, the scent of flowers filled the air, mingling with the crisp breeze, and for a moment, the weight of her responsibilities felt a little lighter.
'Let's call him.'
It was a little bit earlier than usual, but that was fine.
Irina walked through the gardens, her fingers hovering over the call button for a moment before she pressed it. The familiar ring echoed in her ear, but instead of hearing his voice, a message popped up: "The person you are calling cannot be reached at this time."
She stared at the screen for a moment, then let out a small sigh, her lips curving into a slight frown. 'He's probably busy,' she thought, nodding to herself. After all, she had called earlier than their usual time.
'Fine. I'll just wait.'
With that decision, she headed back to her quarters, deciding to take the time to have her meal and relax a little. After all, she had just come out of the chamber, and her body was still sore from the intensity of her training. A bath and some food would do her good.
Once she was back inside, the familiar scent of freshly cooked food filled the air. The staff had already prepared her meal, and the table was neatly set for her. Irina sat down, taking a moment to enjoy the food before her mind wandered back to Astron and the odd feeling that had lingered after her call went unanswered.
As she ate, she pulled up her tablet and started browsing the school forums, catching up on any news or gossip she had missed during her time in seclusion. Her eyes scanned the headlines, half-focused on the articles that flitted past the screen.
But then, something caught her attention. A headline, accompanied by a familiar image, appeared in front of her: "Irina Emberheart and Mysterious Boy Spotted Together—Who is the Dark Horse at Arcadia Academy?"
Irina's hand froze mid-bite as she stared at the image. It was a photo of her and Astron, taken in the academy. She recognized the moment instantly—one of the rare times they had been seen together outside of their usual routines.
'Another one of these,' she thought with mild annoyance. It wasn't the first time she had seen gossip about her circulating online. Being an Emberheart meant that she was always in the spotlight, and tabloids had been writing about her for as long as she could remember. Her life was a constant topic of speculation, and normally, she had no problem brushing it off.
But something about this article was different.
Normally, such gossip articles needed some sort of trigger to pop up—some event, some public appearance. But she had been in seclusion for the past two weeks. She hadn't been seen in public at all. So, why now?
Curious, she scrolled down to read more of the article, and that's when she saw it.
[A newly rising star of Vanguard Haven? Who is Astron Natusalune?]
This time, it was about Astron.
Chapter 557 - Fame (4)
"A Newly Rising Star of Vanguard Haven? Who is Astron Natusalune?"
This time, the article was not focused on her but on Astron. Normally, she was used to being the center of attention in these gossip columns, with journalists speculating on her personal life, alliances, and family matters. But this… this was different.
The article delved into Astron's recent activities, detailing his involvement with the guild, Vanguard Haven, which had become the subject of increasing attention due to its successful dungeon clearings and high-profile missions. The fact that Astron was affiliated with them, despite being a first-year student at Arcadia Hunter Academy, seemed to be the trigger for this newfound scrutiny.
"Astron Natusalune, a promising young intern at Arcadia Hunter Academy, has recently made waves in Nexoira City's Hunter circles due to his affiliation with Vanguard Haven. This guild, known for taking on high-risk dungeons and its meteoric rise in rankings, has added a new dimension to the academy freshman's reputation."
The article highlighted his recent achievements, from his performance in the academy to his involvement with Vanguard Haven, painting him as a rising talent in the Hunter world. But it wasn't just praise—it was also filled with thinly veiled skepticism.
"Despite his low ranking within the academy, Astron Natusalune has caught the attention of several powerful figures. His meteoric rise within Vanguard Haven has sparked speculation about his abilities and connections, with many wondering if he's simply lucky—or if there's more to his story."
"Moreover, Astron's close association with Irina Emberheart, heiress of the powerful Emberheart family, has raised eyebrows. How has an orphan with no notable background found himself amidst some of the most influential circles of Nexoira? What is the nature of his relationship with the Emberheart family? Is there more behind his sudden rise in status?"
The tone was insidious, casting doubt on Astron's merits as if implying that his accomplishments were due to his connection with her rather than his own skills.
'They are trying to undermine him.'
It was evident that this article was written by a media organization that was rather hostile to him.
