Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 587 131.1 - Alden Evergreen

I took a deep breath, letting the residual energy settle within me as the effects of the Sylvara's Essence finally calmed. I felt… different. Lighter, stronger. It was as if my body had been revitalized from the inside out, filled with a new vitality that made every muscle feel more responsive, every movement smoother. The entire process had been painful—far more than I had expected—but the end result was worth it. I could feel the difference, not just in strength but in every fiber of my being.

'This… is quite the transformation,' I thought, flexing my fingers experimentally. My senses were heightened, sharper. Mana flowed through me with a clarity and ease that hadn't been there before. It was almost effortless now, as if the barriers that had once held me back had been stripped away.

"Junior…" Maya's voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I glanced over at her. Her eyes were wide, still locked onto me with a mix of shock and something else I couldn't quite place.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice smooth and composed, though a part of me was curious about her reaction. Something had clearly caught her off guard.

Maya shook her head, then gestured toward the small mirror by the side of the room. "Take a look for yourself."

I stood up slowly, feeling the newfound strength in my legs, and walked over to the mirror. As I caught sight of my reflection, I understood why Maya had been staring.

My face—while still recognizably mine—had changed. It was subtle but undeniable. My features had sharpened and refined to an almost ethereal level, giving me a striking, almost otherworldly appearance. My skin seemed to glow faintly with an inner light, and my purple eyes… they were more intense now, shining with a depth I hadn't seen before.

'I see…..'

I thought as I stared at my reflection. My appearance had never been something I gave much thought to. My focus had always been on strength, honing my abilities, and perfecting my skills. Superficial things like looks were secondary at best.

Yet, here I was, staring at someone who seemed… different. Sharper.

In the game, there was a hidden stat called Charisma. It wasn't something you could actively level up like strength or dexterity, and it didn't show up in the usual status window. Most players didn't even know it existed, but it had an effect—a subtle one. Charisma influenced how characters interacted with the world around them, how people perceived them, how easily they could sway others or command attention without saying a word. It wasn't tied to magic or combat prowess, but it could be just as powerful.

And now, with Sylvara's Essence, it felt like that hidden attribute had been touched.

'Status.'

As I called the status window in my head, the panel appeared right before my eyes.

------------------------------------------

▶Name: Astron Natusalune

▶Occupation: Weapon Master (level 4)

▶Talent Limit: 12 --> 13 ▶Passives:

Vengeful Bane

Bloodline Resonance

Psychic Cognizance

▶Attributes:

Variable Attributes:

Strength: 5.50 --> 5.79

Dexterity: 5.81 n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Agility: 5.89

Constitution: 5.53 --> 5.80

Intuition: 5.96

Magical Power: 6.36

Mana Capacity: 6.44

Invariable Attributes

Charisma: 7.5 --> 11

Vitality: 7 --> 10

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Charisma: 7.5 --> 11. Vitality: 7 --> 10.

'So, it really did affect those hidden stats,' I thought, staring at the numbers that hadn't been there before. Normally, you wouldn't even be able to see Charisma or Vitality on the status screen unless something external enhanced them, and now, Sylvara's Essence had done exactly that. It made sense why I felt this surge in both my body and my presence.

Charisma—a stat that could influence how people saw you, how easily you could sway them, command attention, or even intimidate without trying. It wasn't tied to physical strength or magical prowess, but it held its own kind of power. And now, mine had jumped significantly.

Vitality—not just physical endurance, but the very life force that ran through your body, the ability to survive and recover from damage, to persist in the face of overwhelming odds. This stat wasn't something you could train through normal means, but it dictated your survivability on a fundamental level. And mine had increased by a large margin as well.

'This explains the surge of energy I've been feeling,' I mused, flexing my fingers. 'I feel… healthier, more alive.'

The Sylvara's Essence had done more than just improve my visible stats. It had pushed me to a new level of existence, enhancing both my presence and my ability to endure whatever trials came next.

I glanced back at Maya, her expression still reflecting some awe at the transformation. She hadn't said much since she asked me to check the mirror, but I could see the gears turning in her head.

