Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 567 126.4 - Evergreen

As we walked toward the mansion, the closer I got, the larger it appeared. From a distance, it had already seemed grand, but now, up close, it felt even more imposing. Its sheer size was impressive, but it wasn't just the scale that caught my attention. There was something about the architecture, the way it blended into the landscape while still standing out with an almost regal presence.

I found myself observing the details more carefully, letting my eyes take in the craftsmanship. The stone walls were smooth, polished, and adorned with intricate carvings and symbols. There was a subtle elegance to the design—delicate embroideries and patterns that wove their way along the edges of the mansion, almost hidden unless you were looking closely. These details weren't ostentatious, but they carried meaning, something beyond mere decoration.

'The style is distinct,' I thought, my curiosity piqued. I wasn't particularly interested in art or architecture, but I was observant by nature. Having been to many different locations, I'd developed a habit of paying attention to the surroundings. And here, I could tell there was something unique about this place.

The design didn't follow the typical patterns I had seen in other estates. The angles, the lines—it all felt purposeful like it had been built with more than just aesthetics in mind. There was a subtle flow to the way the mansion was constructed, almost as if the building itself was part of the land's mana rather than something that had been forced upon it.

As we walked, I found myself tracing the lines of the carvings with my eyes. There were ancient symbols woven into the stone, not obvious, but present enough to catch the attention of someone who knew how to look. They weren't just decorative—they meant something, though I couldn't quite place what.

'This is relatively similar to how things were in the Organization's base, but not exactly the same.'

I thought as I continued to observe the mansion's intricate design. The carvings, the symbols, the subtle integration of mana into the structure—there was an air of something ancient here, something that ran deeper than the surface.

The organization had roots stretching back centuries, filled with ancient knowledge and mysteries. Their base had always carried that weight, a sense of history and hidden power lingering in every corner. But this place, while not identical, had a similar feeling—a connection to something older than what most people could perceive.

"Your home…..It is impressive."

I decided to test the waters. One way or another, I would learn about this more.

'And looking at her like that, I am sure if I just ask, she will reveal things.'

Senior Maya might be someone who knows how to carry herself, but at the same time, she relies on me a lot.

Though I do not want to take advantage of her like that, if there are things that are important to this world that I need to know about, it can't be helped.

Maya turned her head, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Her pink eyes, though still carrying that subtle tension, softened as she regarded me. "I expected you'd notice," she said, her voice warm but knowing. "It's part of why I wanted you to come here."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh? And what exactly did you expect me to see?"

Her smile deepened, and she paused for a moment before responding. "Why do you think it's impressive, Junior?"

I took a breath, knowing that this was my opportunity to explain what I had observed. "For one, the architecture," I began, gesturing to the carvings and symbols embedded in the stone walls. "It's not just decorative. The structure itself is deeply integrated with the land's mana. It feels as if the building is part of the environment rather than imposed upon it. That's rare."

Maya's eyes flickered with something—interest, perhaps, or recognition. She stayed quiet, allowing me to continue.

"The carvings," I went on, tracing the lines with my eyes again. "They're ancient not just in age, but in purpose. They serve a function beyond aesthetics, though I'm not entirely sure what yet. And the flow of mana… It's more refined here. It's not like the mana in most places, which is still in the process of integrating with the world. Here, it feels… complete."

Maya's smile didn't fade, but I noticed a shift in her posture. She was listening carefully now, her focus entirely on me.

"And then there's the connection to the land," I added. "It's subtle, but the entire estate seems to be in harmony with the natural world. It reminds me of the organization's base, though this is different in some ways. The patterns and the flow of mana all make it feel like it's been here for much longer than the world has had mana, to begin with."

Maya's smile deepened as she met my gaze, her pink eyes shimmering with an almost playful glint. "Just as I expected," she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that felt almost too natural. "You're quite talented when it comes to sensing mana and understanding its flow. More so than most."

I wasn't surprised by her praise. After all, Maya had been the first person to teach me how to sense mana and control it. My awareness of its presence and how to navigate it in battle or the environment came directly from her. Still, there was something about the way she spoke now, a subtle pride in her tone, as if she had known I would notice these things.

She took a step closer, her smile never fading. "Go on, Junior. Aside from the mana flow, what else have you observed?"

I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts before continuing. "The architecture," I began, gesturing toward the carvings and the overall design of the mansion. "It feels ancient, but it's not something I've seen widely among humans. The patterns, the symbols—this style belongs to something older, something outside the typical history books. It's as if this place is part of a different lineage entirely, one that hasn't been touched by modern human influence."

Maya's eyes didn't waver, but I could tell she was pleased with the direction of my thoughts. She didn't interrupt, letting me continue.

"Even the aesthetic," I added, "it's distinct. I've been to many cities and seen a variety of architectural styles, but nothing quite like this. Take Western Uxbridge, for example." I glanced at her, reminding her of the city we had visited together not long ago. "That city had a traditional human aesthetic, rigid and functional. The buildings were designed to serve a purpose, but there was little connection to the mana in the land. Here, it's the opposite. This estate isn't just built on the land; it's built with it."

