Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 715: Merchant Finch’s Analysis

Asher didn’t move to leave the hall like Teo Swig and Thalric; no, he simply remained seated as he listened to the other students go on and on about other Empires, their voices overlapping in a chaotic blend of excitement and speculation. Each one brought up various rumours and wildly exaggerated, often fabricated facts they had heard about other Empires but couldn’t be bothered to confirm or deny.

’I wonder how many people are as strong as me... or stronger than me,’ Asher thought to himself, his gaze steady yet distant. He didn’t dare say he was the most talented in the world of Crymora; in the Zarethorne Empire, maybe, but worldwide, not yet. But this competition, this sudden announcement, served as a silent yet undeniable test to that very notion, one he looked forward with every fiber of his being.

’Should I make my breakthrough during the training period or after the training period?’ Asher thought to himself, his mind momentarily narrowing as he considered the situation. After all, he was about to step into the Firmstar Life Rank, which was the sixth out of the ten life ranks.

After thinking for a moment, Asher pushed the thought to the back of his mind; he would make a decision later.

’We also weren’t told when the training would begin, but knowing the Star Academy, it would probably begin at early dawn tomorrow,’ Asher thought to himself as he could already imagine the scene forming vividly within his mind. Various training scenarios from novels and comics, harsh instructors, relentless drills, impossible expectations, and students collapsing from exhaustion, each flashed across his thoughts.

’Well, whatever,’ he concluded as he rose to his feet, finally deciding to leave, his movements calm. Ryaen was already gone; she had left with Darissa and the Princess, so Asher couldn’t walk with her this time. Instead, the moment he rose to his feet, William simply walked towards him, with Finch not far behind, their presence almost expected.

Seeing them, Asher’s lips curved into a faint smile as he asked, "So, did any of you two reach the Radiant Swiftstar Life Rank?" his tone teasing.

"Sigh... we should be asking you if you’ve broken through to the Firmstar Life Rank," Finch couldn’t help but reply, his voice laced with mild exasperation.

Asher stared at him for a moment, his expression unreadable, then shook his head as he replied, "I have not," his tone low, calm, and completely unbothered.

"Nice to know you are still human," William replied with a nod, as though that alone was something he could accept without question.

"I will be breaking through in a few days," Asher added without missing a beat, his voice carrying an almost casual certainty that made the statement even more absurd.

"I take back my words," William spoke almost immediately as he shook his head, clearly unwilling to accept whatever definition of ’human’ Asher fell under.

Together, the trio stepped out of the hall as they discussed Cindralis’ announcement, their conversation flowing naturally as they made their way towards William’s room instead of Asher’s this time.

"Honestly, I’m way too excited for this," Finch couldn’t help but say, a huge smile plastered across his face, his enthusiasm practically radiating off him.

"By the time you go through the instructors’ one-month full training, I’m sure your excitement would die by then," William couldn’t help but state, though there was a hint of anticipation in his own voice despite his words.

"My mindset from seven months ago and today aren’t the same; I will happily push myself beyond whatever training limit they set," Finch replied confidently with a smirk, his tone firm. His mindset had indeed changed, he had grown accustomed to pushing himself to the very edge of his limits over these past seven months..

"But imagine Asher not representing us; that would be a huge loss," William spoke as he walked, glancing briefly at Asher.

"The funniest part is what the Principal said, the ten weakest students being selected to represent each Empire. That would be such a scene; it would be hilarious to watch," Finch replied as a small laugh escaped him, clearly amused by the mere thought. If such a thing happened, every Empire would erupt in outrage, cursing and clicking their tongues in utter dissatisfaction.

Asher, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke, "Personally, I wonder if everyone can watch this competition. I mean, like an Empire-wide or rather a worldwide broadcast, and also, if that was or wasn’t possible, how many noble households from each Empire would be present at the Thalvorn Empire to watch it live," his tone inquisitive.

Finch and William immediately fell into thought before Finch, the merchant, responded, "Personally, I think what you’ve said is ninety percent possible. After all, there are billions of people within our Empire alone," he began to analyze, his money-making expression rising to the surface slightly. "I’m sure the Emperor sees this as a money-making opportunity. He might charge a couple of silver coins to allow each household to view the live broadcast from anywhere in the Empire, and of course, the price will scale accordingly to who is watching. After all, a Duke and a commoner can’t pay the same price." He paused briefly, as though mentally calculating the staggering amount of gold coins the Imperial family would be amassing.

"Then as for the live attendance, that will be one hundred percent certain. The Thalvorn Empire will hike the price of everything, their inns, their food, their water, literally everything. And who knows, since it’s a competition of this scale, buying tickets for live attendance could cost as much as a thousand to ten thousand platinum coins, minimum, per head," he analyzed once more, his tone steady. "Meaning almost every single noble household will be there in attendance, so anyone you see watching the battle live is richer than you can possibly imagine," his tone resembling that of a seasoned bookkeeper who dealt with money every single day.

Hearing Finch’s analysis, William shook his head as he spoke, "You know, sometimes I wonder which one to be more amazed at, your merchant-like abilities or your absurd luck ability," he said, clearly impressed.

Finch simply smiled without speaking; he was simply too good with money. Whenever there was profit and income to be made, his senses couldn’t help but tingle, as though drawn to it instinctively.

"It seems my father, or possibly every Wargrave, will be in attendance," Asher stated as he stroked his chin thoughtfully. If there was live attendance, then he was certain people like Malrik, Great Elder Morthern, and his father were undoubtedly going to be present, as such an event would be impossible for them to ignore.

"I wonder if my parents will be there," William asked himself as he walked, his voice quieter this time, almost contemplative.

Hearing William’s words, Finch replied, "You can give up such hope; they will likely only see the action through the worldwide broadcast, if there will be one," his tone certain.

"Huh? Why?" William asked, clearly confused.

Finch looked at William as though he were gazing at an idiot, then sighed as he shook his head in reply, "As I said, the price of the ticket will be insane. If the ticket price is ten thousand platinum coins per head, Baron families like yours and mine would crumble. After all, if you count your father, then your mother, that’s already twenty thousand platinum coins. We haven’t even counted the knights they will go with to the live action scene for protection, which will cost another massive splurge of money," he explained, his tone practical. He spoke as though he already knew Baron families weren’t capable of gathering such an enormous amount of money just for pleasure and entertainment.

Only the ridiculously rich nobles, like Count households and above, could afford such a splurge, or a merchant family, or perhaps a lower noble household that was widely known for being exceptionally wealthy and financially dominant.