Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 709: Almost Nineteen

Asher raised a hand, and his Astra energy hummed gently yet paradoxically intensely. Asher felt that his reservoir of Astra energy was no different from that of a boundless ocean. His reserve was simply too immense, to the point that even he feared the capacity of his own Astra veins.

But Asher understood that if it were not for the Absolute Physique and the Star Fragment Core, this would not have been possible. Although he would still possess outrageous Astra reserves due to being a Wargrave, that notion could not be compared to the Astra energy within him now.

Asher felt that using his Star Energy against enemies was overkill at this point. Previously, he had been using his Star Energy on missions to increase his control, but now, in his past few missions, he hardly used it, as there was simply no opponent worthy of it. His sheer perfect control over Astra energy and his immense reserves were already threatening enough against his enemies, making anything beyond that unnecessary.

And that was not the end. With Virelass’s Astra Veil ability, which held thirty percent of his already ridiculous reserves, Asher could only offer a silent prayer for his enemies, knowing fully well what they would be up against if he truly decided to go all out without holding anything back.

’At this level, probably only Wavestar Life Rankers with immense talent and powerful bloodlines can possibly match me,’ Asher thought to himself with a proud smile. He truly had come a long way, from someone who once feared being banished and killed by his siblings to someone who could now match any Wavestar Life Ranker, all within the span of a year and ten months, a growth that could only be described as monstrous.

’Although I’m at the Radiant sub-Life Rank of the Swiftstar Life Rank, I should be able to step into the Dust Firmstar in a week or so,’ a small smile hung on his lips, refusing to fade as the thought settled within his mind.

Although he was fully aware of his own talent and absurd capabilities, he did not dare to become arrogant. His arrogance during his encounter with Debro had taught him a lesson he would not forget. Asher did not dare assume that stepping into the Firmstar Life Rank would mean he could automatically match those at the Voidstar; he was not foolish... no, he was not insane, as insanity would be the correct term if he ever entertained such a thought.

Although his combat strength, efficiency, finesse, control, and overall capability had all skyrocketed as he experienced comprehensive growth across every parameter, he could somewhat grasp the vast chasm between the Voidstar and the Wavestar, a gap that could not be bridged by mere confidence or blind belief.

Asher sighed as he shook his head, knowing fully well that arrogance meant death, a simple yet absolute truth in a world such as his, where even the smallest miscalculation could prove fatal.

His eyes shifted to his new affinity. If there was something Asher felt smug about, it would undoubtedly be this new affinity; he quite literally loved it. Of course, he had trained it during his missions over the past seven months, as fighting with it was the most effective way to increase his control and mastery over it. However, due to using it only during his solo missions, no one knew about it. Asher wanted to show it off, but there had simply been no opportunity to do so.

He had even gone ahead and attempted something, urging William to copy his ability. But when William did, surprisingly, he had not copied Asher’s new affinity, as though it was something unique, something meant solely for Asher, much like the Star Energy, which William also could not replicate.

Although William had asked Asher why he had made him copy his abilities, Asher had only told him he was experimenting with something, and that the experiment had failed. At the time, William felt as though Asher was attempting to make his abilities irreplicable, a thought that stunned him and placed him on high alert, as Asher’s wide range of affinities was something he considered the best amongst all abilities.

’In two months, I will be entering the second year,’ Asher thought to himself. ’I will need to meet Father or Brother, so they can negotiate with Cindralis on my behalf,’ he continued inwardly, as he was confident that Cindralis would allow him to graduate if she became aware of his current battle prowess. If there were an exam to be written, then with his exceptional intellect, he would be able to pass it without any difficulty.

And overall, if Cindralis refused and insisted that he remain for the full three years, Asher could simply drop out and move on, as he was not particularly bound to the Academy if it no longer served his growth.

With that, his gaze shifted to his age displayed on the status screen. ’I will be turning nineteen soon,’ he thought to himself. To be precise, he would be turning nineteen as the academic session was coming to an end.

’Almost two years in Crymora,’ he thought to himself as he leaned back into his seat with a soft sigh, briefly reflecting on how much had changed within such a relatively short period. After a moment, he rose to his feet and walked toward the balcony.

Standing there, he stared down from his building with an indifferent gaze, observing several upperclassmen moving about, entering different buildings, conversing, or simply going about their own affairs, each immersed in their own matter.

’Since no one has challenged me, should I challenge an upperclassman?’ Asher thought to himself for a brief moment before shaking his head. ’That would make me no different from someone seeking attention,’ he concluded, dismissing the idea almost immediately.

Although he could do it for points, Asher was not concerned about his point balance. If the Principal was shutting down the Logistics and Missions Operations Hall, which was essentially the primary method of earning points within the Star Academy, then it likely meant that the students might not need their points anymore from the day after tomorrow. However, this was merely his own deduction, one that held no certainty unless it was officially confirmed by the Academy.

’I wonder when those two will be done with their class,’ Asher thought to himself, referring to William and Finch. Yet even as the thought crossed his mind, he already knew that their class would end in two hours.

’Should I teleport back to the Wargrave Estate? I’m sure Lyra must have made a lot of progress over the past seven months,’ Asher considered, reasonably assuming that Lyra might have already stepped into the Wavestar Life Rank by now, and perhaps even secured a higher sub-Life Rank as well.

Asher sighed as he shook his head, stepping away from the balcony before walking back into his room. Making his way to his bed, he simply collapsed face-first onto it, deciding to rest for the next two hours. He was certain that a particular pair of best friends would come straight to his room once their class ended, so he might as well take a short nap while he waited.