CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 723: Forest

Asher stirred with a stretch as the system prompted him awake, signaling the commencement of training. Surprisingly, the system refrained from any mischievous acts, such as waking him an hour past 4:20 a.m. Nonetheless, he maintained his guard, cautioning Virelass to stay alert, suspecting the system might still be deceiving them both. Virelass simply responded with a soft hum, her presence remaining tranquil and watchful as always.

A shift in the training regimen was scheduled for today. The previous evening, Instructor Mira had announced a break from physical conditioning, pivoting to a different training focus under a new Instructor. Asher proceeded to the bathroom, preparing for the day by changing his attire, cleansing his face, and grooming himself before exiting. He precisely awaited the designated moment before activating his Position Marker ability, vanishing instantaneously from his chamber without leaving any trace.

Asher’s usual arrival was exactly at 4:59 a.m., a minute shy of the training's start, yet no one voiced any objection. As long as he maintained punctuality, the exact time of his appearance was inconsequential to the others.

Glancing around, Asher noted, as anticipated, that he was the last to arrive. The instant the clock struck the hour, another Instructor materialized, this time a male figure. He hovered above them, silent, and with a mere gesture of his hand, all the students were forcibly relocated, unable to resist the teleportation.

Asher felt the terrain firm beneath his feet, his body reorienting in less than a heartbeat as he rapidly assessed his surroundings. Towering trees encircled them, their sheer magnitude dwarfing even the most colossal skyscrapers of Earth. Despite the allure, Asher abstained from activating his Omni Perception. Though well within his capability, he consciously chose not to, believing it more beneficial to maximize his training gains by relying solely on his innate senses, which were already exceptionally acute.

After absorbing the details of their new environment, the students’ attention redirected upward towards their Instructor, who remained suspended serenely, seemingly granting them a moment to acclimate.

Following a brief interlude, he commenced speaking.

"My designation is Instructor Sane, and my training methodology is straightforward. I will guide you through speed enhancement exercises, focusing on improving aspects such as reaction time, reflexes, perception, instantaneous responses, and crucially, bolstering your pain threshold," he articulated, his voice subdued and even, presenting a stark contrast to Instructor Mira’s demeanor, which consistently exuded an air of detached indifference, as if the very act of instructing them fell beneath her consideration.

At the Instructor’s declaration, every student’s gaze shifted towards the foreboding forest before them, enveloped in shadow and dimly illuminated by scarce beams of moonlight penetrating the thick arboreal ceiling. There was no necessity for explicit instruction regarding the dangers that lay within; instinct alone conveyed that the unknown held peril, and more significantly, the capacity to inflict harm. Some students involuntarily swallowed, recalling the grueling trials under Instructor Mira’s tutelage, leading them to anticipate another session teetering on the brink of fatality.

Instructor Sane perceived their apprehensive expressions and offered a gentle smile, shaking his head slightly before resuming his address.

"Fear not. There is no reason for apprehension. My training regime is comparatively less arduous than Mira’s," he stated reassuringly.

These words prompted many students to exhale breaths they hadn’t realized they were holding. However, not all were swayed by this assurance. For a segment of the students, the Instructor's reassurance held no sway; a training session remained a training session, an immutable fact.

With that, Instructor Sane gestured, and various bracelets materialized from the heavens, five descending precisely in front of each student, their trajectories expertly managed through refined Astea manipulation.

"These are weighted bracelets. Affix four to your extremities and the fifth to your waist," Instructor Sane directed with calm composure.

Asher inspected the bracelets in his grasp. Despite their seemingly negligible weight, he fully comprehended their intended function. Without a word of protest, he promptly adhered to the directive, securing them with practiced efficiency.

In contrast, the other students’ countenances signaled a desperate plea for reprieve as they donned the restraints. They were already clad in their training jumpsuits, which imposed an added burden. Now, with further weight distributed across their wrists, ankles, and core, their predicament intensified considerably.

Instructor Sane produced a snapping sound with his fingers, and instantaneously, the students registered the alteration. The added resistance was perceptible, not to the degree of incapacitation, but undeniably present, subtly impeding their movements and diminishing their overall velocity.

Instructor Sane then gestured towards the dense woods behind him and spoke again.

"For the time being, your mission is straightforward: cross to the opposite side of this forest. While I shouldn't have to state this, I will: the deployment of abilities and Astra energy is strictly prohibited. Given the nature of the training I alluded to earlier, I am confident some of you can infer what lies ahead. Therefore, strive to avoid injuries beyond what is truly necessary," he articulated in a calm, unwavering tone.

Perceiving the instructor as more approachable and considerably more relaxed than Mira, one student mustered the courage to pose a question.

"You are permitted to inquire," Instructor Sane stated, still hovering effortlessly in the air.

"Instructor Sane, what precisely should we anticipate?" the student inquired, their voice laced with palpable curiosity.

"The customary challenges," Instructor Sane responded without a moment's hesitation.

This abrupt reply left the student rendered speechless. It wasn't just her; the other students shared an identical sense of bewilderment, as the meaning of "the customary challenges" remained entirely obscure to them. Nevertheless, no one dared to probe further. If Instructor Sane had chosen to answer in such a manner, it implied they were destined to confront these challenges firsthand.

"Furthermore, I must emphasize that this is a running exercise. I will not permit any form of walking, jogging, or sluggish movement. You are free to sprint at your maximum velocity if you so choose, but I will absolutely not tolerate anyone proceeding at a glacial pace," Instructor Sane added with resolute emphasis.

Every student nodded, clearly grasping the instructor's directive. In reality, none of them harbored any intention of unleashing their full running speed. If they managed to complete the course too swiftly, their efforts would simply be nullified, compelling them to commence anew. Besides, the forest's immense expanse offered ample space, allowing for diverse starting points that would prevent any mid-run interference between students.

"You may now commence," Instructor Sane commanded.

Upon his signal, the students instantly propelled themselves forward, surging into the forest with potent, driving strides. Despite the added encumbrance of weights designed to impede their speed, they still moved with astonishing swiftness, far exceeding the capabilities of any unawakened human. Their forms rapidly disappeared into the encroaching darkness as this new phase of their rigorous training officially began.

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