Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 101: Benefits Of Monarch's IndifferenceTimeless AssassinC101: Benefits Of Monarch's Indifference
(Rodova Military Academy, Leo's Dorm Room)
Leo had a lot of self-exploration to do after Muiyan Faye left, as [Dark Blade] wasn't his only gain from the awakening.
His entire body had undergone a massive transformation, and there was a stark, almost surreal lightness to him that hadn't been there before.
He felt as nimble as a cat on his feet, as it took him almost no effort to move his body at all.
'What could make my body feel so light?' Leo wondered, as he searched for the explanation himself.
And soon, he figured out a couple of factors that could be contributing to this sensation.
The first was the noticeable increase in his muscle strength. His body was now at least 20-30% stronger than before, yet it didn't feel bulkier—rather, it was as if his strength had been compressed, refined to be more efficient without adding unnecessary mass.
And the second reason was the structural change in his bones.
As although his skeletal frame had elongated with his growth spurt, his bones had become significantly lighter, yet somehow more durable.
It was a paradoxical shift—one that made him feel as if gravity had loosened its hold on him, as he felt strangely liberated and free now.
"I feel like I've lost weight, even though I've gained height and muscle mass…" Leo mused, rolling his shoulders as he adjusted to the strange new equilibrium of his body.
His movements were unnervingly fluid, almost too smooth, as though his limbs responded with a precision beyond conscious thought.
*SHUA*
*SHUA*
*SHUA*
Leo thrust his dagger through the air in rapid succession, and a sharp, high-pitched whistling followed each motion—cleaner, sharper, faster than he had ever experienced before.
His grip was steady, his strikes effortless, yet each cut through the air carried a weight that wasn't there before.
His control, his speed, his precision—it had all elevated after the awakening, as Leo felt like a new warrior entirely.
"Now I see why I lost to Khyaal…. With a year of such phenomenal growth ahead of me, there's no wonder he would defeat me even as a Grandmaster level talent.
This is simply a genetic cheat!" Leo realized, as he could finally see why the gap between him and the seniors appeared so large up-till yesterday.
The seniors had already completed their Genetic Awakening, and were now at the peak of their Genetic abilities, while Leo and Su Yang had not even started.
"This is my one opportunity in life to grow so quickly in strength, that my growth will stun the universe.
I cannot let a second of it go to waste as this coming year will make or break me as a warrior," Leo analysed, as 'Monarch's Indifference' made his brain function at optimal capacity.
The first dose of genetic awakening had changed more than just his appearance. It had refined him into something greater but this was just the start.
His genetic foundation was only a tool that would help him become the best warrior that he could be, however, it was ultimately up to him to make the most of that foundation and become a truly fearsome assassin that was unrivalled amongst his peers.
"Very well then…. No time to waste, let's make the most of this free-day and dive straight into meditation" Leo said to himself, as placing his dagger back in the storage cabinet, he picked up the meditation manual and began practicing the book right from where he had left it at the last session.
—-----------
The improvement in his ability to focus and channel mana through his mana chambers was immediate and undeniable.
The intricate pathways that once seemed convoluted and difficult to navigate now felt like second nature to him, as every flow, every shift in circulation, felt as effortless as breathing to him in this new sharpened mental state.
On his very first attempt, he shattered his previous limits. What had once taken him nine minutes at best—replacing the mana core batteries—had now been reduced to just over a minute. He was teetering on the edge of achieving a constant meditative state, something that had seemed impossible just a week ago.
'Wow… The effects of [Monarch's Indifference] on my brain are beyond anything I expected.
My focus is absolute.
I can meditate for hours without a hint of mental strain. No distractions. No fatigue. No loss of clarity.' Leo realized, as he finally started to notice the positives of having a passive skill like [Monarch's Indifference] although it destroyed his ability to feel much emotion.
[Monarch's indifference] gave him a level of efficiency that bordered on inhuman, and for the first time, Leo truly began to understand the scope of what this awakening had granted him.
As just after his first attempt, he already knew how to reduce the replacement timing from 1 minute 7 seconds, to instant, as all it needed was for him to smoothen the meditation pathways through repeated practice, and within 3-4 weeks, he would achieve the constant meditative state that he desperately wanted.
'That's it…I just need to grind these same steps again and again without making a mistake and very soon I'll master this technique that would have otherwise taken me over 6 months to master.
However, now that I can master it within a month…. If I somehow manage to meditate 6 hours everyday at maximum efficiency, I can probably reach the [Grandmaster] realm of strength, by the time the circuit team selections roll around–' Leo realized, as he quickly began to formulate a game-plan.
His goal for the coming year was to get as strong as he possibly could, as although he did not know what the end-game was behind him being recruited into the Black Snakes Assassin Guild, what he did know was that regardless of where he ended up, having more strength was always going to be an asset for him.
In a universe where the strong dictated the rules, and the weak were oppressed by them, Leo wanted to be part of the 'Strong' as only with strength came the freedom to live one's life on one's terms.
Hence, regardless of whether he ended up following Muiyan Faye's guidelines and joining the Black Serpents or not, Leo intended to get stronger and compete at the circuits, just to get a feel of what the best warriors in the universe at his power level fought like?
—-----------
(Rodova Military Academy, The Mess Hall)
Around lunch time, Leo moved over to the mess hall, to grab a heavy meal, when he was instantly swarmed by a sea of seniors.
"Woah! Skyshard! What a fight man, you really gave Khyaal a run for his money yesterday, I can't believe you're only a first year student!"
"Damn, look at you Skyshard, long hair, taller body…. Looks like the Genetic Awakening Serum did wonders on you–"
The seniors complimented him as soon as he entered the mess hall, however, surprisingly, Leo felt no joy after hearing their words.
Up-till yesterday he was worried about his reputation within the academy after the loss, and was worried that he would be mocked for it in public places.
However, the seniors seemed to be thrilled by his display of power, and while this reaction was contrary to what he had expected, it brought no evident joy inside him.
'Both your compliments and criticism are worthless for me…. You have no power to affect my future and hence your praise or critic is entirely pointless' His brain concluded, as Leo remained blank faced, not reacting to their high praise at all.
"Hahaha, look at him standing straight and having perfect balance. He's really something else isn't he? Because look at the other idiots from his class who look so sick even after a day has passed since they took their first shot"
A senior pointed out, and as Leo looked around he could clearly see the mess hall filled with people who looked extremely dizzy and disoriented.
One guy was holding his spoon from the wrong end, and trying to scoop his food from the thin handle.
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While another was trying to bite the edge of his metal plate like it was something edible.
Both of them were pretty extreme cases of disorientation, however, even the milder ones looked like they had severe vertigo, as there was almost not a single junior in the mess hall that did not seem to be suffering from an acute case of headache.
"Excuse me, I'm sorry but I can't handle loud noises today… please let's carry on this conversation at some other day" Leo said respectfully, as he moved past the seniors swarming him and grabbed a plate which he began to fill with huge portions of food.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 102: First Ghost SleepTimeless AssassinC102: First Ghost Sleep
A drawback of Leo's newly obtained hypervision was how unappetizing it made all food look to him.
If a single grain of rice had been tossed in oil, he could now pinpoint exactly how much of the grain was coated and which minuscule spots remained untouched.
What was imperceptible to the average eye was now glaringly obvious to him, exposing a whole new dimension of imperfections in a person's cooking— as he could see micro-flaws that made every meal seem less appealing.
'This seared meat has uneven charring. Some areas have lost all their natural fat, while other spots still have residual grease from the grill clinging to them…' Leo observed, his enhanced vision dissecting the dish with unsettling precision as without hesitation, he scraped off the burnt and greasy parts before taking a careful bite.
'At least it still tastes the same,' he thought, exhaling slightly in relief.
Deciding it was best to momentarily close his eyes, he focused purely on the act of eating for now as he blocked out the microscopic details his vision insisted on revealing.
