CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 718: Disappointment

Asher, previously slumbering peacefully, stirred, his consciousness drifting back amidst his sleep. His thoughts registered an unusual draft within what he distinctly recalled as his closed-off room. Suddenly, his eyes flew open, but the familiar confines of his chamber were replaced by what appeared to be a dense forest.

His gaze, sharp and purple, immediately locked onto his position—the ground. The coarse texture beneath him felt undeniably real, solidifying his awareness. He sprang to his feet instantly, his Omni Perception extending out over nine hundred meters, allowing him to meticulously map his surroundings. This sudden shift resonated with a past event—the Wargrave’s True Awakening.

The circumstances mirrored that past experience precisely: from his room to a forest, with no discernible transition or preamble.

The moment Asher's Omni Perception swept outwards, he halted. He wasn't alone. He could perceive every single student, from his peers to the third-year cohort, all lying on the forest floor, deeply asleep. Their presences were tranquil and unguarded, some even stirring and emitting snores as if enjoying the gentle breeze, utterly oblivious to their predicament.

“Congratulations, you are the first to awaken. Whether to say ‘as expected’ is uncertain. Please try not to disturb the others,” a voice resonated within Asher’s mind, its tone calm yet subtly probing.

Asher’s focus sharpened. He clearly registered the mental message, yet he couldn't detect any presence within nearly a kilometer, intensifying his caution momentarily.

“System, how long has it been since I was transported here?” Asher inquired, bypassing the disembodied voice. He had already surmised it belonged to a concealed instructor.

[The Host and all others were teleported here nine seconds ago.]

The system’s chime confirmed the reply.

“It seems I awoke almost immediately upon arrival,” Asher mused, understanding that his body and senses had simply responded to the unfamiliar forest air.

“What is the time?” he asked the system once more.

[Five o’clock.]

The answer was instantaneous.

“As I suspected,” Asher murmured, glancing down at his pajamas rustling in the breeze. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have changed clothes,” he contemplated, settling onto the ground. He anticipated the training wouldn't commence until everyone was awake or the hidden instructor decided to intervene.

A minute elapsed. Thalric rose abruptly. The instant he awoke, his saber materialized in his hand, and he assumed a battle-ready stance—a swift, instinctive reaction. However, he froze mid-motion, as if receiving telepathic communication.

Shortly thereafter, Teo Swig followed suit. His eyes flickered towards Asher and Thalric, offering a silent nod of acknowledgment before returning to a state of quiet observation. Following this, students began to rouse one by one—some alert, others bewildered, and a few, naturally, remained deeply asleep, seemingly more comfortable than ever, their bodies unable to distinguish between a soft bed and the hard earth.

Precisely one hour passed, marking six o’clock. At that exact moment, water materialized from thin air, drenching the remaining sleepers. They jolted awake like startled felines. But before any could react or speak, an immense pressure descended from above, immobilizing every single student.

Asher and the others instinctively looked upward, their gazes drawn to a beautiful woman suspended in mid-air, seemingly anchored by the very wind. Her presence effortlessly commanded the surroundings. A look of disappointment was etched on her face as she surveyed them, her gaze sharp and penetrating.

None recognized her, yet the understanding was immediate: this was a new instructor, assigned by the Principal.

The next instant, the pressure dissipated, restoring control to their bodies. The instructor had merely employed her aura to prevent any noise or outcry from those startled awake by the water. Yet, though the pressure vanished, her disappointed expression remained unchanged.

"Based on the brief test I just administered, I'm uncertain whether to attribute my disappointment to the instructors teaching you, or if the Empire's talent pool is experiencing a decline," the Instructor began, her voice a calm yet commanding presence. "You have all undertaken at least ten missions over the past ten months, and what is the result? Absolutely nothing," she declared, her gaze sweeping over them as if a deity addressing her lesser beings.

"For an entire hour, I transported each of you from your quarters; had this been a genuine battlefield, you would have met your demise in your sleep before even grasping the situation," she stated. "Perhaps I should simply recommend to the Sovereign that we forgo the tournament this year," her tone was sharp and unforgiving, reflecting her profound disappointment.

To her, these students had been on missions; they had all endured nights in the wilderness or maintained vigilant watch duties. Through this experience, they ought to have at least sensed subtle shifts in their environment, even while asleep. Yet, the majority had failed this basic test.

Certainly, a select few individuals performed admirably, such as Asher, Thalric, and Teo, among others. However, she offered no public commendation. In her view, waking promptly or even on time was an expectation, not something warranting praise.

"I am even more disheartened by the Upperclassmen. With two to three years of experience, you still faltered in this test? It makes me question how you've managed to survive your missions thus far," she remarked, her voice devoid of emotion and utterly unforgiving.

Not a single student dared to utter a word; they met her words with a heavy silence and averted gazes. What recourse did they have? They knew she spoke the truth. Under normal circumstances, they would have reacted. However, they had all lowered their defenses, lulled into a false sense of security by the perceived safety of their current location.

Moreover, regardless of whether her assessment was accurate or not, could they possibly retort? Absolutely not. While her Life Rank remained undisclosed, everyone present surmised she was at least at the Crownstar Life Rank. Even if her rank was lower, or if she possessed less combat prowess than them, speaking back to an Instructor was sufficient grounds for expulsion.

"Pathetic," her voice resonated one final time, marking the end of her expression of discontent.

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