Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 335: First Training Ground [Bonus Chapter]

Asher shook his head the moment he caught sight of the bright, almost foolish smiles stretching across Finch and William’s faces. He did not even bother attempting to decipher whatever absurd fantasies were swirling around in their minds. Knowing them, it was likely something ridiculous, exaggerated, or outright nonsensical. ”Follow me. Let me show you around,” he said, his head tilting slightly as he spoke, the gesture carrying a mixture of resignation and amusement.

”Where will we be going first?” Finch asked, unable to restrain his excitement. His voice nearly trembled with anticipation. After all, he was about to explore an actual Ducal Estate, something only a rare few ever had the privilege of experiencing in their lifetimes. Instinctively, he began praying for his Good Luck ability to activate at least once today. If there was ever a day he needed that ability to work, it was now.

”Hmmm... let’s start with where I trained,” Asher suggested, his tone light, yet decisive.

”Where you trained?” William echoed, one eyebrow lifting in curiosity. His skepticism was mild, but unmistakable.

”We have training grounds where we train every Awakened we recruit,” Asher began, adopting the tone of someone who had explained this before. ”The training grounds are divided into three sections. The first trains those who awakened on their first attempt. Then the second and third follow the same method, each one organized according to awakening success.”

There wasn’t any need to hide such details. It’s wasn’t a sensitive information.

As they walked, Finch and William looked around with wide, almost shimmering eyes, their expressions filled with awe. It was as though neither of them had ever stepped foot in a place even remotely as serene, orderly, and beautiful as this estate.

Elegant maids and impeccably dressed butlers bowed politely as they passed, offering greetings with trained precision, yet the two boys hardly responded, too overwhelmed by their surroundings to acknowledge them properly.

”How many maids and butlers does your family even have? And are you sure you need this many people?” Finch muttered, unable to hold back his comment. William simply sighed and shook his head, indicating silent agreement.

But Asher did not bother answering. He wasn’t the one paying them, and truly, he did not care. If Azeron wanted to hire a billion maids and butlers, it had nothing to do with him. As long as they made his life easier, why would he complain?

”This is the First Training Ground,” Asher said as they came to a halt before a tall, imposing building.

”Ehhh... did you train here?” Finch asked, staring at the structure with wide-eyed disbelief.

Asher nodded at Finch’s question. That simple nod made both Finch and William look even more confused.

”But didn’t you awaken on your third attempt? How come you trained here?” William asked, suspicion creeping into his tone.

Asher’s lips curved slightly as he sensed the subtle challenge buried in William’s voice. ”Well, I made a breakthrough on the very same day I awakened, so I was transferred to the First Training Ground. It’s common practice to move trainees from one ground to another depending on their progress,” he replied casually, as though it were nothing extraordinary.

”Tsk... show off,” William muttered under his breath.

”But you were the one who asked,” Asher responded, amused.

”It seems you’ve been a different breed of monster from day one,” Finch added, shaking his head in disbelief. ”Breaking through on your first day as an Awakened? I have more chances of becoming a god than accomplishing that.”

Asher chuckled lightly and stepped forward, leading them inside. Finch and William followed closely, still whispering their quiet complaints and amazements.

Within the training grounds, Boris, the head of the First Training Ground and the one responsible for its smooth operation, slowly opened his eyes. He had sensed Asher’s presence the moment he and stepped foot inside the building.

’It seems the Tenth Sun has returned after leaving us. And it seems he brought a few friends,’ he mused silently. Still, he did not rise, nor did he hurry toward Asher. Instead, he closed his eyes again, reclining comfortably in his chair with his legs propped up on his desk and his back resting lazily against the backrest.

Asher stepped through a door, and he, Finch, and William arrived before a massive open clearing. A group of trainees jogged around the area, their expressions strained, their breathing heavy, some looked as though they were seconds away from collapsing altogether.

And behind the gasping, staggering line of joggers was a familiar figure: Instructor Harold, the notoriously strict overseer of physical conditioning. The man barked and yelled instructions that sounded more like threats than motivational words, as was customary for him.

Asher felt a strange wave of nostalgia wash over him.

”They look like they’re about to die at any moment,” Finch commented as he watched the miserable trainees.

”They should at least rest for half an hour,” William suggested sympathetically.

Asher merely smiled at their naivete. He had never seen Instructor Harold give more than a five minute break in his life.

”If I had trained here, I probably would have died long before stepping into the Star Academy,” Finch added, shaking his head as the rhythmic pounding of feet against the earth reached his ears.

Instructor Harold’s black eyes shifted briefly toward Asher’s direction. He merely nodded at Asher, then immediately turned away to bark another order at a trainee who seemed to be slowing down.

”The instructor doesn’t seem to care that you’re the Tenth Sun,” William noted, having witnessed Harold greet Asher with nothing more than a nod before ignoring him completely.

”Yeah. Within these walls, status means nothing. Outside, everyone will greet me like a noble, but here... I’m no different from anyone else,” Asher replied calmly. He paused briefly, then added with a faint smile, ”Let’s move.”

They proceeded to the next training ground, one etched deeply into Asher’s memory. It had been the first place that truly made him feel like he had stepped into a supernatural world: the movement and balance training zone.

Stepping into the area, they saw the familiar constructs still standing. Tall wooden beams were driven into the ground, along with numerous obstacles arranged to force trainees to weave, duck, slide, and maneuver through them.

”Wow... I’ve never seen anything like this in my life,” Finch whispered, his eyes shining with wonder.

William stepped forward, examining one of the structures. ”I’m guessing these are for movement and balance training,” he said thoughtfully.

”Hooo... look who finally decided to grace us with his presence,” a playful, familiar voice called out through the air.

Asher didn’t need to guess. He instantly recognized the voice.

Instructor Elowen.