His stomach was already gurgling in protest, demanding fuel for his newly heightened metabolism.
And so, he dug in.
Plate after plate vanished before him, his body consuming food at an alarming pace—like a well-oiled war machine replenishing its fuel reserves.
"Ooo—Skyshard sure is eating a lot today. That's his fourth refill."
"I think he's just starving after the awakening. I remember I was the same after my first shot."
The seniors murmured among themselves, watching from a distance, as regardless of what he did, Leo always seemed to be at the center of attention—his status as a Monarch-Level Talent ensuring that every move he made was scrutinized.
If this was the old him, he might have felt self-conscious under their lingering gazes.
If this was the old him, he might have hesitated in taking more food or second guessed his need to eat more.
But the new Leo?
He didn't give a damn.
His mind was razor-sharp, his focus absolute. He knew exactly what his body needed and how much food was required to keep it operating at peak efficiency, as nothing—not stares, not whispers, not anyone's opinions—mattered beyond that.
The new Leo was methodical. Detached. Singular in purpose.
And as a result, his already unapproachable aura had only deepened, making him feel even more like an island unto himself, as he gave the vibes of a lone warrior fixated solely on self-improvement that could not be approached at all by outsiders.
From start to finish, he devoured his meal in under fifteen minutes, moving through the mess hall like a storm, efficient and unstoppable.
He wasted not a single second more than necessary on non-training activities as by the time others were still casually chatting over their meals, Leo was already gone—rushing back to his dorm, immersing himself once again in meditation.
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For a good few hours, he meditated nonstop, making the most of this free day, before turning his focus to also training [Absolute Vision], which he practiced from after dinner, till he fell asleep at night.
—---------
(Rodova Military Academy, Leo's Dorm Room)
It took Leo a good half an hour of conscious effort to finally fall asleep, as his new heightened brain was too focused and active for sleep to easily find him.
However, once he drifted to the dream-land, the inevitable did finally occur, as his consciousness was pulled into an alternate realm, giving him his first experience of 'Ghost Sleep'.
—-----------
(A Random Ancient Courtyard, 2700 Years Ago)
Leo found himself floating above a spacious courtyard, watching as two young assassins sparred with deadly precision.
For a moment, he felt confused about why he was having such a vivid and realistic dream, where he could even perceive his metaphysical body, however, he soon realized that he was experiencing his first episode of 'Ghost Sleep', as he steeled his heart for what was to come next.
'Please be a happy memory–' He prayed, as although the chances of a monarch level bloodline experiencing a happy memory were less to none, Leo hoped that he would be an exception to the norm.
*SHING–*
*SHING–*
The two assassin's clashed, their movements fluid and sharp, as Leo felt momentarily mesmerized by their battle.
Each attack and counter that they performed seemed instinctual, as if ingrained through years of relentless training, as there was not a single wasted movement.
The taller one amongst the two wielded twin daggers, pressing the attack with aggressive yet controlled slashes, while his opponent, slightly shorter but just as skilled, moved like a shadow, narrowly dodging before countering with a spinning strike.
'They're insane…' Leo thought, completely baffled by the exchange, as their coordination was unlike anything he had ever witnessed, as it was refined to a level that seemed almost supernatural.
However, as he observed the duo some more, he noticed something peculiar about them.
Both fighters shared strikingly similar features—sharp jawlines, the same piercing eyes, and identical expressions of intense focus.
'They're probably brothers…' Leo concluded, however, before he could dwell on the thought for too long, a third figure entered the courtyard.
A man.
Seeing whom, Leo's breath got caught in his throat.
The newcomer had a commanding presence, his steps calm yet authoritative.
However, it wasn't his presence that stunned Leo—-
No.
Leo felt stunned by how much of a striking resemblance the man bore, both to the two boys and also to his own face.
'Holy shit… If I had a full beard and was middle-aged, I'd look just like him.' Leo realized, as pure shock coursed through his veins, while his mind raced with questions.
*Silence*
The moment the father appeared, the sparring came to an abrupt halt, as both youngsters turned to him, excitement flashing in their eyes.
"Father! Have you finally perfected it? The elder one asked eagerly.
"Have you mastered the unbreakable formation?" the younger one added, their voices filled with anticipation, as the man only smiled in response, pride evident in his gaze as he reached out to ruffle their hair.
"I have," he confirmed, his tone warm yet firm.
"Come with me. I want to show you both the results." he said, as without hesitation, the two boys followed him, their enthusiasm palpable.
But before Leo could even process what was happening, he felt himself being pulled forward—his surroundings shifting, as the courtyard dissolved into an unfamiliar space.
The next thing he knew, he was inside an ancient study, standing behind the father and his sons as they gathered around a large, weathered scroll.
"This…. This is the greatest equalizer the universe has ever seen. This will be the ultimate legacy that I give the universe before my death" The man said, as he looked proudly over the old scroll that he had scribbled over probably a hundred times.
"There is no mortal who can slay a god they said…..
Only gods can slay gods they said…..
Well no more!
Mortals will remain suppressed by gods no more.
With the use of this unbreakable formation, a bunch of the strongest mortal warriors can band together to take down a god, as not even gods can escape this trap alive, should they find themselves at the centre of it—" The man said, as both children looked at his work with glee.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 103: The Great BetrayalTimeless AssassinC103: The Great Betrayal
Leo hovered silently, his gaze locked onto the ancient parchment spread before them, desperately trying to commit its contents to memory.
At first glance, it appeared to be nothing more than a chaotic web of overlapping geometric patterns—complex, yet seemingly meaningless. But as the man who looked eerily like him began to speak, the puzzle pieces started falling into place.
"This formation isn't just a battle tactic—it's a dimensional noose," the father explained, his deep voice filled with both certainty and reverence.
His sons, wide-eyed with awe, hung onto every word.
"This design is crafted specifically to entrap beings beyond our mortal plane," he continued, tracing the intricate spiral of lines. "And I have tested it on myself to ensure that it works."
Leo's breath hitched.
Tested it on himself?
It was only then that Leo realized the chilling truth—the man before him wasn't just another warrior or master tactician.
He was a god.
A shiver ran down Leo's spine despite his incorporeal state. Seeing a deity was one thing, but looking at one that shared such an uncanny resemblance to him felt deeply unsettling.
"But how can we, mere mortals, hold beings who manipulate dimensions we cannot even perceive?" the elder son asked, skepticism creeping into his voice.
A proud smile formed on the father's lips. "By overwhelming their dimensional senses," he said simply.
He tapped the very center of the spiral.
"At its core, two Demi-Gods will serve as the primary anchors—their immense power forcibly pulling a god down into our three-dimensional reality, severing their ability to ascend into higher dimensions."
Leo's eyes followed his hand as it moved outward to the next intricate layer.
"Encircling them," the father continued, "five Monarch-level warriors will form an impenetrable dimensional lattice—a spherical barrier sealing every possible exit. No escape. No retreat."
Only now did the true depth of the diagram begin to take shape in Leo's mind.
"Supporting this lattice," the father went on, "will be twelve Transcendent-level warriors. Their role is crucial—they reinforce the stability of the formation and prevent any dimensional disruptions.
Their coordination must be perfect.
One slip—and the formation collapses."
The father's finger traced further outward to the last and most elaborate ring.
"And finally, the Grandmasters and Masters weave the sensory labyrinth—" he continued. "Twenty-four Grandmasters and forty-eight Masters, each distorting space, twisting perception, creating layers of illusions and misdirection."
He paused, glancing between his sons.
"A god trapped within this labyrinth will be disoriented, unable to distinguish reality from deception, and—most importantly—unable to mount an effective retaliation."
Leo's mind raced.
The sheer complexity of the formation was staggering. It required unwavering discipline, perfect synchronization, and a coalition of warriors from multiple ranks working in harmony.
It was a plan that, if executed flawlessly, could subjugate even the most powerful of divine beings.
