CLEAVER OF SIN

"Although I'll still explain a few things after you pick a mission, are there any questions for now?" the facilitator asked, his tone calm but edged with mild impatience.

Asher fell silent, lost momentarily in thought, as though carefully deciding on a question worth asking.

"What if a student dies during a mission?" he suddenly asked. After all, death was a constant companion in any mission, no matter how careful one was, there was no such thing as a hundred percent safety.

The facilitator arched an eyebrow. "Didn't you read the Academy's invitation letter that was sent to you?"

Asher shook his head and replied casually, "I didn't even see the letter, let alone read it."

The man stared at him with a hint of disbelief. Every student admitted into the Star Academy was personally given an invitation letter, it was a tradition that had never been broken.

"The invitation letter was given to my father, not me," Asher explained after noticing the man's puzzled gaze.

"What's your name, kid?" the facilitator asked, intrigued. It was the first time he had heard of an invitation letter being sent to a student's parent instead of the student themselves.

"Asher Wargrave," Asher replied smoothly, his expression composed and unbothered.

The man gave a low whistle and smirked faintly. "Hoo… another Wargrave within the Academy. Interesting." He spoke the name with no trace of the usual awe or hesitation that most people displayed when hearing it. The name Wargrave carried immense weight, yet the facilitator's tone was steady, professional, unmoved by reputation or lineage.

"Well, that's beside the point," he continued, waving off the matter. "Within every invitation letter, it's clearly stated that the Star Academy isn't responsible for any death that occurs outside of the Separate Dimension. Meaning, if a student dies during a mission, their corpse will be sent back to their parents, assuming there's even a corpse left to recover, that is." His tone hardened slightly as he went on. "However, the Academy always conducts an investigation after a student's death. If we find evidence of foul play, then simple expulsion won't be enough. The punishment for death among students is… far worse."

He said the last part in a single breath, his voice carrying the weight of experience, as though he had seen such tragedies before.

Asher nodded slowly, digesting the information. It made sense. Without investigations, students could simply leave the Academy grounds, kill one another during missions, and return pretending nothing had happened. That would plunge the Academy into chaos.

'I wonder,' Asher mused inwardly, 'what kind of punishment the Star Academy could possibly enforce on someone with a strong backing, like me, if I happened to kill another student.'

He allowed the thought to linger for a moment. To him, Cindralis had already lost once, to both his father and his older brother. What could she possibly do now? Demand compensation? Attack the Wargrave Ducal Estate? Both options seemed laughable.

But Asher quickly shook his head, banishing those thoughts. He wasn't a psychopath. While he had grown desensitized to killing, it didn't mean he would go around butchering everyone like some dark villain from a cliche novel. He still had his own principles.

"Can I see the mission list now?" Asher asked after a moment, his tone even. There was nothing else to ask, and the facilitator had no further explanations to give just yet.

"Oh, my bad," the facilitator said with a faint smirk, "sorry for not mentioning this earlier, but you can't."

Asher arched an eyebrow, confusion flickering across his face. "Why not?"

Seeing Asher's reaction, the man explained patiently, "I already told you that you need a team of three to pick a mission. So, just come back once you've gathered two more people, and I'll show you the mission list and the ones you qualify for."

Hearing that, Asher sighed softly. There was no reason to complain that the facilitator hadn't mentioned it earlier. In truth, he had already gained valuable information just by being here.

"I'll be back then," he said calmly, turning on his heel.

"I'll be waiting for you," the facilitator replied without looking up, returning to his paperwork with a flick of his wrist.

Asher's eyes scanned across the Logistics and Missions Operations Hall as he walked away. The once-crowded space had thinned out; many of his classmates who had filled the hall earlier were already gone.

'It seems everyone has gone off to find their teammates,' Asher thought.

He already knew who his two teammates would be, William Canestane and Ryaen Silvershade.

He had witnessed William's strength firsthand during the Apocalypse within the Separate Dimension. The boy's combat ability and adaptability were undeniable. Then there was Ryaen Silvershade, someone Asher had personally battled. She was a formidable force in her own right, capable of standing toe-to-toe with the best of their year.

Some might argue that Darissa Camber ranked higher than Ryaen in the Academy standings, but Asher knew that was only because he himself had taken half of Ryaen's points. He had seen both women fight, and he had no doubt that Ryaen could easily overpower Darissa if they ever fought seriously.

As for Finch, Asher didn't even bother considering him for the team. He already had two strong candidates, and there was no need to add someone who would only drag him down.

Asher and Finch weren't friends, just as he wasn't particularly close to Ryaen either. But between the four people he was even remotely acquainted with, William and Ryaen were undoubtedly the strongest choices.

He was also somewhat acquainted with Vaelra, the Imperial Princess, but she was out of the question, for now. Not only was she royalty, but Asher was certain she would form a team with her twin brother, Vaelric. Interfering with that arrangement would only cause unnecessary complications.

'I wonder who's stronger between Willam and Ryaen,' Asher thought idly as he moved through the hall.

Although William possessed the Copy ability, which allowed him to mimic others' powers, that very strength also imposed limitations. Still, Asher knew that raw power wasn't everything. In real combat, tactics, instinct, and decision-making often outweighed strength... sometimes.

'Well, whatever,' he thought, brushing the idea aside. 'With the two of them, I should be able to complete three missions by the end of tomorrow.'

He planned efficiently, his mind already analyzing the most optimal route. 'Maybe we should take the three easiest missions first. Once I start solo missions afterward, I can gradually increase the difficulty to push myself to the limit.'

Asher's thoughts continued to flow as he exited the hall, his gaze drifting across the courtyard where groups of students were forming everywhere. Clusters of first-years stood in animated discussion, some smiling and eager, others whispering nervously. Each one was either recruiting, negotiating, or being recruited.

The faint hum of conversation carried across the air, mixed with the crisp sound of footsteps on stone. For a brief moment, Asher paused to observe them all, students forming alliances of convenience, temporary bonds born out of survival and ambition.

He adjusted his posture and exhaled softly. The next step was simple: find William and Ryaen, form the team, and get started. There was no time to waste.

With that thought, Asher stepped forward once again, his calm gaze fixed ahead.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: We are falling off the ranking, from 16th place, we are down to 18th... and with the way other novels are going, we might fall yet again. Please, I need your golden tickets. Remember, I do super gifts for bonus chapters. Work me to death, I'm all yours.