Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 61: David's BiasTimeless AssassinC61: David's Bias
'This professor is stern,' is what Leo and pretty much everyone else in the class thought, as automatically they straightened their spines and maintained absolute decorum.
Nobody wanted to be the target of the professor's ire, and hence everyone tried their best to not spook him.
Professor David seemed to appreciate this atmosphere, as with a curt nod, he began his class.
"Good Afternoon all, I am David Meninges, and I am your Professor for the magic theory class, as well as the head supervisor for all first year students.
I expect 100% attendance in all my classes, and I expect you to arrive five minutes before the class begins–" He said in a deep, peculiar voice, as he gestured towards the door.
"As you can see, I do not have a tolerance for late comers, so if you're here after me, it's best to keep walking and not try to enter my class.
That being said, enough time is wasted already, let's begin with today's education" David said, as he turned his body from facing the door to facing the blackboard.
"Magic Theory is the fundamental behind how everything functions in the universe.
How spells are made, How meditation manuals are made, How complex mana machineries are made, Alchemy, Blacksmithing, you name it, and I can show you the application of magic theory in it.
It's one of the absolute fundamentals of the modern world, and hence its education is of paramount importance," David explained, as Leo immediately found himself engrossed in his teachings.
Having lost his memory, Leo found his curiosity for learning enhanced these days, as he felt like an empty sponge that wanted to soak everything that was available around him.
"That being said, the basis of magic theory is mana. Which is why we begin with the question on the board…. What is mana?" David said, as he turned back towards the class, scanning the crowd until his eyes landed on Leo sitting peacefully in the third row.
"Skyshard, get up, tell me what mana is?" David commanded, as for a moment Leo felt confused on how the professor knew his name and face already?
Standing up, Leo looked at him in confusion, as without his memories he had no proper context to construct a proper response, which was why he could only apologise in shame.
"I'm sorry, Professor, I'm not very knowledgeable in this subject. I cannot explain what mana is–" Leo replied, his cheeks flushing slightly red, as he candidly admitted his shortcomings.
The reaction from the crowd was muted, some giggled, others looked at him with indifference, however, none seemed to think it was a particularly big deal.
However, all this changed once the professor began humiliating Leo.
"You don't know what mana is? You're a warrior that managed to survive the brutal Assassin Entrance Exam to enroll into this academy, but you don't know what mana is?
You must be quite lucky to make it this far with such a dumb brain—" David insulted, as now the class burst into soft giggles.
There was no need for such personal attacks, however, it was clear by the crazed look in David's eyes that he had a vendetta against Leo that he was unwilling to let go of, from the very first day.
"Guess intelligence doesn't get passed down in genes. You have to actually study for it.
Must be the reason behind why the most brilliant scientists of our times are never from the six great clans" David said, as he rolled his eyes around to check out every student that belonged to the great clans, as he defiantly stared them down.
"Well, this is an advanced class, Mr.Skyshard, we don't pamper kids here. If you don't know what mana is, I suggest you head to the library and expand your knowledge base before attending my classes.
Till then…. Get out—" David said coldly, as Leo simply stared at him in confusion?
He had not expected such hostility from the professor today, nor did he understand the reason behind it?
This was supposed to be a place of learning, and he had been nothing but respectful.
There was no reason to kick him out of class, however, the professor seemed to be hell bent on doing it regardless.
"Are you deaf Skyshard? Or just incredibly dumb that you can't register simple instructions at once?
I said…. Get out," David re-iterated while pointing towards the door, as this time Leo began to move, his anger boiling under his breath, as he controlled his emotions.
He did not give the professor an angry look before heading out.
No.
He did not give him the satisfaction of showing that he managed to agitate him, and instead, he walked out with his head down, as some of his classmates laughed at his retreating figure.
Once outside, Leo gnashed his teeth and kicked his leg against the hallway wall, as he tried to figure out where he went wrong?
However, upon self reflection, he realized that there was nothing that he could have done otherwise.
It was clearly the professor who was biased against him, however, Leo did not even remember having done anything that would have remotely pissed him off.
*********
After kicking Leo out of the class, David immediately turned his attention to Su Yang, as he passed on the same question to him.
Getting up lazily from his slouched position on the last bench, Su Yang looked down on David with indifferent eyes, as he cooked up a half-assed reply.
"Mana is the force that powers magic. It flows freely through the rainbow stream in the universe, which can be visualised as a wave of energy that covers countless planets and galaxies.
Beings born within this rainbow stream have learnt how to harness mana and use it to perform magic.
Which is the fundamental to becoming a warrior" He said, as while it was not an incorrect answer, it wasn't a perfect one either.
However, as if not impressed by his answer at all, David began shaking his head in disappointment, as he grasped the opportunity to berate Su Yang.
"Wow, we have another mentally retarded student in class here, seems like we are going 2 for 2 this year" David said, as he purposefully began humiliating Su Yang.
"I could have asked this question to a four year old and probably gotten the same reply…. Mr.Yang.
It makes me wonder if your brain has stopped evolving since you were four?
Perhaps you were dropped on your head as a child?" David said, as the whole class began laughing at his joke.
However, while Leo took the insults with his head down, Su Yang was not the type to do the same.
He smiled, as he stared defiantly in the professor's eyes, which only irked the professor even more.
"I'm glad you find this funny, I would laugh on myself too if I were you," David said, his tone slightly irritated now, as the smile on Su Yang's face widened even more.
"Oh but you wish you were me professor, you wish you were.
But you're not.
You're an inferior born, and you'll never become a transcendent level warrior, much less a Monarch.
And neither will your kids. Because they share your filthy blood.
You can school me all you want today, but remember to keep your insults measured.
I'm not as tolerating as Skyshard.
And I may just come back 10 years in the future to end you and your bloodline for a silly joke that you made today.
So I would smile even broadly than how you are today, if I were you, since my time in this universe might be more limited than I imagined" Su Yang threatened, as David's gaze darkened at this blatant disrespect.
Su Yang struck a nerve with his insult today, a nerve that hit David right where it hurt the most, and the anger was visible on his face.
"OUT! GET OUT!" He screamed, his face turning a bright shade of red, as Su Yang defiantly walked out from in front of him.
At that moment, it took all the will-power that David had in his body to not lift his hand on a student.
Because, if this was not the academy grounds they were in right now, he would have unquestionably killed Su Yang today, right where he stood.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 62: Spar ChallengeTimeless AssassinC62: Spar Challenge
Leo was surprised to see Su Yang follow him outside the classroom.
He had been about to leave when the class erupted into another round of giggles, followed by an abrupt silence—until the professor's furious shout rang out once more.
"Get out!"
This time, it was Su Yang who stepped out.
Having no idea what Su Yang had done wrong, Leo looked at him, confusion evident in his eyes.
For a brief moment, Su Yang met his gaze with a frown, but then, as if flipping a switch, his usual smug smile returned, and he let out a loud chuckle.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Skyshard? Did you really think you were the only one he had a vendetta against?" Su Yang asked, his choice of words leaving Leo utterly perplexed.
"Vendetta?"
"Of course it's a vendetta," Su Yang scoffed. "We're not the first batch David has taught, and every single year, without fail, he targets the top talents in the class—humiliating them daily just to make the less gifted students feel like the universe is a fair and equal place."
Leo narrowed his eyes as Su Yang continued, his tone laced with amusement.
"Senior Brother Du Liang already warned me about his biased behavior, which is why I came prepared with a response in case he decided to poke me today.
And that dumb motherfucker did poke me. So, naturally, I put him in his place," Su Yang said, his grin widening.
"So that's how it was…" Leo murmured, realization settling in. "For a moment, I couldn't understand why I was kicked out for doing absolutely nothing. But it turns out… he just hates talent."
Su Yang shrugged, completely unbothered.
"Anyone without talent hates those who have it, Skyshard. That's how the universe works.