"Looks like the Essence worked better than expected," I said, my voice calm but carrying a slight undertone of satisfaction.

Maya blinked, then gave a soft smile. "I didn't think it would affect you like this. But... it suits you."

"Suits me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Maya coughed awkwardly, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. She averted her eyes slightly, her usual composed demeanor slipping just a bit. "I-I mean... it's now a lot... harder to resist," she muttered under her breath, the words tumbling out in a way that seemed almost unintentional.

I heard her clearly, but I decided to pretend I hadn't. There was no point in pushing the issue, and from the way she was already looking flustered, it was clear this wasn't a topic she was comfortable elaborating on.

Instead, I turned my attention back to the mirror, observing the faint glow still lingering on my skin. "Well, I'll take that as a compliment," I said casually, letting the moment pass.

Maya quickly composed herself, brushing her hair behind her ear and regaining her calm. "Of course," she said softly, her voice returning to its usual steadiness, though there was still a hint of that earlier blush.

She stood there for a moment longer, her gaze lingering on me as if she was still processing the transformation. Then, almost as if shaking herself free from whatever thoughts had momentarily held her, she exhaled softly and straightened her posture.

"Now that you're done," she began, her voice returning to its usual composed tone, "there's something I need to tell you."

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral while subtly observing her body language. There was something different in the way she carried herself now—small, almost imperceptible signs of restlessness. The slight shift in her stance, the way her fingers brushed against her arm, her eyes flickering between mine and the floor.

Whatever she was about to say was clearly weighing on her.

"In the dinner," she continued after a moment's pause, her voice quieter than before, "my brother will be joining us. He... wants to meet you."

I didn't outwardly react, but inwardly, the statement clicked. That explained her unease. It wasn't just a casual dinner or a typical meeting. Maya's brother—whoever he was—seemed to hold a weight over her.

'Her brother…' I thought, piecing together. 'Considering the fact that not many people knew about the identity of the Evergreen Family, the fact that Maya alone brought me here must have gathered their attention. And it was not like my visit was unplanned, as I had informed her just a week ago. That means that one way or another, the word would get into their ears. And Senior Maya didn't seem to particularly hide it either, so it makes sense that they want to see the person that Maya brought.'

The fact that the Evergreen Family was of an Elven lineage alone would be enough to cause quite an uproar, which is why such a meeting was understandable.

'And I am also quite curious as to what kind of people these Evergreens are.'

Though Maya's body language told me more than her words, there was an unspoken tension in the way she held herself, almost like she was bracing for something. Did she expect things to go poorly? Or was it something else entirely?

I nodded slowly, keeping my expression neutral, as if I had already anticipated this. "I see," I said calmly, my voice steady.

Maya's shoulders noticeably relaxed at my response, and she let out a quiet sigh of relief. Just as I had intended, my calm demeanor must have reassured her that I wasn't caught off guard. She had been worried about how I would take the news, but now, seeing my composed reaction, her tension seemed to ease.

For a moment, she didn't speak, but the subtle shift in her posture and the faint softening of her expression told me everything. Maya had been concerned that the mention of her brother would unsettle me, perhaps expecting hesitation or resistance. But my reaction must have given her the confidence that I understood the situation, that I was prepared.

She met my gaze again, her lips curving into a small, grateful smile. "Thank you," she murmured, the sincerity in her voice unmistakable.

"No need," I replied smoothly, keeping the air light. "It's understandable. I figured something like this might come up."

Maya nodded slightly as if silently acknowledging my foresight…. "That is expected of you…."

With that, she rose from her seat, her movements fluid and graceful as always. She turned toward the door, her composure back in place now that the weight of her earlier concern had lifted.

"The dinner is scheduled for later tonight," she said over her shoulder, her tone matter-of-fact. "I'll come fetch you when the time comes."

I gave a simple nod in response, watching as she stepped toward the door. There was no need for more words; we both understood the gravity of what was coming, and there was no point in dwelling on it any longer.

********

"You are here…."

And just not long after, in the dining room of the Evergreen Mansion, a strong presence ruled.