Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 660 Father And Son Talk-1

'Well, whatever, only if these titles came with effects like those systems in novels did,' Asher mused to himself as he shook his head, trying not to think too much about the title, dismissing the thought with a faint sense of indifference as he forced his mind away from it.

He stared at the system screen one more time, taking in every detail as though committing it to memory, then with a mere thought, the screen vanished. His mind shifted to another thought, his Limitless Physical Growth ability, with its recent activation, which had occurred after his battle with Debro, it meant he would have to engage in another battle that would push him into an even more dangerous situation, one far more perilous than before.

'Maybe fighting a Voidstar Life Ranker?' he mused to himself, almost jokingly, as he did not dare believe he could truly do such a thing. After all, throughout his battle, he had only managed to injure Debro once, and Debro had been holding back since the very beginning in the name of love, never truly fighting with killing intent.

Besides, there was another fact that came to mind; just because he had won against Debro did not mean he could win against all Wavestar Life Rankers. After all, various levels of battle prowess existed within each Life Rank, and for all Asher knew, Debro might have been among the weakest Wavestar Life Rankers in existence.

Meaning that if he met a truly talented Wavestar Life Ranker, even with his Star Energy enhancement, and the numerous enhancements he had also stacked against Debro, he would still be struck down in a single blow, killed before he could even properly react.

'Sigh... I need to get stronger, Asher thought to himself as this reality occurred to him, settling heavily within his mind. 'I need to get back to the Star Academy as soon as possible to resume my training after a bit of rest,' Asher's thoughts spun continuously as he began to formulate plans, each thought building upon the last.

Although he would have loved to leave immediately, he needed to meet with Malrik; after all, they had traded information, but Malrik had not fulfilled his own side of the deal. Besides, he still needed to ask his brother what had happened when they confronted the Emperor, as that matter still lingered unanswered.

'I'm sure nothing happened to elder brother; after all, I sent backup, and Father returned too, Asher thought to himself in calm silence, reassuring himself with that line of reasoning.

'Maybe I should just use the talisman he gave me to summon him or something, his thoughts continued to churn without pause. 'Speaking of summons, Lyra isn't back yet, his thoughts shifted toward her, a faint trace of concern surfacing.

As Asher was buried deeply within his thoughts, a knock resounded through his room, clear and deliberate; he did not need to ask to know it was Zarek, Azaron's right-hand man, who was standing at the door.

"You may come in, Uncle," Asher stated, his purple eyes shifting toward the door, his mind already running through possible reasons why this man might be here; after all, only the Duke could issue orders to him directly.

The door swung open, and Zarek stepped in with his usual calm and composed ease; he bowed slightly as he spoke, "Tenth Sun, the Patriarch orders your presence," his words measured and respectful.

Although Zarek was a Crownstar Life Ranker, and the right-hand man of the Duke, he still showed respect to all Suns and Moons; after all, by law, he was still but a butler by status, regardless of the immense power he possessed.

Asher stayed silent for a moment; he had already guessed this. He could already infer that the Patriarch would be calling him in regards to what had happened with the Emperor, as there was little else that would warrant such immediate summons.

Asher rose to his feet, not daring to delay, "Lead the way, Uncle," he

said as he walked toward Zarek, who stood waiting patiently at the door.

With that, both of them stepped out of his room as Zarek led him toward Azaron's office. Within minutes, they arrived; Zarek opened the door, and without delay, Asher stepped in with steady strides, his posture composed.

Azaron sat with a calm expression; he had just returned from his wife's closet, and now he was back in his office. Seeing Azaron, Asher bowed as he spoke, "I greet the Patriarch," he greeted with due

respect.

Azaron stared at him for a moment before he spoke, "The last time we spoke, I remember telling you to call me Father," his voice low and calm.

Asher stayed silent for a moment, unsure whether to greet the man again but change the title, or if to apologize; after all, he had not spent enough time with the man to understand him well. After a brief moment of hesitation, he spoke, "I apologize, Father," his voice calm and steady, devoid of any visible tension.

"Apology accepted," Azaron replied without any change in expression. "Sit," he stated, his words more of an order than a suggestion, leaving no room for refusal.

Asher did not hesitate; he walked forward and sat down. He would not lie, he was somewhat nervous; after all, Azaron had never told him to sit during the few times he had been here, making this situation feel subtly different from before.

'I wonder if this is how people feel whenever they are interviewed for a corporate job back on Earth,' he could not help but think to himself, his expression remaining flat, his muscles relaxed as he waited

patiently for Azaron to speak.

Silence passed between them for a moment before Azaron finally spoke, "So, how is school?"

It was a simple question, one any parent would ask their child, but to Asher, it sounded as though he had heard the wrong question, as though his ears were somehow failing him. But still, he had to

respond.

"School is fine, Father," he answered simply, without going into detail, keeping his response short and composed.

Hearing his youngest's reply, Azaron shook his head as he spoke, "I

need you to go into detail, and I do not want you to speak as though you are writing some sort of mission report; speak freely, like a son to a father will," he stated. He raised a hand, and a bottle of alcohol appeared within his grasp, two glasses also appearing midair; he poured alcohol into both glasses and passed one to Asher.

Asher caught the glass midair; he held it in silence, unsure of how to proceed. 'Like a son to a father will, huh?" he thought to himself. It was a foreign concept to him; as Ethan, he had never had parents, and even now, although he had one, he was never close with Azaron. 'Is he suddenly showing concern because of the Emperor trying to mentally manipulate me?' Asher thought to himself as he sat there. Initially, he had assumed that Azaron had called him here for that particular reason, but it seemed he had been mistaken.

After a moment, Asher smiled faintly; he raised the glass and took a sip of the alcohol. It was strong, sharp against his senses, but it did not matter. He decided to loosen up and speak freely, as though he were speaking to a friend; after all, what was the worst that could happen? With that thought settling in his mind, his lips parted as he began to speak.