Absolute Cheater

Later, as the students dispersed, Freya caught up to him in the corridor. She walked beside him in silence for a few moments before speaking, her tone casual but with a hint of curiosity.

"You seemed surprised earlier," she said, glancing at him.

Asher smirked. "Shouldn't I be? You've been hiding quite the secret."

She shrugged lightly, though her grip on the strap of her bag tightened. "Not everything needs to be shared. You, of all people, should understand that."
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"Fair point," he replied, his tone neutral. After a brief pause, he added, "But you know this changes things, right? People are going to start asking questions, and not all of them will be friendly."

"I can handle it," Freya said firmly. "I've been handling it all this time."

Asher's smirk softened into a faint smile. "I don't doubt that. Just… don't hesitate to let me know if you need backup."

She gave him a sidelong glance, her expression unreadable, then nodded. "Same goes for you."

As they reached the end of the corridor, Freya stopped and turned to face him fully. "Asher, about what you saw—"

"It's your business," he interrupted gently. "I'm not going to pry. But if there's ever a time you want to talk, you know where to find me."

For a moment, she looked as though she wanted to say more, but instead, she just smiled faintly. "Thanks, Asher."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone. He watched her retreating figure, his mind still racing. Whatever secrets she was keeping, they weren't his to uncover—at least, not yet.

Shaking off his thoughts, he went back to his room, and he pulled up his system interface, finally addressing the notification he had ignored earlier.

[Cheat Gacha Opportunity Available. Do you wish to spin?]

A grin crept across his face as he tapped the option to proceed. "Let's see what kind of cards fate's about to deal me."

Asher activated the system, and in an instant, a gacha machine materialized before him, hovering in the air. It looked like something straight out of a bustling street in Japan—a sleek, futuristic contraption with vibrant colors and a glowing slot for the rewards. The machine whirred to life, the spinning gears and clicking sounds building anticipation.

Finally, with a satisfying clink, a single ball was ejected from the machine. Asher caught it effortlessly, the orb warm to the touch. It pulsed with energy as he began to twist it open, the faint glow growing brighter with each turn.

The moment the ball snapped open, a blinding light erupted, engulfing him. The energy surged through his body, causing his vision to blur momentarily as an unfamiliar yet exhilarating sensation settled within him.

[Congratulations, Host, on obtaining the Cheat: Plunder.]

[Plunder: Forcefully take anything from anyone, whether the target is alive or dead.]

Asher blinked, the message clear in his mind as the energy coursed through him, solidifying his new ability. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he processed the implications of the cheat.

"Plunder... The ability to take anything—skills, items, even knowledge—from anyone. Alive or dead. That's absurdly powerful," he thought, the weight of the cheat's potential sinking in. His mind raced with the possibilities.

"Another great ability under my control," Asher murmured, his eyes fixed on his reflection. A faint smirk crossed his face. "I guess I'm totally ready for the outside world now," he mused.

Unlike the safe 12 years he had spent within the academy's walls, the time had come to venture out into the real world. Beyond the academy, their single world was under siege by two invading worlds, each hostile not only to his home but also to one another. The otherworldly forces had already dominated countless other worlds, amassing vast armies and resources, making their threat almost insurmountable.

For now, Asher's world could only defend itself, unable to strike back. But that might change one day, if they could uncover the key to launching their own counteroffensive. Until then, their survival hinged on outposts and defenses, with the academy training its students to be the vanguard in this endless conflict.

"Time to fight on the front lines," Asher muttered, his voice low but resolute. Today is their last day at the Academy. Tomorrow, they will return to their families, and from there, they'll be sent to outposts, starting as mere soldiers and working their way up through the ranks.

It was the beginning of a new chapter, one that would demand more than training and intellect. It would require grit, determination, and the will to survive in a world at war. Time to prepare—those who are ready for battle, those who will endure, will rise above the rest.

The Academy had molded them, but now the true test would begin. From here, the students would scatter across the land, each heading toward their assigned outpost, where they would serve as the first line of defense against the invading forces. The war was no longer something distant—it was real, and it would demand everything from them.

Asher's thoughts sharpened. He had come a long way, but the hardest battles were still ahead. He could feel the weight of the upcoming journey settle over him. With his new abilities and the connections he had forged, he was ready, but the road ahead would not be easy. Every step would bring them closer to the heart of the conflict, and only the strongest would emerge victorious.

The last day of the Academy was marked by a grand party, a celebration where every student mingled and partook in various activities. The atmosphere was lively, with laughter and music filling the room, everyone enjoying their final moments together before leaving. Asher, however, seemed detached from the revelry, though he was approached by many girls offering attention, all of which he declined. His gaze, calm and discerning, remained focused elsewhere in the room.

Freya, noticing his aloofness, leaned in and whispered with a smirk, "A lot of boys are seriously jealous of you."

Asher glanced at her and raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

She nodded, her eyes scanning the room briefly before landing on him again. "You're not just with me, you know. You've even brought Catherine, too. And she's the most beautiful woman in the entire Academy."