CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 737: Title [Spacecraft Bonus - ]

~5 minute read · 1,166 words
Previously on CLEAVER OF SIN...
Asher and his friends spent their last day in the Empire shopping and preparing for their departure. The next morning, all students gathered, and a mysterious instructor instantly teleported them to an open field where a colossal aircraft, a "Sky Jet," awaited. Asher was astonished by this advanced technology, a stark contrast to the primitive world he knew. The students then boarded the impossibly spacious and luxurious interior, organized by rank, beginning their journey to another Empire.

Asher found a seat as the other students began to file onto the Sky Jet, their faces alight with anticipation, their eyes scanning the wondrous equipment aboard, a mixture of awe and curiosity painting their expressions.

Once all had settled into their places, the female Instructor from before swiftly closed the door. Turning to address the gathered students, she announced, "This Sky Jet possesses three levels. You are currently in the seating area. Directly above is where you will find the sleeping and resting quarters. Further up is the kitchen, where you may procure any desired sustenance. Lastly, the topmost floor is strictly off-limits; do not even contemplate venturing there." Her delivery was smooth and devoid of emotion.

Without pausing for any inquiry, she dematerialized from her floating position as if she had never been present. No mention was made of seat belts or any other safety precautions.

A low hum resonated through the Sky Jet's structure as power surged, and with a deep, resonant thrum, it gradually ascended from the ground. Many students gazed out the windows as if witnessing the Star Academy for the very first time.

A shimmering portal materialized before them, and with incredible velocity, the Sky Jet plunged through it, exiting the Separate Dimension and commencing its official voyage towards the Thalvorn Empire.

Asher observed the world below from his vantage point by the personal window, his sight filled solely with an unending panorama of forests and gigantic trees that stretched towards the heavens, their lofty crowns seemingly yearning to brush against the sky.

A flurry of excited conversation erupted among the students as they pointed out various sights to one another. In the next instant, however, a portal abruptly ripped open above them, and a man emerged with effortless grace. His eyes burned crimson, stark against his raven-black hair. He hovered serenely for a moment, surveying the suddenly hushed students, their chatter ceasing instantly at his unexpected appearance.

"Just pretend I'm not here and carry on as you were," the man declared with a smile, making a casual gesture towards the students, who, predictably, found themselves unable to simply revert to their previous activities with such ease.

Asher regarded the man for a beat before posing his question. "Are you an Instructor?" he inquired calmly. Since the man was already present, it seemed most logical to ask directly.

The man's crimson gaze shifted to Asher. "I am not. You may consider me an adventurer. My job is to provide security and ensure the safety of each of you." His tone was relaxed and inviting.

Asher gave a slight nod, mentally cataloging the man as another individual employed by Cindralis.

"Feel free to ask any questions you might have," the man offered, sensing Asher's unspoken queries.

Upon hearing this, Asher's mind immediately gravitated towards inquiring about the Sky Jet itself. It was, after all, one of the primary subjects occupying his thoughts at that particular moment, the very reason he wasn't engaging in idle banter with Finch and William.

"What can you tell me about the Sky Jet?" Asher asked. While he strongly suspected its origins traced back to Cindralis, confirmation was still desired.

The man offered a faint smirk before responding, "I cannot disclose that. It would diminish the surprise. Your questions will be answered in due course, within a few days." His words were deliberately vague, hinting at a concealed revelation.

The other students, who had been attentively listening to the exchange between Asher and the enigmatic man, shared in his curiosity regarding the Sky Jet. However, their hopes for enlightenment were met with sighs of disappointment given the lack of a concrete answer.

Asher shook his head and posed another query. "How distant is the Thalvorn Empire, and what is our estimated arrival time?" he asked, keen to ascertain the precise scale of separation between the Empires.

The man pondered for a moment, stroking his chin, before replying, "I cannot provide the exact distance in kilometers. However, based on our intelligence, a Crownstar Life Ranker, flying at peak velocity continuously without any respite, would require more than a week—precisely nine days—just to reach the border of a foreign Empire."

Asher was left entirely dumbfounded by the man's statement.

It was common knowledge that Crownstar Life Rankers could traverse immense distances in mere fractions of a second. Now, however, he was being informed that such powerful individuals would still need over a week of non-stop, maximum-speed travel to merely reach the frontier of another Empire.

The sheer immensity of the distance between each Empire was staggering, creating a sense of separation as if they were celestial bodies adrift in the vastness of space.

"Wait... but we are utilizing the Sky Jet. If it takes Crownstar Life Rankers over a week to reach our destination, does that imply our journey will span anywhere from two weeks to a full month?" Asher inquired immediately, the thought striking him with force.

The man chuckled, a slight shake of his head accompanying his words. "The Sky Jet operates at the speed befitting a Crownstar Life Ranker, meaning our arrival should occur within a similar timeframe," he stated with an air of nonchalance.

This declaration left Asher and the gathered students in a state of renewed astonishment.

Asher's curiosity regarding the Sky Jet intensified, becoming an almost consuming preoccupation that sent countless speculations racing through his mind. After a moment of contemplation, he let out a sigh and shook his head. Since the answers were apparently destined to be revealed in about a week's time, he resolved to wait patiently rather than continue to press the man, who seemed disinclined to divulge further information.

"Are there any further questions?" the man inquired, his tone languid.

Asher found himself without any urgent queries, and the other students remained equally reticent. Their primary intrigue was centered on the Sky Jet, yet they understood that no satisfactory explanations would be forthcoming on that matter.

"What is your name?" Asher posed instead. He could readily discern that the man was likely a Crownstar Life Ranker, yet he conducted himself like an enigmatic hermit, relishing casual conversation and jest rather than exhibiting the composed dignity typically associated with individuals of such formidable power.

A proud smile spread across the man's face before he responded, "You may simply address me as FatelessPen. That is my title." A distinct note of pride tinged his introduction.

Asher's eyebrow lifted slightly as he pondered the origins of such an unusual appellation. Furthermore, the only known titles Asher personally recalled were those of his mother, hailed as the Lily Of The Abyss, and Cindralis, recognized as the Space Goddess. He remained uncertain whether Azaron or Malik held any titles themselves.

Around the perimeter of the Sky Jet, hushed whispers circulated among several students upon hearing the peculiar title, their expressions a mixture of bewilderment, intrigue, and amusement.

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