Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 755  Chapter 172.3 - Otherself

Maya stood in the grand hallway of the Evergreen mansion, the polished floors and towering arches familiar yet imposing. Her body still felt heavy from the encounter, her palms still faintly throbbing from the marks her nails had left, but her resolve burned brighter with every step she took. 
She couldn't face this alone—not yet. Her pride refused to let her confide in Astron, not with the weight of her other self's accusations still fresh in her mind. Instead, she sought someone closer, someone who understood the intricacies of their family and the shadows that often loomed over them. 
Her brother, Alden. 
The door to Alden's study swung open with a faint creak, revealing the dimly lit room. Alden Evergreen stood near the wide desk, his back to her, reviewing a map spread across the surface. His presence, as always, was commanding—his tall frame exuding an aura of sharp authority. His dark hair was tied neatly back, and his emerald-green eyes, a mirror of her own, flicked up as she stepped inside. 
"Maya," Alden greeted, his tone neutral but curious. "I wasn't expecting you. What brings you here?" 
She hesitated for only a moment, then stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly to keep them from trembling. "I need your help," she said, her voice steady but laced with tension. "Something happened… something I can't ignore." 
Alden's eyes narrowed slightly, his attention sharpening as he straightened. "Go on." 
Maya took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. She couldn't reveal the full truth—not about her vampiric instincts, nor the battle she had just fought within herself. But she could frame it differently, enough to draw his attention without raising suspicion. 
"Recently, when I went to the banquet hosted by the Cox Family," she began, her gaze locked onto his, "I felt something… off. It was as if I was losing control of my own mind, like invisible strings were pulling at my thoughts, twisting them." 
Maya's words hung in the air, and she saw Alden's expression harden instantly at the mention of the Cox family. His hands moved away from the map, curling into tight fists as he turned his full attention to her. 
"When you were at the Cox family's banquet?" Alden's voice was sharp, laced with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "What happened there?" 
Maya nodded, taking another step forward, her fingers brushing lightly over the edge of the desk as if to ground herself. "I attended with Astron," she admitted, her tone steady. "At first, everything seemed normal. But at some point… I started to feel strange. It was subtle at first, like a faint pull in the back of my mind, but it grew stronger." 
Her emerald eyes met his, the intensity of her gaze matching his growing fury. "It was as though my emotions weren't entirely my own. I could feel anger, frustration, and even… darker thoughts bubbling up inside me. But they didn't feel natural. They felt planted, like someone was twisting them to suit their purpose." 

She clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms again as she recalled the suffocating presence of Silas Vayne's influence. "I was losing control of myself. My thoughts, my feelings—they weren't entirely mine anymore. And that feeling… I can't describe how much I hate it." 
Alden's face darkened, his jaw tightening as his fury simmered just beneath the surface. "Someone dared to interfere with your mind?" His voice was low, dangerous, and laced with barely restrained rage. "Someone dared to manipulate you?" 
Maya nodded, her expression grim. "Yes. I don't know who it was or how they did it, but it was real, brother. I felt it. And whoever it was, they were bold enough to do it in the middle of a public gathering." 
Her brother slammed his fist onto the desk, the impact rattling the inkwell and scattering papers across the polished wood. "Who dares?! Who dares to lay a hand—or even a thought—on an Evergreen?" His voice was thunderous now, his emerald eyes blazing with indignation. "The Cox family has overstepped their bounds if they allowed such a thing to happen under their roof. They'll answer for this." 
Maya watched him carefully, suppressing the flicker of guilt that stirred within her. She hadn't lied—what she had described was true. Silas Vayne had used his power to manipulate her emotions during the banquet, though she couldn't reveal that she already knew the culprit's name. 
But that wasn't the main topic right now. 
Silas Vayne. 
He was already dead. Astron had killed him, and she herself was aware of that fact. Hence, there was no reason for her to talk about this matter and mislead her brother about something this useless. 
Maya watched Alden's rage simmer, his fingers still pressed against the desk as he tried to contain the fire burning in his chest. The mention of her mind being manipulated had struck a nerve, as she knew it would. But now, with the proper foundation laid, she shifted the conversation to what truly mattered. 
"Brother," she said softly, her tone calm but firm enough to draw his attention. His sharp emerald gaze locked onto hers, still brimming with fury. "While you can deal with those who pose a threat to our family, the main problem remains the same." 
Alden's brows furrowed, his jaw tightening. "What do you mean?" 
"It's not just about the act of manipulation or the ones who dared to try," she explained, her words deliberate and measured. "It's about the fact that someone was able to influence my thoughts. That alone is the issue. If they could do it once, who's to say it won't happen again? That vulnerability… it terrifies me." 