But then, a critical question arose.
"Father, what if the god trapped in the formation does manage to break free?" the elder son asked, concern lacing his voice.
The father's smile faded. His expression hardened.
"They cannot," he said, his tone absolute.
His piercing gaze settled on his sons, his presence exuding an unwavering confidence.
"I am the strongest god. And if I cannot mount an acceptable defense against this formation, then no one else stands a chance."
Leo's eyes drifted toward the top of the parchment, where a name had been etched in bold, deliberate strokes.
"ChakraVyuh."
A title written in an ancient language, yet somehow, Leo instinctively understood its meaning.
'The Inescapable Formation.'
The father exhaled slowly, pride gleaming in his eyes.
"This is my gift to the mortals of this universe," he declared, "so that the balance of power between gods and mortals may tilt back into equilibrium."
With that, he carefully rolled the parchment and placed it in the hands of his eldest son.
"Kaelith, my son," he said, resting a firm yet affectionate hand on the boy's shoulder. "I entrust this formation to you."
His voice carried both authority and a deep, unspoken responsibility.
"Pass it on to clans and houses you trust. Form an alliance of righteousness, with this formation at its heart.
No single house can produce all the warriors necessary to complete it—so they must learn to cooperate.
Only together can mortals achieve the impossible."
The eldest son, Kaelith, straightened his posture, his expression resolute.
"It will be done as you command, Father," he vowed.
And the moment those words were spoken, the world around Leo began to distort.
The courtyard blurred.
The study wavered.
And just like that—Leo felt himself being dragged forward once more, the vision shifting, pulling him deeper into whatever past memory he was witnessing.
As the next scene unfolded.
************
(A Desolate Battlefield, 2000 Years Ago)
Leo's vision twisted again. The warmth of the study, the quiet reverence of discovery—it all vanished in an instant.
Now, he hovered above a battlefield drenched in chaos.
Lightning split the sky in jagged arcs, illuminating a desolate wasteland littered with shattered weapons, broken banners, and the smoldering corpses of countless warriors. The stench of blood and charred flesh hung thick in the air, suffocating, overwhelming.
And at the very center of it all—was a man in chains.
Leo's heart clenched as his gaze sharpened, taking in the terrifyingly precise geometric formation encircling the captive.
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He recognized it instantly.
It was the ChakraVyuh!!!
'No…' he thought, as his breath hitched.
It was perfectly executed, a flawless manifestation of the unbreakable formation. Yet something was horribly wrong.
The one ensnared within was its very creator.
The same father who had once explained its power with pride and purpose—now shackled in its merciless grip.
"Why, Kaelith? Why?"
The man's voice rang out across the battlefield, not in rage—but in anguish.
His wrists were bound in luminous chains, burning white-hot with divine suppression sigils.
His once-proud posture was hunched, his breathing ragged. Blood dripped from deep gashes across his face, matting his once-pristine beard with streaks of red.
And yet, his eyes—even as they swam with pain—held no fear.
Only betrayal.
"Why did you of all people betray me, my son?"
Leo felt it.
A wave of emotion slammed into him—an agony so visceral it almost brought him to his knees despite his incorporeal form. It was like being ripped apart from the inside, as if he himself were the one being betrayed, shackled, forsaken.
And then, the first attack landed.
BOOM!
The father's body convulsed as an explosion of celestial fire engulfed him, searing his skin as divine flames licked at his flesh.
The force was enough to shatter mountains—yet the formation held him in place.
Leo flinched. He could feel the pain. Every crackle, every ember burrowing into flesh—it was real.
But the assault had only just begun.
From the edges of the ChakraVyuh, six divine figures stood in position.
Gods.
Not mortals.
This formation—once designed to grant mortals the ability to bring down divine beings—had been twisted into something else entirely.
Six gods now wielded it against its own creator.
The father spat blood as a second blast tore into his side, the impact snapping bones with sickening cracks.
Another god stepped forward—hurling a jagged spear wreathed in lightning.
It pierced straight through his shoulder.
He let out a choked gasp, his body jerking violently against the restraints, but the chains did not let him fall. They held him upright, ensuring he would take every single attack without escape.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Blow after merciless blow rained down on him.
Fists. Blades. Beams of divine energy.
Each attack was meticulously timed so that the pain never ceased—so that every wound remained fresh, unable to heal before the next strike landed.
It wasn't a battle.
It was an execution.
Yet he still didn't break.
Bruised, bloodied, and battered, the father lifted his gaze—his dark gray eyes locking onto the one who had orchestrated this all.
Kaelith.
His eldest son.
The same boy who had once looked upon him with admiration… was now standing among the executioners.
However, unlike the other gods, Kaelith had not attacked.
He stood just outside the formation's edge, his expression unreadable, his robes untouched by battle, his golden eyes burning with something far colder than hatred.
"You are my flesh and blood…" the father murmured hoarsely, his voice faltering under the weight of agony. "Everything I built… every lesson I taught you… was for the protection of the common people."
He coughed, more blood spilling down his chin.
"Where did I go wrong?" He asked, as for the first time, Kaelith moved.
He stepped forward, past the gods, until he stood right before his father.
He did not gloat. He did not sneer.
He merely stared down at the man who had given him life.
And then—Kaelith spoke.
"You taught me that gods and mortals must be equal."
"You were wrong." He declared, as without another word, he raised his hand.
A blade of pure divine energy manifested in his palm, as with a swift, merciless strike—
Kaelith plunged it through his father's chest.
For the briefest moment—there was no sound.
Just the soft gasp of a dying god.
The once-great warrior, the strongest among his kind, looked down at the blade buried deep in his heart.
His lips trembled—not in pain, but in disbelief.
As if even now… he could not accept that his own son had struck the final blow.
His body convulsed once—
Then the light in his eyes flickered.
And finally, it went out.
The greatest god of his era—was no more.
Leo's world shattered.
Everything blurred as he felt himself being ripped away from the vision, his mind unable to process the sheer weight of what he had just witnessed.
And then—
His vision darkened once again.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 104: New RoutineTimeless AssassinC104: New Routine
Chapter 104: New Routine
(Rodova Military Academy, Leo's Dorm Room)
*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*
The alarms blared loudly, as Leo woke up with a jolt, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his body unusually drenched in cold sweat.
'What the hell did I just witness?' Leo wondered, as his pulse pounded like war drums in his ears, his chest rising and falling rapidly as if he had just surfaced from drowning.
'It felt like I was the one being executed… It felt like I was the one who was betrayed,' Leo realized, as he glanced down at his hands, watching them tremble violently.
For a split second, the world around him still felt unreal.
His dorm room—his bed, his desk, the faint glow of the academy's night lights filtering through the window—it all seemed distant, almost wrong.
The battlefield still clung to his vision.
The screams. The lightning. The sickening crunch of bone and flesh being torn apart.
The gods tearing into their own.
The betrayal.
His ancestor's face—no, that man's face—his face, twisted in agony, staring into the eyes of the son who had orchestrated his downfall.
Leo could still see it all.
He shivered uncontrollably as the memory burned into his mind like an open wound.
'Was it real?' he wondered, as he slowly rolled up his sleeves, his eyes scanning his forearms for something—anything—that would prove the pain he had felt was more than just a dream.
But there was nothing. No visible burns. No scars.
And yet, the sensation remained. The ghostly imprint of divine chains searing into his flesh, refusing to fade.
His stomach churned, his muscles coiled tightly, his entire body felt wrong.
'Was this real?'
'Was this my memory?'
'What the hell did I just witness…?'
He wondered as—
*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*
The academy's alarm system forcibly snapped him back to reality.
*SIGH–*
Leo exhaled sharply, running a hand through his damp hair as he forced himself to sit upright.
His sheets were soaked.
His skin was too hot, his muscles tense, as if his body had been preparing for battle even in his sleep.
He needed a moment.
