Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 687: Mutual Family Advice [Ko-fi Bonus Chapter]

”Sigh... although I want to miss class, I guess I should join you,” Finch spoke with a sigh, as he indeed had the points required to skip class, so even if he was fined, he didn’t mind all that much, though a part of him still found attending tedious.

”Huh, why? Missing me already?” Williams asked as he turned his gaze to Finch, as he knew his friend wasn’t someone who was particularly enthusiastic about classes, making his decision somewhat surprising.

”Well... my father told me to train harder this year, that something will happen in a few months,” Finch began to speak. ”My father has never particularly pushed me to train or anything like that, but after he stressed it the last time we met, I’m sure something is going to happen, although I don’t know what it is,” he explained, his tone thoughtful as he recalled the seriousness behind his father’s words.

Williams stayed silent for a moment, then spoke, ”I also heard the same thing from my father and mother. Although I’ve been training hard since I was little, my father told me to increase the intensity and make as much progress as I can within the coming months. When I asked why, he told me I would be told soon, but by whom, he didn’t say,” he paused briefly as he gathered his thoughts. ”Which is why I didn’t want to borrow some points from you or Asher, even though I could do that and happily skip class,” he explained, his reasoning grounded in the advice.

Finch nodded his head, he and Williams practically receiving the same words of advice, yet being left in the dark as to why, at the same time, a shared uncertainty lingering between them.

Their eyes turned to Asher, as they stared at him, waiting for him to say something similar, that the Duke had told him the same thing, but all they met was Asher’s gaze and silence, as he hadn’t heard any sort of advice from Azaron or even Malrik, a contrast that did not go unnoticed.

’Why wasn’t I told anything?’ Asher couldn’t help but ask himself; it wasn’t like Azaron or Malrik didn’t have time to tell him. He literally had some father and son time with Azaron before he returned to the Star Academy; that time was the perfect opportunity. Also, he had met Malrik twice, when they had traded information, and when Malrik gave him information, yet he also said nothing.

Asher couldn’t help but sigh as he shook his head, the thought lingering briefly before fading.

To Azaron and Malrik, there was simply nothing to tell Asher; he was already hardworking and ridiculous enough. How could they advise someone with such talent and relentless effort to work even harder, was that even reasonable? Was there even room for further instruction?

So, they basically didn’t advise him on anything, as there was simply nothing to advise him on, a silent acknowledgment of his already overwhelming pace of growth.

After a moment of pause, Asher finally spoke, ”well, it seems you both have such loving families and parents,” he sighed as he stated. ”My father told me nothing of the sort, so I have nothing to tell you,” his tone calm, yet faintly laced with dry acceptance.

Finch and Williams stayed silent for a moment before Williams finally spoke, ”well, I guess they understand that you are already working too hard, so they decided not to tell you anything,” although Williams didn’t know it, he had unknowingly hit the nail on the head.

”Well... that could be true, who knows? You Wargraves are always built different,” Finch added, shrugging lightly as he spoke.

Asher shook his head, deciding not to take it to heart. ”If you both are being told to work harder, then I’m sure other parents are telling their kids the same thing,” Asher stated in thought. ”But what could be happening in a few months, I wonder?” his thoughts couldn’t help but churn, his mind instinctively running through every novel academy cliche he had ever read up until his transmigration.

’The only things that usually happen during academy arcs are invasions by opposing forces, like Sinvaira or Emovirae, or inter-academy or Empire competitions,’ Asher thought to himself as he let the thought trail off, considering the possibilities one by one.

’Well, whatever happens, happens. I won’t end my resting period because of it,’ he concluded firmly, unwilling to let vague speculation dictate his actions.

Even if it was an academy or Empire competition, Asher was sure there weren’t too many people who could match him; he wasn’t arrogant enough to assume he was the most talented in the world, after all, he hadn’t seen the capabilities of talents from other Empires, nor had he measured himself against them.

’But what if each Empire got one transmigrator or reincarnator?’ Asher thought to himself, his mind briefly entertaining the idea, exploring its implications. After a moment, he shook his head as he chose to forget about it; even if his thoughts ended up being true, it wasn’t like he could do anything about it at this moment, making it pointless to dwell on.

”It seems you have a few guesses,” Williams stated as he stared at Asher, who had been lost in his thoughts for the past few seconds, his expression observant.

”Not really, but I’m guessing the Principal or Vice Principal will be the one to give the news, or maybe the Emperor himself,” Asher replied, as he truly didn’t know; they would all have to wait and see how events unfolded.

”I wouldn’t lie, I’m looking forward to it,” Finch stated. Although he didn’t know how strong he would be in a few months, since progressing in Life Rank wasn’t exactly fast, he still anticipated and looked forward to whatever was coming, his curiosity outweighing uncertainty.

”Hehehe... I wonder if the Academy is organizing an event, like the first years are going to fight the second years, then the second years will fight the third years,” Williams guessed as he also looked forward to it, his imagination running ahead.

”Then the third years will fight who?” Asher asked, raising a brow slightly at the incomplete structure.

”I don’t know, man, I’m just throwing ideas around, maybe the Instructors, who knows,” Williams shrugged as he replied; it wasn’t as though he could see the future anyway, making his speculation as good as any.

Asher simply smiled and said nothing, allowing the conversation to flow naturally without interruption.

”What time is the first class for today?” Finch asked, shifting the topic back to something immediate.

”3 pm, why do you ask?” Williams replied, his gaze turning to Finch with mild curiosity.

”Nothing, maybe I should go sleep before class,” he replied as he played around with the idea.

Williams fell into his own thoughts for a moment, then spoke, ”hey, Asher, I need a favor,” his tone slightly more serious than before.

Asher turned to face him, then replied after a moment, ”if it’s to borrow an insane amount of points, then I’m sorry to disappoint you,” his tone flat and straightforward.

Williams shook his head as he replied, ”nah, not that. I know everyone is training and needs their points; only an idiot would want to borrow anything more than a hundred points at this moment,” his words truthful, as nobody was going to give away their points when they all had responsibilities, training needs, and expenses to handle, making such requests unreasonable.