CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 757: Common Sense [Spacecraft Bonus - ]

A sleek black van halted before a colossal skyscraper. The door slid open, and Asher, William, Ryaen, Finch, and Vaelric emerged, their faces alight with varied smiles as they conversed, an aura of tranquility enveloping them as they entered the hotel tower.

The driver lingered in the van for a beat, observing them with a look tinged with envy. He couldn't help but recall his own youth, a time when he too harbored dreams of becoming an awakener. He had envisioned himself wielding diverse skills, battling monsters, wild beasts, and Emovirae, all while enjoying multiple women and indulging in unrestrained spending.

Alas, his three awakening attempts had all faltered, his aspirations shattered by the harshness of reality. He was destined to marry but a single woman, a far cry from the multitude he'd once fantasized about. With a resigned sigh at the world's inequities, he shook his head and drove away. Contemplating it further, he knew, would change nothing.

Securing a marriage with an unawakener already residing within the Zero Rings presented another avenue for individuals from the Outer Rings to ascend.

Numerous unawakened souls yearned for a place in the Zero Rings. While the Outer Rings offered peace and stability, an innate desire pulsed within everyone to forge a connection with the powerful individuals inhabiting the Zero Rings. After all, that realm promised superior opportunities, greater riches, and a future brimming with potential.

Consequently, for someone like the driver, wedding a woman from the Outer Rings meant his wife could transition to the Zero Rings alongside him.

Darkness had enveloped the sky, the moon a luminous orb high above, casting its gentle radiance upon the land. Asher and his companions strolled with nary a care. Their entire day had been an adventure, moving from one engagement to the next, savoring the diverse culinary delights of the Thalvorn Empire. Despite their foreign origins, all had to concede the food was exquisite.

They had engaged in games of water polo and horse polo, and Asher had even imparted the skill of driving, which they swiftly mastered. However, their races were marred by frequent crashes, resulting in numerous vehicular collisions and even several fiery explosions. Naturally, their extraordinary physiques meant they sustained absolutely zero injuries; even the explosions felt like mere tickles against their skin, lacking the perilous empowerment of abilities.

They stood within an elevator, ascending towards the topmost floor.

"Today was incredibly fun," Asher declared, a serene smile gracing his lips.

Among them all, he could undoubtedly claim to have had the most enjoyment. While his friends were unfamiliar with the technology, he was conversant with it all, which, in a peculiar way, made the experience even more captivating and intriguing for him than for the others, who were encountering advanced technology for the very first time.

"Seriously. After today's escapades, I feel like I've been wasting my time in the Zarethorne Empire. If we return, how can I possibly find anything else entertaining?" William mused, shaking his head.

"If places like these existed everywhere, brothels and bars would simply go out of business," Finch quipped, his humor invariably tethered to wealth, both overtly and subconsciously.

His observation held a kernel of truth. Back on Earth, the spirits industry experienced diminished success compared to the sales figures enjoyed by previous generations before the advent of Gen Z.

"I wonder how long we'll be staying here," Ryaen inquired, a placid smile on her face.

She, too, had reveled in an immense amount of fun, so much so that the thought of departing felt unwelcome. This sentiment fueled her question. Indeed, after experiencing such a pinnacle of enjoyment, no rational person would willingly wish to leave anytime soon.

Asher's gaze shifted towards her momentarily. Ryaen had visibly relaxed throughout their day's tour. Typically reserved and taciturn, she had today displayed smiles, laughter, jokes, and engaged like any ordinary individual.

It was as though she was gradually shedding the protective shell she had constructed around herself, a consequence of her exceptional talent and years of solitude.

'She's opening up, bit by bit,' Asher reflected internally, a faint smile touching his lips. Yet, he refrained from vocalizing his thoughts. After all, Ryaen herself seemed unaware of this transformation, and any remark, whether serious or playful, might prompt her to retreat back into her former guarded self.

"I suppose no one truly knows. Or perhaps only the instructors and nobles are privy to that information. We are, after all, still unaware of the exact date of the Inter-Empire Competition or its duration. It could be a day, or it might extend for a week," Prince Vaelric answered without hesitation.

Through the course of this tour, he had forged a significantly stronger bond with everyone. William and Finch now even felt comfortable addressing him by his given name, foregoing his imperial title.

In a way, the events of the day had forged a stronger bond within their group of friends.

"I suppose you have a point, and I'm in no hurry for the Inter-Empire Competition to arrive. Once it does and concludes, who knows what will happen? The Principal might decide to send us back to Star Academy immediately due to security concerns," Ryaen mused. She still had so many experiences she wished to pursue, and it was simply impossible to test and savor everything within a single day.

The elevator arrived at their designated floor, and with a gentle chime, the doors slid open, allowing them to step out into the corridor.

"Whose room are we heading to?" William inquired, as it was far too early for anyone to consider retiring to their own quarters. Besides, they were capable of going several days without sleep and facing no adverse effects.

"Let's go to mine," Finch responded without hesitation.

Everyone readily agreed and followed him without protest. After all, every room on the upper levels was virtually identical to the others.

"So, Asher, where did you learn to drive? You were so proficient, it looked like you could teach others," Ryaen asked as they entered Finch's room.

All eyes turned to Asher, and it finally clicked for them that he genuinely knew how to drive without any instruction from the professionals at the racing tracks.

"Common sense," Asher replied instantly, lowering himself onto one of the couches in Finch's room.

Asher's answer left them speechless. They had anticipated a wide range of responses, but 'common sense'? That was the last thing any of them had expected.

"Tsk, are you implying we lack common sense?" William asked, clicking his tongue in mild irritation.

"You said that, not me," Asher responded with a shrug.

"You're fortunate you're stronger than I am," William declared, shaking his head with a sigh. What else could he do? Engage Asher in a fight? That was merely a pipe dream.

"Regardless, let's have some drinks and play some games," Vaelric suggested, gesturing and producing an assortment of bottles containing alcohol, juices, and other beverages he had acquired during their excursions.

With that, they activated the television, and as expected, Asher dominated every game, leaving them all defeated. They voiced complaints that Asher was cheating, but he simply dismissed them as sore losers.

Eventually, they abandoned the games altogether. Asher then navigated to a streaming application, where they began watching a live broadcast of an awakener battling what appeared to be a group of Emovirae.

And just like that, time slipped away as they occupied the next few hours with activities far removed from their usual routines.

No training sessions, no missions undertaken for Academy Points, no visits to the Training Facility Building, no attendance at classes, and no contemplation of future obligations. To them, this was the epitome of pure bliss, a precious interval of freedom where they could simply exist, unburdened by expectations, pressure, or lurking danger.

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