The commoners despise the six great clans because we only intermarry amongst ourselves, keeping our bloodlines pure. But do you know what happens to the clan members who marry out of love, outside of the great clans?"
Without waiting for a response, Su Yang answered his own question.
"They face heavy social stigma. They struggle with cultural differences.
The commoners reject them, unable to accept their refined upbringing, and their lives become an endless cycle of squabbling and regret.
Their children are born weaker, lacking the clan's support, and they don't receive the same training or privileges as a noble heir.
In the end, those who marry for love either abandon their partners to return to the clan or die bitter and disillusioned."
Su Yang crossed his arms, his voice taking on an air of finality.
"The world of nobles and commoners is like oil and water, Skyshard.
We may exist within the same academy, much like oil and water in a single vessel, but we can never mix.
Oil will always rise above water—yet some people refuse to accept this fundamental truth of the universe."
His gaze sharpened, his words carrying an unmistakable edge.
"You and I, we are oil. But unlike you, Skyshard, I wear my heritage with pride.
My grandfather is the Su Family God, and his blood runs through my veins. So I'll be damned if I let some second-rate teacher insult me in class."
His words left Leo with much to think about.
Before this class, Leo did not expect teachers to have biases against the students. However, perhaps he was being too naive.
Just like how there would be a few instructors who would be blown away by Leo and Su Yang's talent and favor them in class.
There would be some that disliked them for the same.
There were all kinds of people in the universe, and it was a dumb choice to drop one's guard against any of them.
"Come on Skyshard, let's head over to the Practical Combat Arena.
This is a good opportunity for both of us to spar without a thousand eyes on us–" Su Yang urged, as Leo looked towards Su Yang with his eyebrow raised.
On a deep level, he did not mind sparring with Su Yang today, hell, he even felt excited for it.
However, without knowing how to circulate mana or use his skills, he felt hesitant to head into a fight, which he knew he could not win.
"What? You're too scared to fight me?" Su Yang asked, as he sensed Leo's hesitation, however, Leo only shook his head in response.
"No, I'm not scared. Let's go–" He said, as Su Yang slapped his back hard.
"Now that's what I expect from my rival. Hahaha, this spar is going to be legendary!" Su Yang said, as both of them grinned and jogged their way towards the practical combat arena.
*********
Leo was not naïve.
He did not let fleeting emotions cloud his judgment, and although it appeared as if he had agreed to spar with Su Yang on a whim, that was far from the truth.
From the moment he set foot in the academy, Leo had known that, sooner or later, he would have to spar against other students—many of whom could likely wipe the floor with him.
To avoid that fate, he first needed to understand where he stood in the class hierarchy and gauge his own strength.
After the morning's physical training session, Leo found himself genuinely intrigued. His body possessed remarkable endurance, yet he had no memory of ever training it.
Despite that gap in knowledge, the results spoke for themselves—his physique was far superior to that of an average human.
Just this morning, he had run over 40 kilometers without stopping, maintaining speeds that would be impossible even for professional marathon runners.
Hence, it was clear that his physical capabilities exceeded the limits of peak human performance.
And that was why he agreed to spar with Su Yang, for he was desperate to know just how strong he truly was.
—
As the duo stepped into the Practical Combat Facility, they were greeted by the in-house instructor, Major Hen, who seemed perplexed by their early arrival.
"Why are you boys here so early? Class doesn't start for another hour and a half," the major remarked, his gaze shifting between the two students.
Su Yang stepped forward to answer, his usual arrogance tempered by an air of respect.
"Major, this is Leo Skyshard, and I'm Su Yang. We're both Monarch-level talents, and we were politely dismissed from Professor David's class earlier today.
Since we have some free time, we'd like to spar and stretch our muscles a bit.
It would be an honor if you could officiate the bout."
Leo raised a brow.
Unlike his usual brashness, Su Yang's tone carried an unexpected level of decorum. He spoke to the major with genuine respect—something that didn't go unnoticed.
Major Hen studied them for a moment before exhaling through his nose, a small smirk forming on his lips.
"Ah, what the hell… Why not? This should be an interesting fight to watch."
He crossed his arms and gave them a firm look.
"Gear up. And remember—no targeting the vital organs, eyes, or groin.
Unless you want me to personally beat the crap out of both of you."
Su Yang bowed slightly in gratitude.
"Thank you, Major."
Wasting no time, he turned and rushed toward the weapons rack in the corner, his enthusiasm evident.
Leo followed suit, his fingers skimming over the selection until he found a dagger that felt comfortable in his grip.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 63: Out-ClassedTimeless AssassinC63: Out-Classed
(Rodova Military Academy, The Practical Combat Grounds)
The two combatants stood at opposite ends of the sparring ring, clad in protective gear, as mandated by the academy.
Leo adjusted the arm pads, knee guards, and light body armor strapped to his frame, shifting slightly to test his mobility.
His helmet fit snugly, obscuring part of his vision, but he ignored the discomfort.
Since regulations demanded that he must wear a helmet, this one was the best fit, although it blocked part of his vision slightly.
Across from him, Su Yang grinned as he flexed his fingers around the grip of a training sword, its edge dulled but still formidable.
Leo, on the other hand, took a different approach.
He strapped a utility belt around his waist, filling it with daggers, their hilts snugly secured within easy reach.
Two more were drawn into his hands, their familiar weight bringing a sense of reassurance, as he mentally prepared himself for the battle ahead.
'It doesn't matter if I lose, I just need to understand what this body is capable of–' Leo thought to himself, as he let out a series of deep breaths, as if to instinctively calm his heart rate, and increase his focus.
"Planning to throw them at me? Or do you actually know how to use them up close?" Su Yang asked, eyeing the daggers in his hand, as Leo ignored his comment, instead shifting into a ready stance, as he prepared for combat.
Major Hen observed them for a moment before raising his voice.
"Combatants, take your starting positions."
Leo exhaled, steadying his nerves.
Su Yang, ever the showman, rolled his shoulders lazily before pointing his sword toward Leo. "Try not to embarrass yourself too quickly, Skyshard."
Leo resisted the urge to retort. Words wouldn't help him here.
"Begin." The major said, as the moment the signal was given, Su Yang exploded forward.
Leo barely had time to process the movement before a blur of sword slash came screaming toward him.
His instincts roared, and he flung himself sideways just in time.
WHOOOSH!
The massive sword slash sliced through the air where his torso had been, missing him by a hair's breadth.
A cold sweat trickled down his spine—had he been even a fraction of a second slower, that hit would have caved in his ribs despite the armor.
But before he could even recalibrate, Su Yang was already on him.
'Oh, shit—'
Leo barely managed to raise his daggers in time as the next strike came.
CLANG!
The impact rattled through his arms like a shockwave.
His right-hand dagger flew from his grasp, spinning through the air before clattering against the arena floor.
His left dagger remained, but his grip was shaky.
Su Yang's eyes gleamed. "You show too many openings, Skyshard."
Then, he attacked.
One strike.
Then another.
Then another.
Leo blocked the first few, but it was a downhill battle from there.
Su Yang's relentless offense was overwhelming—his strikes fast, precise, and filled with raw power.
*THUD*
A heavy thud landed against Leo's ribs, forcing him to stagger back, barely maintaining his footing.
*CLAP*
A sharp hit clipped his shoulder, causing his balance to waver.
*BAM*
A downward strike slammed against his armored thigh, nearly sending him to his knees.
Left. Right. Center.
Blow after blow rained down, the blunt end of Su Yang's sword battering him mercilessly.
Leo gritted his teeth as the realization set in—
He was being completely outclassed.
Every time he tried to retaliate, Su Yang's sword was already there, knocking his attacks aside as if they were child's play.
It wasn't just that Su Yang was stronger.
It wasn't just that he was faster.
It was the way he fought—with the effortless confidence of someone who wasn't even taking the fight seriously.
