Under The Closing Night

Asher and Elsa honestly felt like time had slipped away from them while in the Burning Night Pit place. Even though this place was still incredibly strange to have a romantic date in, the duo somehow made it work.

They simply didn't pay any heed to the other high-class cultivators walking around or focus on the previous match that had a brutal death within it.

Asher and Elsa simply let themselves get absorbed in each other atmosphere.

After getting denied by the Reward Room guard, the duo had then aimlessly explored what they could in the Burning Night Pit place.

They've walked across a few areas that did hold legitimately curious sights that spawned questions in both of their minds. Questions that led both of them to discuss Pearlcrest City, events to do around here, and cultivation in general.

It was all meandering conversation, but Asher and Elsa felt so relaxed conversing with each other like this while in this fancy manor.

Other areas they've been to were more show off the uniquely crafted art paintings that even Asher and Elsa could appreciate. Some arts here genuinely fit the bill of beauty; other paintings would even make people get lost in a slight trance.

Beyond these historic areas, Asher and Elsa couldn't explore that much of the manor. All because they didn't have Night Badges, many areas were simply not available to them.

However, that didn't discourage the duo at all, and they basked in each other's company until it was time to leave.

The time had just turned late evening when Elsa prompted that she needed to get home now.

Although Asher regrets that they can't spend more time together, he was also surprised that Elsa's family lets her stay out this late. In all honesty, he expected the people who were incredibly controlling as Elsa said they were, they would want to have a shorter lock on her.

But when thinking about it from her family perspective, Elsa attained a feat that would cause the whole of Pearlcrest City to become fraught with awe.

Even for Asher, though Balreth Academy official staff doesn't go around parading news about their students. It was essentially impossible for word Asher's Peak Stage Earth Tier talent to not spread around. The students didn't have any tight lips at all.

The only reason his fame isn't getting spread higher outside of the Academy was that Asher apparently didn't have a family that anybody knows of.

Still, it is inevitable that one day, Asher would be receiving fame and quite a number of high-class opportunities just because of his high talent.

And for Elsa, who seemingly is a level above him, he could only imagine how greater her fame would be if everyone knew she is a Sky Tier talent.

Asher was rummaging on such thoughts as he walked hand in hand with Elsa back towards the same alleyway they met up at.

The late evening chills crawled up both Asher and Elsa's spines, but they weren't too weirded out by the darker atmosphere of Pearlcrest City. In fact, under this darker atmosphere, there was a more sentimental mood between the duo.

When Asher and Elsa made it in front of the alleyway, they both stopped and gazed into each other's masks.

At this moment, there was a small surge of unwillingness swelling in both of their chest, obviously wanting this date to last even far longer. But, both of them knew such things weren't possible as of now.

While Asher stared into Elsa's black mask, his mind was trying to come up with the right words to say for the ending of their date.

But to his surprise, Elsa was the one to make the first move. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze and spoke in a sweet-sounding tone that sent a different kind of shiver down Asher's spines.

"This night….it truly was wonderful. If only we could do this whenever we want."

"That's the dream we're both working towards. The wonderful time we had here could be an even greater motivator for us to get stronger so we can be out in the open." Asher said, simultaneously feeling pumped up from his own words.

"Fufu~. I really do wonder where you get that silver tongue from."

Elsa was light-heartedly teasing at first, but the next second, there was a subtle shift in her demeanor. Even before she spoke again, Asher could feel it just from the way she began to unnaturally tense her hands.

Right then, Elsa started to say, "Asher….while I don't want to leave this date off on a downer note. I….I want to-"

"Let me guess. You're thinking about participating in those matches too, right?"

Asher finished Elsa's words, using a soft tone that let her feel she had nothing to worry about.

The slight tension in Elsa's hand considerably loosened and from behind her mask, she let loose a small smile. "Before we enter into a relationship, I will admit that I had no real reason to ever go to the Burning Night Pit Organization. However….after considering various things, I believe signing up for matches could potentially benefit us."

