Smells and fragrances of all sorts circulated in the air. Most were recognizable while some weren't. The most overpowering of them all was the strong smell of alcohol. Not the type you'd find while sitting at a bar or the kind you'd find while sitting on the beach on a warm day, no it was the smell of medicine or disinfectant.
Slowly opening his eyes Ash took in his surroundings it was... familiar.
It hasn't been that long since his last time here.
He was laying in the infirmary, battered and weak.
His current state was much worse than last time, so much so that he found it hard to move around.
'I guess it was only the adrenaline that kept me going this time around too.'
Soon the footsteps came and Caesar appeared.
"How you feeling Ash?"
"...Pretty...shitty."
He said weakly.
"Why...am I in...such a bad...state? Didn't I... only get cut this...time?"
Indeed his injuries didn't line up with how he was feeling, last time he had damage to his spine, but despite all that by the time he awoke he felt much better.
"It's because you didn't only get cut."
"What...do you...mean?"
Caesar put his hands together before speaking up.
"You were hit by thousands of volts of electricity, how you were able to move is a mystery to not just me, but to all the people in here."
'Electricity, was it then?'
Ash thought back to when The Slasher charged at him with their electric aura infused weapon.
'Was I using Delusion subconsciously to keep going?'
"So because of the electricity you suffered a decent amount of internal injury. You shouldn't expect to leave this place for the next week or so."
Ash didn't protest as no matter how much he felt like he needed to train more, it was obvious he couldn't in his state.
"So...did I...win?"
The question naturally flowed out of the injured Ash's mouth.
"You won, that is certain."
Ash's face eased up and despite his pained state a smile appeared on his face.
"That means I passed your test, right?"
Hearing this Caesar's face showed a confusing expression, one that wasn't exactly pained, but something nearing that.
"...Yes, you passed the test."
Ash didn't understand why exactly such an expression appeared. Could it be that Caesar didn't want to pay for his entry or is he worried about sending Ash off to Icarus or maybe he was just frustrated that he pushed Ash so far with his "test"?
Ash didn't know, he could only watch as the expression slowly faded.
"...And about The Slasher."
Caesar spoke changing the subject.
"They are dead."
"De–ad?"
Ash asked his expression changing to shock.
"Yeah, we couldn't do anything. They died instantly."
"What happened?"
Caesar was surprised for a moment hearing Ash's question, but was quick to answer.
"They were cut in half, your last slash did devastating damage."
Ash pupils dilated, his expression becoming more grave.
'I killed someone, like I actually killed someone... a living person...'
The revelation hit Ash hard. He was reckless and always fought with the intent to kill, but he had never actually killed someone before. He didn't really want to either, atleast not someone he considered innocent.
Caesar noticed what was going on and spoke up quickly to calm him down.
"You don't have to feel bad for them, they tried to kill you too. You being here just proves it."
Ash had heard it, but it didn't fully reach him. His memories of the time in Blackheart came back to him. All the blood, all the slaughter.
...Right he killed before, he killed the people of Blackheart, every single one of them. Whether they were monsters by then didn't matter, all that mattered was that he killed them.
The trauma and guilt he had burried deeply had somehow surfaced.
'I...I...what have I...'
"ASH!"
"Huh?"
Caesar's voice finally reached him, snapping him out from his state of despair.
"It wasn't your fault, they knew what they were getting themselves into."
'And the people of Blackheart?'
Ash thought, but was unable to say it, since Caesar knew nothing about the events that went down there.
"Don't blame yourself too much Ash, there are times when things are just out of your control. What matters is that you feel bad about it, just that alone shows your character."
It seemed Caesar's words were effective as Ash was able to slowly calm himself down.
"Right, it isn't my fault things just turned out this way."
"Yes, that's a good way to look at it."
Caesar nodded in agreement happy that Ash was able to recover so quickly.
"Can I see them?"
"No!"
Caesar rejected instantly.
"You can't move, besides the sight isn't for the light of heart."
"I would atleast like to look at their face."
Caesar's face showed reluctance, but quickly gave in.
"...I'll take a picture."
Ash showed a somewhat weirded out expression.
"Isn't that even worse?"
Their banter continued on for a bit longer it seemed that Ash was able to lighten his mood rather quickly.
