Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 661 - 145.3 - Amberheart Mansion

"The Dragon Slayer? Senior Sigurd?"

Irina nodded. "Indeed. His full name–Sigurd Eldric Faelan Emberheart. He wasn't originally from the Emberheart family," she explained, crossing her arms as she glanced at the sword. "He was a warrior—a rare type even among Awakened—known for his skill with the blade and his unyielding spirit. He came from outside, but his achievements brought him into the family through marriage to my great-grandmother, who was the Matriarch at the time."

She gestured to the intricate hilt of the sword, its guard shaped like dragon wings, the blade gleaming with an internal fire. "They were the first humans to slay a dragon," she continued, her pride evident. "It was thought impossible back then—dragons were beyond the reach of any Awakened. But he and my great-grandmother combined their strengths: his skill with weapons, her Emberheart flames."

Astron's gaze never wavered from the sword, his expression contemplative. "And that's what forged this weapon?"

"Yes," Irina replied. "It's said that the final breath of the dragon was sealed into the blade, binding it to his will. That's why it glows like that—it's not just enchanted. It's alive with the essence of his battle, his victory." She glanced at Astron, her eyes glinting with pride. "It's one of the greatest artifacts in our family, a reminder that we can achieve the impossible."

Astron studied Irina as she spoke, noting the subtle glint of pride in her eyes, the reverence in her tone as she recounted her great-grandfather's story. Despite her frequent complaints about the pressures and expectations of her family, it was clear to him that she valued the Emberheart legacy deeply. That was Irina, after all—complex and contradictory, finding both pride and frustration in her heritage. He chose to keep his observations to himself, simply listening as she continued.

"This weapon," she went on, her gaze drifting back to the sword with a mixture of respect and curiosity, "it's been sitting here for years, untouched, because it has a consciousness of its own. Ever since my great-grandfather, no one has been able to wield it. The sword hasn't accepted anyone else."

Astron raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.

'There was no mention of this in the game?'

 "A conscious weapon?"

Irina nodded. "Yes. We believe it was because of the dragon's essence bound within it. Over time, it developed a will, a… personality of sorts." She smirked faintly, as though recalling some stories. "There were a few attempts to claim it, of course. But the sword rejects any who don't meet its standards, even going as far as repelling them with bursts of flame."

"So it's here as a guardian of sorts," Astron observed, his voice thoughtful.

"Exactly," Irina replied, glancing at the sword with a flicker of admiration. "It's a testament to the Emberheart legacy, reminding us that some things can't be inherited or claimed by force. They have to be earned. And even if we're its descendants, the sword holds us to that same standard."

"Your family has quite the legacy," he said quietly.

"You learned it just now?"

"….."

Seeing Astron staying silent, Irina also did not pressure him any further, and she continued to enjoy the scene.

Leaving the hall of ancestral relics, Irina continued guiding Astron through the vast expanse of the Emberheart estate. She pointed out the various facilities with an air of practiced familiarity, explaining each one briefly. The sheer scale of it all was impressive—even by noble standards. As the main branch of the Emberheart family, this place was fortified with countless formations, built to support and train the family's forces.

"This whole area here—" she gestured to a sprawling landscape stretching far into the distance "—is dedicated to training. Around 50 hectares in total, equipped with everything our Awakened need to develop their skills." She spoke with a mix of pride and practicality.

Astron nodded thoughtfully, recognizing the importance of such facilities. Families like the Emberhearts weren't just high-ranking mages; they commanded significant power, both magical and political, and they needed their own private forces to maintain that authority. It wasn't unusual, but the scale and specialization here were impressive even by elite standards.

Irina opted not to take him through the training grounds, knowing it would take far too long. Instead, she led him through a winding path toward a more secluded part of the estate.

"Come on," she said, her tone shifting to something lighter. "I'll show you my own quarters."

Astron raised an eyebrow but followed her without question. As they walked, the noise and energy of the estate's main facilities faded, replaced by a quieter, more personal atmosphere. Finally, they arrived at a separate building nestled within the estate's land, a place that felt both part of and apart from the mansion. It was unmistakably hers—bearing a certain Emberheart elegance, yet with personal touches that softened the grandeur.

Being the family heir, Irina had an entire building to herself, an oasis away from the demands of her role yet equipped with everything she needed. She pushed open the door and led Astron inside, the halls echoing with the soft warmth of controlled flames illuminating the walls.

"This is my training space," she explained, gesturing to a few doors as they walked. "I have rooms built specifically to withstand fire at full force, simulation rooms to help me refine my control, and, well… this," she said with a smirk, pointing toward a room labeled "Close Combat."