Irina had long since grown accustomed to seeing her name splashed across headlines, often twisted and manipulated to suit the narrative of whatever media outlet had decided to take aim at her. She had been forced to get used to it over the years—rumors, innuendos, and outright lies were the price one paid for being in the spotlight, especially when you belonged to a family like the Emberhearts.
But seeing Astron caught in the crossfire of these media attacks was different.
Her fingers hovered over the screen, her irritation bubbling just beneath the surface as she scrolled through the article. 'They're trying to undermine him,' she thought again, this time with a sharper edge to her anger.
It was clear that whoever wrote this piece had an agenda, an attempt to frame Astron's recent successes as anything but his own doing. It was the same tactic they'd used on her in the past—paint them as entitled, unworthy, their accomplishments a product of their connections rather than their own skill.
But this wasn't about her. Astron was different. He didn't care about media or gossip. She had seen how rumors about him spread back at the academy, how people whispered about his strange abilities and his lack of connections, and he had never so much as flinched.
'He won't care about this,' Irina reminded herself. He had bigger things on his mind. But still, it bothered her. Not because she thought he'd be hurt by it, but because it was unfair. He worked harder than anyone she knew, and the idea that someone would try to tear him down just to sell a story made her blood boil.
But then her eyes caught the headline again: "A Newly Rising Star of Vanguard Haven?"
She paused, her curiosity piqued. Vanguard Haven—it wasn't a name she was familiar with. And that was odd, given her connections. The article had mentioned the guild's recent rise in popularity, but she hadn't heard much about it until now. That was unusual in and of itself. How had Astron become involved with them, and why hadn't she known about it sooner?
'What is this guild up to?' she wondered. If they were tied to Astron, they were worth investigating.
Irina leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest as she scrolled through the articles about Vanguard Haven. The guild's rise to prominence seemed steady, with numerous reports praising its accomplishments in clearing high-level dungeons and taking on increasingly difficult missions. It was impressive, no doubt, but in her mind, it was far from extraordinary.
After all, she was an Emberheart, and her standards were… considerably higher.
'They've done well for a B-rank guild,' she thought. For most people, their rise would be something to marvel at, but for Irina, it barely scratched the surface of what true power meant. The Emberheart family, after all, was one of the most influential and formidable families in the Hunter world. Their reach extended far beyond that of a mid-tier guild like Vanguard Haven.
In her world, the kind of success Vanguard Haven was experiencing was just the beginning.
As she continued reading, her curiosity about the guild's structure and leadership began to wane. Nothing particularly caught her attention until she stumbled upon a series of articles about Astron himself. At first, it was just a mention of his recent rise in popularity within the guild, but as she clicked further, the tone of the articles began to change.
A few clicks later, she found herself on social media, where the conversation had taken a sharp turn from the professional to the personal.
Photos of Astron began to surface—some real, some clearly edited—but all of them focused on his appearance. His chiseled features, his striking purple eyes, his enigmatic presence.
There were threads of girls—fangirls, really—fawning over him, posting everything from screenshots of his recent dungeon runs to blatantly photoshopped images that turned him into some sort of fantasy heartthrob.
One image showed him mid-battle, his eyes glowing as he fought. Another was an obviously edited picture of him shirtless, standing on a mountain peak, with comments like "Hunter of my dreams" and "Astron, marry me!" flooding the page.
Irina's eyes narrowed as she scrolled through the comments, her irritation rising again. "Seriously?" she muttered to herself.
Irina tossed the tablet onto her bed with an exasperated sigh, her irritation reaching a boiling point. The sheer amount of attention Astron was getting—fangirls fawning over him, those ridiculous photos, the countless comments—was more than just annoying; it was infuriating.
'Why is everyone so obsessed with him?' she thought, pacing back and forth in her room, her mind unable to let go of the frustration.
While she knew Astron wouldn't care about the attention, and would likely brush it off with his usual nonchalance, that didn't make it any easier for her to deal with. The thought of strangers turning him into some sort of heartthrob, fantasizing about him, commenting as if they had any right to, was enough to make her blood boil.