But a moment was a luxury he didn't have.
'Can't be late for physical training…' Leo thought, as [Monarch's Indifference] finally kicked in, numbing his emotions and pulling his mind back into clarity.
The dread, the panic, the humanity in his reactions—all of it was methodically wiped clean, leaving only focus in its place.
'Kaelith and Chakravyuh… I need to learn more about that name and that formation when I can,' Leo mused to himself, as he stood up, his mind already shifting gears.
Striding toward his closet, he pulled out a freshly pressed uniform, his fingers moving with mechanical precision as he unbuttoned the fabric, preparing for the day ahead.
—----------
(Rodova Military Academy, Physical Training Grounds)
As Leo arrived for the morning lineup, the first thing he noticed was how different the entire class looked compared to just a couple of days ago.
Several students had gained a few inches in height, while others had experienced sudden, almost comical, hair growth spurts. Almost everyone had changed in some noticeable way.
"Good morning, Elder Brother—"
A small voice called out from below, as Leo glanced down to find Mu Ryan tugging at the hem of his uniform.
"What? Did you shrink a few inches or what?" Leo asked, as Mu Ryan puffed her cheeks in protest.
"It's not me who shrank! It's you who unreasonably grew taller—" she grumbled, stomping her foot in irritation.
"Hmm—" Leo mused, his lips curling into a slight smile.
Even though [Monarch's Indifference] had dulled his emotions, he still felt a flicker of amusement at Mu Ryan's frustration.
"Morning, Skyshard. Ryan."
Another voice chimed in, as Mu Shen approached with his usual calm expression.
"The long hair suits you, Skyshard. Makes you look more refined," he commented, extending his hand for a handshake.
CLAP
Leo accepted the handshake with a curt nod, as both men instinctively tightened their grips.
'He's grown stronger—'
'He's grown much stronger—'
Both reached the same realization at once, as the brief handshake alone was enough for them to gauge each other's progress.
"Where's Yang?" Mu Shen asked, scanning the crowd for Su Yang, but the Su Family young master was nowhere to be seen.
"I haven't seen him since this morning. I don't know where he might be—" Leo replied, as Mu Shen let out a deep sigh.
"He might be suffering from the aftereffects of his first Ghost Sleep… I'm kind of surprised you look fine this morning, Skyshard—" Mu Shen speculated, as Leo simply shrugged his shoulders.
"I slept like a baby. No Ghost Sleep whatsoever—" Leo said with a perfectly neutral expression, lying through his teeth.
In truth, he had endured a horrifying Ghost Sleep experience, but he had no intention of sharing it with anyone.
Unless absolutely necessary, he had no interest in discussing his dreams—especially ones as disturbing as the one from last night.
It was common practice for nobles to discuss their Ghost Sleep experiences with each other, but Leo had no desire to be part of that tradition.
His dreams were his and his alone.
And if lying was the price to keep them private, then he had no problem paying it.
*Huff—*
*Huff—*
*Huff—*
A sickly and ragged-looking Su Yang finally stumbled onto the Physical Training Grounds, his labored breaths drawing attention almost instantly.
Snickers and murmurs spread through the crowd.
"Pfft—The loser is here."
"He couldn't even land a hit on his opponent, while Skyshard blew his opponent's arm off! He's nothing compared to Skyshard."
"He's worthless without his family name, Su Yang."
The taunts came sharp and cruel, their words laced with ridicule.
But Su Yang wasn't in the mood for their nonsense.
As he swept his gaze over them, his eyes—now deeper, darker, almost predatory—locked onto the most vocal member of the group, as his cold stare alone was enough to silence them all.
"Fuck off—" he muttered, his voice low but laced with something menacing.
As just like that, the student closest to him flinched violently, his body seizing up—until a dark stain spread across his pants.
The fool had pissed himself.
His legs trembled, his face twisted in horror, as he realized he had lost control of his bladder under Su Yang's gaze alone as the silence that followed was suffocating.
Nobody dared to mock him anymore.
As Su Yang marched like an unopposed lion through the crowd of jealous students, until he joined his gang at their usual meet-up spot.
"My head hurts, my body hurts, my muscle coordination is off and I find it hard to control my newfound strength.
Overall, I am a mess and will shamelessly be a liability in today's training—" Su Yang declared, as both Mu Shen and Leo shrugged their shoulders at once like they did not care if he were a liability or not.
"Today's training should be easier than before with our enhanced strengths… unless Professor Marvin increases the intensity too—" Mu Ryan noted, as after thinking about it for a while, she sighed and continued, saying "He will probably increase the difficulty–"
As hoping that the level of difficulty in training dropped was nothing more than a pipe dream.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 105: Shocking RealisationTimeless AssassinC105: Shocking Realisation
Chapter 105: Shocking Realisation
The next couple of weeks at the academy passed in a blur for Leo and his group, as they settled into the relentless rhythm of academy life.
Each morning, Professor Marvin pushed their bodies to the brink of exhaustion, yet the difference between now and just a few weeks ago was becoming increasingly evident.
During his first training session, Leo had struggled to complete 100 laps of the training field while carrying a 40 kg vest.
But now, he could complete the same distance with a 60 kg vest—and that too with relative ease, as the gap between him, Su Yang, Mu Shen, and the rest of the class was growing at an alarming rate, as their progress left the others struggling to keep up.
If before they could complete the 100 laps ahead of the class pack by 1.5-2 laps, they could now hold a commanding 5-7 lap lead over them, which was only increasing week over week, as the difference between higher and lower bloodline talents started to become apparent.
—-----
In the Basics of Perception class, the first evaluation was conducted by Professor Powell, where 15 students failed to grasp the perception technique he imparted, while Leo stood out as the only student to achieve Intermediate Mastery in [Absolute Vision], earning full marks in the first assessment.
To be considerate, Professor Powell granted the failing students a one-week grace period to learn the technique—after which failure would result in expulsion from the Elite Class.
Meanwhile, he advanced the rest of the students to the next topic: practical application of perception skills in detecting hidden enemies.
As each day, he concealed 15 hidden assassins throughout the classroom and handed each student a sheet of paper to mark where they sensed the assassins lurking—turning the lesson into a hands-on training exercise that forced them to refine their newly acquired skills and learn how to spot decoys from originals, training them for actual life scenarios.
—-------
Meanwhile, in the Basics of Magic Theory class, Professor David delved deeper into the core principles of magic, as he explained to the class how it could be used to create, alter, and influence life, and how various sentient species across the universe had evolved after coming into contact with mana, learning to harness its power over time.
These lessons were highly informative, as they broke down the fundamentals of magic, explaining what allowed humans and other sentient beings to wield its immense strength.
However, with Professor David's bias against Leo and Su Yang remaining as strong as ever, Leo barely attended half the lectures, as he often found himself kicked out of the lecture within the first five minutes, with David always looking for even the smallest excuse to remove him from his presence.
—-------
After being kicked out of David's class, Su Yang always insisted on sparring with Leo, as he was eager to test his improvements, but each time, Leo politely declined.
Instead, he spent his time at the university library, poring over ancient texts and historical records, searching for any mention of 'Kaelith' and the 'ChakraVyuh'.
However, what he uncovered over the next two weeks was nothing short of shocking.
From his visions, Leo knew with certainty that Kaelith was a family man who had a father and a younger brother, yet none of the history books he read even mentioned his family background.
In every record, Kaelith the Eternal Sovereign was revered as one of the three core gods backing the Universal Government, a divine entity who stood as an unshakable pillar of the Righteous Alliance and one of the only major figures in history with no direct ties to the Six Great Clans.
The books depicted him as a warrior of justice, a defender of order, an unwavering force against chaos.
But not a single account mentioned his betrayal.
Not a single record spoke of him slaughtering his own father.
And as for the 'ChakraVyuh' formation—it simply did not exist.
Not in any written history at least.