As if Leo wasn't a threat.
As if this was all just entertainment to him.
A deep frustration bubbled within Leo as another brutal strike landed against his side, forcing him back once more.
His grip tightened around the one dagger he had left.
He had to do something.
However, all his fighting spirit amounted to nothing infront of Su Yang's supremacy, as one last attack by his opponent to his chin, sent him crashing towards the floor, with stars circling before his eyes.
The spar was over, as Hen intervened and declared Su Yang as the winner.
"Stop! Winner Su Yang—" Major Hen said, as a deep frown spread over his face.
"Yang, God Damn It boy, your swordsmanship is beautiful! Well done—"
"Skyshard, you fight like a moron, what the hell was this stance? Why did you not use your combat skills to get out of the tough spot you found yourself in?
What were you even doing?" Major Hen said, as after praising Su Yang, he absolutely admonished Leo.
"Is this kid really a Monarch level talent? What clan are you from boy? What's the story here son?" Hen asked, alternating his gaze between Leo on the floor and Su Yang, as he waited for an explanation.
"He's supposed to be a Monarch level talent, but I don't know why he fights so poorly, Major.
I came here expecting a war, but I found myself fighting against a baby" Su Yang said, as Leo struggled back to his feet, his bloody nose and bruised cheeks a sorry sight to watch.
"I—I don't have my memories, Major. I've forgotten everything about myself but my instincts.
I don't remember what skills I have, or how I used to fight.
I don't even remember how strong I'm supposed to be" Leo replied candidly, as both Su Yang and Major Hen were taken aback instantly by his response.
"Mu!"
Both of them said at once, as if something just made sense in their heads, as letting out a deep sigh, Su Yang shook his head from side to side.
"Just when I thought I've found myself a rival, life plays a cruel prank on me again….. FUCKKK—" He cursed, his anger genuine, as he seemed to be pissed that Leo did not have his memories on him.
"Hmmm…." Major Hen mumbled, as he scratched his head and shook it from side to side in disappointment.
"I don't know why they do this to their own kids. The Mu Clan is full of crazies–" Major Hen said, as after contemplating for a while, he placed a sympathetic hand over Leo's shoulder and pointed towards the exit door.
"Go to the teachers staff room on floor two, and look for a female instructor called 'Muiyan Faye', tell her about your memory loss and tell her that it's Major Hen who has sent you.
She's the specialist at the academy for mind control magic and memory loss, perhaps she can recover some bits of your memory that will help you become more of your usual self again" Hen said, as he gave Leo's shoulders a good squeeze.
"Thankyou, Major" Leo said, giving him a thankful bow, as the Major gave him a soft smile.
"Become stronger fast, my boy, else the rest of your class will eat you up" He said, as Leo took his advice to heart.
"This isn't over, Skyshard…. Today's fight doesn't count. I want to face you at your best, so you better get back to your peak, as fast as you can!" Su Yang demanded, as Leo gave him a simple thumbs up.
Internally, he did not view Su Yang as a rival. Hell, he did not even care what the bloke thought about him.
However, having fought him today, Leo got an understanding of just how weak he was compared to the best student of this year, and the gap between them was simply massive.
Su Yang had defeated him today without so much as breaking a sweat, and that in itself told Leo all he needed to know about where he stood in the academy hierarchy.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 64: Meeting Muiyan FayeTimeless AssassinC64: Meeting Muiyan Faye
(Rodova Military Academy – 2nd Floor, Administration Building, Teachers' Staff Room)
As Leo made his way toward the staff room, his mind lingered on the aftermath of his fight with Su Yang.
Revealing his memory loss to Su Yang had been a gamble. A weakness exposed. A vulnerability laid bare.
But in the end, something good had come from it.
Major Hen had given him a lead—a professor who might have the ability to help him recover his lost memories, and if it actually worked out, Leo felt like it could be a game-changer.
'If I can recover my memory without relying on the ones who erased it… then I can take back control of my life—'
That thought alone filled him with a renewed sense of determination.
Optimistic, he reached his destination with a soft smile tugging behind his bruised lips.
Taking a steady breath, he stood outside the staff room and calmly called the name of the instructor given to him.
"Instructor Muiyan Faye."
He waited, arms relaxed at his sides, trying to appear unaffected.
But the moment the door opened, and she stepped out, the air in his lungs turned to stone.
He knew her.
Those short hair, olive skin, those stern eyes. She was the one who had given him the orientation tour!
She was the one who had slipped him the second chit!
And now she was standing before him, eyebrow raised—as if she hadn't been a part of the group that had wiped his memories.
A sharp chill ran through him. Of all the people Hen could have sent him to… why did it have to be her?
These were not the circumstances under which he had wanted to meet her.
"Yes? How may I help you today, student?" She said, her voice calm, as looking into her prying eyes Leo's body tensed, his feet taking an instinctive step back.
"I— that," he stammered, words fumbling over themselves before he inhaled sharply and forced himself to steady.
He couldn't afford to look weak.
Not now.
Lifting his chin slightly, he met her gaze, his voice strong despite the unease coiling in his chest.
"Major Hen sent me to see you, ma'am. He said you could help me with my memory loss." He said, as he gauged her reaction.
"Hen? Hmmm, How long before your next lecture starts?" Faye said, as she glanced at the watch on her wrist.
"A little over an hour, ma'am" Leo replied, as she nodded and gestured for him to follow her.
"Come over to my room, it's not a guarantee whether I can help you out or not, but I'll give it a shot–" Faye said, as she began walking towards her room, with Leo in tow.
*********
TAP. TAP. TAP.
Faye's boots clicked against the polished tiles in a steady, rhythmic beat.
Unlike Leo, who moved without a sound, her stride was practiced, disciplined, and predictable.
In a fight, he could probably hear her coming from a hundred meters away. But right now, as he followed behind her, the sharp echo of her footsteps was the least of his concerns.
'Will she try to harm me once we're alone?'
'Will she actually help me regain my memory?'
'Am I finally going to get some of the answers I've been searching for?'
Doubt churned inside him, each step bringing a fresh wave of uncertainty. His heart and mind being tangled in a mess of emotions.
Yet, despite everything—despite knowing she was part of the group that had erased his memories—he somehow did not feel threatened in her presence.
Instinct told him that Muiyan Faye held no killing intent towards him.
But instinct alone wasn't enough to trust her.
His fingers brushed over the concealed dagger tucked within his uniform—the same one he had stashed secretly after the sparring session.
It was his last resort. A plan B, for if things went sideways.
Soon, they arrived at the teachers' quarters.
Faye stopped before her door, pressing her palm against the biometric scanner.
The lock clicked open, and she stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter first.
"Thank you," Leo said politely, stepping inside without hesitation.
As soon as he crossed the threshold, Faye followed—the door sealing shut behind her with an audible WOOSH.
Leo's eyes flickered to the lock mechanism.
It was air-sealed. The moment the door shut, the security system automatically re-engaged, indicating that even exiting the room was going to require biometric verification, meaning… he was locked in until Faye let him out.
'There goes my plan to run out if things go wrong…' Leo realized, as although he did not show the panic on his face, his heart already skipped a beat or two.
"So… did Hen really send you? Or was that just an excuse to find me?" Faye said, as she broke the awkward silence, however, what took Leo aback was the apparent shift in her tone.
Gone was the smooth, formal voice she had used in public.
Now, her voice was lighter—shriller, more feminine.
As if, now that they were alone, she no longer felt the need to maintain her disciplined facade.
"Yes, it was Major Hen who sent me, but truth be told, I was searching for you ever since you slipped me the note on day one, but I was unable to find you" Leo admitted, as Faye nodded.
"Well, I was expecting you to find me. And had you been more attentive and looked at my name-tag during orientation, perhaps you could have found me sooner" Faye pointed out, as she took a subtle jibe at Leo.
"I'm glad you are calm, sitting here before me, as I'm sure you have a million questions in your mind.
