As Asher's body tore backward through the forest, his mind snapped into clarity, consciousness surging back as if it had been shackled for years and was finally freed. Questions erupted in his mind, conclusions he had only arrived at subconsciously rising to the forefront of his awareness.

His thoughts spun in chaotic synchronization, yet within that whirlwind he felt the awakening of his deepest capabilities, the subtle, infinite connection to Astra and Star Energy, the raw flow of life and cosmic power within him, now pulsing clearly in his grasp.

The next instant, his body twisted midair, feet digging into the earth with terrifying force. Trenches carved themselves into the ground beneath him as he skidded to a halt, dust and debris flung violently into the air. Asher's gaze fell to his breastplate, now dented and caved from the pure physical force of Blue's kick. The metal had bent, but it had not broken, a single piece of forged protection standing between him and death.

He exhaled sharply, a sound barely audible over the chaos surrounding him. Had he been wearing the standard breastplate supplied by the Star Academy, the last strike would have ended him. It would have driven through metal and flesh alike, tearing open his chest and heart without mercy. Survival was owed not to luck, but to the stronger, customized breastplate he had ordered Lyra to procure for him, a conscious safeguard against just such an overwhelmingly lethal attack.

Asher was no fool. He understood that even in the split second before impact, Battle Intuition and Instinctive Adaptation had calculated that his breastplate could withstand Blue's strike, allowing him to take it head-on. The recoil had sent him flying backward like a cannonball, yet it had afforded him precisely the space and time he now required: a breath, a moment to think, to observe, to adapt.

His purple eyes rose, sharp and calculating, focusing on Blue, the assassin. Every fiber of his being flared with acute awareness, his intelligence igniting as he pieced together the puzzle before him.

'His ability… it must involve some form of ability and energy nullification.' He thought camly, scanning the assassin with meticulous precision.

He had felt it first mid-battle: his connection to Star Energy severed abruptly, followed immediately by the disruption of his elemental affinities. Only one logical conclusion could explain such interference. His mind continued racing, calculating distances and angles.

'The effect seems to be range-limited… I'm currently fifty meters away. That is my only window.'

An idea surfaced, sharp and precise, a single thread of possibility threading its way through his chaos-laden thoughts. 'I could try that… it's worth testing.' Every ability bore limitations, and now Asher's mind had pinpointed one he could exploit. 'If this fails, I will rely entirely on Battle Intuition and Instinctive Adaptation until another solution presents itself.'

His chest rose and fell in controlled cadence, each inhale and exhale meticulously regulated despite the rapid panting of exertion. Every moment of time became precious; he did not attack needlessly, did not move without absolute necessity. As long as the assassin remained still, he could gather information, analyze weaknesses, and await the perfect opportunity.

Even his attempts to teleport behind Blue, to strike with a surprise attack, had failed. It was as though no ability could operate within a certain radius around the assassin. The rules themselves seemed distorted, warped by Blue's presence, yet Asher remained calm, calculated. He observed, he anticipated, he waited.

Yet just as Asher scrutinized Blue, Blue scrutinized him.

'So his regenerative ability stems from his Soul-bound weapon,' Blue thought, piecing together what he could perceive of Asher's sword ability. 'That explains why conventional assaults and energy suppression do not end him.' He understood the limitations of his own power, that all soul-bound weapons remained impervious to his nullification, an annoying but not insurmountable obstacle depending on the weapon's ability of course.

'Is his soul-bound weapon's secondary ability offensive or supportive?' Blue pondered, the question twisting in his mind. 'And yet… how does he maintain such impossible timing, which allows him to dodge? Is this the secondary ability of the weapon as well?'

He sighed quietly. The Tenth Sun, someone who had awakened barely over a year ago, was now confronting him with such poise and precision despite having his powers and energy severed. It was impossible, yet undeniable.

"You know… you Wargraves are a family of monsters," he muttered, voice flat but laced with fervor and an almost wistful longing, as though he regretted not being born into such extraordinary lineage.

Asher narrowed his eyes, staring at the assassin with sharp intensity, ready to react instantly to any motion.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I'm after you, Tenth Sun… but since your death is imminent, I should call you by your name, Asher," Blue continued, voice steady and measured behind his white mask.

"But I will make this simple, Asher. Give me your head, and I will spare your friends," he offered, a small, almost courteous smile beneath the mask. Asher's brow furrowed immediately, a flash of resistance in his eyes. Blue, noting the reaction, continued without pause: "You are the reason we are here. They are merely collateral damage. Once I claim your head, the mission is complete. Nobody cares about a few adventurers or a mere soldier."

A tense silence fell between them, heavy as the forest seemed to hold its breath. Finally, Asher spoke, voice calm yet flat: "I will agree, on one condition."

"And what is that?" Blue replied, a trace of surprise in his tone. The assassin had not expected compliance so swiftly, though he did not overthink it. To him, the Tenth Sun was merely accepting an inevitable outcome.

"You answer my questions. Who is after me, and how did you know about this mission?" Asher asked directly, eyes locked on Blue with unflinching clarity.

Blue paused. The sharing of intelligence was antithetical to the creed of assassins. Yet with Asher fated to die anyway, the information could remain contained. It mattered little if he divulged it now.

"The Assassin Leader wants your head. Why? It's simple. Despite a deal with Duke Azeron Wargrave regarding the Wargrave True Awakening, the Assassin Leader's pride could not tolerate ten losses without reprisal. Even you, a lineage trash who only barely awakened on his third and final try, survived the True Awakening, a disgrace, yes, but a mark of strength nonetheless," Blue explained, pausing to allow the words to sink in.

"Hence, my mission is to end you. To taste the blood of a Wargrave, to feel the weight of your life taken, that is enough for the Assassin Leader. As for how we found you… Whale Finch made quite a scene in the Whale Barony. Our spies observed, reported, and relayed the information. Nothing more. Nothing less," he concluded, providing the information Asher demanded without resistance.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey everyone, need your golden tickets please! Also, the chapters tomorrow might not come, due to me making arrangements for travel plans. Remember, I said "might". The chapters might come or they might not.

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