CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 710: Life Ranks

For two hours, Asher’s consciousness drifted, enveloped by the dream realm. Suddenly, a knock reverberated through his chamber. Asher’s eyelids fluttered open, his gaze meeting the ceiling. With a soft exhalation, he rose and ambled towards the door, his movements fluid yet deliberate.

He opened it to find Finch and William already present, leaning against the adjacent walls, patiently awaiting him.

Without a word, they bypassed him, heading straight for his living room. Asher merely shook his head, noting how his living room had become their established meeting spot over the past seven months. He closed the door and followed them, taking a seat before speaking.

"So, how was class today?" His voice was calm and subdued.

Finch was the first to respond, "I’m relieved we only had Instructor Melissa’s class. I’m not sure I could have focused in any other after the Training Facilities Building scammed so many points from me," he clicked his tongue, clearly displeased.

Both Finch and William had been ejected from the Training Facilities Building earlier that day. Finch, ever the shrewd businessman, was already lamenting his losses, while William appeared significantly more unfazed.

"Honestly, I can’t fathom the limits of Astra energy control and manipulation. Every time it seems like there’s nothing more Astra can do, Instructor Melissa unveils a new technique. At this point, I’m convinced Astra energy application is boundless and without restriction," William sighed, shaking his head in a mixture of awe and slight bewilderment.

This was precisely why Asher had opted out of attending class. Had it been Instructor Jude’s class, focusing on hand-to-hand combat, he might have shown up. Or perhaps Instructor Jane’s class on weaponry. But with his flawless Astra energy control, Asher saw no necessity.

"You’re essentially the only one who skipped class today. Everyone else was present, as no one is currently on a mission or in closed-door training," Finch added, a plate of cookies materializing in his hand.

"Well, it’s not as if anything new or extraordinary occurred in my absence," Asher replied with an indifferent shrug.

William paused momentarily before interjecting, "Actually, something rather special did happen."

Asher raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with curiosity. "Oh? What was it?"

"Instructor Melissa announced that classes are canceled for the entire day tomorrow. The Principal issued the order, likely in preparation for the announcement scheduled for the day after," William stated matter-of-factly.

Asher nodded, not entirely taken aback. He could already infer that Star Academy intended for all students to be present for the upcoming announcement, for reasons yet unknown.

"So, how did your training sessions go? Were either of you in a critical state before being expelled?" Asher inquired.

"No, not really. I was merely practicing my family’s sword technique," William responded, referencing the ancestral sword art he had honed for years.

"I was simply cultivating. I’m fortunate I wasn’t on the brink of a breakthrough; I might have inadvertently harmed my Astra veins when they ejected me from the facility if I had been close to advancing," Finch commented, taking a bite of his cookie.

‘Speaking of breakthroughs, Thalric mentioned he was close to one. I wonder what his current Life Rank is,’ Asher mused, a sudden thought of his brother crossing his mind.

"I’m sure the supervisors overseeing the Training Facilities assessed every student’s condition before teleporting them out. Besides, even if you were injured, I find it hard to believe that no one capable of healing torn Astra veins exists within Star Academy," Asher replied, his tone practical and grounded.

Asher’s assessment was accurate; it was indeed possible for one’s Astra veins to become torn or fractured, though such injuries were not easily rectified. The Astra veins are reputed to be an organ bestowed upon humanity by the celestial bodies, as they were not an inherent part of human physiology until the dawn of the new era, twenty thousand years prior.

A mere handful of healers possessed the capability to mend and restore damaged Astra veins. Among a hundred peak healers at the Crownstar Life Rank, finding even one who could restore severed Astra veins might prove challenging. Nevertheless, one or two individuals with the proficiency to repair compromised Astra veins did exist. The crucial question, however, remained whether the afflicted individual possessed the necessary connections to even reach such a healer, let alone the wealth or resources to compensate them.

There exist abilities capable of negating the need for a healer, exemplified by the former Emperor, Cyrvexis Lux Vanthelmor, whose mastery over time allowed him to mend a damaged Astra vein. Similarly, Asher, possessing Star Energy, could bypass the requirement for Astra energy to sustain combat, though this came at the cost of being permanently capped at his current Life Rank, unable to progress further in cultivation.

"So, what Life Rank are you both at currently?" Asher inquired casually.

Finch responded with a confident smirk, clearly proud of his advancement, "I've reached the Pulse Brightstar Life Rank," he stated, his tone tinged with boastfulness.

In the span of seven months, he had remained within the same Major Life Rank but had ascended from the Spark sub-Life Rank to the Pulse stage, marking a significant three-stage leap.

While this progression might seem sluggish compared to Asher's astonishing rate, it's important to remember Asher's prodigious talent. Furthermore, Finch was at the Flare Kindlestar Life Rank before encountering Lior. His breakthrough occurred during their soul bonding, propelling him into the Spark Brightstar Life Rank.

Finch had first awakened his abilities at fifteen and was now eighteen, meaning he spent three years journeying from the Dust Faintstar to the Flare Kindlestar. This extended period was partly attributed to his past indolence and mindset.

Asher simply offered a nod, providing no verbal reply to Finch. He then turned his attention to William, asking, "And what about you?"

"Flare Blazestar Life Rank," William answered with a shrug. Crossing the sub-sub ranks was a arduous task, and not everyone possessed the innate talent to make prodigious leaps like Asher.

"You've both already demonstrated remarkable progress," Asher commented with a serene smile, genuinely pleased by their development.

"What about you? Which rank have you attained?" Finch asked, his curiosity piqued, as they had never previously known Asher's Life Rank.

Asher paused for a moment before responding, "Even if I were to tell you, you likely wouldn't believe me," he admitted, shaking his head.

"Just tell us. As long as you're not already at the Crownstar Life Rank, we can handle it," William quipped playfully.

"Radiant Swiftstar Life Rank," Asher stated indifferently, seeing no reason to deceive them.

At his declaration, both Finch and William were utterly dumbfounded. They did not question Asher's claim, understanding his nature to be serious in such matters. William and Finch exchanged a look, then promptly rose to their feet and moved towards the door. They felt compelled to leave the presence of this monstrous talent, as if distancing themselves could somehow restore their shattered sense of normalcy.

"Where are you two heading?" Asher inquired, his gaze shifting towards them.

"To cultivate," Finch replied as he swung open the door. The moment he stepped into the hallway, he vanished, teleporting away.

"I'll see you during the announcement," William added, pulling the door shut behind him.