CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 687: Mutual Family Advice [Ko-fi Bonus - ]

"Sigh... although I wish to skip class, I suppose I must accompany you," Finch expressed with a weary sigh. He possessed more than enough points to forgo class and even incurred a penalty, but a part of him still found attending lessons to be quite a bore.

"Huh, why? Already missing me?" Williams inquired, turning his gaze toward Finch. He understood his friend was not particularly keen on attending classes, making his decision rather unexpected.

"Well... my father instructed me to train more rigorously this year, hinting that something significant will occur in a few months," Finch began. "My father has never really pressured me to train before, but after he emphasized it during our last meeting, I am certain something is imminent, though I remain unaware of its nature," he elaborated, his tone reflecting deep thought as he recalled the gravity of his father’s words.

Williams remained silent for a brief period before remarking, "I received similar counsel from both my mother and father. Despite training diligently since childhood, my father urged me to intensify my efforts and achieve as much progress as possible within the ensuing months. When questioned about the reason, he stated I would be informed soon, though he did not specify by whom," he paused to gather his thoughts. "This is precisely why I hesitated to request points from you or Asher, even though I could easily skip class by doing so," he explained, his reasoning stemming directly from this cryptic advice.

Finch's head bobbed in understanding. He and Williams had received almost identical advice, yet were left in the dark regarding the specifics, a shared sense of uncertainty hanging between them.

Their gazes shifted towards Asher, anticipating a similar narrative about the Duke's counsel, but they were met only by Asher’s steady gaze and an unnerving silence. He had received no such guidance from Azaron, nor even from Malrik, a stark contrast that did not escape their notice.

‘Why wasn’t I informed?’ Asher pondered inwardly. It wasn't as if Azaron or Malrik lacked the opportunity to tell him. He had even spent quality father-son time with Azaron before his return to the Star Academy; that moment presented a perfect opening. Furthermore, he had encountered Malrik twice—once during an information exchange and another time when Malrik provided him with intel—yet on neither occasion was anything mentioned.

Asher couldn't help but let out a sigh, shaking his head as the thought briefly surfaced before receding.

To Azaron and Malrik, there was genuinely nothing to impart to Asher; he was already exceptionally diligent and relentlessly driven. How could they possibly advise someone possessing such innate talent and unwavering effort to train even harder? Was such a suggestion even reasonable? Did any further instruction genuinely seem necessary?

Consequently, they offered no specific advice, as there was simply nothing to advise upon—a tacit acknowledgment of his already astonishing rate of advancement.

After a brief pause, Asher finally spoke, "Well, it appears you both are fortunate to have such devoted families and parents," he stated with a sigh. "My father imparted no such message, leaving me with nothing to share with you," his tone was calm, tinged with a subtle, dry acceptance.

Finch and Williams remained silent for a moment before Williams eventually spoke, "Perhaps they understand that you are already pushing yourself too hard, so they decided against conveying any such instructions," Though Williams was unaware of it, his guess had struck remarkably close to the truth.

"Well... that is a possibility, who knows? You Wargraves are always built differently," Finch added, shrugging lightly as he offered his opinion.

Asher simply shook his head, choosing not to dwell on the matter. "If the two of you are being urged to increase your training intensity, then surely other parents are issuing similar directives to their children," Asher mused aloud. "But what could possibly be unfolding in the coming months? I wonder?" His mind involuntarily began to race, sifting through every cliché he had ever encountered in academy-themed novels prior to his transmigration.

‘The most common occurrences during academy arcs typically involve invasions by hostile factions, such as the Sinvaira or Emovirae, or perhaps inter-academy or Empire competitions,’ Asher contemplated internally, letting the possibilities unfurl one by one.

‘Whatever transpires, I will face it. I refuse to curtail my period of rest based on mere speculation,’ he concluded with firm resolve, unwilling to allow vague conjecture to dictate his actions.

Even in the event of an academy or Empire competition, Asher felt confident that few individuals could truly rival him. He wasn't so arrogant as to believe himself the most talented in the world; after all, he had yet to witness the full potential of talents from other Empires, nor had he precisely measured his own abilities against them.

’But what if each Empire received a transmigrator or a reincarnator?’ Asher pondered this internally, exploring the potential consequences of such a scenario. He soon shook his head, deciding to dismiss the thought; even if his speculation proved true, there was nothing he could do about it at this juncture, making further contemplation futile.

"It appears you've formed a few hypotheses," Williams observed, his gaze fixed on Asher, who had been lost in thought for several seconds, his expression thoughtful.

"Not precisely, but I'm wagering it will be the Principal or Vice Principal delivering the announcement, or perhaps even the Emperor himself," Asher responded, admitting his genuine lack of knowledge and the need to await further developments.

"I won't deny it, I'm quite eager for it," Finch chimed in. While uncertain of his future strength in the coming months, as advancements in the Life Rank were notoriously slow, he still felt a sense of anticipation, his curiosity eclipsing any apprehension about the unknown.

"Hehehe... I wonder if the Academy is orchestrating some kind of event, perhaps pitting the first-years against the second-years, and then the second-years against the third-years," Williams speculated, mirroring Finch's enthusiasm, his imagination running wild with possibilities.

"And who would the third-years contend against then?" Asher inquired, his brow arching slightly at the incomplete progression of Williams' idea.

"I haven't a clue, mate, just tossing ideas about. Maybe the Instructors? Who knows," Williams replied with a shrug. After all, he couldn't exactly predict the future, rendering his guesses as valid as anyone else's.

Asher offered a simple smile, remaining silent and allowing the conversation to meander without his input.

"What time does our first class begin today?" Finch interjected, steering the discussion back to more immediate concerns.

"3 pm. Why do you ask?" Williams responded, his eyes turning toward Finch with a flicker of curiosity.

"No particular reason, just contemplating a nap before class," Finch replied, playfully considering the notion.

Williams paused, lost in thought for a moment, before speaking up. "Hey, Asher, I require a favor," he said, his tone shifting to one of mild seriousness.

Asher turned to face him and, after a brief pause, answered, "If your request involves borrowing an exorbitant sum of points, I regret to inform you that I must decline," his voice devoid of emotion.

Williams shook his head. "Nah, it’s not that. I understand everyone's focused on training and needs their points. Only a complete fool would ask to borrow more than a hundred points right now," he stated truthfully, acknowledging the unreasonableness of such a request given everyone's commitments to training, personal expenses, and cultivation needs.