'How is it that he—of all people—has managed to get this much attention?' she wondered. It wasn't just about the articles or the social media buzz. It was the idea that they—people who didn't even know him—were talking about him as if they had any understanding of who he really was.
She knew Astron, truly knew him. His strengths, his weaknesses, his motivations. They didn't. They only saw a façade, an image crafted by the media and their own fantasies.
'Bastard…' she thought with a frown. 'He's out there, doing who knows what, while I'm stuck here, dealing with all this nonsense.'
With her meal finished and her patience worn thin, Irina stood up, running her hands through her fiery red hair as she made her way toward the bathroom. She needed to calm down, and a hot bath was the perfect way to relax after the grueling day she'd had in the chamber. But even as she prepared to unwind, her thoughts kept circling back to him.
'Why am I getting so worked up over this?' she thought, slipping out of her clothes and stepping into the bath.
As the warm water enveloped her, she sank into its comforting embrace, hoping it would help soothe her mind. But even as the heat relaxed her muscles, her thoughts remained tangled in frustration.
"Tsk."
And she couldn't resist the urge. The more she thought about it, the more curious she became. Even if it irritated her, she wanted to know more.
With a frustrated sigh, Irina reached for her smartwatch, pulling it over to her. Despite her annoyance at all the attention Astron was getting, a small part of her couldn't help but feel something else—an odd sense of satisfaction.
'He's finally starting to become a part of this world,' she thought, her finger hovering over the social media feed. 'He's always been so detached, so distant. And now, look at him. People are noticing him.'
She couldn't deny it: Astron becoming more well-known, more normal in the eyes of the public, was something she hadn't expected but welcomed nonetheless. Even if the attention annoyed her, it was also proof that he was beginning to connect with this world, with her world.
'Maybe it's not all bad,' she mused, scrolling through the pictures again. Despite the fangirls' over-the-top reactions and the ridiculous photos, there was something strangely comforting in seeing Astron garner this attention. It meant he wasn't as unreachable as he used to be.
Though he was still someone who kept himself distant, more reserved than others, these little things—these moments of recognition—were tethering him to reality. They were keeping him grounded in ways she hadn't been able to before.
'But damn, they're still annoying,' she thought, rolling her eyes at the comments. Yet, a small smile tugged at her lips. In some twisted way, this was progress.
As Irina continued scrolling, her eyes caught sight of a sudden notification on the screen—an announcement of a live broadcast. The headline immediately grabbed her attention.
[Astron Natusalune: A Rising Star Emerges from a Rank-6 Gate]
Without hesitation, Irina tapped the link, and the live feed opened. Her eyes widened as the scene played out before her. There was Astron, standing right in front of the gate, surrounded by the broadcast crew. His face, though slightly fatigued and marked with the wear of battle, was as stoic as ever.
His usual cold, detached demeanor was on full display, his sharp purple eyes locked on the camera with the same intensity he carried into battle. But what made Irina's breath hitch was hearing his voice through the feed.
"Irina Emberheart is a powerful figure, and I respect her abilities as a Hunter. Beyond that, I have nothing more to add."
Her eyebrow twitched.
Chapter 558 - Fame (5)
"Irina Emberheart is a powerful figure, and I respect her abilities as a Hunter. Beyond that, I have nothing more to add."
Her eyebrow twitched.
Her eyebrow twitched, but not because she didn't understand Astron. No, she understood him all too well. Astron wasn't someone who shared his personal life with others; in fact, she was certain he had never spoken to anyone about the things that had transpired between them. He was private and closed off, and this was just another example of that.
The reason for her annoyance, though, was something else entirely. Watching him stand there, composed and detached, delivering a perfectly crafted lie with that cold, calm expression of his—it irked her. Even from behind the screen, she could see how effortlessly he could hide the truth. How easily he could brush everything aside without a single tell.
'Liar,' she thought, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Part of her wanted him to acknowledge it—just a little. To admit, even subtly, that there was more between them than just respect for her abilities as a Hunter. But no, he had given nothing away. No recognition of their connection, no hint of what lay beneath the surface.
And while she could understand why he would say something like that, it didn't make it any less frustrating. A small part of her, deep down, wanted him to at least show some reaction, to let the world know that they were something more. Even if it wasn't explicit, she wanted acknowledgment.
