Absolute Cheater - Chapter 485
485: Averin Academy IX 485: Averin Academy IX The next morning came cold and bright.
The air over the Magnus courtyard shimmered faintly, carrying the tension of what everyone knew-it was their final day of training before the academy entrance exam.
For the cousins, it was the last test under Asher’s guidance.
For Asher, it was the moment to see how much they had truly learned.
He stood waiting before dawn, his sword already drawn, the courtyard swept clean.
When the cousins arrived, their faces were serious.
There were no smiles this time, no casual greetings.
Each of them had the same focused look-determined, steady, and aware that this was the last chance to prove themselves.
Asher gave them a single nod.
“This is your final day,” he said.
“Tomorrow, you’ll stand before the academy instructors.
Today, you’ll stand before me-at your best.” He drew his blade in one smooth motion.
“Half strength.
No holding back on intent.
You will fight as if tomorrow already started.” The cousins activated their energy at once.
The courtyard filled with color-gold from Maxwell, red from Amanda, blue and white from the twins, and silver-gray from Sylens.
The ground trembled faintly under their combined power.
“Begin,” Asher said.
Maxwell was the first to charge, his sword glowing gold.
He moved faster than ever before, every swing measured and clean.
Asher met him head-on, blocking each strike with small, precise movements.
The impact of their blades sent a deep echo through the courtyard.
“Good,” Asher said calmly as sparks flew between them.
“But your grip is still too tight.
Let the sword move with you, not against you.” Maxwell adjusted immediately, loosening his hand and shifting his stance.
His next attack flowed smoother-controlled, deliberate.
Amanda’s whip cracked through the air a moment later, lightning dancing along its edge.
She weaved between Maxwell’s movements, aiming from the side.
Asher tilted his sword, deflecting both the blade and the whip in one motion.
“Your angles are better,” he said, “but don’t rush your follow-up.” Amanda gritted her teeth, focused, and struck again-this time waiting for Asher’s parry before twisting the whip around it.
The electric line coiled, humming dangerously close to his wrist.
A flick of his sword broke the hold, sending the whip snapping back harmlessly.
“Better,” he said, almost approvingly.
Then the twins moved in.
Sophia raised her shield as Lia took aim.
Their coordination had grown sharp-Lia’s arrows curved around Sophia’s guard, striking at exact weak points.
Asher weaved through them, his sword flickering between blocks and deflections.
Each movement tested their rhythm, forcing them to adapt.
“Don’t just react,” he called out as he turned, knocking away an arrow mid-flight.
“Anticipate.
Feel where the next attack will come.” Lia fired again, not at Asher directly-but at the spot he was about to step.
He paused just short, eyes flicking toward her, a faint smirk forming.
“Good.” Sylens entered last.
His sword glowed faintly silver, the air around him steady and calm.
He didn’t rush.
He walked forward, studying Asher’s rhythm, waiting for a gap.
When he found it, he struck.
The sound was clean, sharp, and strong.
Asher parried it, but the push was solid enough to make him shift his footing slightly.
“You’re starting to understand timing,” he said.
“Keep it.” The fight grew faster after that.
All five of them moved as one-different weapons, different rhythms, but now forming a rough harmony.
The courtyard rang with the clash of steel, the crack of lightning, and the rush of energy slicing through the air.
Hours passed.
Asher gave them no rest.
Every time one of them faltered, he called out the mistake, forcing them to correct it mid-fight.
“Balance!” he shouted when Sophia leaned too far forward.
“Breathe!” when Amanda’s rhythm began to slip.
“Focus!” when Lia missed her mark.
By midday, their clothes were drenched in sweat, their breathing heavy.
But none of them stopped.
They had learned by now that stopping early meant starting over.
Asher finally called for a break when the sun reached its peak.
“Eat,” he said simply.
“Ten minutes.” They collapsed to the ground, pulling water flasks and food from their packs.
None of them spoke much-just quiet, heavy breathing and quick bites between gulps of water.
When the ten minutes passed, Asher stood again.
“Up,” he said.
“We’re not done.” The afternoon training was harsher.
He increased the difficulty-combining multiple drills at once.
They practiced energy control while striking, movement under pressure, defense while blindfolded, and counterattacks under noise and distraction.
Asher made sure every weakness was exposed and corrected.
At one point, he told Maxwell to face him alone again.
“Show me everything you’ve learned.” Maxwell’s strikes came fast, his aura steady.
This time, when Asher pressed forward, Maxwell didn’t retreat.
He matched him blow for blow, every strike cleaner than the last.
Finally, Asher forced him back with a strong parry, but he didn’t speak right away.
He simply nodded once-enough to say you’ve improved.
Amanda faced him next, her whip now sharper and faster, but under full control.
When she moved, lightning trailed perfectly, not spilling energy like before.
“Good,” Asher said.
“You’re no longer fighting against your own power.” The twins fought together after that, Sophia protecting while Lia attacked.
Their movements were tighter, their rhythm perfect.
When Asher broke through their guard with a feint, Sophia recovered instantly, blocking the counter.
Lia’s arrow followed right after, forcing Asher to deflect sideways.
“Better.
You’re thinking ahead.” Sylens was last again.
His aura pulsed faintly silver, his sword movements calm and sharp.
He no longer hesitated.
Each strike was deliberate, his energy balanced.
Asher parried the final swing, stepped back, and gave him a short nod.
“You’re ready.” By the time the sun began to set, their bodies were almost at their limit.
The courtyard was covered in faint energy scars and cracked tiles, each one a mark of progress.
But Asher wasn’t finished yet.
“Rest for twenty minutes,” he said.
“Then we’ll end with one last test-full coordination.
All of you together.” When they regrouped under the light of the moons, the courtyard glowed faintly.
Asher stood at the center, his aura quiet but dense.
“This is your last fight before the exam,” he said.
“Fight like you mean it.
Show me what you’ve learned.”