Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 469: Advanced Training Chamber

Rays of the morning sun poured into a room where a boy could be seen sleeping. Asher’s chest rose and fell gently as he slept like a child, his breathing slow and steady. Soon, a voice echoed within the depths of his mind and consciousness, breaking the tranquil silence.

[Wake up, Host.]

The familiar voice of his alarm clock... the system.

Hearing the mechanical tone, Asher’s eyes fluttered open. He let out a long yawn before stretching his limbs, savoring the pleasant sensation that flowed through his body. He remained on his bed for a moment longer, his purple eyes fixed on the ceiling above him, unfocused yet calm.

Yesterday, he had finally completed the Star Academy’s three team-mission requirement. From now on, he was free to take on solo missions. Yesterday’s mission alone had increased his point balance by fifteen thousand, bringing his total to 55,400 points.

With another yawn, he rose to his feet, rubbing his eyes as the lingering drowsiness faded away. Without wasting much time, he went through his usual morning routine, bathing, eating, and preparing himself for the day ahead. Everything was done with practiced efficiency, as though it were second nature to him.

’What’s the time?’ he thought, directing the question toward his system.

[9:07 a.m., Host.]

The system replied mechanically. At this point, it had fully accepted its fate, knowing that Asher might never bother looking at a clock for the rest of his life... unless he reincarnated or transmigrated again.

Stepping out of his room with his usual calm strides, Asher made his way toward his destination, the Training Facility building. Along the way, he encountered a few classmates. Some faces were familiar, others only vaguely so, but he had never spoken to any of them. Nor did he feel the need to. Within minutes, he was already standing before the massive structure of the Training Facility. He stepped inside, moved through the familiar corridors, and soon arrived at the reception table.

”You’re back. It’s been a while,” the receptionist said, smiling as she looked at him. ”For a while there, I thought a Wargrave finally died on an academic mission.” Her smile lingered, carrying an unsettling edge, as though she had been genuinely waiting for such news.

Asher didn’t bother responding to her words. Even if he wanted to, he had no idea where to begin. ”I’m here to cultivate,” he said instead, his voice flat and straight to the point.

”Tsk, you are no fun,” the woman clicked her tongue in mild frustration. ”As you already know, the chambers are divided into basic, intermediate, and advanced. Which one are you paying for?” she asked calmly, her gaze fixed on him.

”I’ll take the advanced chamber,” Asher replied without hesitation, his expression calm and composed. His plan this time was clear, to cultivate by refining and strengthening his Astra veins, thereby increasing his Life Rank. Currently, he was at the Spark Balzestar Life Rank. At the very least, he needed to raise his sub-Life Rank before moving on to Star Energy and elemental training.

”Hoo... it seems you’ve become quite rich in the two weeks I didn’t see you,” the receptionist replied with a crooked smile. ”That’ll be ten thousand points for two hours.”

Asher felt his heart tighten slightly at the price mentioned, but it was still manageable. The last time he had been here, an advanced training chamber meant for elemental training had cost fifty thousand points for just half an hour. Compared to that, this was almost reasonable. Taking a deep breath, Asher let out a sigh and pulled out his point card, paying without further complaint. Ten thousand points vanished in an instant, disappearing at a speed he knew he could never truly get used to.

Without wasting time, the woman led him toward the cultivation chambers. As Asher stepped into the hall, a heavy pressure slammed into his body, dragging him downward as though it wanted to crush him into the floor where he stood.

The woman glanced at him, her lips curling into a smile as she spoke. ”Ahh... I forgot to mention,” she said casually, ”the advanced training chamber would probably kill you if you try to train in it. Only instructors are the ones who use it. After all, the Astra energy in there is rather... suffocating.”

Her tone carried clear amusement.

”Don’t ask me for your points back,” she continued, her smile ever present. ”If you feel like you can’t survive inside, you can always move to the basic section. You can use all your points there. The Star Academy doesn’t do refunds.”

Asher sighed softly. He truly couldn’t understand this woman. She could have simply followed normal procedure and warned him beforehand that students might not be able to survive the advanced training chamber. Instead, she took his points first and only then showed him just how dangerous it was.

”Lead me to the chamber,” Asher said calmly.

A normal student would have turned back without hesitation, but Asher was not normal. The woman raised an eyebrow at his request, clearly surprised, but said nothing. In her eyes, Asher would simply have to learn the hard way once he entered.

With a quiet hiss, she pulled open one of the massive doors lining the hallway. Without sparing her a glance or offering another word, Asher stepped inside. The door closed behind him with a heavy thud. The receptionist lingered for a moment, then walked away, an amused smile still playing on her lips.

The instant the door sealed shut, Asher felt a titanic wave of Astra energy crash into him. It was as though he had left the Crymora Planet entirely and stepped directly into the heart of a star. Only then did he truly understand why the receptionist had suggested he turn back. No one in his class, nor even the upperclassmen, would survive standing here. The pressure radiating from the Astra energy alone was enough to reduce any of them to a puddle of flesh and blood.

But Asher was different.

He possessed the Perfect Astra Control ability, as well as Star Energy. Standing within this chamber was no different from standing outside for him.

”Incredible,” he murmured to himself as he closed his eyes. His mind and body felt jubilant, almost euphoric, at the ridiculous quantity and quality of Astra energy saturating the chamber. His thoughts shifted toward the attunement each room possessed, the enhancement said to boost one’s talent and cultivation efficiency.

”Two hours,” he murmured quietly.

Without hesitation, Asher lowered himself to the ground, settling into a lotus position. His expression became serene as he prepared to cultivate, fully intending to make every single moment count.