CLEAVER OF SIN

Within the carriage, Asher sat with a calm ease, his posture relaxed yet exuding a subtle, almost intoxicating allure. There was something quietly magnetic about him, an aura that seemed to draw the eyes without effort.

After fusing with the Star Core Fragment, his already lethal handsomeness and innate charm had not only been preserved but enhanced to a level that bordered on unfair.

Asher did not complain, why would he? Who in their right mind would take issue with becoming more handsome, more beautiful, more captivating to the eyes of others?

His gaze shifted to the open carriage window. Beyond it, the world streamed by in a blur of movement and color, but to his perception, it was almost as if time itself had slowed to a crawl.

Each detail was distinct, sharp, he could count the leaves fluttering on a distant tree if he wished. To him, this journey might as well have been stillness painted over by illusion.

Typically, during journeys of this nature, the carriage would be flanked by knights on horseback, their armor clinking softly as they rode beside it in a protective formation. Their presence served as both shield and deterrent to any who might harbor ill intent.

Yet now, there was none of that.

No rhythmic sound of hooves striking the earth, no disciplined lines of warriors keeping pace.

Yevric, it seemed, was considered by their father to be the only protection they required.

Asher's eyes shifted upward slightly, as though drawn by instinct. With his newly perfected mastery over Astra Control and his deep connection to Star Energy, he could sense Yevric's presence in vivid detail.

It was as though the man carried an ocean of Astra within his veins, each pulse radiating an intensity akin to the Star Core Fragment itself.

"So, Asher, what do you know about the Academy?" Xavian asked, his tone casual, though his black eyes were fixed firmly on his younger brother, who sat across from him.

Asher's gaze left the passing scenery outside the window and settled on Xavian. "I don't know anything about it," he replied simply, his voice uncolored by hesitation.

"It's normal that you wouldn't," Xavienne interjected, her tone flat but her words precise. She sat beside Asher, her posture immaculate. "The estate library contains nothing on the subject."

"Is the Academy so precious or so mysterious that nothing is known about it?" Asher asked, his curiosity genuine.

He recalled visiting the library once, combing through shelves in search of information about the Academy, only to find not a single page dedicated to it. After that, he had seen no reason to waste further time. Whatever he needed to know, he could discover when he arrived there in person.

"It's neither of those things," Xavian answered before his sister could speak. "The Wargrave family simply doesn't care enough about the Academy to keep any records. It's a neutral force, uninvolved in wars, politics, or the usual power games."

"Since you know next to nothing," Xavienne said, her voice taking on a faintly instructive quality, "allow me to tell you what I do know."

"The Academy is called the Star Academy," she began.

"A lazy name," Asher cut in dryly, his expression unreadable.

"Indeed, a lazy name," Xavian agreed with a faint smirk. "But the name is accurate. As it claims, it truly does birth stars. Every single Wargrave has attended the Academy. Even Thalric is there right now."

Asher gave a small nod at that, unsurprised. He had already deduced that the Academy was a rite of passage for members of their bloodline.

"As I was saying," Xavienne continued, clearing her throat, "the Star Academy isn't situated on land, nor in the sky or the sea. It exists in an entirely separate dimension."

"A separate dimension?" Asher repeated, his mind already spinning with possibilities.

"Yes," Xavienne confirmed. "The principal of the Academy governs it entirely. She accepts not even a copper coin from anyone, no tuition, no donations, no financial support of any kind. It is said her spatial abilities have reached the level of the gods, allowing her to create a dimension where life thrives in full."

Asher's thoughts turned inward. 'Rich, powerful, and capable of crafting her own realm… she must stand at the very peak.'

"As I said," Xavienne went on, "the Star Academy takes nothing from anyone, not from nobles, not from the Emperor himself. This is to avoid subtle favors, political entanglements, or invisible strings. Because of this, admission into the Academy doesn't follow the usual process."

"The usual process?" Asher asked, his brows narrowing slightly.

"You know, registering, paying school fees, all the formalities. The Star Academy does none of that," Xavian explained.

Asher's expression shifted, faint confusion visible in his eyes.

"The principal alone decides who is worthy. She sends invitations to those she deems fit to attend, and without exception, each invitee is remarkably talented. How she discovers these individuals is a mystery, though rumors suggest she either wields an artifact or relies on one of her own abilities," Xavienne elaborated.

"It's left to the chosen whether they accept the invitation or not. If they do, no payment is required, everything is provided, free of charge. Some nobles whose children were not chosen have attempted to pressure the Academy in… less than honorable ways. Yet somehow, every such family's bloodline, estate, servants, businesses, every trace of their existence, vanishes, as though they never were."

Asher's mind stilled at the thought. Even their buildings and businesses… gone without a trace.

'Did she erase the point in space where they, and all they possessed, once existed? Such terrifying power.'

"But I received no such invitation," he said aloud.

Xavienne shook her head gently. "You did. It was simply sent to Father rather than to you directly."

"Why not give it to me personally?"

"Well, normally she would," Xavienne replied, "but she couldn't reach you directly. So she went through Father."

"With spatial abilities like hers, entering and leaving any place should be trivial," Asher pointed out.

"That may be true," Xavienne said, "but it doesn't work that way with Father. He possesses an affinity for something… not exactly space, but intimately related to it. Even if she could bypass knights and wards, she would not be able to enter the Wargrave estate without permission."

"Father's affinity is space…?" Asher asked, his surprise plain.

"Not space exactly," Xavian said with a faint, knowing smile. "Something close to it. If you wish to know more, you'll have to ask him yourself."