Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 511: Word Game

The door creaked open with ease as Asher pushed it with his hand, the hinges producing a faint, drawn-out groan that echoed softly into the quiet corridor, and although he had met Cindralis before, around three months ago, Asher could clearly remember that this wasn’t the place he had met her, the architecture, scent, and overall atmosphere entirely different from his previous encounter, so he calmly concluded that she likely had multiple offices and residences scattered across the Academy grounds, befitting someone of her authority and status.

Without a shred of hesitation, he stepped in with calm and steady steps, each footfall controlled and measured, although he didn’t particularly want to meet the woman due to their past and the complicated history between them, it didn’t mean he was afraid of her.

No, he wasn’t in any shape or form, as he knew his Father and Big Brother would storm this place without restraint if anything happened to him, tearing through walls and ranks alike without caring for consequences, but that didn’t mean he planned to be disrespectful or reckless either, because survival often depended on knowing when to show restraint.

No matter what, Cindralis was still a Crownstar Life Ranker, not a mere assassin or rogue Life Ranker he usually killed like flies on routine missions, and the difference between those existences was akin to comparing dust to the heavens themselves.

His purple eyes scanned the room the moment he stepped in, sharp and observant, taking in every minute detail out of habit, the room practically screamed platinum coins as one could immediately tell that the amount of money poured into this particular space would be somewhat incalculable, from the polished marble floors to the intricately carved furniture and the faint glow of protective mechanisms embedded subtly within the walls, everything exuded refined luxury without appearing gaudy.

Asher had expected that the moment he entered the air would grow heavy and oppressive, space itself would slam down on his shoulders like an invisible mountain, since Crownstar Life Rankers often had these passive effects by simply existing anywhere, their presence distorting the environment without conscious effort, but he felt none of that, not even the slightest discomfort or pressure, as though the room had been deliberately adjusted to accommodate ordinary beings.

His purple eyes moved forward, and there she sat, her beauty as captivating as ever, almost unfairly so, her long midnight black hair flowing down her back like a gentle stream under moonlight, smooth and lustrous, her presence restrained yet paradoxically immense as it quietly showcased the vast chasm of existence between them.

Her eyes, twin pools of abyssal black, were mesmerizing and unfathomably deep with age and wisdom, carrying a quiet authority that commanded attention without force, and her blue gown hung tightly to her body as it showcased her alluring curves and refined silhouette, as though she knew her body was too perfect to be hidden in baggy and loose clothes and had no intention of diminishing that fact.

Although Ryaen Silvershade was one of the most beautiful women Asher had met in recent memory, sadly she paled in comparison to this overwhelming presence of a woman right before Asher’s eyes, because what Cindralis possessed wasn’t just beauty but an almost divine aura that elevated her far beyond ordinary standards.

Cindralis, the Sovereign of the Separate Dimension, the Principal of the Star Academy, the undisputed Goddess of Space, a name that carried both reverence and fear across countless territories.

But for all her beauty and titles, Asher didn’t care about any of that, admiration had no place here, he simply walked forward with composed steps and came to a stop before her, as she sat behind a wide desk while staring at a file on the table.

Her eyes rose as they left the file in her hand, those abyss-like eyes meeting Asher’s purple ones, and with that, a single second seemed to stretch infinitely between the both of them as though time itself had slowed, as though they were silently weighing each other’s value, intent, and opinion of the other.

"Good morning, Principal," Asher greeted as he bowed slightly and gently, his head lowering in a controlled motion. Although he was a noble and bowed to no one who wasn’t supposed to be the Emperor, nobility was meaningless in front of overwhelming power, and here, Cindralis was that power incarnate. Besides, this was the Star Academy, not the Zarethorn Empire, and different domains followed different rules.

Cindralis stayed silent for a moment, studying him with an unreadable gaze, before she spoke, her voice calm and steady like still water, "I’ve been expecting you" she stated as she leaned back into her seat, her leg crossing over the other smoothly as she remained seated with the effortless grace of a Goddess who had long grown accustomed to being observed.

Asher raised his head, his eyebrow arching slightly as he looked at Cindralis with confusion, as he didn’t quite understand what she meant or how she could have anticipated his visit.

Cindralis could see his confusion clearly, but she ignored it as she didn’t bother to explain and simply continued, "I’ve heard of your request, as you wish to increase your missions clearance level," she paused for a moment then continued, "but as Vice Principal Berion had said earlier to you, nothing in this world is free, what are you planning to trade for it" she asked as she stared at him with the calm composure of one who was used to controlling every situation she entered.

Asher replied without hesitation, his tone steady and composed, "if you were listening in on our discussion, you will understand I said I will simply listen to whatever conditions you have then decide."

"And I believe it was still you that said that what could a mere First year student possibly have that would entice a Crownstar Life Ranker," Cindralis immediately followed up with her own words, as though they had seamlessly entered a subtle game of verbal chess, "so I ask again, what can you offer me in exchange for this?"

Asher stayed silent for a moment as he simply stared straight into Cindralis’s eyes without flinching or averting his gaze. They both remained silent as though the first to speak would lose this delicate game of words and intent, the air between them thick with unspoken calculation.

Asher didn’t exactly have anything to offer. Platinum coins? Please, Cindralis was probably richer than the Emperor himself and could buy entire cities without blinking. Teach her an aspect of Astra energy control she hadn’t attained yet? But that in itself was another ridiculous thought, as Cindralis could likely do everything he could already.

So, at the end, he had nothing to offer.

"Is this your way to bait me into becoming your student?" Asher asked as he didn’t bother guessing and simply said it out loud, his voice carrying faint suspicion.

Cindralis stared at him for a moment, a subtle flicker of amusement dancing within her eyes before it vanished, one Asher hadn’t picked up, "do you really think that I’m that enamoured by your talent?" she asked in a flat tone, "if you think so, then you are gravely mistaken, as Vice Principal Berion had said earlier, I won’t be trying to make you my student anymore because of the situation from last time" she shook her head lightly as she spoke, as though dismissing the notion entirely.

Asher stayed silent yet again, because if Cindralis truly wanted something in exchange for his request, then he genuinely had nothing to give, and that helpless realization weighed heavier on him than any invisible pressure ever could.