My Trash Talent Is Actually OP!-Chapter 34: Mission Report [1]

Asher and Naomi made their way out of the dungeon in silence.

Although Asher had insisted on staying back to learn more and perhaps see what would happen when the dungeon vanished, he ultimately had to let it go. He would wait until Nova returned.

Naomi, however, suspected something. She wanted to stay back with him under the guise of keeping watch over one of the academy's students, she wouldn't want a body to be recorded on their first raid.

Annoyed, Asher had no choice but to be patient.

Ahead, the dungeon's gate glowed faintly and pulsed, almost as if it were signaling them to hurry before it closed. But neither of them noticed.

Naomi was too busy fuming behind Asher, while he was lost in thought, his eyes slowly scanning through the system details about Nova.

She also heard Nova calling Asher Master. The way she said it, almost like she was worshiping him, and the way she smiled and bowed, it showed how much she adored him.

Or maybe Naomi had assumed wrong. Yet, the whole vibe between them irritated her. It made her jealous, angry, and restless all at once.

What the hell was that supposed to mean? she wondered.

Her gaze shifted to Asher, and she quickly walked to catch up with him.

"Asher—"

"Don't." He cut her off before she could finish. He paused, glancing at her slowly. "Not a word about what happened in there. Not even you citing Novarin."

Naomi frowned, scowling. "And if I do?"

He shrugged. "I'll make sure you permanently can't taste anything, or better yet, hand you over to a beast to be eaten."

Her lips curled into a smirk. "Oh really? That would be nice, since you're stronger now. But then, I have my own conditions."

Asher exhaled, already tired of the conversation. But he knew he'd have to deal with her nonsense for a while, or risk raising suspicions.

"Name them," he said.

"Take me back, and...."

"You're free to tell everyone," he immediately cut her off and resumed walking. "You can tell them you saw people in the dungeon, my guild members, and about how she called me Master."

"I'm definitely not taking you back."

Naomi frowned but quickly grabbed his arm to stop him from moving. "Then you hang out with me for lunch."

Asher shifted his gaze to her. For a moment, he saw glimpses of the past, of the former Asher and Naomi together. He remembered how much effort he had put into their relationship, while she hadn't even tried. It annoyed him.

"I've got plans with my sister and Emma, so no."

"Emma again? What is with you and her?" Naomi snapped, the words slipping out before she could stop them. Realizing it, she quickly covered her mouth, but it was too late.

Asher smiled, and she shivered.

"I—I didn't mean..."

"No, no." His voice was calm, but the amusement in his gaze was unsettling. "Maybe I should clear things up. You want to know what's with me and Emma?"

She averted her gaze but mumbled a quiet, "Yes."

He crossed his arms. "Simply put, she's very interesting. And cute, too. So put two and two together and assume whatever you want."

He paused, then smiled. "Say a word to anyone, and you won't have the luxury of even seeing the sunset. Understood?"

"Yes, but...."

"Lunch tomorrow." He cut her off again. "Keep me waiting, and you'll pay."

Naomi nodded frantically. "Thank you," she muttered.

Asher smirked. He had already planned to use her.

When she had slain the last humanoid creature in the dungeon, her technique had caught his attention.

She was human, yet she wielded elven magic with near-perfect precision. That was rare, something he could take advantage of, especially with her under his control.

Naomi was still annoyed but glad she had been given an opportunity, one she wouldn't let pass without fully using. That was enough for now.

As they emerged from the dungeon, they joined the gathered students at the barrier's entrance.

Emma stood at the center, raising her hands as the vines slowly fell. The trees vanished as if they had never been there.

However, unlike before, she left behind a carpet of grass, perhaps as a sign, or maybe because she was too kind to leave the field lifeless.

Not to mention, the dead creatures that melted when the sky slowly returned to normal could serve as manure for the field.

Aaron, the wind user who had been shielding her, moved to support her as she staggered slightly. He placed a hand on her shoulder before stepping back.

Yumiko lowered her hand after holding the barrier for a long thirty minutes, then casually tossed the can of coffee she had been drinking into a trash can far behind her.

Then files appeared in her hands. She sighed as she waited for everyone to gather, silently displeased that the guild masters had once again dumped their work on her.

But what could she say? The pay was good, and that was all that mattered.

"Asher, Naomi, Emma," she called once the headcount was complete. "I need full reports for your guilds. You were the most active on the field, so it makes sense you'd have the most details."

Asher took the file without reacting, though internally, he wondered, did she know about his soldiers?

If she did, she wasn't making it obvious, and that was good. But he couldn't just walk up to her and ask. That would only raise suspicions.

Without waiting any longer, the group started their journey back to the Academy.

Asher kept to himself, eyes closed and hands in his pockets, analyzing everything that had happened, from Emma's unique and highly effective skill to Nova's race, and the fact that at least seven dragons were still alive.

It made him wonder, how had they managed to escape? And why?

Just thinking about all the unknowns made him actually consider attending classes for once. But then again, he had other things to do.

First on the list was meeting Veylan for his payment. Then, a visit to the hospital for his mother's check-up report.

He was still lost in thought when Sinnett appeared beside him, handing him a file before he could even react.

"My report," Sinnett said before gesturing to the other students behind him. "All the guild members are submitting their reports to you, Naomi, and Emma. The Assassin and Combat Guild reports will be sent by mail or delivered physically."

Asher stared at the file with a blank, displeased look, then sucked his teeth and groaned. "Why do I have to be stuck doing the homework of the guild captains?"

Sinnett shrugged. "Maybe because the guilds are yet to pick their captains," he said before stepping back. "Anyway, I'm going to pick up Alya from school. I'll make sure she's back before midnight."

Asher's head snapped toward him, eyes slightly widening. "Wait....."

But before he could finish or grab Sinnett, the man grinned, waved, and slowly phased through the ground, vanishing without a trace.

Asher exhaled, irritation quickly replacing his exhaustion and shock.

Deep down, he wanted nothing more than to strangle Sinnett.

He hated when he did that.

And he hated even more that Alya hadn't mentioned anything about him at all.

Emma moved closer, still weak from earlier. When she wobbled slightly, Asher caught her hand to steady her.

Then she spoke.

"Are you sure you trust him with Alya?" she asked softly, glancing at the spot where Sinnett had disappeared. "He seems... very suspicious."

"No," Asher admitted. "But I don't have a choice. He does whatever he wants, honestly. And my sister is old enough to know what's right or wrong."

Tay walked ahead hastily, bidding them farewell before heading off on his own route.

Meanwhile, Asher slowed his pace to stay beside Emma.

"You did well back there," he said.

Emma glanced at him, surprised for a moment, before offering a small smile. "Thanks… I guess."

He continued, "How did it feel? Controlling the vines like that?"

Emma frowned, thinking. "It felt… instinctual. Almost like second nature."

"And with your eyes closed?"

"All I saw was heat," she admitted. "I directed the vines based on the heat sources."

Interesting.

"But it was a little scary," she added with a soft laugh, rubbing her arm. "Being blind for nearly an hour and only seeing moving red people and shadows."

Asher simply smiled and patted her head.

"You did well," he repeated.