Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 497: Entrance

The next morning arrived just as swiftly, sun rays poured into Asher’s room as he slept on his bed without a care in the world. Normally, Asher was already supposed to be awake before this time, already training or getting ready to head to the Training Facility Building, but he had done none of that. For once, his body remained still beneath the sheets, relaxed and unguarded, as though the relentless warrior within him had finally allowed himself a rare moment of genuine rest.

During the past month, his proficiency in all his abilities had skyrocketed to an insane degree due to his continuous dedication and monstrous talent. Although he had not used any of them in an actual battle yet, it did not change the fact that his progress was ridiculous in every conceivable aspect. His control was sharper, his execution cleaner, and even with the smallest movements of Astra energy, gravity, or space obeyed him with an obedience that bordered on instinct. Simply put, he had grown frighteningly efficient, the kind of efficiency that only came from countless repetitions and quiet obsession.

With a sudden shift of his body, he yawned as he stretched, his eyes fluttering open to the world around him. He swung his legs to the side of the bed as he rose to prepare for the day. After a quick bath and meal, both done with mechanical smoothness, Asher decided to begin his day. There was no laziness in his movements, only calm composure, as though every action had already been calculated and accepted.

Today, he decided to attend classes. Since he had not attended for the past month and was finally free from his self-imposed isolation within the training facility, he would attend the compulsory classes. After that, he would begin his solo missions for points. It was a simple plan, straightforward and practical, exactly the way he preferred things to be. Earn points, grow stronger, repeat.

Asher stepped out of his room with calm ease, the door closing softly behind him. His face seemed to have grown even more handsome, as though his progress toward the Swiftstar Life Rank had refined his features further. His jawline appeared sharper, his posture straighter, and the quiet confidence around him thicker. It was not vanity but simple observation; strength often shaped the body just as much as effort did.

’Since today is Friday, I should be getting the weekly points that are given to me by the Star Academy, and today is also the hand-to-hand combat class,’ Asher thought to himself. He did not bother to check, as he already knew the Star Academy would have credited him with one thousand five hundred points. Their system was precise, and they never made mistakes when it came to rewards and punishments.

Before he could even ask the system for the time, the system immediately chimed, as though it had perfectly adapted to being a clock and knew it could not resist fulfilling the task before he even asked.

[10:45 a.m., Host]

Asher stayed silent for a moment, then smiled faintly and shook his head at the eagerness of the system. It was oddly responsive lately, almost as though it had developed a personality of its own.

’Fifteen minutes until class begins,’ Asher thought to himself. Since he still had enough time, he simply walked with a calm stride, as there was no reason to rush. Moving hurriedly for no reason felt pointless to him.

On the way, he met a few of his classmates who were also heading toward the class venue. None of them greeted him, and neither did he greet any of them. The silence between them was mutual and understood. Some avoided him out of fear, others out of respect, and a few simply did not know how to approach someone who had defeated the Prince himself.

Within a few minutes, he was already at the venue where the class was set to be held, and since the hand-to-hand combat class was more of a practical session, it was conducted in an open area rather than a classroom.

Asher’s eyes shifted between the students present as he searched for William and Finch too, but they were not there. ’It seems they are either training or on a mission,’ Asher thought to himself, then shook his head lightly. He also noticed Ryaen Silvershade’s presence, but they simply nodded at one another without a word, a quiet acknowledgment that required no conversation.

Asher was not surprised by her presence. She was a hand-to-hand specialist, so it was normal that she might miss any other class but this one. Darissa Camber and the Royal Twins were also present. Asher simply glanced at them briefly, his gaze indifferent, before turning his attention away. He had no particular interest in small talk or unnecessary interactions.

Since it was an open space, there was nowhere to sit, no wall or tree to rest against, so Asher simply floated and lay down flatly on nothing but thin air and space itself, as though it were the most natural position in the world. To others, it looked absurd, almost surreal, but to him, it was just another casual application of his abilities.

Asher could feel the gazes of other students on him, sharp and curious, some filled with awe while others carried unease, but he did not react. He simply remained silent as though he did not sense them at all. Time blurred as seconds turned into minutes, the air growing heavier with wait, and before long, the Instructor arrived, and as usual, he made his flashy appearance.

Everyone heard the sonic boom. Their heads snapped upward instinctively. The next moment, a blur tore downward and landed in the middle of the open space with an impact that tore a shallow ravine open across the ground. Dust and debris exploded outward. Through the churning smoke, the Instructor for the hand-to-hand combat class stepped out with a wide grin on his face, looking more like a battle maniac than a teacher.

No one was surprised by the sudden entrance, as they all knew the man had always been this way. While other instructors simply walked into their classes like normal people, he always made an entrance, as though subtlety was a concept he had never learned.

"How are you, green horns, feeling this morning?" his voice boomed across the open space, his smile ever present. None of the students replied, as this was always the Instructor’s first line whenever he arrived, more of a declaration than a question.

The Instructor for the hand-to-hand combat class was named Jude, one of the strongest beings within the Star Academy, alongside Instructor Jane. His reputation alone was enough to silence even the most arrogant students.

Suddenly, Instructor Jude’s smile widened as his eyes fell on a floating student. "Hooo!!! Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence." His blue eyes flashed with interest and amusement.

Asher’s eyelids lifted open as he changed position midair, then gently descended and landed on his feet. He was already used to Instructor Jude’s behavior. To Asher, Instructor Jude was the kind of man who was straightforward and did not bother with tricks or schemes. If there was an issue, punch it. If it still existed, punch it harder. That seemed to be the entire philosophy of the man.

Instructor Jude came to a stop before Asher. Despite Asher standing at six foot six, the man was still taller, towering at a whopping seven feet. His hair was white, his eyes bright blue, and his build monstrous as he stared down at Asher like a mountain looking at a blade of grass.

If there was one rule within the anime community, it was that any white-haired character was overpowered, and Asher was certain that Instructor Jude lived up to that statement. After all, from the way he spoke, walked, grinned, and smiled, all of it seemed to carry power on an entirely different scale, as though the very air trembled slightly around him.

Asher did not speak. His purple eyes simply met Instructor Jude’s blue ones, calm and silent, neither intimidated nor impressed, just steady, like still water facing a raging storm.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE: So, because of the love, support, and gifts I’ve received in the entire eight months since I started this book, I’ve decided to release three Chapters per day throughout this month. Although we didn’t get to the top 10 to warrant the reward, it doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the effort and love you all have shown and showered upon him. This is my way of saying thanks, as words alone aren’t enough.

Thank you all, and yes, as a shameless and greedy author, it’s my trademark and signature move to ask for super gifts, best if it’s for free as super gifts normally warrant bonus Chapters as everyone knows.

Love y’all, and if I could, I would marry y’all, but y’all are so far away... sigh.