Asher didn't miss a beat to respond, essentially being Elsa's same wavelength as per usual.

"I think we can benefit too. From what I heard, it seems like you can amass a fortune here. Plus, I am curious about those treasure rewards."

Right then, tension renter Elsa's hands as her tone suddenly turned sharp. "But, if we do this, you must, no, you have to consult me on any match you want to take. I suspect events like the Tiger Killer happen quite often."

Asher grew equally serious and sharp as he said, "And you as well have to consult me before a match. Although, I can predict that if we scope out opponents that are generally on the same level, we can come prepared."

Before Asher continued talking, he took a moment to pause. He knows that if he were to participate in these matches, the possibility of killing another person would be very real.

However, Asher just simply felt strange about it. The strangeness was stemming from the fact that killing another person wasn't weighing much on his mind.

Like he had discussed with Elsa, Asher for sure saw death in the past. But he previously never thought of actually killing someone.

Now that he is a full-fledged Ghost, Asher almost felt indifferent about performing such brutal acts.

Being this coldly indifferent should've made an impact on Asher's mind. He almost felt like he should be worried about growing indifferent to taking another person's life, permanently erasing them from this plane of existence.

However, none of those complicated thoughts could really affect him.

It was then, Asher wondered, is that what Yuki means to lose his humanity? To have a completely different worldview from his once fellow humans?

To this day, Asher still hasn't mentioned to Elsa that he isn't a human anymore. Even though he had the utmost trust in Elsa and held heavy feelings for her, Asher honestly felt more nervous about having that talk.

After all, while there are different other species inhabiting Pearlcrest City, humans are still the majority here.

And Asher wasn't naive; he knew there was a certain sense of subtle prejudice that divided each race.

It's why typically, during Academy hours, the different species students would band together and distance themselves from humans.

Still, Asher also knows that no matter what, he must tell Elsa he is no longer a human one day. But for now, he focused on what Elsa was currently thinking.

After Asher had stopped talking, Elsa went silent for a few seconds, presumably collecting her thoughts.

At this moment, Asher wonders what the differences are in their mental states, so he begins to ask her, "Elsa. If we do this and the opponent pushes you into a corner….are you prepared to kill?"

"Haaah….uhm…."

Elsa took a shakier breath, not quick to respond this time. Even for as calm and for as much she's been through, Asher knows that Elsa, deep down, is a kind-hearted girl.

Plus, she was born a human to a highly powerful family. Asher expected this shakier response from her.

Asher hated seeing Elsa so frazzled like this, so on pure instinct alone, he pulled her into his warm embrace.

"Fuuu…."

Immediately Elsa leaked a calmer breath, feeling Asher's robust chest and strong arms gently wrap her up.

Even though she's vastly more powerful than him, Elsa found herself feeling secure within Asher's arms.

"Let's just take it slow and scope out this place. We need to prepare mentally." Elsa spoke while still snuggling in Asher's chest.

"Of course. There's no rush. We're a team, after all."

Asher smoothly spoke while gently stroking Elsa's hand, causing tingles of warmth and pleasure to course down her spine.

Under the gradually darkening of the night, Asher's warm body, and her surging emotional state, Elsa started to feel a pull.

Elsa didn't know how to describe it, but she felt as if a strange yet familiar energy was pulling her in, wanting to get close to Asher. More than anything, she wanted to be closer to Asher, more intimate, and she wanted to do it right now.

On pure instinct alone, Elsa pushed back a bit from Asher's embrace and lifted her mask to reveal her beautiful face.

"Elsa….?"

Asher nearly got lost in Elsa's passionate expression that was glossed over in affection. Her gorgeous eyes were alluring half-lidded, and her cherry red lips were quivering in bubbling anticipation.

While Asher was lost in such beauty, Elsa moved to her mind and body desire, lifting up Asher's mask to reveal his entranced face.

Without waiting any longer, Elsa took the initiative and kissed Asher squared on the lips!