Chapter 435 99.4   - End of the semester

"Never underestimate me just because I am going easy on others."

His tone was calm but carried an underlying intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. There was something in his eyes. She wouldn't see him like this most of the time, but she saw this look before.

It was the look that he was giving to certain people at certain times. And she knew the reason why.

After all, she was very well aware of his goals and the reason why he was pushing himself this hard. Though they had just had a talk and he somehow opened himself to her, that didn't mean she knew everything about him from the start.

His very reason for being here was revenge.

To destroy.

And he only became serious when he had such reasons. He never cared about how other people viewed him, never cared about the recognition that he would get.

To be honest, this was just like him since even before that moment in his life, he was still such a person.

Aside from that, she rarely saw him competitive, but it seemed she was able to awaken another side of him.

For a different reason.

Not because of revenge or anything. He showed his best just to compete with her.

And seeing this, how could she just get angry?

Didn't this just mean she was special? This was another way to say she was the only one to evoke such feelings.

Was that why she was feeling a bit happy?

Yet, Irina knew this was just the beginning. She was very aware that keeping him attached to this world would require more than just one step.

"Young one, you carry a burden, and your path is intertwined with his. Take care of him; he walks on a thin thread, and he could fall at any time."

She still remembered the voice of the elderly soul that she had heard when the Phantom's Land was crumbling.

There would need to be many steps, many small victories, and moments of connection.

Even so, she couldn't deny the pang of regret that she had lost to him. She had promised a reward, never truly believing she would have to follow through. A bit of panic welled up inside her as she thought about what she would have to do now.

'What did I even promise him? I didn't think I would lose...' she thought, mentally kicking herself for her overconfidence.

Astron, noticing the shift in her expression, raised an eyebrow. "Regretting the bet already?" he asked a hint of amusement in his voice.

Irina crossed her arms, trying to maintain her composure. "Of course not. I always honor my promises," she replied, though her voice wavered slightly.

Astron's subtle smile widened just a bit. "Good. Then I'll be looking forward to it."

Irina felt a mixture of dread and curiosity. What exactly did he want? She had to know, and she had to be prepared for anything.

"So, what do you want as your reward?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Astron looked into her eyes, his face slightly facepalming. "How can I decide what I want without seeing what you have in your family's armory?" He asked. And then, he narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me, you forgot what the other side of the bet was?"

"….."

And Irina couldn't reply.

"Really….." He shook his head. "Sometimes, I really admire your confidence."

It was evident that he assumed she never even considered him winning.

Irina pouted, trying to cover her embarrassment. "I would remember it if I thought about it. You just didn't give me time." Astron waved his hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, for sure."

After that moment had passed, Irina felt regretful about losing. All her plans were now stagnant. She had wanted to have one week of his life and had planned quite a lot of things for that period of time. At that moment, she remembered the promise he made to her: she had one more request to make him grant a wish of hers. She decided to use it for her plans.

"Wait," she said suddenly, her tone shifting to one of determination. "You owe me one more favor, remember? I want to use it now."

Astron raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? And what is it that you want?"

"I want that week," Irina declared, her eyes fixed on him with unwavering resolve. "The one I would have had if I won the bet. I still want that time with you."

Astron looked at her, a mixture of surprise and curiosity in his eyes. He was silent for a moment, as if weighing her request. "You realize that I promised that request to be an equivalent to mine."

"Yes. Of course, I remember that."

"And you think the two requests are the same?"

"I do."

"Explain how my request to you to keep my involvement in Phantom's Land secret is the same as my act of giving up one week of my break."

Irina took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing as she prepared to argue her case. "Since the moment I took credit instead of you, I've had to deal with countless annoying things. Interviews, interrogations, posts about me online, government suspicions—it's been exhausting. I've had to answer questions, deal with skepticism, and constantly be on guard."

Astron nodded his head thoughtfully, considering her words. "That's right," he said finally. "You're starting to understand the value of what you have under your hands. The responsibility, the burden, and the effort it takes to maintain a facade. You need to show this same spirit to her as well."

Irina blinked, realizing he wasn't trying to make things harder for her but was actually trying to show her different ways of thinking. It was a lesson in responsibility and understanding the consequences of actions, a deeper lesson hidden within their interactions.

And she also knew what he meant with 'her.'

