After Asher left the student council room, everyone stayed silent, not understanding what the hell had even happened just now.

Aron was the least affected. He let out a sigh of relief and said, "It’s good that the other members are busy with their duties right now, or it would have been a pain." Then he started working again like he had been doing before Asher came.

Adam and Noah still couldn’t understand what had happened, and Aron’s behavior made them even more confused.

Lucian left the council room without saying anything. He just glanced at Aron before leaving the room.

Aria, Noah, and Adam also left the student council room in a daze. They all had the same thought in their minds.

"We thought we understood him. No, we never truly understood him."

But the one most affected by this was Aria.

Aria’s POV

Aria had observed Asher’s emotions during the whole discussion, but not even once was there a change in his emotions. His emotions were tranquil the entire time. Even at the mention of his mother, he remained at peace as if it did not even affect him.

Aria had thought that after spending some time with him, and after that talk during the night, she had come to understand him at least a little.

But the more she thought she understood him, the more she realized that she truly did not understand him.

Aria kept walking silently through the academy corridors while countless thoughts ran through her mind.

The image of Asher’s calm face during the entire conversation continued replaying in her head repeatedly.

Especially that final smile.

That dangerous smile he showed while talking about abandoning millions of civilians without hesitation.

Aria unconsciously clenched her fists slightly.

She could still clearly remember the emotions she felt at that moment.

Fear.

Not because Asher threatened anyone.

Not because he released bloodlust or killing intent.

But because he said those horrifying words with complete calmness and honesty.

There was no madness in his eyes.

No hatred.

No excitement.

He spoke as if he was merely stating a simple fact.

That was what frightened her the most.

Aria slowly stopped walking and looked outside the academy window silently.

The sky outside was clear, and students could be seen talking and laughing normally as if nothing had happened.

But Aria’s mind remained restless.

She suddenly remembered the conversation she had with Asher during the night.

At that time, she thought that beneath his indifferent personality, he was simply someone lonely and emotionally detached from others because of his past.

But now she was no longer sure.

Was Asher truly emotionally detached?

Or was he simply someone whose way of thinking was fundamentally different from ordinary people?

Aria closed her eyes slowly.

The scariest part was that Asher himself never tried to hide it.

He openly admitted what type of person he was without caring how others viewed him.

As if judgment itself held no meaning to him.

But now she realized something.

The more she tried to understand him, the more mysterious and incomprehensible he became.

And somehow, that realization made her feel even more uneasy.

Meanwhile, Asher calmly walked toward his dormitory to take a nap in his room.

After taking a nap, he took a bath, changed into his casual clothes, and went for dinner.

He reached the cafeteria, took his food, and sat down at his usual place. Soon, his team members joined him for dinner.

They all sat in silence. No one said anything for a while.

Then Noah looked at Asher and asked, "Did you truly mean it, what you said at the end before leaving?"

Asher looked at him with confusion and said, "When have I ever lied about something?"

Then he continued while looking at the three of them and asked, "Would you sacrifice your life for millions of people whose existence does not even matter to you?"

The three of them became silent after hearing Asher’s question.

None of them answered immediately.

Adam frowned slightly as if seriously thinking about the question.

Noah stayed quiet while looking down at his food.

Aria silently observed Asher’s expression, but as always, his face remained calm and indifferent.

After a long silence, Noah finally spoke, "I... don’t know."

Asher nodded calmly as if he had expected that answer.

Adam then said with a serious expression, "Honestly, I don’t think I could do it either."

Adam let out a helpless laugh and continued, "Sacrificing your own life sounds heroic when people talk about it, but when you seriously imagine yourself dying..."

He shook his head slightly.

"I don’t think most people would actually be able to do it."

Asher calmly replied, "Exactly."

Aria then asked while looking directly at Asher, "Then do you think your mother was foolish for sacrificing herself?"

The cafeteria table became silent again after her question.

Asher took another bite of his food before replying calmly, "No."

The three of them looked at him.

Asher continued, "My mother chose what she believed in."

Then he added without any change in expression, "Just because I would choose differently does not mean her choice was wrong."

Aria quietly listened to his words.

Asher then said calmly, "People simply have different priorities."

Noah frowned slightly and asked, "Then what exactly are your priorities?"

Asher answered instantly, "Survival."

Adam looked at him for a moment before asking carefully, "Then is there anyone for whom you would risk your life?"

Asher replied without even taking a second to think, "No."

The three of them froze slightly after hearing that answer.

Asher calmly continued eating and said, "I do not have anyone that important to me." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

The atmosphere around the table became heavy again.

Because the frightening part was not what Asher was saying.

It was the complete honesty and calmness with which he said it.

After that, Asher finished his food and left.

While going to his room, Asher thought, "Was what I said true? Yes, it was... but it wasn’t the whole truth."