CLEAVER OF SIN - Chapter 263

Chapter 263: Fatty Wang
William sat quietly without uttering a single word after hearing Ryaen’s calm yet piercing words of wisdom. He couldn’t bring himself to refute her because he knew, deep down, that everything she had just said was nothing but the absolute truth. A wave of self-reproach washed over him, and he couldn’t help but curse himself internally for being foolish in that moment. He had only been looking at what was directly in front of him, completely failing to observe the entire picture that lay beyond his narrow perspective.

‘Why couldn’t I overthink this time… sigh,’ he muttered to himself mentally with a weary exhale.

Finch sat quietly as well, his round face expressionless and his mouth sealed shut. As the heir of a Barony, he possessed at least enough awareness to understand when to speak and when it was wiser to remain silent. In his mind, he saw himself as nothing more than a helpless crab wedged between two titan-like whales. Although his Good Luck ability had helped him survive numerous troublesome situations, it did not mean he went around actively courting death just because fortune favored him.

Asher offered a faint smile at Ryaen’s words. That was precisely one of the reasons he had chosen to clarify everything at this particular moment. Although he could have kept quiet, allowing the crowd to continue weaving their own assumptions and delusions, he had chosen not to walk that path. Silence might have been easier, but it wasn’t the path he had decided to take, not this time.

After a few minutes, Berion concluded his speech, signifying the official end of the conference event. With that, everyone rose from their seats almost simultaneously, their feet striking the polished floor as they made their way toward the exit. The once orderly hall quickly filled with a rising tide of chatter. Seats creaked loudly as students pushed away from the rows, and the soft murmurs of conversation rapidly evolved into loud discussions that clashed mid-air like overlapping waves.

Various topics surged through the hall like scattered sparks. Some students were ecstatic, thrilled at the opportunity to gain free points. Others were fuming with suppressed anger, especially those who had lost nearly ninety percent of their accumulated points in one blow. A few of the first-year students were already trembling in anxiety, scrambling internally as they desperately tried to formulate plans, any plans, to secure at least a single point and avoid the looming threat of expulsion.

Asher, William, Ryaen, and Finch walked quietly amidst the noise, stepping out of the hall with unhurried strides. Numerous students were already gathered around the entrance, discussing their own topics in tightly formed clusters. Some glanced in Asher’s direction, whispering behind their hands, their eyes filled with a complicated mix of admiration, envy, and fear.

“Although you’ve set the record straight, you still remain the king of the topic,” Ryaen commented casually, her voice calm as ever.

Asher simply shook his head, offering no verbal reply. He could not control what people chose to say about him. Although he did not particularly care about opinions or rumors, that did not mean that dragging his name through the mud would come without consequences. Silence did not equate to tolerance.

“So, William, why don’t we use some of the points you gained to have a little celebratory drink?” Finch finally spoke, directing his words very specifically toward William. He didn’t dare to suggest such a thing to either Ryaen or Asher.

Finch was the only one among the four who hadn’t gained a single point. During the apocalypse event, he hadn’t saved anyone, not because he didn’t want to, but because he was struggling just to keep himself alive. Ranked 200th in the entire class, the very last ranker, he didn’t exactly have the luxury to play hero. Who could someone like him possibly save?

William looked at the chubby boy before him as though staring at a particularly ridiculous creature. He knew Finch was simply trying to coax him into spending his points on alcohol and other drinks. After all, if Finch truly wanted such luxuries, he had his own points, or rather, he would have, if he weren’t perpetually broke.

These days, people rarely wasted their points on trivial pleasures. Training had become the ultimate priority for everyone. Not only did everyone crave power, but the threat of expulsion for falling behind in strength loomed over them like a silent executioner.

“I accept… on one condition,” William replied suddenly, a faint smile appearing on his face.

“What condition?” Finch asked eagerly, already daydreaming about the sweet taste of expensive drinks bought with someone else’s points. Before entering Star Academy, he could spend however he pleased as the heir to a Barony. But now, his life had become restricted to standard academy meals, and if he wanted anything beyond that, real flavor, actual variety, he needed points, which he simply could not afford to waste.

Truly, Finch had never felt more broke in his entire life.

“If you allow me to call you Fatty Wang,” William said with an amused smirk.

Finch’s smile froze, and his face twisted into a deep frown as though he had just bitten into something unbearably sour. He stared at William in disbelief. Was he truly supposed to accept such a ridiculous name in exchange for a few drinks? He couldn’t even understand why William was so obsessed with that ridiculous name. Ever since they were younger, William had been strangely persistent about calling him Fatty Wang. Why that specific name? Finch simply couldn’t comprehend it.

He understood the “Fatty” part well enough. Crymora was a world where almost everyone possessed an athletic physique, whereas his own body was… quite the opposite. But where in the world did Wang come from? He didn’t understand it, nor did he know its origin.

Without bothering to argue, Finch simply vanished, teleporting away from the hallway in an instant. He didn’t even spare another glance at William.

Asher looked at William for a moment, a flicker of curiosity appearing in his eyes. Wang was a term from Earth, not Crymora. How did William, of all people, know such a name?

After a moment of mild contemplation, Asher dismissed the thought and began walking past William. “Thanks to you,” he said, voice light but laced with dry sarcasm, “we’ve lost our means of transportation.”

William shook his head with a silent chuckle, offering no defense. He had only been teasing Finch; he hadn’t expected him to flee so dramatically.

“Goodbye, Tenth Sun,” Ryaen Silvershade said, her black eyes calm as ever.

Asher turned his head and gave a small nod. Without further words, Ryaen walked away, her presence as composed as when she arrived.

“See you later,” Asher said as he glanced at William.

Before William could reply, Asher vanished in a streak of silver light, activating Virelass’ Position Marker ability. He had already left a mark in his room, and in the next moment, he appeared within it.

Standing alone in his room, Asher exhaled slowly, his expression settling into focused determination.

“Time to dive into training. I’ve wasted enough time,” he murmured with a faint smile.