However, before you voice them, let me tell you, I won't be able to answer most of them currently, so don't be disappointed when I refuse to answer most of your doubts." Faye said, as her words caused Leo to clutch his fists in anger.
'What do you mean you won't be able to answer many of my questions? Who the fuck are you? And where the fuck are my memories?' Was what he wanted to scream at the moment, however, knowing full well that aggression was going to get him nowhere, he barely managed to repress his anger.
"I understand, but instead of me asking the questions, why don't you tell me what you can tell me, so that I don't lose out on any information that you are allowed to give me today" Leo said, as he pushed the ball in her court, somehow holding on to some semblance of patience.
"A smart choice. We can do it that way too…" Faye said, as a soft smile played on her lips, as she began thinking about how best to explain the situation Leo found himself in.
For a while, there was pin-drop silence in the room.
Then, Faye finally began with the recap.
"Your real name is Leo Skyshard, your birth planet is Earth, and you were widely known as Earth's best assassin, and Earth's greatest warrior, back when you hunted under your moniker 'TheBoss'," She began, as her lips curved into an unnatural smile when she spoke the last sentence.
"You were always an arrogant brat. Which was clear in your naming sense.
Like, who actually calls themselves 'TheBoss'. That's cringe and stupid. However, you actually had the talent to live up to your ridiculous name. Which I personally find very impressive—" She said, as it was clear she had veered off-track to make this comment, however, it looked like she could not help herself.
"Your memory loss was your own decision. Nobody forced you to do it.
However, you saw the merits of this process and decided to go through with it for the sake of the mission, and the safety of your family," Faye said, as it was at this point that Leo widened his eyes in surprise and found his patience finally broken, as he couldn't stay silent.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 65: AnswersTimeless AssassinC65: Answers
"Wait, wait, wait—so you're telling me that I voluntarily gave up my memories and threw myself into a brutal entrance exam where I could have died, all while holding nothing but a vague note in my hand?
I can't possibly be that dumb.
And for what? What mission? What about my family?"
Leo's voice shook with frustration, his hands trembling at his sides. None of this made any sense. Instead of answers, Faye had only given him more maddening questions.
However, Faye remained unfazed.
"Like I said, I can't answer most of your questions. And 'What mission?' and 'What about my family?' happen to be two of those questions."
She crossed her arms, leaning slightly against the desk. "As for 'I can't possibly be that dumb'—psssh—let's just say it's a blessing you don't remember your past self, because in all my years, I have never met a more arrogant, self-righteous twat than you."
Leo's left eye twitched.
That was not the response he was expecting.
Faye smirked, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "We warned you the entrance test would be brutal. But do you know what you said?"
She tilted her head, her tone turning mocking. "And I quote: 'The Boss laughs in the face of danger.'"
Leo winced as secondhand embarrassment washed over him.
'Was I really that arrogant?' he wondered.
But more importantly—why couldn't Faye answer the most important questions?
"Oh, bullshit—why can't you tell me what the mission is? And why is my family involved in this mess?!"
His patience snapped, anger surging to the surface, as Faye let out a deep sigh.
"I can't tell you, Leo, because the moment I do, you will no longer be able to remain a regular student at this academy—one whose presence doesn't raise suspicion."
Her voice lost its usual teasing edge, turning serious.
"You might have already figured it out, but the only reason you were able to pass the academy's psychological evaluation without raising any alarms was because you did not have access to your memories.
If you had them, you could have never lied your way past the lie detector, and could never enroll as a student here.
However, in-case you don't know. Those evaluations are not a one time thing.
They happen every twelve months. So you will have to pass another at the end of your first year—and again when you graduate."
Leo's stomach sank as Faye continued.
"If I give you the answers that you seek today, you will have no chance of passing your next psychological evaluation. You will undoubtedly expose yourself. And when that happens… the mission you chose to undertake?"
She shook her head.
"It will be over before it even begins."
Leo let out a strangled breath, his fingers tangling in his hair.
This was impossible.
An impossible situation, with no way out.
"I know it's difficult, however, it's the path you chose for yourself. So please, for now, forget about the 'Why' behind this situation, and focus on what you're supposed to do next–" Faye said, as Leo buried his head in his hands and stayed there for a while.
"And what am I supposed to do next?" He asked, his head still hanging low, as Faye began explaining his own vision back to him.
"You are supposed to graduate from this academy as the top student of your class. However, that alone is not your goal.
Your goal is to somehow help Rodova clinch the number one spot in the university rankings once again, toppling Geneva, as you plan to dominate the circuits."
"You have set that as your goal, because you know that a dominating performance at the circuits will establish you as a household name amongst the top adventurer guilds and clans in the universe, who will recruit you with big promises.
And for the sake of the mission. It's absolutely necessary that you find your way into one of the best assassination guilds in the universe. 'The Black Serpents'," Faye said, as Leo finally looked up and made eye-contact with her.
"Please tell me, at least the reason behind all this effort is worth it?" Leo asked as Faye nodded sympathetically.
"You're doing this to save your family, and in a way the whole universe.
There is no bigger noble cause.
But, if that's not enough, then you're also doing this to save your own life.
You're a wanted fugitive and unless you achieve your goals exactly as you mapped them, you will be captured and killed in the most brutal of ways" Faye said, as listening to her words Leo fell silent once again.
The stakes were massive, almost too big to even fathom. Yet, the only way out… was diving even deeper. Giving him no choice but to accept his fate as is.
"What else can you tell me? I mean there has to be something, because as things stand I'm going absolutely crazy.
I don't even remember how to sense mana, my dreams at night are blank, because there's literally nothing but fog over my memories, and I don't remember anything about how to fight.
Before I came here, Su Yang pummeled my face into a pulp, and I'm more than sure that almost everyone else in the academy can too, if I don't regain at least some of my combat potential again" Leo complained, as Muiyan Faye gave him another look of sympathy.
"Well…. Now this is something that I CAN help you with, and it was something I was supposed to give you back on the very first day, however, If only someone had bothered to read my name tag, we could have done this much sooner." Faye said, as she stood up from her seat and walked towards her room wall, where she began secretly tempering with the space around it.
For a second, Leo found his vision turn hazy, as he could not perceive the world around him at all, until it returned suddenly, when Muiyan Faye took her seat before him yet again.
"What? What just happened?" He mumbled in confusion, as Faye only chuckled to his face, but offered no explanation.
Then, she put forward the object in her hand, which looked like a simple beanie cap, meant to cover one's ears and head, however, with a lot of electrodes sticking from it.
On the side of the beanie was written 'Memory Disk - #4 Techniques and Fights', and just looking at the object, Leo felt a vague sense of familiarity from it.
"I've seen this before—" he said, as Faye nodded.
"You already have regained memories from Memory Disk #1. Which was 'Language and Math'.
Without it, you would be no different than a baby who did not understand a word being spoken around it" Faye said, as she gestured for him to put it on.
"The process of memory transfer is painful, so dig deep and make sure you don't bite your tongue off.
Also, while you will regain your knowledge about your existing skill move-set and how to execute them, you will still need to practice them a few times before you return to peak proficiency.
So you will still have to work on it a bit" Faye warned, as Leo nodded and placed the beanie over his head, while also mentally preparing himself for the pain to come.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 66: Regaining MemoriesTimeless AssassinC66: Regaining Memories
"Ready?"
Leo barely had time to nod before Faye placed her palm atop the beanie, her fingers spreading across the fabric with practiced precision.
A faint hum resonated from the device as she channeled her mana into it—slowly at first, then with increasing intensity.
Thin, glowing threads of blue energy seeped from her fingertips, intertwining with the embedded electrodes on the beanie's surface.
The moment her mana fully connected with the device—
PAIN.
A violent surge tore through Leo's skull, sending his nerves into overdrive. His back arched, fingers digging into the chair's armrests as his entire body locked up.
