CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 699: William Brokie

After a brief silence, Asher spoke, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing amusement that belied his current nonchalance, "I don't have any experience with chained weapons, so there's nothing for me to teach you."

Finch immediately halted at his words. He cleared his throat awkwardly before explaining, "I didn't mean it like that. I just didn't want to be completely overpowered by you. I simply didn't realize the training would be heading in that direction," he clarified, his voice laced with a slight fluster as he tried to justify his earlier hesitation.

Asher, a smile gracing his features, shook his head and turned his gaze towards Lior, who remained in his avian form. "Why don't you ask the Emovira for assistance? As a Rank Five Emovira, he undoubtedly possesses sufficient power and knowledge to help, even if only a little," Asher inquired, his tone casual despite the underlying curiosity of his suggestion.

Finch fell silent, the idea having never occurred to him. He could have sought Lior's guidance on any matter, yet he hadn't. But before Finch could voice his thoughts, Lior spoke first.

"I can't be bothered, kid. Just because we're soul-bound doesn't mean I suddenly feel inclined to train him until he reaches Crownstar Life Rank or whatever," Lior declared. His form shimmered as he transformed from a bird into a human, settling calmly onto a couch with his legs crossed. "Whatever Finch decides to do with his life is of no concern to me. After all, it's not as if I have any personal desire to become strong myself," he replied impassively, his tone utterly detached.

Asher remained quiet for a moment, briefly meeting Lior's gaze before nodding without a word, seemingly unwilling to engage in further debate or press the issue.

Finch stared at Lior, questioning if this was the same being who had offered him life advice mere minutes prior. Lior sensed Finch's scrutiny but made no acknowledgment. Indeed, he had offered Finch advice, but whether Finch heeded it was entirely his own affair.

If Finch chose to live as a noble, so be it; Lior would enjoy the spoils of platinum coins. If Finch opted to become a renowned fighter or warrior, Lior would simply watch him strive, his own role remaining constant regardless of Finch's chosen path.

"No problem then," Asher responded, his words directed at Finch. Having nothing pressing to attend to, he saw no reason to decline a generous five thousand points that practically fell into his lap, especially when minimal effort was required.

"Thank you," Finch replied instantly, a wide grin spreading across his face as if he had just unearthed a treasure trove, his earlier disappointment completely eclipsed by burgeoning excitement.

Asher chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No need to thank me. You are paying for it, after all," he stated in a calm, matter-of-fact tone, devoid of any superfluous sentiment.

Finch simply smiled, offering no further words, his expression conveying pure satisfaction.

Asher paused for a moment before continuing, "However, I won't be giving you the same kind of lesson I provided William. I merely refined what I perceived as flaws in his form and fundamental weapon techniques. I won't be doing the same for you." Asher met Finch's gaze evenly. "I will need to train you from the very beginning, re-establishing certain fundamentals. I won't elaborate until we commence; you'll understand then," Asher explained, his voice steady and deliberate.

Finch remained silent for a beat, then nodded. He grasped that he and William could not receive identical instruction, as their foundations were inherently different. Moreover, if Asher indicated a need for a distinct form of training, it was something Finch recognized he must address promptly to avoid future repercussions.

"When would you like to begin?" Finch inquired. Personally, he was eager to start immediately; he could pay Asher right then and even forgo his scheduled class if necessary.

Asher considered for a moment before replying, "Hmm... we'll commence tomorrow, and it will last for a minimum of five hours, or until you're completely spent," his tone thoughtful, as if he were already mentally mapping out the training regimen.

While he could initiate the training immediately, it seemed prudent to reserve an activity for the following day, as he had no other commitments, thus ensuring an efficient use of his time.

"Understood. I'll be here tomorrow then," Finch affirmed. Despite his lack of knowledge regarding the potential brutality of Asher's promised training, he steeled himself, his resolve and determination hardening.

'If I don't push myself to my absolute limit now, I'll inevitably be left behind by Asher and William,' he resolved internally, prepared to endure whatever ordeal Asher subjected him to, regardless of its severity.

"Should I transfer the points now?" Finch inquired, his voice earnest and direct, as he was perfectly willing to settle the payment immediately if Asher desired it.

Asher remained quiet for a brief period before nodding slightly and responding, "I will receive the points after tomorrow's lesson."

While he could certainly accept the payment at this moment, it was simply more prudent to wait until the following day. The notion of Finch potentially receiving the lesson and then refusing to pay never even crossed Asher's mind; such a scenario was utterly inconceivable to him.

"Urgh... Even though I conceived the entire plan, I'm too much of a pauper to even cover the cost," William lamented, his words laced with a blend of vexation and candid self-deprecation.

Responding to William's outburst, Finch turned towards him and adopted a mockingly haughty tone, mimicking a condescending Young Master. "In the presence of nobility, commoners and peasants such as yourselves ought to remain silent and mind your station," he declared, a playful smirk gracing his lips as he teased William for his current lack of funds.

"Tsk... It appears our next mission will need to commence sooner than originally planned," William declared with a click of his tongue. This was far from the first time Finch had ribbed him about his financial straits, and a faint hint of irritation flickered in his eyes.

"What's the matter, suddenly so incensed? You frequently mock my physique, calling me fat, yet you cannot tolerate a jest about your depleted coffers," Finch retorted, his smile unwavering, his tone light yet laced with a sharp, teasing edge.

William fell silent, the realization dawning upon him that he absolutely needed to acquire some points as soon as possible, lest Finch continue to torment him endlessly over this matter. The thought weighed heavily on his mind.

After a short pause, William finally spoke, "What you fail to grasp, Finch, is that my poverty is but a fleeting condition; your corpulence, however, is eternal. So prepare yourself to be ridiculed, Fatty Wang, for I shall not hold back," he declared, meeting Finch's gaze directly, his tone firm and carrying a distinct undertone of competitive defiance.

"Indeed, but don't you think perhaps you should alter your surname from Canestane to Brokie? It seems rather fitting for you, wouldn't you agree?" Finch added, his voice dripping with mockery as he stubbornly refused to cease his taunting. After all, this was the very first time he had stumbled upon a perfect topic to needle William, and he had absolutely no intention of letting such a golden opportunity slip through his fingers.