As no matter how deep Leo dug, Kaelith's family ties were completely erased from public knowledge, and the very concept of the god-killing formation was nowhere to be found.
It was as if someone had meticulously erased all traces of these events from history—as if the truth itself had been deliberately suppressed, buried so deeply that even the mention of such things had vanished from the universe's collective memory.
And when Leo had asked the librarian if Kaelith had a younger brother, the man had laughed outright.
"If the Eternal Sovereign had a younger brother— we would know! Hahaha!"
The dismissive response had been unsettling.
Because Leo did know.
He had seen it firsthand.
Yet in this era, no one else seemed to know, which brought him to the next and most important problem that clouded his mind these days.
'Something about my bloodline feels off.'
Leo's thoughts churned as a deep unease settled in his chest.
'I don't like the fact that one of my core bloodline memories is from the night the Righteous Alliance united to execute a lone god.
Because this can only mean one of two things—either my bloodline is the same as Kaelith's, which would also make it the bloodline of the murdered god who was his father…
Or… my bloodline is directly that of the murdered god himself.'
A heavy silence filled his mind as realization struck.
'Which would mean I might be on the wrong side of the Righteous Alliance.'
Leo concluded, as his mood considerably darkened at the thought.
Only people with dangerous, hidden pasts needed to erase their identities.
And the fact that he had to take such extreme measures—wiping his own memory just to enter the academy—paired with the Ghost Dream he had witnessed, painted an unsettling picture.
It made Leo strongly suspect that he wasn't just some random stray caught in a political power struggle.
No—he was starting to believe that his very existence was a threat to the Righteous Alliance itself.
And if that were true…
Then he might be far more entangled with the Evil Cult than he ever wanted to believe.
'Ignorance is bliss might be the truest words ever spoken.'
The more pieces of the puzzle Leo pieced together, the more uneasy he felt—because he did not like the picture forming before him.
'I fear that if I keep digging down this rabbit hole… the answer waiting at the end won't be the one I'm hoping for.'
He exhaled slowly, a deep sigh escaping his lips.
As his academy life progressed and his strength grew, so did the creeping sense of unease settling in his bones.
He was starting to realize a terrifying truth—he was living on borrowed time.
No matter how much stronger he became, sooner or later, he was destined to be a fugitive, a man on the run with no place to call home.
And just the thought of it made him want to sigh again.
That wasn't the future he wanted for himself.
But if his suspicions were correct…
It wasn't going to be his choice.
However, for now, for the sake of passing all future psychological evaluations, Leo consciously tried to steer clear of this topic, as if he was living on borrowed time, he intended to make the most of it, for as long as he could.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 106: A Special Prize?Timeless AssassinC106: A Special Prize?
Chapter 106: A Special Prize?
(Rodova Military Academy, The Basics of Assassination Class)
Three weeks into the academy, the class that Leo enjoyed by far the most was Professor Severus's lecture on assassination and poison concoction.
Unlike other subjects, where knowledge was often vague, theoretical, or bogged down by unnecessary history, Severus's lessons were direct, practical, and undeniably lethal.
The man didn't just teach about poisons—he lived and breathed them, speaking about deadly substances with the same passion that an artist spoke of their masterpieces.
And today was no different.
—-------
Severus strode into the lecture hall with his usual erratic energy, his dark robes billowing behind him as his eyes gleamed with twisted excitement.
In his chained hand, he held a tiny glass vial, the liquid inside swirling with a sickly, iridescent hue—a color that seemed to shift between deep green and inky black with each flicker of light.
"Class—" he began, his voice carrying that familiar, unsettling glee that made students uneasy.
"Today… I present to you one of the most elusive, most catastrophic, and most EXPENSIVE poisons in the known universe."
He lifted the vial, tilting it slightly so the light caught its shimmering contents.
"This—" he said with a grin, "is the venom of the Ancient Swamp Frog."
A ripple of unease passed through the class.
Some students had clearly heard of it before, their expressions shifting from curiosity to deep discomfort.
Leo, however, simply narrowed his eyes, intrigued, as Severus chuckled, clearly relishing the effect his words had.
"Now, I know what some of you might be thinking—" he continued, pacing slowly before the class. "What's so terrifying about a frog?"
He suddenly turned on his heel, slamming the vial onto the desk, making several students jump.
"Oh, you ignorant little children," he sneered playfully. "The Ancient Swamp Frog is not just any frog. It is a creature that even dragons fear. It has been ranked the single most untamable beast by the Beast Tamers Association for three years in a row, as upon maturity, it can reach the strength of a Transcendent-Level Warrior."
Severus paused, letting that fact sink in before continuing.
"The reason?" he asked, his grin widening.
"Because the Ancient Swamp Frog is the only species in existence that evolved to kill dragons for sport."
He let those words hang in the air, watching with satisfaction as students stiffened.
"They are mentally unstable, unpredictable, and violent to the extreme. Their venom is so powerful that it can melt rock, and even when diluted at a 1/1000 concentration, a single drop is enough to kill a Grandmaster-Level warrior in under ten minutes."
He twirled the vial between his fingers.
"The venom of an Ancient Swamp Frog doesn't kill through physical toxicity like most poisons do. No, no, no. This venom attacks the mana pathways—severing them, rupturing them from the inside out—before producing such an unbearable heat within the body that all internal organs fail one after another."
Severus leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly.
"A fully grown, elder dragon? If spat on by an Ancient Swamp Frog?"
He smiled wickedly.
"Dead in under ten minutes."
A deathly silence gripped the class.
Several students swallowed hard, their faces paling as Severus let out a delighted chuckle.
"Ahh, I love that expression of fear. It really is beautiful, isn't it?" he mused before waving a gloved hand dismissively.
"Of course, acquiring this venom is next to impossible. In fact, it's easier to retrieve a dragon's scale than a single drop of this venom."
He tapped the vial lightly.
"This—this tiny amount right here? Costs more than a fully enhanced, military-grade warship."
Gasps echoed through the classroom.
"Which is why, we must be grateful to the Rodova Military Academy for giving you all this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn how to neutralize this poison today."
Severus declared, as shock and murmurs spread through the class.
Then—
With a flick of his wrist, he gestured toward the front of the room, where a row of microscopes and alchemy kits had been neatly arranged.
"Each of you will receive a small, diluted sample—one that won't kill you, even if you accidentally consume it, but will cause agonizing mana blockages if mishandled."
He clasped his hands together, his smile widening.
"Your task?" he said, eyes gleaming.
"Create an antivenom. And make it perfect. Because if you fail—"
His grin turned absolutely wicked.
"I won't be giving you the very special prize I have for those who succeed today."
The class stiffened.
Because a Severus excited about something was never a good sign.
Leo, however, simply smirked, rolling his shoulders as he stepped forward, already eager to begin.
Because while everyone else saw this as a terrifying challenge…
Leo saw an opportunity.
A chance to understand a poison feared even by dragons.
And perhaps… a weapon he could one day use for himself.
—---------
Over the past three weeks, Severus had already taught the class how to create anti-venom for any particular venom they had in hand, as the theory of venom neutralization was fundamentally very simple.
Under a microscope, venom could be observed as a highly reactive substance, often containing unstable molecular chains that attacked organic structures or mana pathways on contact.
The key to neutralization was identifying the specific active agents within the venom—whether they targeted nervous tissue, mana channels, or cellular structures—and then applying the correct chemical or mana-based counteragents to break them down.
Severus had drilled the class on this concept repeatedly.
"All venoms share a weakness," he had said in his usual dramatic flair. "They are, by nature, reactive. And what do we do with reactive substances, class?"
"We stabilize them," the students had answered in unison.
"Correct!" Severus had grinned. "By introducing either a chemical compound or a mana-based inhibitor that binds with the venom's active elements, we disrupt its ability to function. The moment the venom loses its reactivity, it ceases to be a weapon and becomes nothing more than harmless residue."