A white-hot pulse hammered through his mind, as if someone had taken a branding iron and was forging memories straight into his consciousness.
And then—
The floodgates broke open.
A torrent of images, sensations, and knowledge crashed into Leo's mind, his consciousness struggling to keep up with the sheer volume of information being forcefully restored.
'So that's how you circulate mana…'
'So that's how you draw in mana from your surroundings…'
The first pieces of his past slotted into place, answering fundamental questions about mana control and manipulation before the true depth of his combat knowledge surfaced.
Leo had mastered seven core moves, each designed for a different battlefield scenario. Though vastly different in application, they complemented one another seamlessly, forming the foundation of his assassination skill set.
The first technique to resurface was [Vanish], a stealth-based move that allowed him to turn completely invisible. The technique worked best when blending into darkness, but Leo had refined it to the point where he could even disappear in broad daylight. By manipulating the mana in his surroundings, he could bend light itself, creating a perfect illusion of nonexistence.
Then came [The Kill Strike], a technique meant to ensure the absolute lethality of an assassination. The move worked by channeling a pulse of volatile mana into an enemy's body upon stabbing them. The moment the blade pierced, the mana detonated inside the target, causing instantaneous internal bleeding and organ failure. While a dagger wound might be survivable, no one could endure an explosion within their own body.
Next was [The Mirror World], a cloning technique that allowed him to summon up to a hundred identical copies of himself. The technique could be used in two ways—illusions, which served as perfect decoys to mislead an opponent, or physical clones, which could attack and defend just like the real Leo. The flexibility of the technique made it an invaluable tool in both combat and deception.
Following that was [Shadow Bind], a restraining move designed to incapacitate targets without the need for lethal force. Using mana-forged chains, Leo could wrap his enemies in powerful bindings, preventing their escape or counterattack. It was an ideal move for control, ensuring his prey had no chance to resist.
Next came [Full Counter], it was a skill which helped him send any magical/ physical attack coming his way back towards the sender with twice the force, however, executing it needed extreme timing and precision. One slight mistake and the whole move could fail, which was why it needed to be used with caution.
Then came [Blade Switch], a move that allowed Leo to throw a dagger and instantly teleport to its location. The technique created a blink-like effect, enabling him to reposition in battle with inhuman speed. He could use it to close distances, escape a dangerous situation, or launch an unexpected attack from a new angle.
Finally, his mind unlocked the knowledge of [Parallel Processing], a technique that temporarily merged the processing power of his conscious and subconscious minds.
This move was responsible for the moments when he perceived the world to slow down around him, giving him an immense advantage in battle.
However, it came at an enormous cost. His brain consumed energy a hundred times faster than normal to maintain the state, and his muscles had to keep up with the rapid signals, pushing his body beyond its natural limits.
The move was his most powerful ace, however, it's overuse had the potential to leave him completely incapacitated, a price too high if misused.
As all this knowledge resurfaced in Leo's mind, he felt an odd sense of satisfaction—but also immense pain.
His skull throbbed violently, as if someone had rammed a drill into his brain, forcing each memory back into place, while his entire body trembled under the weight of the forced recollection.
Having years of knowledge being crammed into one's brain within seconds was not a good feeling, and Leo had no question in his mind that a weaker man would have passed out from it.
However, he held on, as the final bits of knowledge began to be transferred to his brain, on how to actually make use of his techniques in practical combat scenarios, as he received snippets of himself in past battles where he used the moves in one way or another.
"GAHHH—-"
He screamed, as a mouthful of spittle escaped his face, landing on the floor below.
He was approaching his limits, and quickly felt like he could not take any more knowledge for the day anymore.
"We are 96% done… Just hold on for a few more seconds," Muiyan Faye told him, as listening to her voice Leo somehow held on till the end, as the device finally powered off, having completed its function.
"Good job not passing out. Some of your memories would have been lost forever if you did," she said, as she removed the steaming beanie from his head, and ruffled his hair in joy.
"Lost forever? How about you warn me about such things before we start the procedure next time?" Leo snapped back, angry, as Faye let out a prideful smile.
"So…. Did you get the knowledge of your moveset back? What do you think of it?" Faye asked, as for a moment Leo said nothing and only gestured towards his throat, asking for water.
Faye rolled her eyes, however, fetched it for him at once.
And it was only after he drank some and recovered, that Leo began answering her question.
"The skill-set is balanced for movement, creativity and attack, however, I don't know a single defensive maneuver.
If push comes to shove, I have no healing abilities or defensive moves that could save my life in a pinch, making my fighting style offensively skewed," Leo judged, as Faye nodded in agreement with his assessment.
"Glad you can see it now. Because, I already know what the previous you would have said when asked about it," Faye said, as she chuckled to herself as if reminiscing about an old joke.
"What? What would the old me say?" Leo asked, his curiosity piqued, as Faye only chuckled louder looking at the clueless him.
"What else? The old you would say…. Defence is for losers who get hit. I'm 'TheBoss', I just don't get hit–," Faye replied, as Leo once again frowned deeply.
His previous self sounded like an enigma, and Leo could not even begin to imagine what sort of a life he had lived to grow into such an arrogant prick.
However, while it sounded impractical, he was also secretly impressed by his past arrogant self, as clearly it had somehow managed to become the best assassin on planet Earth.
"Alright…. Your next class starts in 12 minutes, you better get a move on.
Also, remember—you won't be able to use your skills instantly. Expect failures in the first few days
You need practice to return to your best, so don't bank on it for immediate fights.
Also, if anyone asks, just tell them it was Instructor Faye who helped unlock some bits of my memory, however, don't tell them about the beanie—" Faye instructed, as she unlocked the biometric door once again and showed Leo the exit.
"I'm your caretaker here, Skyshard, and while I'll help you as best I can, it's going to have to be you that does all the heavy lifting.
You must show promise in combat, and you must place at the top of your class, because if you don't, all your sacrifices up till now will be for naught," Faye reminded, as she gave him one last good slap on his back before sending him on his way to the next class.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 67: PurposeTimeless AssassinC67: Purpose
As Leo stepped out of Faye's room, his hair slightly tousled and a subtle smirk lingering on his face, the last thing he expected was to run into Professor David.
The professor was headed towards his dorm room after finishing his lecture, his expression neutral—until his gaze landed on Leo.
"Skyshard?"
David's voice carried a note of surprise, his eyes flickering from Leo's disheveled appearance to the door he had just stepped out of.
Leo could almost see the gears turning in the professor's mind, piecing together an entirely incorrect scenario.
However, he met his gaze nonetheless.
"Professor." Leo said, as he walked past him, entirely ignoring the tension hanging in the air.
But as he brushed past, he could swear he heard David curse under his breath.
Leo didn't need to read minds to know what the professor was thinking.
The man had clearly jumped to the worst conclusion possible—assuming that a teacher had offered him sexual 'favors' in exchange for being acquainted with his Monarch-level talent.
It was ridiculous. Unfounded.
But Leo had neither the time nor the patience to care.
With only 12 minutes before his next class, his focus was elsewhere.
*******
Returning to the Practical Combat Arena, Leo walked with a renewed sense of confidence about himself.
Although his conversation with Faye had not gone entirely as he hoped it would— in some ways, it had turned out better than he ever could have imagined.
He now knew that his memory loss was something voluntary and not something imposed forcibly upon him, and although there was a possibility that Faye was lying and making things up, something about her demeanor and how she talked about his past self, made Leo trust him.
Today, having talked to her, Leo found out about his goal in this academy and his reason for coming here, and that alone felt much better than the confused state he found himself in up until yesterday.
Up-till yesterday, he had no clue why he was here, or who put him here, or what was his end-game.
And although many of these questions still remain unanswered, at least now he knew his short-term goals.
1)He had to get stronger and somehow top the first year rankings.