'You really are good at lying,' she thought, a slight grin tugging at the corner of her lips. But the grin wasn't one of amusement—it was one of annoyance and determination.
'Fine. You can pretend like that now, but you'll owe me for this.' She was already planning her revenge. Astron was going to pay for that little stunt. After all, she deserved something in return for his public coldness, didn't she?
After staying in the bath a little longer, the warmth soaking into her muscles and helping her relax, Irina's thoughts still simmered with annoyance. She stared up at the ceiling, letting the steam curl around her, but the image of Astron's stoic face in that broadcast lingered in her mind.
'You owe me,' she repeated to herself with a silent smirk.
Eventually, she decided it was time. Glancing at her smartwatch, she noticed the hour—the promised time for their call. Without hesitating, she tapped her screen and initiated the call.
It rang once. Twice.
Then, the familiar voice answered. –"You're right on time today," Astron remarked, his tone neutral as always but with that faint, unmistakable trace of amusement that only she could pick up on.
Irina took a deep breath, masking her irritation as best she could. "Of course I am. I always keep my promises, unlike some people."
–"Is that so?" Astron replied, clearly picking up on her tone. –"What's this about?"
Irina leaned back, closing her eyes for a moment as the warm bathwater swirled around her. "Oh, nothing," she said, her voice a touch too sweet. "Just something I saw earlier... a certain broadcast."
There was a slight pause on the other end of the line, the kind of silence that made her grin. –"Ah, the broadcast," Astron said slowly. –"I see you've been keeping up with the news."
"Of course," Irina responded, her tone growing sharper. "And I couldn't help but notice how easily you lied. It's almost like second nature to you."
–"I wouldn't call it lying," Astron countered smoothly.
Irina smirked to herself, already predicting his next move. She knew how Astron always managed to wriggle his way out of things with cold, hard logic. Before he could even say it, she cut in. "You didn't lie, you just didn't answer truthfully."
–"That's correct," Astron replied, unfazed. His tone was as calm as ever, as if he knew exactly where this conversation was headed.
Irina's annoyance flared slightly at his nonchalance. "You could have at least shown something, you know," she pressed, her voice turning sharp. "But no, of course you won't. You're probably enjoying all that attention, aren't you?"
–"What attention?" Astron asked, genuinely sounding confused, which only served to irritate her more.
Irina scoffed. "Oh, please. You didn't notice? All those girls fawning over you online, posting pictures of you from the broadcast? Some of those edits are just ridiculous. Honestly, Hunter of my dreams?
Astron, marry me?" Her voice was dripping with sarcasm, but underneath it was the sting of something else.
Astron paused for a moment, his usual unshaken demeanor still present. –"I didn't even notice," he said flatly.
But Irina was skeptical. Something about the way Astron was speaking made her think that this bastard was once again playing with words.
"You didn't know?"
Irina's eyes narrowed as she waited for his response, sensing that familiar pause—one that always seemed to precede a careful choice of words.
Astron finally replied, his voice calm. –"I didn't know… directly."
She scoffed again, leaning forward slightly as if he could feel the weight of her stare through the phone. "So you did know. Why are you lying, then?"
–"I didn't lie," Astron corrected smoothly. –"I really didn't notice it myself. I was informed by others that such a thing was happening."
Irina huffed in irritation, but before she could continue, Astron cut her off. –"Why is this even important? It's not like the opinions of other people or whatever they're saying matters."
She opened her mouth to respond but stopped herself for a moment, feeling the frustration bubble up again. "It's annoying," she began, but once again, Astron didn't let her finish.
–"Annoying? Irina, you're not any different," he said, his tone steady but pointed. –"You've got a lot of fans, probably more than I ever will. With your reputation, there are countless people out there watching you, admiring you."
Irina paused, taken aback for a moment. He wasn't wrong, of course. She had been dealing with public attention her entire life, but something about hearing him say it irked her.
"That's not the point," she retorted. "They're just—"
–"It is the point," Astron interrupted again. –"You've always had more eyes on you than I ever did. Why should this be any different?"