"Anyways for now focus on recovery, then we will discuss all the things about your departure."
"Thanks."
A smile appeared on Caesar's face, but he spoke up no more and left the infirmary.
With Caesar leaving the infirmary became quiet, with only the sound of the monitors beeping and IVs dripping being present.
Without anyone to talk to Ash only had two options. Rest or think about something.
And while he could definitely use the rest having just recently woken up he felt no desire to do so especially when he still had things to sort out internally.
'The Cleave – how did I do it?'
Doing it instinctually Ash had no idea how he did it.
'Will I be able to replicate it.'
This was of upmost importance as Ash needed to show Stacy his Cleave to get further guidance on slashing. Though he also just needed it in general to up his lethality.
'Guess there's no better way to check it. Interface.'
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[Soul Chip Interface]
>Core Power: [Truth Seeker]&[Delusion]
>Proficiency: [20%]
>Rank: [II]
>Attribute: [Light]&[Dark]
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[Minor Skills]
>Cleave [D] Proficiency: [1%]
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Opening the Cleave skill description Ash came to know more about his newest minor skill.
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>Cleave [D]
>Derived from the Slash skill tree. A crescent arc of condensed energy and great downward slashing power.
*Note: All skills involved in the usage of Cleave [D] has been removed from the Interface for quick navigation. If the user wishes to they can look at the absorbed skills under the skills description.
Absorbed: Slashes [G], Basic Aura Control [F], Aura Condensation [F]
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Looking at his Interface Ash was overwhelmed by the amount of new information that was added to it.
'So my skills got absorbed for quicker navigation, guess it just so they don't pile up.'
Looking at the Cleave skills absorbed skills Ash was quick to notice a skill he hadn't seen before.
'Aura Condensation?'
It was a skill he hadn't seen before, but may very well have been the missing piece he was looking for.
'So this was what I needed to execute Cleave, so was it created when I did the Cleave and was instantly absorbed by the skill?'
Ash quickly understood what happened with this unknown skill.
With nothing better to do he also decided to open it's description.
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>Aura Condenstation [F]
>Part of the Aura Control skill group. Allows the user to condense their aura into a denser state for higher energy output. This skill has been absorbed by Cleave [D].
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Ash was satisfied with the results of the battle despite the minor guilt he still carried within himself.
It seemed that people really did excel during moments of desperation. This breakthrough was proof of just that.
Ash was just getting ready to close his eyes when unexpectedly the sound footsteps started coming, moving ever so closer to Ash's bed.
These step were different from the loud hurried steps of Caesar, they were much more composed, spaced out.
It didn't take long for the owner of the steps to become visible.
It was Bill, the very old man who first introduced him to The Arena and to Caesar, in a way he was Ash's greatest benefactor during his time in Primus. Without him he may very well still be aimlessly wandering the streets of Primus.
"Bill?"
"Yes Ash, it's me."
"What brings you here?"
Bill's bodily language communicated a lot already, he was anxious, but had something to say.
"I wanted to check up on you... and also say goodbye."
Ash's face flushed with a confused expression.
"Shouldn't I be the one saying this since I'm leaving for the academy?"
Bill shook his head, before carefully opening his mouth.
"You misunderstand... I'm leaving."
"Leav–ing?"
"Yes."
Ash could hold back anymore and was quick to raise his voice.
"Why? Why are you leaving, I thought you patched things up with Caesar. What reason would you have for leaving."
Bill stood up walking out from Ash's narrow vision, before speaking up in light voice.
"I've served my purpose, I don't wish to linger around here for any longer."
"Your purpose?"
Bill's voice was quick to come back still as calm as it had been since the conversation started.
"Remember Ash... what I've told you during our past conversation about Caesar?"
'What is he talking about?'
"You know I said that undeserved kindness is suspicous and to always be careful when receiving it."
Remembering Ash spoke up in response.
"Right, you warned me to trust not even you, haha."
"I did tell you that, didn't I?"
Bill slowly walked into Ash's vision, his face becoming more visible in the moonlight.
And there it was, his face. On it sat a familiar smile, one that was a bit too long on the edge of being a forced grin, but it still showed true delight on it.
"Till next time, Ash."