For most venoms, simple alchemical solutions—such as alkaline bases, oxidation agents, or binding proteins—were sufficient to dismantle their lethal properties. However, mana-based venoms, like the Ancient Swamp Frog's, were far trickier to counter.
The students peered into their microscopes, watching as the venom samples writhed like living organisms.
The Ancient Swamp Frog's venom was particularly aggressive, pulsing with a dark green hue, constantly shifting and eroding microscopic mana constructs placed within its vicinity. It was unlike any venom they had worked with before—almost as if it had a will of its own.
Leo narrowed his eyes, carefully analyzing the sample as he recalled Severus's instructions.
Step one: Identify the key reactive agent.
The venom's primary destructive property was its ability to sever mana pathways. It didn't just attack biological tissue; it specifically dismantled the flow of mana within a person's body, making healing near impossible once the poison took effect.
Step two: Introduce a stabilizing agent.
Leo reached for a vial of Lunarvine Extract, a common neutralizing base used to bind with high-grade toxins. He carefully mixed a few drops into the venom under the microscope and observed the reaction.
At first, nothing happened.
Then—suddenly—the venom began fighting back.
Instead of neutralizing, the poison reacted violently, twisting into dark tendrils and burning through the stabilizer like acid.
Leo frowned.
'Of course, a normal base won't work. This poison isn't just a chemical compound—it's an apex-tier mana-based venom. It actively resists foreign substances. If I want to neutralize it, I need to attack it on a mana level, not just a chemical one.' He realized, as he took a different approach.
Activating a small pulse of mana, he carefully channeled it into the sample through the microscopic mana conductors attached to the alchemy station.
At first, the venom twitched at the intrusion, but then, instead of resisting, it briefly lost its aggressive properties, becoming sluggish.
His eyes sharpened.
'It responds to mana interference. That means… it can be pacified before it's neutralized.'
He reached for a second compound—Azure Nettle Oil, a rare alchemical solution that, when combined with mana-infused suppression techniques, could force a reaction.
With delicate precision, Leo dripped the Azure Nettle Oil into the venom sample while simultaneously fluctuating his mana output in a controlled pulse.
The moment the oil touched the venom, the reaction was instantaneous.
The once-violent venom stilled.
Its dark green glow faded, turning into a dull, inert gray sludge.
Leo smirked.
'Got you.'
He leaned back, watching the result of his work with satisfaction as Severus, who had been silently observing the class, suddenly let out an amused chuckle.
"Well, well, well… It seems we have our first success."
Leo turned to see dozens of students still struggling, their samples violently rejecting their stabilizing attempts, as many had yet to figure out that the venom required a dual chemical-mana suppression method to be properly neutralized.
Severus clapped his hands together, his eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Looks like someone in this class actually has a brain."
His gaze locked onto Leo.
"Skyshard, my dear student, you will get your special prize after class! Meet me in my holding cell... and don't be late. You wouldn't want to disappoint me, would you?" Severus said, as he gave Leo the most creepy smile that Leo had ever seen before.
Sorry if the chapter is too nerdy for you.
I think I lost my better sense of judgement while writing this.
Also, if you're wondering why Leo is learning poison neutralization in basics of assassination, it's because learning how to neutralize poisons teaches you how to create ones that can't be easily neutralized.
Finally, There will be only one chapter uploaded on this Sunday, as I think I need a days rest. :cry emoji:
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 107: Severus's GiftTimeless AssassinC107: Severus's Gift
Chapter 107: Severus's Gift
(Rodova Military Academy – Professor Severus's Holding Cell, Basement D-1)
A few minutes after class, Leo arrived at the entrance of Basement Block D1, which was the restricted section of the academy where its 'less reputable' faculty members were housed.
Currently, only one such 'Less Reputable' faculty member was on-campus, his chamber protected by a single holding guard clad in full body armor.
As Leo approached, the guard lifted his visor to confirm his identity, before letting out a deep sigh.
"You must be Skyshard," the guard muttered, arms crossed as he spoke with a tired voice.
Leo nodded, as the guard exhaled again, rubbing his temple before speaking in a low, firm voice.
"Listen carefully, kid. Whatever that lunatic in there tells you, don't do him any favors. Don't pass him notes, don't fetch him supplies, and most importantly—don't trust any stories that he tells you–"
The guard warned, as Leo raised a brow, clearly unimpressed by the warning.
"I think I can hold my own—" Leo replied, as the guard immediately scoffed.
"Hold your own? Against that Lunatic? No chance–" He said, as he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper.
"I've been stationed outside this cell for 3 weeks now, Skyshard. I've heard the things he mumbles in his sleep, the theories he scratches onto those walls. Severus isn't interested in being a professor."
Leo remained silent.
"He's planning something. It's not a matter of if—it's a matter of when," the guard continued. "The moment he finds an opening, he's going to try and escape, and mark my words, that bastard will take someone down with him in the process."
The guard stepped back, returning to his usual stiff posture as he swiped his badge over the mana-sealed lock, as the door hissed open.
*HISSS—*
"If you're smart," the guard muttered, "you'll keep your distance."
He warned, as Leo said nothing as he stepped inside.
—------------
The moment Leo entered Severus's cell, the scent of old parchment and ink overwhelmed him.
The entire space was covered in lecture papers—scattered across the floor, pinned to the walls, stacked into precarious towers on every available surface.
The ink stains on the desk had bled through the wood over time, leaving deep, blackened scars.
Several ink pots, both filled and emptied, were lined up in strange patterns, almost as if Severus had been using them for some kind of experiment rather than actual writing.
And amidst the controlled chaos, at the center of the room, sat Severus himself.
He lounged comfortably on the academy-issued cot, arms folded behind his head as if he were a king resting on his throne.
"Ahhh, Skyshard, right on time," he mused, not even looking up. "Did my little guardian outside warn you about me?"
"He did." Leo replied, as Severus grinned, finally sitting up.
"Good. That means I'm doing my job right." Severus said, as he rubbed his hands in excitement before standing up, as he began pacing around the room.
Leo's eyes drifted over the room, as he noticed how apart from ink and paper necessary to plan the next lecture, the academy did not let Severus own anything else.
And as if following his gaze, Severus immediately began his theatrics.
"Oh, the oppression! The suffering! A brilliant mind like mine, reduced to nothing but paper and ink!" He gestured grandly to the mess around him before giving Leo a mock-sympathetic look.
"I'd cry if I still had tears left in me, but unfortunately all of my tears dried up years ago" he added as he acted as if he was wiping tears, but there was nothing there.
*Chuckle*
Leo chuckled, finding his antics funny, as Severus grinned back, finding his unbothered attitude amusing.
"But not everything here is ink and paper—" Severus said, his gaze turning sharp, as he slowly retrieved a bottle of poison hidden within his robes, which Leo immediately identified as the vial of diluted Ancient Swamp Frog poison that was given to all students for practice in class today.
Watching the bottle, Leo narrowed his eyes; however, Severus simply winked in his direction as he grabbed one of the ink pots from his desk, before tilting it upside down, as he drained its contents onto the floor.
Drip… drip… drip…
Once the last drop of ink was gone, he carefully uncorked the vial and poured the poison inside instead.
Then, without a single word, he lifted a finger to his lips.
"Shhh…" he whispered as Leo rolled his eyes, which made Severus chuckle darkly, as he set the ink pot back in place before finally turning his attention back to Leo.
"Now then," he said, grinning like a man who had just gotten away with murder. "Let's talk about why you're here."
He reached under his mattress, retrieving a worn, yellowed document—one that looked aged, yet meticulously preserved.
He held it out for Leo to grab, as Leo suspiciously took it.
And at the very top, written in Severus's distinct sharp handwriting, was the title:
[The Unseen Shackles]
As Leo felt confused reading it.
"What is this?" he asked, as Severus leaned in slightly, his grin never wavering.
