CLEAVER OF SIN

Honestly, Lyra didn't know what to say or feel. After eighteen years of care, service, loyalty, and quiet devotion, her Young Master was now leaving her behind. She had always known that Asher wouldn't remain here forever, but still... it left behind a hollow emptiness, a void that felt as though the very reason for her existence was being forcefully pulled from her grasp.

What was she supposed to do in Asher's absence? Walk around aimlessly? Train? Cultivate? She knew that once he departed, she would suddenly have far too much time on her hands, time she hadn't had in years.

She wasn't like the other maids assigned to mundane estate duties such as cleaning, dusting, or dressing beds. She was a Sun's personal maid, which meant such chores no longer applied to her.

'I can only grow stronger as I wait for his return,' Lyra thought with a quiet mental sigh.

Then she spoke aloud, her tone composed, "It seems so, Young Master."

Asher didn't respond. He merely smiled, his back still facing her as his gaze remained fixed on the world beyond the window.

He shook his head softly with a light chuckle, then turned slightly as he gave a command. "Prepare breakfast. I'll be taking a shower."

"Yes, Young Master," Lyra replied with a bow before stepping out quietly.

Asher headed into the bathroom for a quick bath. Within minutes, he was done and returned to his room, changing into regular clothes from his pajamas. Around the same time, Lyra returned with his breakfast, gracefully pushing a cart into the room.

Asher's eyes were immediately drawn to a cake placed carefully on the tray. "Did you add a cake today because it's my birthday?" he asked, mildly surprised.

"Yes," Lyra answered with a gentle smile. "I personally baked it, Young Master. Consider it your birthday gift from me this year."

"Thank you, then. I wonder what it tastes like," Asher replied as he picked up a fork and cut a small piece. He brought it to his mouth and took a bite.

After a few seconds of chewing, his eyes widened slightly, and he turned toward Lyra with an appreciative smile. "I didn't know you were this good at cooking."

Lyra smiled as well, clearly pleased that he liked it. "Cooking is one of the qualities required to be placed in charge of a Sun or Moon," she replied calmly.

Asher gave a slow nod and continued eating in silence. Lyra, having fulfilled her task, quietly stepped out, waiting just outside the room in case her Young Master needed anything further.

After finishing his meal, Asher wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood to his feet. He walked toward the door, which opened smoothly with a wave of his hand, no physical touch required.

Seeing him step out, Lyra couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, where are you headed?"

"The Library," Asher said without slowing his pace. Lyra instantly began to follow behind him.

"What for, if I may ask, Young Master?" Lyra inquired. It had been over a year since Asher last visited the library, and curiosity edged her tone.

"The Academy," Asher replied curtly as they made their way down the hallway toward their destination.

Lyra fell silent after that. There was nothing else she needed to say. Within a few minutes, they arrived at the massive doors of the Library. Asher walked in without hesitation as the doors opened inward with a soft creak.

At the far side of the grand room sat the Librarian, a Great Elder, reclining with his legs propped lazily on the table, a thick book resting in his hands.

"Good morning, Great Elder," Asher greeted respectfully.

"Hooo... You've returned after a whole year, Asher," the man responded with a lazy smile. Morthen Wargrave, the Librarian and a Great Elder of the Wargrave family, lowered the book slightly as his eyes met Asher's.

Asher offered a faint smile. "I'm here to read up on the Academy. Since I turned eighteen today, I'll be heading there soon."

"Hmmm, that's true. Time flies so quickly," Morthen murmured, rubbing his beard absentmindedly. "Well, help yourself. Also, greet Thalric for me when you get to the Academy."

"I will," Asher replied, though inwardly he had no such intentions. He knew Morthen's words were more of a polite formality than an actual request.

"I know you wouldn't bother wandering even if I asked, so you can just wait around. I should be done in a few minutes," Asher added, speaking to Lyra without turning back. He didn't wait for a response as he walked toward one of the towering shelves, scanning for books about the Academy.

But as he browsed one row after another, time slipped by. Minutes turned into what felt like hours. Still, he found nothing.

'Is it that the Wargraves think so little of the Academy that they don't even bother recording information about it? Or is it simple negligence?' Asher wondered.

Still, he didn't give up. He moved from one shelf to another, eyes scanning spines, fingers brushing across various covers. He was looking for something, anything. In truth, he didn't even know the name of the Academy he was supposed to attend.

Eventually, realizing the futility of his search, he turned and approached the lounging Great Elder.

"Great Elder, may I ask where the books on the Academy are kept?" Asher asked politely.

"Ohh... I forgot to tell you," Morthen said, lifting his head as if the thought had only just returned to him. "The Wargrave Library doesn't have any information on the Academy."

Asher's lips twitched in frustration. He fought the strong urge to sigh audibly or knock the old man on the head. He had spent all that time wandering around the library for nothing, because the man simply forgot something so important?

He didn't say anything further. Did he dare blame a Great Elder? Of course not. He wasn't nearly strong enough to even consider it.

With a silent, frustrated sigh, Asher turned around and exited the library.

Lyra followed behind quietly, offering no comments. Her presence, as always, was calm and composed.

After walking for a while, Asher glanced sideways and decided to ask her a question. Given that she was over forty years old, she might know something about the Academy that he didn't.

"Lyra, is there anything you know about the Academy?" he asked.

Lyra was silent for a few seconds before answering. "Young Master, I don't really know anything about it. I knew from the beginning that I had no hope of ever going there."

Asher gave a small shake of his head, but her answer made perfect sense. Her role had been determined from a young age, serving the Wargrave family as a personal maid, not as a student or a Knight.

Her explanation, brief as it was, was perfectly understandable.