She let her words linger in the air, allowing the weight of her fears to settle between them. Alden's fiery expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained sharp with contemplation. Maya took a step closer, her voice steady as she continued. 
"That's why I came to you," she said. "I don't just want to deal with external threats—I want to ensure that my mind, my psyche, can't be breached like that again. I need to be stronger, not just physically but mentally." 
Alden leaned back slightly, his posture easing as her words began to sink in. He let out a slow breath, his shoulders relaxing as some of his anger gave way to understanding. For a moment, he studied her, his expression shifting from fury to something closer to pride. 
"So, that's what's been weighing on you," he said, a faint sigh escaping his lips. "You're not just worried about the insult or the threat—it's about ensuring it doesn't happen again. I should've expected nothing less from you, Maya. That caution… that drive… it's exactly what makes you an Evergreen." 
Maya's lips curved into a faint smile, though her resolve remained firm. "Of course. It's not enough to eliminate the threat—I need to be prepared for the next one, whatever form it might take." 
Alden nodded slowly, his gaze sharpening as he turned to his desk. He began rifling through a stack of documents, pulling out a leather-bound book with intricate golden engravings on its cover. He placed it on the desk between them, his fingers brushing over the surface as he spoke. 
"There are methods," he said, his voice calm and measured now. "Techniques and disciplines designed to strengthen the mind and protect it from external influence. They're not easy, and they require time, dedication, and… pain." 
Maya's eyes flicked to the book, her curiosity piqued. "What kind of techniques?" 
Alden tapped the book lightly. "This contains the basics of mental fortification—methods used by Awakened knights and mages alike to shield their thoughts and emotions. Some are meditative, focusing on creating barriers within the mind. Others are more practical, teaching you how to identify and resist manipulative energies in real-time." 
He paused, his gaze meeting hers. "But to truly strengthen your psyche, you'll need more than just these methods. You'll need to understand your own mind intimately—every strength, every weakness. That's not something I, or anyone else, can teach you. It's something you'll have to learn on your own." 
Maya nodded, her resolve unshaken. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes." 
Alden let out another sigh, though this one was softer, almost amused. "Of course you are," he said, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're my sister, after all." 
He pushed the book toward her, his tone growing serious again. "Start with this. I'll arrange for additional resources, and if you need guidance, I'll be here. But remember, Maya—strengthening your mind isn't just about building walls. It's about understanding yourself, your emotions, your weaknesses. Only then can you truly control them." 
Maya picked up the book, her fingers tracing the golden engravings as she absorbed his words. "Thank you, brother," she said softly. "I won't waste this opportunity." 
He waved her off, his tone light but sincere. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you. But remember, Maya… you're an Evergreen. We may be proud, but we're not invincible. If you ever feel that weight again, don't hesitate to come to me." 
Maya nodded, clutching the book tightly as she turned to leave the study. As she stepped into the hallway, the weight of her earlier encounter with her other self still lingered, but for the first time, it felt manageable. She had a path forward, a way to strengthen herself—not just for her family's pride but for her own resolve. 
And as she walked down the corridor, the glow of the amulet in her pocket felt less like a burden and more like a reminder of the battle she was determined to win. 
******* 
The crisp morning air bit gently at Maya's skin as she stood on the steps of the Evergreen mansion, her gaze fixed on the sleek airship waiting to take her back to the academy. Two weeks had passed since her conversation with Alden, two weeks of relentless mental training, and though her body ached with fatigue, her mind felt sharper than it had in years. 
Clutched in her hand was the leather-bound book Alden had given her, now worn from constant use. Its pages were filled with annotations, marks of her struggles and progress as she immersed herself in the techniques of mental fortification. Meditation exercises, visualization techniques, even methods to identify the faint traces of foreign influence within her psyche—she had practiced them all, often pushing herself to the brink of exhaustion. 
But the effort had been worth it. 
Maya wasn't ready to face her other self again—not yet. The memory of that crimson void and the suffocating weight of her darker side still lingered at the edges of her mind, a reminder of the battle she had lost. But she was stronger now. Every hour spent training, every layer of understanding she peeled back about herself, brought her closer to the moment when she would return to that place. When she would face her other self, not as an enemy, but as a part of her. 
"Lady Maya," a voice called, breaking her from her thoughts. One of the family stewards approached, bowing politely. "The airship is ready for departure." 
Maya nodded, adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder. "Thank you," she said, her voice calm but firm. With one last glance at the mansion, she descended the steps, her boots clicking softly against the polished stone. 
It was time to return to the academy.