2)He had to be selected for the academy team representing them in the circuits and participate in that competition.
3)He had to shine at the circuits and hopefully help Rodova overturn Geneva's rank, as it would be an achievement big enough to be noticed by the universe's best Assassin Guild - The Black Serpents.
Which eventually brought him to his final goal for having joined this academy….which was finding a way into the Black Serpents.
For now, he had no clue as to why he needed to join the Black Serpents, or why the only route to joining them had to go through the Rodova Military Academy, however, just having the knowledge of what he was supposed to do, felt enough for now.
***********
(Meanwhile, within the teacher's dorm room, Muiyan Faye)
Muiyan Faye, a.k.a Mu Fan, slumped against the wall devoid of all strength after Leo left her room.
She had kept her act together, and behaved all tough around him till she eventually pushed him out, however, the truth was she was absolutely exhausted.
The mana required for the memory transfer was not something just anyone could handle.
The process was actually supposed to take place in a specialized machine that was powered by several high purity mana crystals, however, Mu Fan did it by hand for the sake of Leo.
'Stupid boy got all beat up today by Su Yang…. Why does he pick fights he can't win? Doesn't he understand that his body is precious?' Faye thought, as he cursed Leo's poor decision making under her breath.
Today, she had given him a sense of purpose and a goal to work towards, and while she had not given him all the answers he seeked, she had pointed him in the right direction.
"You must enroll into the Black Serpents, Skyshard, For if you don't, there is no hope for you to become the next Timeless Assassin" Faye murmured, as she weakly recalled the reason behind all this trouble.
The reason behind Leo enrolling into Rodova Military Academy.
The carefully crafted plan, aimed at seamlessly helping him achieve what no-one else before him had.
The reason was quite embarrassing for the Evil Cult, for they were supposed to be the guardians of the ways of the Timeless Assassin, the protector of his legacy, however, it was because of their inadequacies that Leo had to take this difficult path today.
The Evil Cult was meant to be the guardian of the Timeless Assassin's legacy, the preserver of his techniques, the gatekeeper of the knowledge that allowed a warrior to ascend beyond mortality. And yet, they had failed.
Their last hope—the strongest Dragon candidate they had ever nurtured, a warrior who had once stood on the precipice of greatness—had fallen. Killed not fighting a war of justice, nor by an unforeseen catastrophe, but by the Guild Master of the Black Serpents.
That battle had been a turning point. Not only had the Evil Cult lost their most promising candidate, but the Black Serpents had taken from his corpse something invaluable—something that should have never left the hands of the Cult.
A Divine Rank Skill Scroll.
A relic of the original Timeless Assassin, containing one of his core techniques, a move so crucial that without it, no successor could ever hope to become the next Timeless Assassin.
It was a fatal bottleneck, a wall that could not be bypassed. No matter how much talent the next Dragon possessed, no matter how deep their understanding of the Timeless Assassin's arts, they would never reach the pinnacle without that skill in their arsenal.
And now, that scroll sat behind the most impenetrable defenses in the universe.
The Black Serpent Guild was not just a collection of elite assassins—it was the universe's premier assassin guild, an organization that had solidified its place at the very top of the underworld hierarchy, by having deep ties to all six great clans and the universal government.
Their vaults were legendary, rumored to be guarded by an ever-changing security protocol, layers of spatial locks, and a force of assassins that had never known failure.
And while over the years, the Evil Cult had launched dozens of attempts to retrieve what was stolen, every mission they launched had inevitably ended in disaster.
Each infiltration team was wiped out.
Every direct assault was crushed as the cult simply found no way in.
Not through force.
Not through stealth.
Not through any method they had used before.
Which meant that if they wanted to retrieve the skill scroll— if they wanted to see a new Timeless Assassin to rise again— they needed a new approach.
One that would allow their agent to walk freely within the guild's walls. One that would not raise suspicion. One that would let them strike from within.
But that was easier said than done.
In a world where background checks ran deep, where major organizations conducted psychological evaluations and lie detection procedures on every new recruit, infiltrating the Black Serpents was impossible for anyone with even the slightest connection to the Evil Cult.
Even a single hidden memory of the mission could be fatal, as no one could join that organisation with fabricated pasts or forged documents as the guild's security measures would expose them long before they ever got close to the armory.
Which left them with only one possible entry point.
The grassroots level.
Unlike other recruitment methods, the Inter-School Circuits were one of the few ways the Black Serpents scouted new talent without prior affiliation checks as they expected the reputed academies to have already done that bit.
Hence, those who dominated the circuits, those who stood out among the most promising young assassins in the universe, were offered a chance to join.
Making it the only way to join without triggering suspicion.
And that was why Leo Skyshard had come to Rodova Military Academy.
That was why he had erased his own memories.
A clear background. A blank slate. No affiliations. No ties to the Evil Cult. A perfect candidate.
This wasn't just about gaining strength. This was about building a cover story. About proving himself as an exceptional talent while operating within the Righteous Alliance framework. About ascending the ranks of the academy without any traces of his true allegiance.
Only after cementing himself as one of the best would he receive an invitation.
Only after earning his way into the Black Serpents would he finally get his chance.
Once inside, he would steal back what was rightfully his.
And when that day came, when the scroll was back in their hands, he would return to the Evil Cult as their next Dragon.
The next candidate to become the Timeless Assassin.
But until that day arrived…
He could never know the full truth.
For in this game of shadows, ignorance was both his greatest shield and his deadliest curse.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 68: Practical Combat ClassTimeless AssassinC68: Practical Combat Class
(Practical Combat Grounds, Rodova Military Academy)
As Leo stepped into the Practical Combat Grounds once again, sporting a bruised face and a slightly swollen eye, his physical condition immediately became the center of everyone's attention.
Whispers rippled through the training grounds, as the elite class students tried to theorize what had happened to him.
Since it was common knowledge that both he and Su Yang had been kicked out of Professor David's class, many assumed the two had clashed afterward, with Leo ending up on the losing end.
While the others speculated that he had foolishly provoked a senior or an instructor which would be in-line with his freakish personality.
However, as if completely unaffected by the gossip around him, Leo stood tall.
His posture was proud, his expression unshaken, as a subtle but unmistakable confidence radiated from him.
The very air around him felt different now compared to just this morning, as he seemed to no longer fear the opinions of the students around him.
With the knowledge of his combat techniques restored, something deep inside him had shifted.
It was almost like a sliver of his natural arrogance—his brash, unshakable presence—was creeping back, as his eyes looked at the surrounding students more as underlings rather than peers.
The change was subtle, but significant.
Just this morning, he stood amongst the class line-up in a spot where he would draw the least amount of eyes, with his shoulders slouched and his eyes gazing at something distant.
It was almost like he Sub-Consciously avoided eye contact, since he did not have the guts to pick a fight.
But now?
Now, he stood tall, shoulders squared, meeting the stares of those who dared look at him—challenging them with nothing but his presence, as he turned into a full blown menace.
With his combat knowledge restored, he feared no-one.
And it reflected in his attitude, with Mu Ryan being one of the first ones to notice this change in him.
"Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah! What the hell happened to you, big bro? Where did you suddenly pick up so much swagger from?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
However, Leo simply shrugged her away.
"I've always been this way."
His voice came out deeper than expected, catching even him off guard.
Mu Ryan narrowed her eyes. "Nahhh—something definitely happened between Professor David's class and now. You feel way too overbearing for it to be nothing major."
Her gaze flickered toward Su Yang, who stood off to the side, arms folded, a deep frown on his face.
He, too, was staring at Leo—but with a hazy, confused expression that looked like it belonged to a disillusioned lover who had just had a messy breakup.
And Mu Ryan followed his gaze and then gasped dramatically for maximum humor points.
"Yep. You and Su Yang just had sex after class. That's the theory I'm running with. My only question is…" she paused for effect, smirking, "who was top?"
Leo let out an involuntary chuckle before pushing her away.