"The most dangerous poison I've ever created, it's something the world doesn't know about yet, something I want to pass onto you who are the closest individual that I have to my own genius disciple" he whispered, as Leo's grip on the paper tightened.
"You see, most poisons kill. That's their purpose, their one function. But this?" He tapped the paper. "This doesn't kill. It doesn't leave a trace. There are no symptoms, no physical aftereffects." Severus explained, his voice silky smooth.
"What it does do," he continued, "is weaken."
His fingers drummed against the desk rhythmically.
"It latches onto the very essence of the body—the muscles, the brain, the mana circuits—and reduces their efficiency by a staggering fifty percent." Severus explained, as Leo said nothing, but could imagine the notorious use of such a poison.
"Imagine," Severus mused, "a warrior stepping into battle, only to find their reflexes slower, their attacks weaker, their mana reserves halved."
He chuckled.
"And the best part…. They'd never even realize it happened." Severus said, as he chuckled like a maniac, before resting his chin on his hand.
"You're gonna compete in the Circuits someday aren't you?" he murmured knowingly. "If there ever was a tool to ensure victory… this is it."
Severus offered, as Leo remained silent, simply staring at the formula.
A poison that could cripple an opponent without detection.
A poison that could turn any battle into a one-sided slaughter.
If it was really untraceable and left no side-effects to detect its presence, then it was definitely the perfect tool to cheat, however, the question was why was Severus giving him such a poison?
"If you're wondering why I'm giving you such a poison? It's worthless to even wonder about it.
I'm a maniac Skyshard, and you will never figure out what's going on inside my head—
Ahahahaha.
What you should know is that you've earnt this through your good work in my class!" Severus said, as he began tapping on the door violently.
*Knock*
*Knock*
*Knock*
"Open you bastard, we are done here—" Severus said, as the door opened once again, allowing Leo to step out with the yellow sheet folded tightly within his hands.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 108: InterrogationTimeless AssassinC108: Interrogation
Chapter 108: Interrogation
(Rodova Military Academy, Leo's Dorm Room– Midnight Emergency Alarm)
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
A shrill, mechanical alarm ripped through the silence of the academy, jarring Leo awake from his deep slumber.
His sharp instincts kicked in immediately, his body tensing as he sat up, his senses on high alert.
And then—
"Criminal on the loose—"
"Attention, Criminal on the loose— All students are instructed to remain inside their dormitories until further notice."
A voice blared over the speaker, as Leo's stomach twisted.
A deep, unsettling feeling settled in his chest, one he couldn't shake.
'No way…' he thought, his pulse steady but alert.
'Severus?' He wondered as the timing seemed too perfect.
The way Severus had smirked, the way he had casually handed over that poison formula today—it was all too convenient.
Had he known?
Had he planned this from the start?
Leo swung his legs over the edge of his bed, resting his elbows on his knees as he ran a hand through his hair, processing the situation.
'That bastard… he must have planned his escape for today.' Leo realized, as now that he thought about it, Severus's entire demeanor had felt a little too relaxed during their last meeting.
The ink swap, the half-joking theatrics, the way he had whispered Shhh… after filling the bottle with poison instead—
That wasn't a man who planned to stick around.
That was a farewell.
And perhaps because he was unsure of whether or not he would make it out alive, he had given Leo the potion formula, since it was his only shot at passing his legacy on to someone who might use it notoriously someday.
*Sigh—*
Leo let out a slow breath, his fingers curling into his palm as he leaned back against the headboard.
'Whatever happens… this isn't my problem,' he concluded.
He wasn't foolish enough to involve himself in whatever escape attempt Severus was attempting.
The academy's security was airtight, and if anyone thought they could outmaneuver it, they were either suicidal or insane.
And knowing Severus…
He was probably both.
'I hope sleep finds me again—' Leo thought, as he closed his eyes shut yet again.
The alarms continued to blare, the academy's defenses undoubtedly mobilizing at full force to handle the situation.
But it wasn't his concern.
Not his fight.
Not his problem.
With that final thought, Leo forced himself to block it all out—the alarms, the chaos outside, the questions burning in his mind—before letting his body sink back into the bed.
Whatever happened tonight—he'd find out in the morning.
And with that, he fell back asleep.
---
(Rodova Military Academy – Leo's Dorm, Early Morning)
BANG! BANG! BANG!
A sharp, impatient knock rattled his door, startling Leo awake for the second time that night.
Frowning, he forced his eyes open, still groggy but already sensing whoever was behind that door wasn't here for pleasantries.
With a quiet sigh, he rolled off the bed, stretching lazily before moving toward the door.
As he opened it, his expression remained neutral—until he saw who was standing there.
Professor David.
The very sight of the man instantly soured Leo's mood.
David's expression was exactly as he expected—twisted with disgust and disdain, his lips curled like he had just stepped in filth.
"Skyshard," David sneered, his tone thick with contempt.
"You've been summoned to the principal's office."
Leo raised an eyebrow, unfazed.
"And why is that?" he asked, his voice completely devoid of emotion as David's lips curled even further, his eyes narrowing with unhidden resentment.
"I think you know why, Skyshard, don't try to play innocent with me, I won't buy your act–" he spat, stepping aside as he urged Leo to follow him.
"Get moving." He instructed, as Leo didn't move immediately.
Instead, he took a long, slow glance at David, scanning his expression.
The man looked particularly pissed off. More than usual.
'Should I even ask what this is about?' Leo thought for a moment, but then decided against it, as deep down he already knew.
Severus had probably done something.
And now, Leo was being dragged into the aftermath.
—--------
(Rodova Military Academy, Principal Alric's Office)
Leo stepped into Principal Alric's office with David right behind him, as the Professor seemed ready to grab him by the neck if necessary.
Once inside, Leo's gaze fell on the principal, who sat behind a long and large desk, while signing a few dozen documents.
He looked calm—too calm for someone whose academy had just suffered a security breach, however, in stark contrast to his calm mood, David seemed to be fuming.
Behind Leo, David stood rigid, his arms crossed, his expression twisted into a look of deep contempt.
Leo didn't even need to hear the words to know exactly what was about to happen.
And he was right, as the second they were alone, David began with his rant.
"It's far too suspicious, Principal." David said, wasting no time, as he glared at Leo like he was a plague that needed to be eradicated.
"Severus tries to escape the same night he summons this boy? You don't find that convenient?" David asked, as he pointed in disgust towards Leo.
"This student is hiding something."
David's voice grew sharper, more insistent.
"He should be put under psychological evaluation immediately. We need to find out what he and Severus discussed. If there's even a slight chance he aided in the escape, we cannot afford to ignore it—"
David went on, as *THUD*, Alric slammed his pen down.
"That will not be happening, Professor" Alric declared, as David's mouth opened—then shut in frustration.
"Leo Skyshard is one of our most promising students and I will not be sending him to the psychological evaluation ward over baseless paranoia."
David clenched his jaw, looking ready to argue, but Alric's gaze hardened.
"Unless you have concrete evidence of his involvement—which you do not—this discussion is over." Alric issued an ultimatum, as David's fists curled at his sides, his face darkening with frustration.
Leo, meanwhile, stood in perfect silence, watching the exchange like an outsider rather than the subject of discussion.
'So this is how they fight for power in the academy.' Leo thought, as he enjoyed watching the show of how David lost.
It was obvious from David's face that he hated Alric, however, he had no option but to accept his decision on the matter, as after a few tense seconds, the professor finally exhaled sharply through his nose, stepping back with an irritated scoff.
"Fine," he muttered, voice dripping with dissatisfaction.
But Leo could already tell—David wasn't going to forget this.
Not anytime soon, atleast.
—--------
Once David had settled into silent brooding, Alric turned his attention to Leo.
His expression remained unreadable as he spoke.
"Severus has been neutralized." He informed, as Leo met his gaze, completely unfazed.
