Chapter 360: Ash
Asher, William, and Finch stepped outside of their building and began making their way toward the Logistics and Mission Operations Hall. As they walked, speaking quietly among themselves, Asher’s gaze inevitably drifted forward, where he spotted Ryaen, Vaelra, and Darissa, the three who were coincidentally returning from the very place he and his group were heading to.
The three won carried themselves with an effortless elegance, the kind of composure that made their presence imdiately noticeable even amid a crowd.
"Ohh... Asher, you haven’t gone on a mission? Or are you already back?" Vaelra asked with a genial smile as she approached. Her tone was light, but her eyes carried their usual sharpness, observing everything.
"Good afternoon," Ryaen said simply, offering no further words.
"Good afternoon, Tenth Sun," Darissa added softly, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Asher gave a brief nod to Ryaen and Darissa, acknowledging them with minimal words, before shifting his attention to Vaelra. "We just ca back from a mission, but we want to take another one again tomorrow," he replied evenly.
"We greet the Royal Princess," Finch and William said respectfully as they bowed, placing their right hands upon their chests in unison.
"There’s no need for all of that. Within these walls, I’m just like anybody else," Vaelra replied warmly, looking at the two with a gentle smile. William and Finch didn’t speak further; instead, they simply nodded to show their understanding before turning to greet Ryaen and Darissa as well.
Everyone gathered here belonged to families of considerable status, William and Finch, however, were rely Baron heirs, not insignificant, but certainly not on the sa level as Asher or the three young won before them. They could not speak as freely to Vaelra, Ryaen, or Darissa as Asher did; their manners had to remain precise and restrained.
"You’re already going on another mission?" Ryaen asked with mild surprise. Ordinarily, most people would rest for at least a few days after completing a mission, recover, train, or simply take so personal ti. But these three seed intent on rushing straight back into the fray, showing no sign of exhaustion or hesitation.
"We’re only going to check it out for now," Asher replied in his usual composed manner.
Vaelra studied Asher for a mont with her soft brown eyes before shifting her gaze toward William and Finch. A faint, knowing smile ford on her lips. "It seems you plan to leave the team imdiately," she said, her tone light but filled with certainty.
Asher’s expression remained placid. He saw no need to conceal the truth. "Yes. That was the plan from the very beginning. After three compulsory team missions, I will begin taking solo missions."
Vaelra, Ryaen, and Darissa nodded in quiet understanding. They had already made similar considerations for their own team, deciding they would discuss whether to remain together or separate after completing their third mission. But their situation was different.
The three of them were exceptionally powerful, and although Darissa was the weakest among them, the gap between them was not extrely significant. Together, they ford a remarkably well-rounded and capable team, both balanced and formidable, with no glaring weaknesses.
In contrast, Asher’s team lacked that balance. Asher himself stood leagues above his teammates in strength, skill, and general capability. So it was completely reasonable, logical, even, that he wanted to complete the required team missions as swiftly as possible so he could operate alone.
"We’ll be on our way then," Vaelra said. Her gaze drifted toward Finch and William. She recognized William, primarily because of his fourth rank; Finch, however, she did not know at all. With a final polite nod, she turned and began walking away. Ryaen and Darissa followed calmly, offering a final nod to the three young n before catching up beside Vaelra.
"Well... that was that," William muttered with a small shake of his head. Asher did not comnt. Instead, he simply turned and continued walking toward the Logistics and Mission Operations Hall.
"I just rembered we didn’t get to celebrate our first mission," Finch suddenly remarked.
William exhaled and shook his head. "There is nothing special about completing a mission, even if it is the first. But if you’re willing to spend, why would I decline?" he said with a grin, already anticipating the enjoynt of Finch’s points.
Within minutes, they arrived at their destination. As they stepped inside, the familiar wave of chatter and activity washed over them, students negotiating mission details, facilitators shuffling through docunts, the low hum of Astra devices recording data.
Asher’s purple eyes imdiately shifted to the right as he sensed a familiar presence within the hall. His gaze locked onto a pair of cold black eyes belonging to none other than Thalric Wargrave, the Ninth Sun.
Without hesitation, Thalric began walking toward him. He did not slow, did not waver, and did not acknowledge the dozens of eyes that followed his every movent. When he reached Asher, he finally stopped. Asher looked at him, uncertain as always on how to initiate a conversation with soone like Thalric. Even after fighting beside him during the Apocalypse, the man’s presence remained difficult to navigate.
"We greet the Ninth Sun," William and Finch said quickly, bowing deeply and avoiding direct eye contact. Thalric, unsurprisingly, did not acknowledge them. If he acknowledged every greeting sent his way, he would have to establish an entire office dedicated solely to the task.
"Is this your first mission?" Thalric asked, his voice calm and flat, completely devoid of inflection.
"No. We just ca back from a mission a few hours ago. We’re just picking another," Asher replied.
Thalric nodded once. His eyes shifted briefly to William and Finch. "What are your class ranks?"
"Fourth ranked and last ranked," they replied imdiately, their tones respectful and steady.
Thalric arrived at the obvious conclusion, Asher was planning to dissolve his team. His gaze returned to Asher. "There is no rule that says a first year student cannot take a mission with an upperclassman. After your three compulsory tead missions, if you want, you can join
for a mission."
Asher’s eyes narrowed slightly. He had not expected an invitation from Thalric of all people. "Don’t you have a team?" he asked.
"I don’t. I only form temporary teams when the mission requirents demand it or when the stakes are extrely high," Thalric replied matter of factly.
"I’m not forcing you to join . I’m simply saying that if you want to, you can," he added, giving a small shake of his head as though to prevent any misunderstanding.
Asher’s thoughts stirred. The possibility of earning a substantial number of points by taking a mission with Thalric flashed instantly through his mind.
"Show
your card," Thalric said suddenly. Asher didn’t hesitate. He already knew what Thalric intended, and there was no reason to delay.
With a thought, Asher summoned his academy card into his hand from his space ring. Thalric took out his own, channeling a mote of Adtea into it before tapping it gently against Asher’s card.
"Goodbye... Ash," Thalric said in finality. With that, he turned and walked away without another word, heading straight toward a facilitator.
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