Wicked.
The little one definitely had a wicked sense of humor.
And while Leo didn't dislike that about her, he found himself more alarmed by her uncanny ability to observe and discern things others would overlook.
She had instantly pieced together that he might have ties to the Mu Clan and had lost his memories, something that wasn't public knowledge.
And now, with just a glance, she had noticed the shift in his demeanor before anyone else.
That was dangerous.
"Alright, class. I want pin-drop silence."
A deep, commanding voice cut through the chatter as Major Hen stepped forward, taking the center stage.
"I am Major Hen Bespoke, and for the next four weeks, I will be your Practical Combat Instructor.
Unlike your regular classes, which are taught by fixed faculty, your Practical Combat training will be conducted by rotating military instructors.
Each instructor will train you in different methodologies, ensuring that you receive a broad spectrum of combat exposure.
My method of training is simple— which is that I want you to fight amongst each other as much as possible.
I want you to face as many opponents as possible, to gain firsthand knowledge of their fighting styles and learn how different types of warriors approach combat.
No two swordsmen fight the same. No two assassins move alike.
Facing dozens of different opponents daily will give you the experience necessary to determine the best strategies to counter a variety of fighters.
Adaptability is key and that is the foundation of my class.
Here's how it will work—each of you will be assigned a number. You will then rotate through matchups, facing every other number in this class at least once.
Each fight will conclude in one of three ways:
A tie if no decisive result is reached within 2.5 minutes.
A win if you disarm or incapacitate your opponent.
A loss if you are the one disarmed or incapacitated."
Hen's tone remained firm and unwavering as he continued.
"Scoring will be simple—
Zero points for a draw.
Minus one for a loss.
Plus two for a win.
Once all of you have fought every opponent at least once, we will hold weekly leaderboard matchups every Sunday.
The Top 10 rankers will participate in an exhibition match, where the rest of the class will observe and learn.
I will personally critique those matches—breaking down your mistakes, analyzing your movements, and teaching you how to improve. That will be the most informative part of this class."
Hen's gaze swept over the crowd, his words laced with a deliberate intensity.
"If you have any intention of qualifying for the circuits as a first-year, your performance in these leaderboard matches is critical.
At the end of my four weeks, I will be submitting three names to Principal Alric—my personal recommendations for the circuits.
And while my endorsement alone won't guarantee selection, it will carry significant weight in your candidacy.
So, if you want to make a name for yourself in the Military Inter-Academy Circuits, if you want to be noticed by the strongest and most powerful organizations in the universe—
Fight like hell.
Claw your way to every win you can get."
Hen's fists clenched as he spoke, his voice carrying an unmistakable edge of challenge—an unspoken dare for them to rise to the occasion as he tried to rile up the heat within everyone's young blood.
And it worked out well, for as Leo glanced around, he could see the shift in everyone's expressions.
His fellow students' expressions had hardened.
Determination. Hunger.
Every single one of them wanted this.
The circuits were the golden ticket. The one chance to be scouted and recruited by the universe's most elite forces.
And if they had to fight, bleed, and break bones to earn a recommendation spot—
Then so be it.
"SIR, I JIANG GU WILL BE THE ONE TO GET THAT RECOMMENDATION SIR!" Shouted a candidate, who declared his desire to win like a moron, which immediately painted him as a target for the rest of the class, and even pissed Leo off.
'Like hell you would….. the mission requires me to qualify for the circuits and if this recommendation can help me do so then I'm not letting a single one of you past me.
Jiang Gu of the Gu clan? I'm gonna break your bones when we meet in battle—' Leo thought, as he coldly marked the loudmouth as a personal project.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 69: CombatTimeless AssassinC69: Combat
"Leo Skyshard—Number One, Su Yang—Number Two, Mu Shen—Number Three…"
Major Hen's voice carried through the combat grounds as he assigned numbers to all students based on their enrollment ranks, keeping the process straightforward and without any unnecessary complications.
The list continued until Hen reached the final number.
And then, without a pause, he moved to the matchups.
"First flight, Number One versus Number Thirty-Five, Zone One. Number Two versus Number Thirty-Four, Zone Two…" He read, as he assigned everyone a combat partner at once.
After hearing the number of his opponent, Leo's gaze shifted briefly.
He had no idea who Number Thirty-Five was, but his opponent clearly knew who he was.
From among the crowd, a girl was already staring at him.
Eventually, as Leo made eye contact with her, she began walking toward him at a casual pace, stretching her arm out to introduce herself.
"Hello, I'm Sophia Venn and I will be your first opponent today," she said as Leo accepted the handshake but responded in a tone laced with detached arrogance.
"You already know who I am." He said, as Sophia smiled at his remark, tilting her chin up ever so slightly, as if trying to meet his gaze on even ground. But it was nothing but a poor attempt at bravery and unfortunately for her, Leo saw straight through it.
She tried too hard to appear confident, although she was not feeling it. And while she somehow managed to maintain a straight face, the rest of her body betrayed her resolve.
The tension in her shoulders. The slight imbalance in her stance. The way her fingers curled just a bit too tightly before she let go of the handshake, told Leo that she was very nervous to face him.
Whether it was his reputation as the number one student? Or his freakish performance this morning while training that scared her?
Leo had no clue.
However, looking at her body language, he felt sure that she was indeed afraid to face him.
'Being scared of your opponent means you've already lost half the fight.' Leo thought, as he purposefully bore his gaze down on her, trying to look even more imposing, as he tried his best to intimidate her even more.
However, before he could properly pressure her, Major Hen's voice rang out once again, saving his opponent from unnecessary psychological pressure.
"Listen up." Hen said, as all attention snapped back to him.
"You will each participate in five consecutive matches before being allowed any rest. Once your match ends, you will rotate one zone to the left and take on your next opponent immediately.
This will go on until you complete a total of ten fights today."
The weight of his words settled over the field.
"Each fight is a maximum of two and a half minutes. If no decisive victory is reached, it will be ruled as a draw. There will be no breaks between rotations—recover as you fight, or fall behind.
And the break after the fifth match will only be ten minutes, where consumption of any potion is not allowed."
A murmur rippled through the students—some whispering complaints, others barely concealing their frustration.
However, Leo did neither.
In Fact he welcomed the format with open arms.
Fighting five opponents consecutively without rest would test his endurance, his sharpness, his ability to stay dominant under fatigue.
And although it would be tough, he desperately wanted to know where his limits lay.
Which was why he was grateful to Hen for pushing him in such a demanding regimen.
"Assistants, take your positions." Hen commanded at the end, as at his command, a squad of instructors stepped forward.
Unlike the professors, these men and women were not mere educators.
They were soldiers.
Their role wasn't just to referee. They were here to enforce discipline, to observe and to ensure the safety of all participants.
Each assistant took command of a designated zone before calling out the cadets assigned to fight in their zone.
"Zone One, Number One and Thirty-Five." A male assistant called, as Leo and Sophia answered his call, moving towards that particular fighting area.
Beside them, Su Yang took his own position in Zone 2, While Mu Shen was further left in Zone 3.
The entire training ground had been divided into smaller battle zones, each outlined with thick white boundary lines.
The space wasn't large, but it was just enough to engage in a close range battle and to maneuver a few steps.
It was designed in a way where running away or stalling for time became impossible, pushing cadets to go for wins, rather than gambling for a tie.
"Number 1, Stop here—
Number 35, Go there" The assistant pointed, as he assigned both Leo and Sophia a starting spot within the marked area.
"Standard combat rules apply to this fight," he began, as alternating his gaze between both cadets he explained the rules once.
"Protective gear is mandatory. No strikes to vital organs. No maiming or crippling blows. Forced out of bounds equals a loss. Referee's decision is final." He explained as he handed Leo and Sophia their protective gear, which included light padding for the chest, forearms, and legs, along with a helmet. Ensuring that both candidates had sufficient protection to prevent crippling injuries.