Irina clenched her jaw, knowing Astron was right, but she still couldn't let it go. "I don't enjoy that kind of attention," she pushed back. "You know that. It's just because of my lineage, not because of who I am."
–"And I'm the same," Astron replied, his voice level. –"It's just for the sake of business. None of that attention means anything to me."
She let out a frustrated sigh. "But it's still annoying seeing the person you care about getting all that attention from others while you're stuck dealing with the same boring routine."
Astron was silent for a beat before his calm voice returned. –"Same."
Irina continued to ramble, her voice rising slightly as her frustration simmered beneath the surface. "Do you know how annoying it is to hear about you from the internet?
Seeing everyone else talking about you like they know something, while I'm sitting here, piecing together scraps of your life like some outsider?" She clenched her fist, feeling the warmth of the bathwater still against her skin, though her mind was anything but calm.
"You didn't even bother telling me anything. Not a word, not a hint." Her words came fast, each one tinged with frustration and confusion. "Instead, I get to hear about it from strangers who don't know anything about who you really are."
But then, it registered.
"Same."
Astron's last word echoed in her mind.
She froze, the rant dying on her lips. For a moment, it didn't register what he had said, but as the silence stretched, her brain finally processed it.
Slowly, her eyes widened, and the irritation that had fueled her words began to shift into something else—something deeper.
"Same?" she repeated softly, her voice barely a whisper.
Irina's heart was pounding as she repeated the word, her mind spinning with the possibilities. "Same?" she asked, her voice a little louder, more insistent this time.
But instead of answering directly, Astron played it cool, as if the word had slipped out unintentionally. –"Hmm? What are you talking about?" His tone was smooth and calm, just like always.
Irina blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Don't 'what are you talking about' me!" she snapped, her frustration bubbling up again. "You said 'same.' What did you mean by that?"
A brief silence followed, and for a second, she wondered if she had imagined it. Maybe she was reading too much into it. After all, this was Astron—the master of deflection. He could easily brush it off as nothing like he always did.
But no, she wasn't going to let him get away with it this time.
"I know you said it, Astron." Her voice was sharper now, determined. "Don't act like you didn't."
Astron, still calm, responded in the same infuriatingly neutral tone. "I think you're imagining things, Irina."
Her jaw tightened, her irritation growing. "I'm not imagining anything. You said it." She leaned forward, gripping the edge of the bathtub, as if somehow that would bring her closer to him. "I heard you. What do you mean 'same'?"
Astron sighed on the other end of the line, his tone light, almost teasing. "You're really persistent, aren't you?"
Irina's eyes narrowed, suspicion growing. Something was off, and as she listened more carefully, she caught it—the subtle change in his tone. It was slight, barely noticeable to anyone else, but she had spent enough time with him to pick up on it. Beneath his calm facade, there was something else.
A smile.
He was smiling.
Her breath caught, and suddenly, all the pieces fell into place. The way he was deflecting, the way his voice held that faint trace of amusement—it all pointed to one thing.
He knew what he had said. He had meant it.
"You are laughing," she whispered.
–"I am not."
"No, you are."
Astron didn't deny it. –"Am I?"
Irina felt her heart skip a beat. She bit her lip, her frustration giving way to something warmer. "You can't hide that from me," she said, her voice softening as her earlier annoyance faded. "I can hear it in your voice."
There was a pause on the other end, and then, in that same calm, teasing tone, Astron replied, –"You're hearing things again, Irina."
But this time, she didn't press him. She didn't need to. The way his voice had shifted told her everything she needed to know.
'You…..I don't really understand why you are always like this.'
She really could not understand.
THUMP!
Why was this heart beating too fast just because of some words?
Yet as she looked at the reflection from the bathtub….
…..she found herself smiling too....
Chapter 558 - Fame (6)
Irina stared at her reflection, the faint smile lingering on her lips as the warmth from her earlier annoyance settled into something softer, more intimate. Her heart still beat faster than she would like, but she couldn't deny the strange comfort she felt from this small exchange with Astron.
Somehow, despite his walls, despite the distance he always kept, there were moments like this—moments where she could feel something more.
"Why do you always have to be like this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
–"Like what?" came Astron's teasing reply, though the warmth in his tone was unmistakable.