I paused, reflecting on the fundamental differences. "Like how Uxbridge was built with an emphasis on control and expansion. Everything about it was designed to dominate the environment. But here… everything flows in harmony. It's as if the estate was meant to be a part of this place, not an imposition."

Maya tilted her head slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "I hadn't considered it from that perspective before," she admitted, her voice calm and contemplative. "But hearing it like this… it makes sense. It's interesting, actually."

She didn't elaborate further.

The silence between us was comfortable as we continued walking through the estate, the air filled with the soft rustle of leaves and the subtle hum of mana flowing through the environment.

Soon, we reached the inner garden of the mansion. The place was lush, filled with an array of plants, some of which I had never seen before. The garden was beautiful, vibrant with life, and yet it didn't feel overly manicured. Like the mansion itself, it seemed as if the plants had been allowed to grow in harmony with the mana of the land, rather than being forced into specific shapes or patterns.

Maya gestured toward a gazebo at the center of the garden, its elegant structure surrounded by tall flowers and leafy vines. Without a word, she led me toward it, and we walked silently, the quiet only broken by the occasional chirp of a bird or the gentle breeze that swept through the area.

As we neared the gazebo, a man suddenly appeared, stepping out from the shadows so quietly that I almost didn't notice him until he was fully in view.

–FLINCH!

'This…..' He was a butler, though something about him immediately caught my attention.

As the man stood before me, I couldn't help but let my gaze sweep over him, picking apart every detail. The first thing I noticed was his uniform—immaculate, as if it had just come from the tailor. Not a single wrinkle or thread out of place. Too neat. Too perfect.

'He's meticulous, almost obsessively so. No ordinary servant would care this much about appearances unless it was part of their discipline.'

His posture was another giveaway. Straight, shoulders back, but not stiff. There was an ease in how he held himself, the kind that came from long years of training.

'Perfectly balanced... not just for appearances. This man knows how to move silently, without drawing attention. Presence erasing. A hidden aide, perhaps?'

My eyes moved to his hands—clean, unnaturally so, with no roughness or scars. No calluses on the palms or fingers.

'Not a fighter. At least, not with weapons. A mage, then. His hands are too pristine for someone who has ever swung a sword or handled a bow. Magic leaves no visible marks. Smart… keeps himself unassuming.'

The sharpness in his eyes, though, was unmistakable. They flicked over me, quick but controlled, as if measuring me up. The subtle tension in his jaw betrayed his awareness, his readiness.

'This man is no mere butler. He's trained. Disciplined. Everything about him speaks of precision, from his appearance to his demeanor. Combat-ready but not through physical force. That focus… his diet is balanced, his physique lean but powerful, tuned for endurance, not bulk.'

A breeze ruffled the leaves overhead, and I noticed he didn't so much as flinch. He stood rooted, unwavering, yet somehow almost invisible, blending into the serene environment of the garden.

'He's skilled in blending with his surroundings. No wasted movement, no unnecessary action. This is someone who knows how to stay hidden, even in plain sight. A perfect shadow, prepared to strike if necessary.'

I looked into his eyes again, and for the briefest moment, I saw something—a flicker of calculation.

'He's watching me just as much as I'm watching him. Calculating. Gauging if I'm a threat. Every breath, every subtle shift, he's analyzing.'

As I continued to observe the butler, a faint sense of tension settled between us. His posture, his sharp gaze—everything about him exuded an air of quiet intimidation. It wasn't overt, not enough to be obvious, but it was there. I could feel the subtle pressure, the way his eyes flicked over me, calculating. Testing.

'So that's how it is,' I thought, a small part of me amused by the situation. The man wasn't just analyzing me—he was pushing back, trying to gauge how I would react. His ability to slip past my senses earlier wasn't just skill; it was a clear indicator of the gap between us. The fact that I hadn't noticed him right away meant that this man's stats were far beyond mine. And considering how attuned I was to mana and my surroundings, that wasn't a small feat.

But I wasn't surprised. High-ranking families often had people like this—hidden aides, skilled in combat or magic, trained to be both servants and protectors. It was normal. What caught my attention, though, was the faint feeling of hostility. It wasn't personal, but there was an undercurrent of disapproval in the way he regarded me. As if he didn't entirely favor my presence here.

'He's strong, but intimidation won't work on me,' I thought, keeping my expression neutral. This was a test. A way to see how I would respond. And I wasn't about to give him anything to work with. I simply continued observing him, noting his stance, his presence, the way he controlled his breathing. He was sharp, no doubt, but I had seen enough to know when to stay silent.

After a few moments, the silence between us was broken by a familiar voice.

"Alfred," Maya called softly.

The butler—Alfred—immediately turned toward her, his demeanor shifting in an instant. The tension that had lingered in the air dissipated as he bowed slightly in acknowledgment, his face becoming a mask of perfect professionalism once again.

It was clear who held the power here. And with just one word from Maya, the subtle contest between Alfred and me came to an abrupt end.