Elisa sighed and said, "You really don’t understand, do you? This world is not kind to people who stand alone."

Asher looked straight into her eyes and replied, "Maybe. But depending on others is worse."

Elisa look at him for a moment then continued

"You remind me of someone," she said quietly.

Asher glanced at her. "And what happened to that person?"

Elisa remained silent for a moment before answering, "He died believing he could fight the whole world by himself."

Asher smiled faintly and said, "Then he must have been happy in the end. He tried to live the way he wanted. Unfortunately, he was just too weak."

Elisa expression darkened at his reply but before she could say anything.

Asher continued, "Let’s say I change the way I live. Will I be able to live peacefully then?"

Elisa stayed silent for a few seconds, as if carefully thinking about his words.

Then she sighed and said, "No, there is no guarantee. The world doesn’t work that way."

Asher replied, "Then if suffering is unavoidable either way, I’d rather live by my own choices than force myself to become someone else just to fit into this world."

Elisa narrowed her eyes slightly and asked, "And what happens when those choices destroy you?"

Asher answered without hesitation, "Then at least the life I lived was truly mine."

Elisa looked at him and said, "You will regret this choice someday."

Asher met her gaze and replied, "I’m sure I won’t."

Then Asher left the room.

Elisa watched him leave and let out a quiet sigh.

Meanwhile, Asher walked back to class, lost in thought.

"Why do people even care about others? I still can’t understand it. In the end, you’ll always be alone, so why not just enjoy life without worrying about anyone else?"

Asher then noticed Aria standing near the exit of the faculty building.

Asher looked at her and asked, "What are you doing here? Don’t you have classes?"

Aria looked at him and replied, "I skipped class. By the way, what were you discussing with Professor Elisa?"

Asher replied, "She said that I should change the way I live, or I would regret it later."

Aria then asked, "So what did you decide to do?"

Asher calmly replied, "I’m not changing. I like living this way."

Aria looked at him for a second and said, "As expected from you."

Meanwhile, in the Student Council

President’s room, Lucian Voltaris sat on his chair.

In front of him stood a third-year student.

He was a count’s son who supported Lucian’s claim to the throne.

His name was Rowan Valenor.

Lucian then asked, "So what about Asher Astrean’s match today with the second year?

LDid he win? If yes, did he struggle or not?"

Rowan extended his hand and gave him a mobile containing the recording of Asher’s match with Kael.

Lucian watched the recording and said, "Even though Kael wasn’t using a weapon, he still got defeated quite easily. As expected from that monster."

Then Lucian added, "He can be quite useful if used, but he is too hard to control."

Rowan then said, "So what do you plan to do?"

Lucian looked at him and said, "For now, just observe him. There are still many things we don’t know about him."

Rowan looked confused and said, "What do you mean? We have almost every piece of information about him—what he likes, his elements, and his battle style."

Lucian shook his head and said, "That’s the problem. Everything we know is what he has allowed everyone to know about him."

Lucian then said, "He is not foolish enough to show everything about himself. I am sure he is hiding something more."

Lucian then continued, "Just keep observing him every time, and report everything about him to me."

After that, Rowan left the room, leaving Lucian alone in the room.

Lucian then closed his eyes and remembered the time when Asher had said that he would not hesitate to sacrifice a million people to save his own life.

Every time Lucian remembered that smile and the look in his eyes, he felt anger and dread at the same time.

He felt anger at how a mere Gold Rank dared to speak to him as if he were beneath him. But that smile, that unwavering voice without even a hint of hesitation, and that abnormal talent frightened him even more.

Lucian unconsciously clenched his fists as those memories surfaced in his mind once again.

For the first time in years, he felt uncertain.

Asher was dangerous. Not just because of his strength, but because he lacked the fear that controlled most people. He talked to monsters as if they were equals, and smiled like the entire world meant nothing to him.

That was what scared Lucian the most.

A person who feared nothing could never be controlled. And a person who could not be controlled would eventually become a disaster.

At night, in the cafeteria, Asher and his friends were sitting together like usual.

Asher looked at his food and said, "When are they going to implement the new spice level? Isn’t this supposed to be the best academy in the world? So why are they taking so much time?"

Noah and Adam simply ignored his nonsense complaint.

Aria then replied, "They will most likely implement it from next week. It takes time to make changes."

Asher immediately said, "They are just too lazy."

Noah then said, "You are probably the laziest person here, so you don’t even have the right to complain."

Asher did not replied.

Then Noah continued, "Tomorrow we have a day off, so how about we go outside the academy and explore the city? I am sure it will be fun and relaxing after weeks of studying and hard work."

Asher looked at Noah and said, "You are becoming even smarter. Yeah, it’s a good idea."

Noah then looked at Adam.

Adam replied, "I am also free. Okay, let’s go."

Asher then looked at Aria and asked, "Are you going to join us or not?"

Aria just nodded.

Then Asher said, "Okay, so let’s meet at the academy gate at 10 AM."