Irina shook her head, realizing there was no point in pressing him further on that. He'd deflect as usual, and maybe that was fine for now. But there were still things she wanted to know. Her thoughts drifted back to the broadcast, to his involvement with that guild.
"Astron," she began, her voice more serious now, "that guild you're affiliated with… Why are you with them?"
There was a brief silence, but she knew he was still there, considering her question. When he finally answered, his tone had returned to that familiar calm neutrality.
–"I'm just doing my job, Irina. Repaying what I owe."
Repaying. The word stuck in her mind. It didn't sound like some deep allegiance or personal investment—it was just a transaction to him. A way to settle a debt. But that only raised more questions. Who did he owe, and why?
Her mind raced through the possibilities. She tried to recall everything she knew about Astron's past, which, admittedly, wasn't much. He was always so careful to keep his personal life hidden. But then, a memory surfaced—the final exams. The bulky Hunter she had seen, Garrett, standing tall and imposing, his presence almost suffocating, and the woman beside him.
'Could it be them?'
The realization hit her like a jolt of electricity. Garrett had been more than just a bystander. He hadn't acted like some mere observer during those exams and the way Astron had interacted with him… there was something deeper there, something personal.
"Garrett," she murmured to herself, the pieces slowly falling into place. Her gaze sharpened as she recalled the woman next to him, her aura one of quiet authority.
"They're the ones you're repaying, aren't they?" she asked suddenly, the question hanging between them.
–"You can say that, though that is not entirely, true."
She felt her heartbeat quicken again, her curiosity pushing her to ask, "Garrett… He's your guardian, isn't he?"
There was a slight pause before Astron answered, his voice calm but tinged with acknowledgment. –"That's correct."
Irina's mind raced, the pieces clicking into place. But if that was true, then… "Then if it's not entirely true," she continued, her tone growing sharper, "does that mean that woman is involved too?"
Astron's response was measured, almost too casual. –"Partially."
Partially? Irina's brows furrowed in irritation. Why did he always have to speak in riddles? It was like he enjoyed being just cryptic enough to drive her crazy. "Why are you speaking in riddles?" she demanded, her annoyance creeping back into her voice. "Just tell me what's going on instead of being all mysterious."
There was a faint sound on the other end, almost imperceptible, but she knew what it was—he was smiling again. –"Because it's fun."
Irina felt a surge of frustration, her fingers tightening around the edge of the tub. "Fun?" she scoffed, her voice laced with irritation. "I'm not having fun."
But even as she said the words, she knew it wasn't entirely true. Beneath her frustration, there was a flicker of something else, something warmer. She was enjoying this—enjoying the way he was slowly letting his guard down, even if it was in the most infuriating way possible.
Still, she refused to let him off that easily. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Astron's voice, though still calm, held that faint trace of amusement. –"Maybe."
Irina sighed, sinking deeper into the warm water, her irritation fading as quickly as it had come. She could never stay mad at him for long, especially when he was like this. "One of these days," she muttered, "I'm going to make you answer me properly."
–"We'll see about that," Astron replied smoothly, and she could almost hear the smile in his voice again.
"Bastard. I'll make you do all my errands; just wait. There's only one week left," Irina muttered with a sly grin, her mind already racing with ideas. The promised time was fast approaching, and the thought of Astron—usually so distant and composed—being at her beck and call for an entire week was too good to pass up.
She could picture it now: sending him on ridiculous tasks, watching his stoic face as he carried out her every whim, pretending like he wasn't secretly annoyed. A small, almost wicked smile crept onto her lips as she imagined all the ways she could tease him.
"Maybe I'll make you hold all my bags while I shop," she mused aloud, her voice playful. "Or you could fetch me snacks whenever I want. Oh, and let's not forget polishing my boots. You'll look so dignified doing that."
Astron's calm voice cut through her fantasy still tinged with that faint amusement. –"Somehow, it feels like the contents of the promise have… changed."
Irina let out a soft laugh, sinking deeper into the warmth of the bathwater. "Changed? No way. I'm just getting creative. The promise was for you to listen to me for a week, right? And that means doing everything I say."
