Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 697: Reflection

Finch stayed silent throughout Lior’s words, he literally had nothing to say, he had no words for the Emovira. What should he say? That he would change? That he would do better? That he should be given some time to think about it? That his Good Luck would take him to the top regardless of whether he trained or not?

Finch knew that his greatest weakness wasn’t his abnormally fat body, but his own mind, will, and mentality, after all, as Lior had said, he had indeed been comfortable all his life, drifting through circumstances without ever truly forcing himself to confront his own limits or push beyond them.

His mind couldn’t help but shift to his little, cute sister who always called him the Strongest Big Brother in the world, her innocent admiration echoing faintly in his thoughts. He wondered how disappointed she would be when she found out he was just another talented student amongst many, nothing extraordinary, nothing worthy of such blind faith and belief.

Finch valued his friendship with Asher and Williams. He wasn’t just friends with Asher simply because the guy was a Wargrave or anything like that, although that was just a perk of the friendship which he appreciated and would certainly enjoy whenever he got the chance, as it was not every day one could casually associate with someone from such a lineage.

He couldn’t help but imagine how pitiful his life would be when Williams and Asher would go on to become world-shaking calamities, just for him, Finch, to return to his father’s territory and inherit the Baron title. He, who once laughed, joked, shared food, drinks, and even sleeping space with a Wargrave, not many people could boast of that, not even the former Emperor could claim such casual familiarity.

’Crownstar Life Rank,’ Finch thought to himself, such a height seemed too far away to him, after all, even talented people within the Zarethorne Empire got there by the time they were in their seventies, or even in their eighties, meaning it would take him, Finch, decades to get there, unless he got some sort of talent-multiplying ability as Lior had said earlier, something that would accelerate his growth.

’In a decade,’ his thoughts shifted to when Asher had said he could get to that rank in a decade. He didn’t doubt the boy, after all, the First Sun was a living testimony of such records, and the Duke of the Wargraves was the person said to have a record even remotely close to the First Sun’s outrageous achievements, proving such feats were not entirely impossible.

’Where would I be in a decade?’ he thought to himself as he stood calmly within his Astra energy barrier, his gaze unfocused for a brief moment. At the end of the day, he couldn’t know, he had no future-telling ability, he could only hope that at least he would stand at a level where he could still be called a friend of Williams and a Wargrave, rather than a burden trailing behind them.

As he was lost in his thoughts, he felt his Astra energy barrier shake as Williams’ body slammed into it, and following that was Williams dodging, with Asher’s foot collapsing it the next moment. Finch didn’t flinch, he simply stood calmly within the Astra energy barrier as he met Asher’s gaze before Asher broke eye contact.

Finch’s eyes followed Asher’s movements, and the next thing he saw was Asher pouring soup on Williams’ face, leaving both him and Lior stunned, as none of them had expected that at all. As they wondered why Asher had done that, they heard Asher explain his reason to Williams.

Hearing Asher’s words, Lior couldn’t help but ask, "Finch, are you even sure this abnormal Asher guy is the same age as you? Are you even sure he is human? Are you even sure he failed his awakening twice as you said earlier?" his questions echoing within Finch’s mind as they switched to telepathic communication this time.

"Don’t be too surprised," Finch explained with a mental sigh, "his entire family is this broken and overpowered, they are basically some walking cheat bloodline," he stated telepathically, his thoughts carrying a sense of reluctant acceptance.

"Personally, I feel like he is some ancient Emovira posing as a Human, or even an old Human who was about to die but used his ability to transfer his soul to this boy or something like that," Lior replied, "the talent, the experience, the sword knowledge, the finesse, the ease, the calmness, it’s not something someone his age should have," his voice echoed within Finch’s mind, laced with disbelief.

He had seen his fair share of strong Humans, but Asher was simply too good for his age, far too refined, far too composed, hence why he always called Asher abnormal.

"Wait till you meet the First Sun, you will understand what I mean by a cheating bloodline," Finch stated as he shook his head, recalling the sheer absurdity of such individuals.

"Sigh... well, I guess if he was some old Emovira or Human, his attitude would be weird, and he would also possess more knowledge than he is supposed to have," Lior added as he shook his head at the impossibility of his own statement, even as he entertained it.

They both watched Asher heal Williams as though it was nothing to him, while his proficiency rose in real time, but none of them were surprised anymore, as if they had already come to expect such impossibilities from him.

Finch removed his Astra energy barrier since the spar was over, he came to a stop behind the squatting Asher who was giving Williams a few academy points, a quiet acknowledgment of effort. Asher rose and turned to him as though acknowledging his presence.

"Didn’t know you were such a good teacher," Finch stated, his tone casual.

"I try," Asher replied with a shrug, as though it was nothing worth mentioning.

"And you look like you are about to die," Finch spoke as his eyes turned to William, who was struggling to rise to his feet, his body clearly pushed to its limits.

"At least I’m not dead, with this spar, the chances of my death on a battlefield have been reduced greatly," William replied with a confident smile, his voice steady despite his condition.

Finch shook his head at the statement, he turned to Asher as he spoke, "Ehh... so can I get a training of my own? I know I didn’t want to join earlier, but it seems too productive to stay out," he explained, hoping that since Asher was less busy, he would agree.

Asher stayed silent for a moment, then shook his head calmly as he spoke, "You’ve missed the opportunity, Finch, I’m sorry, I can’t help you," his tone even.

Finch stayed silent for a moment, then nodded, he didn’t say anything else, his own hesitation and fear had made him lose such an opportunity, and there was no one else to blame but himself.

"Jealous of my progress and now you want in?" William joked with a teasing smirk, despite his exhausted state.

Finch turned his gaze to him as he replied, "You know you are weak at the moment, right? I could punch or kick you a few times and you wouldn’t be able to do anything about it," a smirk of his own appearing on his lips, as the earlier thoughts he was having with himself and the conversation between him and Lior vanished into the depths of his mind, concealed beneath a calm and unbothered expression that betrayed nothing.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE: This author has decided to stop begging for super gifts and golden tickets. This author has turned a new leaf.