Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 294: Humble Abode

Seeing that the trio understood his words, the facilitator proceeded to the next step. Raising one hand, he summoned six scrolls that appeared midair, suspended gracefully through his precise Astra control. With a mere thought, two of the scrolls flew toward each of the three boys, Asher, Finch, and William, who caught them effortlessly.

”These are teleportation scrolls,” the facilitator began in a composed tone.

The moment his words fell, Asher and William immediately recognized the design. It was the same type of scroll that Instructor Jane had torn during their recruitment in the Canestane Barony territory, one that had teleported them directly into the Separate Dimension.

”One of these scrolls will teleport you out of the Separate Dimension,” the facilitator continued, his tone clear and even, ”while the other will teleport you back into it.”

Before he could continue his explanation, Finch raised a hand and interjected politely, ”How do we differentiate between the scroll used for leaving the Separate Dimension and the one used for entering it?”

The facilitator’s lips curved slightly in approval. ”Good question. The answer is simple, you don’t. There’s no need to differentiate. If you tear a scroll while you’re inside the Separate Dimension, you will be instantly teleported back to Crymora. The same logic applies when you’re outside; tearing one will return you to the Separate Dimension automatically.”

His calm, confident voice filled the room as his deep black eyes met Finch’s, which were of the same dark hue. Finch nodded slowly, understanding dawning on his face.

”Now,” the facilitator continued smoothly, ”send a wisp of your Astra into the scrolls. This will register each one to your unique Astra signature. I trust by now you’ve all been taught what an Astra signature is.”

Without hesitation, Asher, Finch, and William followed his instruction, sending faint streams of Astra into their respective scrolls. Each scroll pulsed briefly with a dim glow before reverting to its original, inert state, silent and unassuming once more.

”Good,” the facilitator said with a nod. ”Now that the scrolls are registered to your Astra signatures, they are bound solely to you. No one else will be able to use them, no matter what they attempt. Even if you die while outside the Separate Dimension, no external force will be able to use your scroll to infiltrate it. This serves as a protective measure, ensuring that only authorized users may pass through.”

Asher listened carefully, but a thought flickered through his mind. ’I wonder if I can use my Perfect Astra Control to bypass an Astra signature.’ It was a fleeting curiosity, but one that stirred genuine interest.

”Any questions?” the facilitator asked, leaning back slightly against the wall. His posture was relaxed, his tone composed, yet his presence radiated an air of authority that filled the space.

The three boys exchanged glances, but none of them spoke. Their silence was enough of an answer.

Seeing this, the facilitator gave a small nod. ”Understand this clearly: within a single year, each student is permitted to fail a maximum of ten missions. From the eleventh failure onward, you will be fined accordingly.” His tone was flat, almost bored, yet the weight of his words carried a warning.

”How will we be fined?” William asked, his curiosity piqued.

”In points, obviously,” the facilitator replied, as though the answer were self-evident. His expression didn’t shift; his tone was matter-of-fact, clipped, and practical.

”Let’s move,” he said simply, turning around to lead them back to the hall. The trio followed in silence. Asher, being the last, closed the armory door gently behind him.

When they reentered the main hall, the air was thick with chatter. Dozens of first-year students filled the space, either asking questions, selecting missions, or talking among themselves with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

”Also,” the facilitator continued as they walked, ”each time you accept a mission, you have only twenty-four hours to begin it. In simpler terms, you have a single day to leave the Separate Dimension. If you fail to do so within that timeframe, the mission will automatically be marked as a failure.”

A hint of tiredness settled upon his face as he spoke, perhaps from repeating the same information to countless groups of students before them.

”That’s all,” he concluded finally, his tone signaling the end of their briefing. ”See you in a few days’ time.”

”Thank you,” Asher said respectfully before turning to leave.

”Thanks,” William and Finch echoed in unison, following behind him.

Stepping outside the building, the trio felt the cool air brush against their skin. The vastness of the Academy grounds stretched before them, serene yet vibrant. Finch turned toward Asher and William, placing his hands on their shoulders with a calm expression.

”Whose room are we going to?” he asked as his fingers began to glow faintly, channeling Astra energy into the teleportation ring.

”Anyone’s room,” Asher replied simply, his tone casual.

With a smile, Finch activated the ring. In the blink of an eye, the three vanished from their spot, the air rippling faintly where they had stood. A moment later, they reappeared in a different location, Finch’s private quarters.

Asher’s eyes swept over the surroundings, recognition flickering in his gaze. The walls, the subtle fragrance of Astra-infused air, it was familiar. He had been here once before, though at that time, he had paid little attention to his environment.

’The floor holding ranks one hundred and ninety-first to two hundredth,’ Asher recalled silently.

”Welcome to my humble abode,” Finch said with a calm smile, spreading his arms slightly in mock pride.

Since neither Asher nor William had ever visited his room, Finch had chosen to bring them there. He had been to both of their rooms before, Asher’s and William’s, but neither of them had ever set foot in his. Now, with the three growing closer as teammates and friends, he could teleport them here freely without worrying about offending the Tenth Sun.

The room itself, though Finch modestly called it ”humble,” bore an undeniable air of quiet luxury. Compared to the lavish accommodations of Asher and William, it appeared modest, but in truth, it was grander than most noble chambers in the Barony territories.

William’s eyes moved across the room, taking in every detail. Two doors were set into opposite walls, he suspected one led to a personal training chamber, the other to a bath. A neatly made bed stood at the far side, accompanied by a single table and chair. A few crystal lamps hung from the walls, bathing the room in a gentle golden glow that shimmered faintly with Astra energy.

Asher, however, did not look around much. He had already seen this place once, during the chaos of the apocalypse, when he had rushed through it to save several students from being slaughtered. He hadn’t taken the time then to observe or remember the details, but his sharp mind had recorded everything unconsciously. His memory, literally unnaturally perfect, had preserved every image, even those he had paid no mind to.

Now, standing in Finch’s room once more, those memories returned to him with crystal clarity.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE: We’ve dropped by another rank. Although we might not be able to meet our goal this month, I want to say thanks to you all for trying and sending the tickets... We go again next month. Also, in case you still have tickets, at least let’s finish in the top 20, since we couldn’t climb into the top 10. Thanks for reading and the love y’all have shown to me through the start of Asher’s journey.