Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 703: Three Days

Three days had passed since Asher returned to the Star Academy and the news of the Wargrave Ducal family attacking the Imperial family spreading; within that time, almost everything had gone back to normal as the news had become old to the students since it didn’t affect them personally. But that thought had been shattered when the students received news of the deaths of some of their parents, who were attacked by the Vandross Empire during the Imperial family and Ducal Family battle.

A lot of children cried, some became depressed, some simply threw themselves into training like maniacs, some locked themselves in their rooms, and some seemed to show no emotion at all on the surface, each student dealing with their grief in their own unique way, navigating the crushing weight of loss in manners that reflected their differing personalities and mental fortitudes.

It wasn’t only the first years; the upperclassmen were also in uproar. After all, some of them had parents who were commoners within the Eight Noble Household territory. Some bore hatred towards the Vandross Empire on the spot, while some didn’t, choosing instead to remain indifferent or contemplative.

But all in all, none dared to point a finger at the Wargrave Ducal family and the Imperial family.

The Imperial Prince, Vaelric Lux Vanthelmor, seemed to begin his official Imperial duties despite the Star Academy having a rule that stated all students were equal. Vaelric Lux Vanthelmor met up with each classmate who had lost a parent, family member, or loved one, consoling them on behalf of the Imperial Empire and giving just the right amount of points required for them to miss class and handle their emotions for a few days.

As the Prince of the Empire, Vaelric was obviously very popular within the Empire, and just like Asher, the bonus reward points various people blessed him with after each mention due to him being the Prince were immense, rewards which Vaelric, of course, didn’t reject, as he wasn’t foolish enough to turn down such advantages.

Even Instructors were understanding enough not to fine students who had lost their parents and loved ones with penalty points for missing class.

At the end of the day, these people were children who were just within seventeen to twenty years of age, not some emotionless machines that were expected to continue working after such a devastating loss. After all, even they, the Instructors, also had their own loved ones, as they too were human.

As for students who tried to take advantage of the situation by missing class despite not losing a family member or loved one, every Instructor fined them double the usual charge amount for daring to even try to deceive an Instructor.

Although the Star Academy hardly interfered with the matters of the outside world, the Zarethorne Empire, at the end of the day, it was still a part of it. So, the Star Academy knew every single student’s parent, lover, ex-lovers, and all sorts of information, even the ones that were thought to be secrets, records maintained with an almost unsettling level of precision and detail.

As for Vaelra Lux Vanthelmor, the Princess, she didn’t do what her twin brother did; she simply carried on with her life. To her, since her brother was already doing the work, there was no need to bother herself with it. Besides, the Imperial rules didn’t affect this Separate Dimension, so technically, they... or rather, she, didn’t have to do anything.

Within that same three days, Asher had met up with a few acquaintances, like Darissa Camber, with whom he chatted for a while; he also met up with Ryaen Silvershade, who was now ranked second. They talked for a while, with Asher teasing her about whether she would ever challenge him for his rank, to which, of course, Ryaen Silvershade simply replied positively, but only if she knew she was on his level, as she had no time to waste on futile battles, even if it was just a spar and not a life or death match.

Although Asher didn’t say it, Ryaen’s talent was simply too ridiculous; through his sharp senses, Asher could tell that the current Ryaen could take on multiple versions of the Ryaen that had participated in the Star Academy entrance exam, she was simply that monstrous when it came to training, talent, and hard work.

Another piece of news that left Asher stunned was that she was now taking on solo missions, as she had already gone on two and completed them successfully, while also occasionally still joining Darissa and the Princess on a team mission, showcasing both independence and cooperation in equal measure.

Asher couldn’t help but shake his head; if he didn’t know better, he would assume that Ryaen was simply the protagonist of this world.

Of course, Asher had been tempted to spar with her, but he knew the kind of person Ryaen was; even if he proposed such an idea, Ryaen wouldn’t agree with nothing to gain, as she had no intention of enduring pain for nothing.

As for Finch, he had been trained to the breaking point by Asher. The boy seemed to be remolded from the ground up, as what Asher trained him in were basic fundamental things. He didn’t bother teaching Finch anything related to the chains, but still, within that training, Finch made significant progress; of course, not as immense and great as the talented William, but the boy still improved nonetheless, steadily carving out his own path.

As for William, he seemed like a completely different person after taking Asher’s advice and throwing himself into training. His steps were lighter, his presence fainter. Of course, during Finch’s training, he was there, watching, not daring to interrupt, but after the training, he laughed at Finch at every chance he got, his amusement barely restrained.

Lior was present, but in his bird form; the guy said nothing. He simply watched Finch’s training, then sat atop the fat boy’s head without a word, as though he couldn’t be bothered to exchange words with this abnormal Asher guy and William.

Finch didn’t just receive training and rest; no, after resting, he teleported to his own room and threw himself into training, pushing his fat body every single time. Each time his mind and carefree side told him to rest and take it easy, Finch simply moved harder, gritting his teeth with stubborn determination.

While he might not be as talented as Ryaen, William, or the seemingly broken Asher, he would try his best to match their ridiculous work ethics, and also maybe, with a bit of Good Luck here and there, he might just close the gap, even if only slightly.

But that was for whenever his Good Luck kicked in; as for now, the grind continued regardless.

And as for Asher himself, well, he simply took things slowly, eating, sleeping, sitting around, staring at the night sky, walking around the Star Academy as though he wasn’t a first year student like the rest. When he said he was going to laze around before going on his next solo mission, he truly meant it, embracing the rare calm before the inevitable storm.