–"That's one way to interpret it," Astron replied, his tone so neutral that it only made her more determined to break through his cool exterior. "But I don't remember agreeing to be your personal servant."
"Too late," she said with a satisfied hum. "It's happening, Astron. Just you wait."
–"I will be waiting."
*****
Toren leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as he stared at the report in front of him. The dim light of his office cast shadows over his tired features, but his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Liana sat beside him, her usual composed expression betraying a hint of weariness. Across from them, Astron stood, arms crossed as he listened intently.
"Well," Toren began, his voice calm but filled with quiet pride, "we've done it. Our short-term goal has been achieved, and the results are better than we could've hoped for. Vanguard Haven is now the topic of discussion in every relevant circle, and our reputation is on the rise."
Liana nodded, glancing over at Astron before speaking. "The media coverage, the successful gate runs, and even the attack—everything played out perfectly. We're now seen as a guild that can handle tough situations, even with relatively inexperienced Hunters. The fact that the media positioned Astron as a key figure in all this only amplified the effect."
Toren looked over at Astron with a smile. "You, my friend, have had quite the impact. While you're a top-tier Hunter candidate since you are a student at Arcadia Hunter Academy, the fact that you're only a freshman means that much of your success has been attributed to Vanguard Haven's training. The media spun it brilliantly—they've made it seem like our guild molded you into the fighter you are."
Astron remained silent for a moment.
'Hmm….Not bad….'
He thought about the outcome, and he liked it quite well. He was relaying his background for future actions. Now, he would not become as suspicious as he was compared to before, and the organization would also cover him a lot more easily in the face of the media.
'Most likely, they even planned this to some extent.'
However, he did not mind that, as his goal was also the same.
"It worked out well," Astron finally said, his voice calm and measured. "The media companies knew exactly how to spin the story. I may have the potential, but they were quick to highlight that I haven't had extensive education yet. It's the perfect way to show that Vanguard Haven's training is what propelled me."
Toren chuckled, tapping the table. "And that's exactly what we wanted. The story is out there now, and people are buying into it. Your presence, combined with the team's performance, made us look like a guild capable of molding talent quickly and efficiently."
Liana added, "The attack was also a turning point. It wasn't just a typical dungeon report anymore—it became a narrative of how our team, under pressure, responded to an unexpected crisis. The media companies are all over it.
That incident is now being used as proof of our readiness for more dangerous gates, and we've been contacted by side organizations who are rating us highly for how we handled the situation."
Astron raised an eyebrow. "And no one suspects that it was orchestrated?"
Liana shook her head. "Not at all. It was subtle enough to seem real but not so chaotic that it raised red flags. We've already heard positive feedback from the higher-ups in the Hunter community. The fact that we intercepted it so quickly helped. And, no one can trace it back."
"I see."
Toren stood from his seat, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over the room. With a satisfied grin, he extended his hand toward Astron. "You've done more than your share, Astron. Thanks to your efforts, everything is now as we intended. You've completed your end of the deal."
Astron met his gaze, then extended his hand to shake Toren's. The firm grip between them was a silent acknowledgment of the work they'd accomplished together. "It was a pleasure working with someone like you," Toren continued, his voice genuine. "You've not only helped elevate the guild but pushed the team beyond what we thought was possible."
Astron nodded, his expression calm but appreciative. "The time I've spent here was short, but it was a good experience. If the future allows it, I wouldn't mind working with Vanguard Haven again."
Toren chuckled lightly, clearly pleased. "We'll hold you to that. Doors will always be open for you here."
Liana, standing to the side, smiled. "You've helped us build something solid, Astron. We won't forget that."
Astron's eyes briefly scanned the room. While his role here was finished, the connections he had made and the impact he had left were not. "Good luck with the next steps," he said. "This is just the beginning."
"Let's hope we don't need it."
As Astron gave a final nod and turned toward the door, the weight of his departure settled over the room. His footsteps echoed softly in the quiet space, and for a brief moment, Toren and Liana watched him go, each understanding the significance of the moment.
With a soft click, the door closed behind him, leaving Toren and Liana alone in the room. The energy of the room shifted as the two exchanged glances.
"This kid…..Let's hope we can really keep him in the future."