Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 289: Decline

Getting to his residential building, Asher moved with the grace of an agile feline, leaping effortlessly and landing calmly upon the polished hallway of his floor. He wasn’t heading to his own room; instead, his destination was William’s room. Turning to his right, he made his way down the corridor until he stood before a door with the number ”4” engraved upon it, a mark signifying William’s class rank.

Asher knocked twice, then stepped back, his hands clasped behind him as he waited. A few seconds passed before the door swung open, revealing a round-faced, chubbyl boy, Finch, whose ever-present fat made him instantly recognizable.

”Ahhh... good afternoon, Tenth Sun,” Finch greeted respectfully, his head dipping in a polite nod.

”Is William available?” Asher asked, acknowledging the greeting with a brief nod of his own, his tone calm yet firm as always.

”Yes, Tenth Sun. He’s out on the balcony,” Finch replied swiftly, stepping aside to make room for Asher to enter. Without hesitation, Asher walked through the doorway, his sharp eyes scanning the interior before heading straight toward the balcony where Finch had indicated William was.

Stepping onto the open balcony, Asher’s gaze fell upon William, who sat leisurely with a half-filled glass of juice in his hand, while a jug brimming with the same orange liquid rested on the table beside him. The afternoon light danced across the glass surface, reflecting faintly on William’s relaxed expression.

”Isn’t the usual you supposed to be training or something?” Asher asked, his tone carrying a hint of amusement the moment his eyes met William’s.

William turned his head slightly, his relaxed gaze shifting from the sky to Asher, who was now seated opposite him. ”What’s the point of training,” he said, swirling the juice lazily, ”if I can’t take a little time to enjoy life every once in a while?”

”Words of wisdom,” Asher replied with a soft chuckle. He lived by a similar philosophy, one that balanced hard work with moments of calm. After all, maintaining equilibrium between discipline and rest was a true art of living.

Moments later, Finch joined them, pulling out a chair and sitting down as though to witness whatever discussion was about to unfold.

”So,” William began, his tone casual but curious, ”what are you here for? You’ve never visited me just for the sake of visiting. Sometimes I wonder if we’re actually friends.”

Asher didn’t respond to the teasing remark. Instead, he went straight to the point, his usual directness shining through. ”I went to take a mission,” he began evenly, ”but according to the facilitator, it requires a team of three. Hence, my visit.” He paused briefly before continuing, explaining everything the mission facilitator had told him regarding the Academy’s team-based requirements and the rules of the Academy Mission.

”So, you want Finch and me on the team?” William asked, instantly understanding that Asher was trying to recruit people he trusted within the Star Academy.

But Asher simply shook his head. ”No,” he said plainly, his gaze calm and steady. ”I’m here only to recruit you.”

Finch, who had been quietly observing, merely smiled and said nothing.

Asher’s tone remained composed as always as he turned his eyes toward Finch for a moment, before turning to William once more. ”While I’m acquainted with Finch through you, and I do consider him a colleague since you both are close, I can’t take him on the mission. He isn’t strong enough. We’d have to slow down for him to keep up, and that would compromise efficiency. It wouldn’t be worth it,” he stated bluntly, showing no intention to sugarcoat his words.

William’s gaze shifted toward Finch, perhaps to gauge his reaction. Yet Finch’s expression didn’t waver. He smiled again, this time faintly, and gave a small nod, as though silently agreeing that Asher’s words were not insults but simple truth.

Finch knew himself well. He was perfectly aware of his own limitations and the vast difference in strength and talent between himself and the two prodigies before him. Compared to these behemoths, William and Asher, he was little more than an average student. In his heart, he even believed that William joining forces with the Tenth Sun was the smartest possible move.

”Who’s the third person you plan to recruit, then?” William asked, his tone calm but mildly curious.

”I’m planning to approach Ryaen Silvershade next,” Asher answered. ”As you already know, I fought her during the entrance examination. So, I have firsthand knowledge of her strength. I also believe she’s improved considerably over the past month.”

William nodded slowly, understanding Asher’s reasoning and the practicality of his choice.

Then, after a short silence, William leaned back and said something unexpected. ”I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline.” His tone was gentle but firm, and his lips curved into a faint, apologetic smile.

Asher’s brow furrowed slightly. He hadn’t expected that response. ”Do you already have a team?” he asked. ”I’m quite certain you haven’t gone to the Logistics and Missions Operations Hall yet.”

William gave a soft laugh, shaking his head. ”Although I value our friendship, Asher, I can’t simply abandon Finch to go on a mission with you. Finch has been my friend for years, long before the Academy. It wouldn’t be right.” His voice grew steadier, more serious. ”Besides, from what we know about the Academy’s mission system, some students might try to exploit or even endanger weaker ones for personal gain. Yes, Finch is weaker, that’s true, but I’m not the kind of noble or person who only builds temporary alliances just for benefits.”

Both Asher and Finch went silent at his words. They hadn’t expected such sincerity from William. His tone was neither proud nor boastful, it was simply honest.

Then, almost at the same moment, both Asher and Finch smiled.

Finch smiled because he was genuinely touched. Despite the glaring difference in strength and the presence of the prestigious Tenth Sun before them, William still chose loyalty over ambition. In a world ruled by strength, where friendship was often nothing more than a convenient arrangement, such a choice was rare, almost unheard of.

Asher smiled for a different reason. He, too, valued friendship deeply. True, he knew that someday, as he climbed higher in rank and power, he would form temporary alliances purely for strategic reasons. But with William and Finch, things were different. Their connection wasn’t built on gain, it was genuine.

He hadn’t even considered the possibility that William would reject his invitation for Finch’s sake. That realization humbled him.

’It seems I’ve grown quite arrogant without realizing it,’ Asher thought to himself, letting out a quiet sigh.

”I understand,” he finally said, his tone softer than before. ”And I respect your decision, William.”

For a brief moment, a rare expression crossed Asher’s face, a flicker of respect that vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.