Leo strapped his armor on without a second thought, completing the process quickly, while across from him, Sophia did the same—but took much longer.
It looked like she took the extra time to make sure that she was padded up precisely and so that she did not get hit on her vitals, as she subconsciously seemed to be preparing herself for a crushing defeat, and was only hoping to make it out of round one without any major injuries.
'Pfft— Weakling' Leo thought disappointedly, as although he could accept a weaker opponent losing to him in a fair fight, he somehow had no sympathy for weak minded warriors that threw the fight before it ever began.
To become a warrior, one had to become a mentality monster first and it looked like she did not have the mentality of a predator within her.
Eventually, she did finish gearing up, as she looked up at Leo once again, this time with an unsure smirk on her lips.
"So, the famous Monarch-level talent is my first opponent…. Unfortunately you will lose your very first fight." She said, her voice cracking slightly, as the fear was evident on her face.
Leo said nothing. He merely scoffed at her meek behaviour before shaking his head, as the referee introduced the weapons tray.
Coincidentally, both Leo and Sophia were assassin's, however, while Leo chose to fight with daggers, Sophia preferred scythes as her weapon of choice.
It was not the usual choice for an assassin, however, this was exactly what Hen wanted from this combat class, which was to expose students to all kinds of opponents.
*Swippee*
*Swippee*
Picking two of them up, Sophia spun the curved blade in her palms, before rubbing them against one another to produce small sparks, as she smiled in satisfaction.
Apparently, holding a weapon in her hand finally gave her the courage to look Leo in the eye, who felt equally confident after gripping a pair of daggers in his palms.
"Fighters ready?" The referee asked once both had chosen their weapons, as both Leo and Sophia nodded to show their approval.
"Begin!" He declared, as Sophia charged at her command, only to be bamboozled, when Leo disappeared before her very eyes within a split-second.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 70: The Boss Is BackTimeless AssassinC70: The Boss Is Back
"Begin—"
The moment Sophia heard the command, she sprang into action, charging straight toward Leo.
She knew that if she did not seize control of the battle now, right when it had just begun, she might never get the chance to do it again later.
Since Leo was the number one ranked cadet in the Elite Class as per comprehensive evaluation, Sophia fully expected him to be faster and stronger than her. However, when she saw that he favored a dagger as his primary weapon of choice, she recognized an opportunity to potentially create an opening.
Leo's daggers were barely 12 inches long, and when added to his arm reach, his maximum attack range reached about 46 inches.
In contrast, her scythe measured 20 inches, and with her 30-inch arm reach, she had a peak attack range of 50 inches—a full four inches longer than her opponent's.
This meant that she had a range advantage over him, which when coupled with her skill move, [Accelerated Slash], might just give her the edge she needed to win.
It was a very small difference, but in a fight like this, every inch counted.
'Okay Sophia, You will go in and place a vertical slash, forcing him to dodge left, however, the moment he moves, you will activate the skill, and take him by surprise….'
'It's an opening sequence you have done countless times before, and maybe it can work on him too–'
Sophia thought, as she narrowed her gaze, however, before she could execute any her thoughts—
Before she could even raise her scythe to attack him, Leo disappeared before her very eyes, without leaving so much of a trace in the air.
'What? Where did he go?' She wondered in panic, as she looked to the left, then to the right, and finally over her head.
She expected an attack to come flying in from any side at any time, as her senses went into hyperdrive, however, the expected attack never came.
1…2…3….
3 painful seconds passed, as sweat beads began to form on her forehead.
She no longer had any sense of her opponent's movements, as having spun around thrice in these three seconds, she no longer knew where Leo was supposed to be.
She had spun, because she felt a constant fear of being stabbed in her back, however, no matter how many times she turned, she simply could not spot her opponent.
"DAMN IT… WHERE ARE YOU?" She finally shouted in frustration, as at that moment, she felt someone suddenly swipe at her feet as she lost her balance and was brought to the floor with a sickening thud.
*THUD*
At this point, Leo suddenly reappeared, a dagger pointed at her throat, as he ended the bout from start to finish in under 10 seconds.
'Please don't hurt me—'
Sophia's eyes conveyed this message, as they turned slightly teary and afraid, however, Leo did not care.
For him, resisting the urge to plunge a dagger in her back and ending the fight without inflicting any major injury on his opponent was already mercy enough on his part, and he had no interest in showing any more.
"Work on the perception skill that Professor Powell distributed today.
You need it a lot—" Leo advised as he walked away, with the assistant declaring him to be the winner.
"Winner, +2 points, Cadet number one" The assistant announced, as he nodded in acknowledgement of Leo's skill, prompting Leo to nod back.
Apparently, only two cadets had finished their fights within the first ten seconds, and those two were him and Su Yang.
As Leo looked across to his battle zone, he found Su Yang staring back at him, as a maniacal smile played out on his face.
He said nothing, however, the excitement and the pure elation on his face conveyed the entire story of what he felt at this moment.
'Not bad, Skyshard'
Leo could almost hear his voice praising him in his head, as he grinned back, folding his arms as he boldly made eye-contact.
Leo felt it too—
The goosebumps crawling under his skin, as he felt the growing urge to fight Su Yang yet again.
Just a couple hours ago, he had been beaten black and blue by the guy, however, after getting his combat memories back, Leo felt his body itching for round two, as he strongly felt that the outcome between their fight would be different if they were to clash again now.
On a second thought, Leo realized that it might not be a great idea to jump into a rematch just yet, as although he executed the move [Vanish] perfectly in this fight, without facing any hiccups, there was still a chance he could face some challenges while trying to recreate some of his other moves.
It was an odd sensation, for although Muiyan Faye had warned him that it would take a while for him to recall and perform his combat skills, Leo found himself capable of recreating [Vanish] on his first try, which immediately boosted his confidence.
Initially, he felt jittery when he began circulating mana within his body to activate [Vanish]
However, once he started it was almost like he did not even need to consciously think on what he was doing, as his brain completed the rest of the process automatically.
It was almost like he had performed the move a thousand times while training, and now he only needed to initiate the process before muscle memory took over and his body did the rest.
And while he was not sure if this was the case for [Vanish] alone, or for all his skills, he did not wish to fight Su Yang again, until he found out.
'Just you wait Su Yang, I'm going to return every hit you landed on my face tenfold in the coming days—' Leo thought, as the grin on his face widened while staring Su Yang down.
At this moment, both of them knew that Leo was on his way to regaining his peak battle form, and although he had some distance left to cover, both were genuinely stoked to see him on the path to quick improvement.
"Alright, time's up. Everyone shifts one battle zone to their left.
Number one will go to zone two.
Number two will go to zone three
Number thirty four will go to zone 1
And number thirty five will move to zone thirty five" Major Hen declared once the first 2.5 minutes were over, as everyone quickly shifted to the next battle zone, where they encountered their second opponent.
"Greetings, I'm Jiang Gu, and I shall be taking the top spot from you in the class rankings very soon—" Said Leo's second opponent, as Leo's eyes beamed with joy when he introduced himself.
This was the same guy who had shouted boldly that he was going to win it all, when Major Hen was explaining the rules, and he had done the same once again when he introduced himself now.
"Aghhh, so you're Jiang Gu—" Leo said, as he pretended to have heard his name before.
"Yes, I'm Jiang Gu? Have you perhaps kept an eye on me as a rival?" He asked, his eyes shining brightly as he took his battle stance.
"Yes, let me be honest Jiang Gu, I must tell you precisely how I feel about you before we fight…." Leo began, as he drew in his opponents curiosity with his words.
"The truth is…. I don't give a fuck about you Miang Chu–" Leo said, deliberately pronouncing his name wrong, as the expression in his eyes turned stone cold.
"Begin—" The referee announced at that moment, as it was Leo this time who took the initiative to charge first.
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