CHAPTER 59: AT ONCE

Five months had passed since Asher’s first time in the monster subjugation training ground. Since that initial experience, he had made a truly miraculous amount of progress, something that left many speechless when they heard of his current level.

He had successfully broken through into the next Life Rank; the Radiant Kindlestar Rank. Although the rate at which he could cultivate and strengthen his Astra veins had decreased slightly compared to before, it didn’t bother Asher in the slightest.

He was already progressing at a rate that was considered inhuman, especially in a place where others hardly made any noticeable advancement even after months or years.

At this moment, Asher was leaving the First Training Ground after completing the day’s training. He still fought Veil ranked monsters and beasts, but they were far more powerful and aggressive than the first orcs he had fought.

However, this difference mattered not to his blade. He still cut everything down without hesitation, like it was nothing more than dried grass in the path of a sharp scythe.

As he walked alongside his friends, Tom spoke from the side with a curious tone, "Tenth Sun, do you know what the True Awakening is about?"

It was common knowledge within the entire Empire, if not the entire known world, that the Wargrave Household always held its own unique awakening ritual, which they called the True Awakening. So, Asher wasn’t particularly surprised that Tom, or even the rest of his friends, knew something about it.

But the truth was, it wasn’t anything like the typical awakening that occurred when the Astra veins were activated during the main and original ceremony. This was different.

Asher simply shook his head and responded.

"I don’t, but I think I’ll be briefed about it before it begins."

And indeed, he didn’t know the exact details of the True Awakening, but based on what he had gathered from both Lyra’s vague words and his own analysis, Asher had come to a tentative conclusion: it most likely involved a life-or-death battle, one that no one could interrupt.

"Your True Awakening is going to be held next week already. Shouldn’t you be doing everything you can to find out more about it? After all, even the smallest bit of information could prove useful," Ella asked, her voice tinged with a hint of concern.

Although she knew Asher, the Tenth Sun, was a complete monster in combat, something with the name ’True Awakening’ and being a ritual of the Wargrave Household shouldn’t be taken lightly or underestimated.

"Why are you suddenly getting all worried? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with me,"

Asher said with a slight smile, teasing her playfully.

"I was never worried about you," Ella scoffed.

"Besides, if anyone’s falling for anyone, it’s you. Just become the Primarch already and stop trying to trick me into making a confession that isn’t even real."

Asher chuckled lightly as they continued walking. His gaze slowly rose to the sky, which was dyed a beautiful orange hue as the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the world in soft twilight.

He wouldn’t lie to himself and say he wasn’t nervous. He was, deep down, Asher felt a twinge of dread. The True Awakening was something he could potentially die in, and no one would step in to save him.

He had once visited the library in an attempt to uncover any hidden information about the True Awakening, but he found nothing. No records, no books, not even rumors worth believing.

So, in his frustration, he asked the Great Elder, the Librarian, who had simply told him that three Wargraves had already died during their True Awakenings, and the Household hadn’t lifted a finger to save them and that was during his own time, not to talk of the ones he was unaware of.

The True Awakening was a place where he would be forced to fight to survive without any intervention, even if he were on the verge of death. During his first battle against the wolves on his journey to the Royal Party, Lyra and the Wargrave Knights had been there, ready to intervene if necessary.

Even during his monster subjugation training, Drake had been around, watching closely to ensure that there would be no fatal or crippling injuries.

But next week, that safety net would be gone.

The orange glow of the sky above seemed to mirror his unease, reflecting off his body as if it sympathized with him. It was almost like the sky was mourning the possible fall of a genius... a monster.

"I could always send a clone to secretly help you, though," Hito said casually, wearing a calm smile.

"You do know you’d be executed on the spot if the Suns and Moons heard what you just said, right?" Ella commented from the side, her voice slightly sharp.

Hito simply shrugged. "Then I’ll just send another clone."

Ella shook her head in exasperation and gave up arguing. Hito’s clones were exact copies of him. Even if someone used an ability to inspect them, it would still show that each one was the real body.

The only way to differentiate a clone from the real Hito was by forcefully asking the version in front of you to create another clone, and even then, some weren’t certain.

Besides, no one truly knew if this particular restriction would continue as Hito grew stronger. No one knew whether his clones’ inability to make more clones was due to his ability limitations or simply because he had yet to gain better control over his ability.

"Later, guys," Asher said as he turned and walked away. After walking a short distance, he vanished from sight, instantly reappearing in his room.

"Lyra, bring dinner immediately. I don’t have time to waste," Asher ordered. Lyra, who had already been standing quietly by his door, moved instantly to obey.

Asher wanted to make use of every second he had left. He had only one week remaining.

After taking a quick bath, he sat down at the table as Lyra brought in the food and carefully arranged it before him.

"Has anything changed within the Wargrave estate, Lyra?" Asher asked, his tone calm and composed.

Things rarely changed within the estate. The Suns and Moons were almost always away, and even the Great Elders and regular Elders frequently ventured out, often returning with blood staining their robes and weapons.

Hardly anything eventful ever occurred within the household itself. There was no family drama, no infighting, no squabbles, just endless battle and death. Every Wargrave was always out there, busy sending enemies to their graves.

"Yes, Young Master," Lyra replied as she stood behind him in her usual respectful posture.

"Tell me," Asher said gently as he lifted his fork to take a bite.

"The First Sun, Malrik Wargrave, returned a few hours ago. The Primarch also returned this morning after you left for the First Training Ground," Lyra said softly.

Asher remained silent. ’Father and the First Sun...’ he thought to himself.

They had both been present during his first awakening six months ago, and now they had returned again. Although Asher hadn’t physically seen the Primarch during that ceremony, he had no doubt that the man had been watching him from afar.

"Anything else?" Asher asked.

"Nothing else has changed, Young Master. But from what I know about the other True Awakenings that have taken place during my time here, all the Suns and Moons are expected to return to the estate," Lyra said, her voice steady.

Asher froze. Her words echoed like a thunderclap in his ears. Out of all the Suns and Moons, he had only met two Suns, and not a single Moon.

Even the Elders and Great Elders, he had only ever spoken with the Great Elder, who was the Librarian.

Now, he was expected to meet them all. At once.