CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 714: A Good Time
Previously on CLEAVER OF SIN...
The instant Cindralis departed the hall via her portal, a cacophony erupted, a storm of voices filled with disbelief and echoes as the students could contain their thoughts and excitement no longer. The dread they had felt from Cindralis’ overwhelming, existential presence dissipated instantly, completely overshadowed by a surge of excitement that banished the lingering fear, leaving behind only eager anticipation and restless energy.
"LET'S FUCKING GOOO!!!!" a student bellowed at the top of his lungs, his voice reverberating throughout the immense hall.
"Another Empire? That's insane," another chimed in with a broad grin, still struggling to fully process the news, his eyes alight with exhilaration.
"I wonder what the women and men from foreign Empires are like," a third student mused, his curiosity veering into questionable territory, eliciting a few amused yet knowing glances.
"It's time to demonstrate to the other Empires why we are known as the Zarethorne Empire," a male student declared with a confident smirk, his pride palpable.
"Precisely," another echoed, mirroring his smirk. They exchanged a look for a moment before their gazes shifted towards the front row, where the top-ranked students of each year were seated. Their smirks widened into grins; to them, having one Wargrave in such a competition was a guarantee of victory, but having two? That was simply overwhelming, undeniable overkill.
"I've had my eye on a few items; now that they'll be readily available, I'm definitely acquiring them today," a female student announced. Though she didn't specify her targets, everyone could infer she was after something exceptionally costly, likely far beyond her personal means.
"I'm curious about the training sessions with the Instructors personally chosen by the Principal. Will they resemble Instructor Jane and the others, or will they be an entirely different caliber of individual?" a student pondered aloud, lost in thought about the impending training, clearly anticipating it with a blend of curiosity and excitement.
Asher remained silent, a subtle, almost imperceptible smile gracing his lips. Truthfully, he had given little to no thought about foreign Empires prior to this. He had never felt curious, possessing no knowledge about them whatsoever, thus there was nothing upon which to base any curiosity. But that all changed now. A quiet yet persistent curiosity began to burn within him.
'I should have foreseen this,' Asher mused internally, his gaze steady. He felt he should have been certain it would culminate in a tournament or competition. 'After all, what kind of academy arc is complete without some form of school competition?' he concluded, shaking his head slightly with mild amusement.
'I've barely had the chance to explore the Zarethorne Empire, and now I'm traveling to another to encounter individuals from various Empires,' Asher's thoughts continued, growing more contemplative. For a fleeting moment, he couldn't help but wonder if other Empires harbored families as extraordinarily powerful and influential as the Wargrave lineage.
His head tilted slightly as he glanced behind him, his purple eyes meeting Ryaen Silvershade's. She was deep in thought, a faint smile playing on her lips—she, who seldom smiled, was now visibly intrigued and captivated by the mere prospect of another Empire. Even William, seated directly behind her, was lost in his contemplation, his expression unusually serious.
Thalric and Teo Swig remained motionless for a moment, also engrossed in their own reflections. Thalric was clearly invigorated by the prospect of clashing swords with students from other Empires, eager to gauge his own prowess against theirs, while Teo also anticipated the event, albeit with a more composed and reserved demeanor.
After a brief pause, Thalric spoke, addressing Asher. "Ash, it appears we have an opportunity to show other Empires why we are Wargraves," his voice was low and steady, yet brimming with self-assurance. At his words, his soul-bound sabre emitted a faint hum, as if resonating with his declaration.
Asher merely smiled, offering no verbal reply. As for himself, he intended to have a thoroughly enjoyable experience. He would strive to savor every moment upon arriving in the foreign Empire. After all, who knew when such a chance might arise again? Naturally, he wouldn't wander around gawking at every structure like an unsophisticated outsider; no, he would maintain his poise while still embracing the experience to its fullest. While a competition was underway, this was, in its own way, also a tour of a distinctly different Empire.
Teo Swig, remaining quiet until this moment, finally faced Asher and Thalric, his serene blue eyes scanning both of them. Formalities were unnecessary at this stage, so he offered no greetings. "Although the exact rules and competition format are yet to be revealed, I anticipate a productive collaboration with both of you. After all, the three of us are the top rankers from our respective years," he stated, rising gracefully from his seat. He stopped before Asher and extended his hand for a handshake. Asher accepted without missing a beat, replying, "I look forward to working with you too," his voice even yet sincere. Teo gave a single nod before turning to Thalric, offering his hand once more. Thalric took the handshake, his expression unchanging, utterly silent. "If you two wish to train together, my door is always open," Teo Swig added, then departed as if his conversation with Wargraves had held little consequence. Neither Asher nor Thalric offered a reply. Recalling Cindralis's earlier words, they both surmised that all students, from the first year to the final, would likely undergo joint training in a single location, with intensity adjusted according to individual aptitude and current power levels. With nothing else pressing, Thalric stood. Before leaving, however, he turned to Asher, inquiring, "How about we undertake a mission together after we claim victory in the competition?" His tone was assured, as if the outcome of representing the Zarethorne Empire was a foregone conclusion for either himself or his brother. Not a trace of doubt colored his words. Asher's purple eyes flickered upward, meeting Thalric's black gaze before he responded, "We could have ventured out sooner, you know?" Thalric merely shook his head, offering no response. He turned and walked away, fully comprehending Asher's implicit agreement. While the full extent of Asher's strength remained unknown, the upcoming competition presented an ideal opportunity for discovery. Should Asher not end up representing the Zarethorne Empire, they could then opt for a less demanding mission, relishing the experience without undue pressure. However, it was worth noting that Thalric's definition of a "weak" and "simple" mission might easily be perceived as a death-defying undertaking by others, where mere survival hung precariously in the balance.