Astron raised a curious eyebrow. "You? Close combat?"

Irina shrugged. "It's mostly unused. I'm a mage, after all. But," she added with a smirk, "it's there if I ever feel like switching things up."

'A whole room if you feel like you want to switch up…..Really, something else.' He thought that he wouldn't get any more surprised after seeing Maya's mansion, but indeed. Irina was not lacking when it came to the money part.

They paused by the library, lined with bookshelves filled with tomes on everything from mana control to historical lore. Next to it was her computer room, equipped with advanced technology for research and planning.

"Do you even use all these things?"

"Not really."

"….."

Irina shrugged at Astron's unspoken question, reading his silent curiosity as they moved through her quarters. "Honestly, most of the time I'm training under my mother or another family instructor," she admitted. "I don't get to use all of this as often as you'd think. It's only when I have time alone that I come here to work on my own training."

She glanced around, noting how untouched everything looked since the academy term had begun. The quiet rooms were almost like a snapshot of the past—a time when she'd spent countless hours honing her skills alone, away from prying eyes.

She gestured toward the computer and artificial intelligence console in the corner, a faint smile crossing her lips as she remembered. "Though I have to admit, this setup was helpful when I was younger. I used it a lot for developing theories, working on mana control calculations… anything that needed a bit of precision."

Astron raised an eyebrow, seeming a bit surprised. "So you actually have an AI service here?"

Irina nodded, feeling a quiet pride at her younger self's determination. "Yes. It was a bit overkill," she admitted, "but the calculations it provided made a difference. There were times when even my tutors didn't have the answers I needed, so I'd come here and work things out for myself."

She turned to him, her expression a mix of nostalgia and satisfaction. "I spent a lot of time in this room—maybe more than in any of the others. It's where I first started to understand my abilities beyond what I was taught."

"Interesting….."

"Well, I no longer need it, since I am already doing the calculations instinctively now. But at that time, it really helped."

"I see."

Astron glanced around the room, taking in the various setups and equipment scattered about before his gaze shifted toward a staircase that led to the upper floor. "So… upstairs is your bedroom then?" he asked, a casual curiosity in his tone.

The moment he mentioned her bedroom, Irina felt a jolt of alarm shot through her. T-that… Her heart skipped a beat, and she struggled to keep her expression neutral. The last thing she needed was him wandering upstairs—there were things there that were, well, entirely personal.

Astron raised an eyebrow at her reaction, an amused glint in his eyes. "Should I check it out, then?"

"No!" she blurted out, stepping slightly in front of the stairs as if to block his path. "Let's stop here," she said, her tone firm, trying to sound casual but likely failing.

Astron tilted his head, clearly amused. "Why?"

Irina folded her arms, leveling him with a glare. "It's… my personal space," she replied, her voice cool and resolute. "Not something for anyone else to see."

He held her gaze for a moment, his usual calm demeanor unruffled, but he didn't push further. Instead, he gave a small nod, respecting her unspoken boundary. "Fair enough."

Though she did now know, he had gotten a slight glimpse of her room thanks to his eyes.

'Well, as expected from the Emberheart family….Even the walls don't let out any mana.'

Though, since there were no mana psions leaked, he could not see anything with his eyes. And he was not unhappy with that, since that also ensured that someone was not to be seen by others.

Irina led Astron back down the stairs, a faint sense of relief mingling with her usual composure. With her private quarters off-limits, she could finally show him the last place she'd wanted him to see—a place she'd once mentioned in passing during a late-night phone conversation, one of the few moments she'd opened up to him about her home.

"This isn't quite the same as the other places," she said as they exited her quarters, "but I think you'll appreciate it. It's… a bit more peaceful." n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

They walked through a winding path that led to a secluded part of the estate grounds, shielded by tall hedges and walls covered in ivy. As they rounded the corner, a sprawling garden came into view, dotted with rare and vibrant flowers that seemed to glow in the evening light. The air was thick with the scent of blooming petals, and small, controlled flames danced in lanterns scattered around, giving the garden a quiet, ethereal beauty.

"This is the Emberheart Garden," she said, gesturing to the elegant landscape around them. "It's a place I go to think, or when I need a break from training."

Astron nodded, taking in the serene beauty of the garden, his expression thoughtful. "Is this place where were when you called me?"

"Yes…..How did you know?"

"Just guessed. But it is really serene."

"That's why I come here," she replied, smiling slightly. "Here, everything feels calm, quiet. Even the fire here is tame, soft."

They walked in silence for a while, the peacefulness of the garden setting a comfortable atmosphere between them. It felt strange, yet natural, to share this place with him—a contrast to the usual intensity of their interactions.