Of course, he would know. Even from the start, he was able to see through the face that she was putting on – the arrogance that she had always displayed to others. He knew that it was just a self-defense mechanism that she had created.

And he must also have known the reason for that.

"Why are you always like this?" she mumbled, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and admiration.

"Like what?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

"It is nothing..." she looked down since she didn't want to show it – the expression she was most likely making.

"…."

For a moment, silence hung between them. Irina took a deep breath and composed her expression, looking back up at Astron with renewed determination.

"Does that mean you'll do it?" she asked, her voice steady.

Astron nodded. "Not like I have a choice since I promised to grant your request." He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "But there's a possibility I'll be busy during the break. I might not have the time."

Irina narrowed her eyes, suspicion creeping into her gaze. "Why didn't you make any time?"

Astron shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Of course, because I was sure I wouldn't lose."

Seeing his haughty face, Irina felt a surge of irritation. She wanted to punch him because she knew she wasn't one to talk—she had done the same, after all.

"Well, even though you won, you should have the possibility of me using my right to request," she retorted, her tone sharper than intended.

Astron shrugged. "That is mostly true. Though, not everything is always in my control."

At that time, she remembered the hunters that came to watch him. She remembered the energy they gave away and the talk they had.

"Nothing comes without a price." It was blatantly obvious that the hunter named Garrett had some control over him. Maybe it was a deal. At the very least, she didn't know.

"Anyway. You can contact me when you want to spend the week."

With that, he turned to leave. Irina watched him go, her mind racing with thoughts of how to make the most of the time they would spend together. This was her chance to show him a different side of life, to pull him away from his single-minded pursuit of revenge, even if just for a week.

And to entangle him with her to the greatest extent.

"Hey, Astron!" she called after him.

He turned slightly, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't forget, you promised," she reminded him, her tone softer.

He shook his head as if saying, 'Did you stop me just to say this?' "I won't."

And then, he turned back to leave. But, just then, he stopped once again and turned back.

"Hey, Irina."

She paused, looking at him curiously. "What?"

"Congratulations on your new rank," he said, his voice sincere. "Rank 2. You've earned it."

Irina's eyes widened in surprise, and then a smile spread across her face, genuine and heartfelt. That guy, just as how he was usual, was perceptive of the details.

Though not that she was expecting anything like this, nor would it make her happy.

"It's not like this would make me happy," she replied, though her tone was light and playful.

Astron shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Your expression looks far too happy for someone who says that," he remarked.

And with that, he turned and disappeared from her sight, leaving Irina standing there with a smile that she couldn't quite hide.

'Rank 2…' she thought, her heart swelling with pride. 'I did it.'

The day was still cold, and the world was covered in a blanket of snow, but Irina felt a warmth within her that chased away the chill.

She had made it this far, and there was still so much more to achieve.

Just like that, the semester of the academy ended for her.

It was a hectic academic semester.

A time of the year that she had never felt like this before.

*******

Astron sat on the edge of his bed, the finality of the semester settling over him like a heavy cloak.

The results of the final exam had been posted, and despite his indifferent exterior, he had made sure to check.

Rank 1071. It was not exceptional, but certainly not disappointing, given his circumstances.

As if on cue, the watch began to vibrate softly, its screen lighting up with a notification.

He tapped the screen, and a message appeared:

"Congratulations, Astron Natusalune. Your rank of 1071 is noted. You have not disappointed."

'As expected. They have access to the information.' It was not something he hadn't expected, as the organization was pretty powerful and ran deep.

Though he had expected some form of communication, he hadn't expected it to be this quick. The message continued:

"Your next step awaits. Come to the location shown on the screen tonight at 8 P.M."

A map flickered into view, highlighting a secluded area on the outskirts of Arcadia City.

Astron rose from his bed, his mind already racing through the possibilities of what lay ahead.

'Let's see what I can get from them.' As equally oppressing, it was an opportunity after all. freewebnøvel.coɱ

CREAK!

With that, he left his room.

--------End of the volume 3-------

Many events happened in this volume, and it was mainly focused on the expansion of the world and the character development of the main cast while laying the background of how they became what they were.

Astron also had a huge character development, in my opinion. Though it may have looked like it has taken a lot of time, breaking down such walls and openly expressing himself is not something that is easy.

In the next volume, things will be a little different.

Stay intact.