"God of Wisdom?" Lily and Ana both blurted it out curiously.
"Yes, this place is under the God of Wisdom's influence," Asher said with a smile, then looked at Ana and Lily's confused faces. "Hmm, it is okay to not talk about this one as he only has temples in big cities, where a region's top figures mostly roam around."
"I wish we had him in our place. People would like this there too." Lily brooded after getting to know the God of Wisdom's nature just a tidbit.
However, Ana was having other thoughts. 'He is a God of Wisdom, he surely knows how to bring back dead people.'
Despite having different goals, Asher was able to notice the same emotion in them — yearning — which made Asher become melancholy. "Don't be like that; Gods are superficial beings that we mortals can hardly have contact with. Only the truest and strongest can make their hearts change a little. However, people still try to worship these Gods, who just follow whatever they have in their hearts, simple desires just like humans."
Then Asher glanced outside the window, where many faces full of smiles were reflected before his eyes. "But what can we do? We are just puny humans, mortals wearing weak skins. We are helpless, clueless, and self-blamed. We can only look up to a higher being to show us the path and make our belief become justified under the blessing of some unknown god that we don't even fully know."
Lily and Ana stared silently at Asher as his words made them ponder about many things. Especially Ana, who went into deep thought. 'This guy's vision seems beyond normal people. His words and actions make me think he is hiding something deep.'
However, Ana didn't directly ask about that, as it might bring unnecessary trouble.
Asher woke up from his trance state. He said it with a bit of embarrassment. "Haha..sorry about that. I am ashamed of my weird and unexpected words. I hope you ladies don't think too much of it."
Lily waved her hands, as she also appeared humble like Asher. "It's okay, I don't mind. Everyone has their own sense of thought, so it is okay to blurt it out before someone, or it might bring pain to your heart if you bury it in."
"Ahh,, Miss Lily is also very thoughtful, I see." Asher praised Lily's words, making her blush.
In the meantime, Ana looked at the passing cityscape, trying to memorize and take in what she might have to spend her time with.
In a few minutes, their carriage stopped along with everyone else's.
"It looks like we have arrived," Asher said, pointing his head outside.
Ana and Lily also looked and saw a big rectangle-shaped building enclosed inside a twenty-meter-tall wall. The building looked as new as if it had just been made. The rooftops were made of tiles, covering the top of the building in the shape of a cone. They could see various shapes and sizes of students, who were wearing the same robe as Asher, walking around.
"Let's go." Lily eagerly said to Ana — not able to contain her excitement.
However, at that moment, Asher spoke up. "Wait."
Ana stopped rising from her seat and looked at Asher, and so did Lily.
"Miss Ana, you listened to me and came to my carriage on the condition that I tell you everything you want to know. But on condition of joining me, which unfortunately you declined. However, I will answer one of your questions, just for coming with me." Asher showed his index finger and gazed at Ana.
Ana's face turned stern, and she went into thinking about what she should ask. She only had one chance, and she couldn't ruin it.
A few seconds later, Ana eventually came up with what she wanted to ask. "How much stronger should I have to get to let the gods listen to me?"
Asher's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting Ana to ask this question. Then a light chuckle escaped from Asher's mouth as he felt amused. 'A truly interesting girl.'
Asher quickly recomposed himself and answered Ana's question. "At least as strong as a Duke."
"A Duke…" Ana mumbled under her breath. Then she asked again. "How strong is a Duke?"
Ana couldn't help but ask again, as she was basically from a countryside where this kind of knowledge is hardly found. She didn't even know which realm Ashe might be in.
"Sorry, Miss Ana." Asher leaned back in his seat and said it with an innocent smile. "I already answered one of your answers. I am a man of my words; I can't go back to what I said."
Ana was a bit disappointed but didn't get her mood down, as she knew many capable people were in the academy and would be able to answer her questions.
"So, you ladies should go now and enjoy your life. The academy is full of mystery and all kinds of fun stuff, you shouldn't spend your entire life in my shady carriage." Asher quickly told them to leave as he could see the sea of students rushing into the academy.
"Senior Asher, won't you come with us?" Lily suddenly asked as she thought Asher would go with them till the end.
"No, I have some work to do. You guys have your fun." Asher waved his hands and closed the door after they descended from his carriage.
Lily also waved her hand, and Ana just nodded her head.
Lily said this after seeing the carriage go a certain distance. "Ana, let's go now. We should first check our dormitory."
Ana nodded her head and followed behind Lily. However, she gave one last look at Asher's carriage, feeling something in her heart like the start of a big event.
…
Asher's carriage.
"So, you are feeling it too, girl." Asher smirked to himself as he felt Ana's gaze.
Then his face turned serious, devoid of any emotion. "You are very lucky. If you weren't a student of the academy, I could have instantly killed you."