Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 771  Chapter 178.1 - Previous undercurrents

The cool breeze of the second semester swept through the academy grounds as Emma walked briskly amidst the bustling crowd of students. Her expression was tight, her polished demeanor masking the storm brewing within her. 
'That bitch,' Emma fumed inwardly, her fists clenched by her sides. Her sharp gaze darted through the sea of faces as if searching for someone. I said to not show your face in this academy, and she still dares! 
The thought of Taylor stubbornly clinging to her place in the academy despite Emma's efforts made her blood boil. Emma had gone to great lengths to ensure the girl was forced to drop out. She had pulled strings, whispered rumors, and applied every ounce of pressure she could muster. Yet, Taylor had refused to yield. 
'It's infuriating!' Emma thought, her pace quickening as she recalled the confrontation. She remembered the way Taylor had looked at her, not with defiance but with quiet resolve—a resolve that Emma had underestimated. 
The memory brought back the words of that Philips bastard. His cold, calculating tone echoed in her mind. 
"You're too soft," he had said, his voice dripping with disdain. "If you want to eliminate someone, you don't leave room for them to recover. You didn't deal with her thoroughly enough." 
At the time, Emma had bristled at his words. She wasn't accustomed to being chastised, let alone by someone whose identity she couldn't even confirm. Yet, his criticism had stayed with her, gnawing at the edges of her pride. 
Now, as she walked through the academy, she couldn't help but feel the weight of his judgment. Had she been too soft? Too reluctant to cross certain lines? The sight of Taylor—no doubt still lurking somewhere on these grounds—felt like a thorn lodged deep in her side. 
Her thoughts were interrupted as a pair of students brushed past her, their conversation carrying snippets of gossip. 
As Emma walked through the bustling academy grounds, snippets of conversation floated around her, painting a vibrant picture of the academy's changes. 
"Did you hear about the new mentorship program? They're pairing us with real hunters now!" 
"Yeah,