"He killed seven Grandmaster level guards while trying to escape." Alric said, his voice turning deep and remorseful as silence filled the room.
Leo said nothing, his face betraying no emotion whatsoever.
But inwardly—
'Seven, huh?'
He wasn't surprised.
Severus was many things—insane, unpredictable, theatrical—but weak?
Never.
The fact that he managed to take seven trained guards down before they finally got him only proved just how lethal he truly was.
Severus had never belonged in a cell.
And he had no intention of dying in one either.
"Tell me, Skyshard—" Alric said, his voice controlled.
"What did Severus discuss with you when he summoned you?" He asked, as Leo's response came without hesitation.
"Nothing special," Leo said smoothly.
"He gave me some advice on how to perform well in the Circuits and handed me a potion formula that he considered to be his legacy as a reward for my excellent performance in his class today" Leo said in a calm voice, which betrayed nothing.
And from the way Alric's gaze lingered, Leo knew he was being carefully evaluated.
After a few seconds, Alric finally leaned back in his chair.
"I see." He said before shrugging his shoulders as he said nothing more on the matter.
No further interrogation.
No further questions.
"Very well, Skyshard," Alric finally said, picking up his pen again, signaling the end of the conversation.
"You're dismissed." he said, as nodding, Leo turned towards the door without another word.
However, David seemed to lose his mind.
"WHAT? THAT'S IT? YOU WON'T ASK TO SEE WHAT SEVERUS GAVE HIM? YOU WON'T PRESS HIM FOR MORE ANSWERS?
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?
I WILL REPORT THIS TO THE ETHICS COMMITTEE—" David went off, as Alric laughed in the face of those complaints.
"Do your worst David…. You're not getting my chair no matter how hard you try.
I'm a Dainhart, you're a nobody" Alric snapped back, as Leo's eyes widened from the entertaining banter before he stepped out of Alric's office.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 109: Study ProblemsTimeless AssassinC109: Study Problems
Chapter 109: Study Problems
Leo's life at the Rodova Military Academy only grew progressively worse after that day, as Professor David's hatred for him became even more blatant following the incident.
Before, David at least attempted to maintain a thin veneer of fairness in his efforts to kick Leo out of class. But now? He didn't even bother to hide his contempt anymore.
Every day, as soon as the lecture began, his first order of business was to target Leo—calling on him with a question completely unrelated to the subject being taught at that moment.
And the moment Leo inevitably failed to answer?
"Get out—"
"Out—"
"There's the door—come back when you're actually serious about this lecture—"
That was all Leo heard, day after day.
While he excelled in every other subject, Basics of Magic Theory remained the one class he was almost guaranteed to fail.
Thankfully, Mu Ryan went out of her way to share her lecture notes and classwork with him, making sure he stayed updated on what was actually being taught.
But even then—reading from notes and experiencing a lecture firsthand were two entirely different things.
As biased as he was, Professor David was an exceptional educator, and missing his lectures cost Leo far more than he wanted to admit.
With the mid-semesters scheduled in just a month and a half, Leo had no choice but to double down on self-study, spending countless hours in the library, absorbing every book he could find on magic theory—because if he didn't?
He had no hope of passing the class.
—----------
"Motherfucker—" Su Yang cursed, as yet again today, he was kicked out of Basics Of Magic Theory Class alongside Leo.
At the start of the year, Su Yang was completely unbothered by the kick-outs, as he did not really care about the subject in the first place, however, with midterms rolling around, he finally began to panic, as the reality inevitably set-in.
"Even Principal Alric can't save us from failing the midterms, even if we complain about the professor's bias to him.
Because while Principal Alric is the highest functioning authority at Rodova, he isn't the undisputed highest authority.
Above him stands the Ethics Board, the governing body that oversees the academy's operations—and they will absolutely not tolerate any corruption of the academy's fundamental principles, one of which is equality for all students.
The Ethics Board doesn't care whether we pass or fail. Their stance is clear—all students must pass the mandatory subjects taught to them.
And because of that, this is a situation where we're on our own.
We need to find a way to pass—because if we don't, we'll be forced to repeat this subject as seniors.
And if we fail again?
The academy won't grant us a graduation degree—crippling our chances of recruitment into any major powerhouses." Su Yang said, as he grabbed his hair in panic.
"Oh really? Now you feel afraid? But back when you were getting kicked out, you always wanted to spar…
Why not now? Yeah? Come on, Yang, let's go bash it out like brutes." Leo taunted, watching as Su Yang's face darkened even further.
Unlike Leo, who was still keeping up with the coursework despite being thrown out of lectures, Su Yang hadn't even tried.
He had ignored the subject entirely, and now, with the midterms looming closer, he was panicking even more than Leo.
"Don't fuck with me, Skyshard. Today's not the day for jokes… You need to help me study, or I'm failing those midterms for sure." Su Yang said, his voice bordering on desperation.
Leo exhaled, rolling his eyes in exasperation.
"Fine—" he muttered after a brief pause, gesturing for Su Yang to follow him.
"We'll go to the library, but you're studying from the books yourself.
I'll teach you some basics, but everything else—you'll learn on your own while I focus on my studies." Leo clarified, making it abundantly clear that he wasn't going to babysit Su Yang, only assist when absolutely necessary.
—---------
(Two hours later, inside the library)
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Su Yang repeatedly slammed his head against the desk, frustrated beyond belief as he failed to grasp even the most basic concepts of magic theory—such as elemental infusion into mana.
Leo watched in mild amusement as his so-called 'genius' of a friend turned into a struggling student.
Thud.
The librarian threw a piece of chalk at Su Yang's head, as if he finally had enough.
"You… Su Family boy! Mind your manners, or I'll throw you out of my library!" He barked, his glare piercing as Su Yang immediately stopped banging his head.
However, the red imprints on Su Yang's forehead, made it clear just how much pain his brain was in.
"I'm screwed, Skyshard… Even with your tutoring, I can't grasp shit." Su Yang grumbled, looking like he was on the verge of throwing the book across the room as Leo let out a long sigh.
Teaching Su Yang was much harder than he had anticipated.
The arrogant Su Family young master—so naturally talented in combat—was proving to be an absolute idiot when it came to pure theory.
As despite Leo's best efforts to guide him, Su Yang had barely made it past the first five pages of the Basics of Elemental Infusion textbook, which meant that the road ahead was going to be brutal if Leo truly wanted to get him through the entire syllabus in the next 45 days.
"Just keep at it. There's no other solution." Leo said coldly, offering Su Yang the only advice that mattered.
Su Yang scowled but begrudgingly returned to his studies.
It was clear from his face that he hated every second of it, but he still endured—because despite his personal disinterest in the subject, failure was not an option.
"Thankfully, there's a friendly match between the Rodova Circuits Team and the Nature Academy Team tomorrow, here in Rodova.
That should improve my mood again." Su Yang muttered, his tone finally perking up a little, as Leo's ears subtly perked up at that information.
The Rodova Circuits Team had already visited two different military academies for friendly sparring matches, but this would be the first time they would be playing host—welcoming the Nature Military Academy for an exhibition match.
'Tomorrow, I'll finally get to see the actual Circuits Team in action…
Get to measure just how strong they really are…
And understand exactly where I need to be if I want to join them at the Circuits.'
A quiet flicker of excitement stirred within Leo.
But he didn't show it.
Instead, he remained laser-focused on his studies, burying himself back in the books.
Tomorrow's battles were tomorrow's problems.
For now—he needed to make the most of today.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 110: Strength Of Circuit Team MembersTimeless AssassinC110: Strength Of Circuit Team Members
Chapter 110: Strength Of Circuit Team Members
(Rodova Military Academy – Circuits Arena)
The Rodova Circuits Arena stood at the very heart of the academy as a colossal battleground encased by towering, fortress-like walls.
Massive black banners adorned with Rodova's emblem draped down its sides, their presence an ever-present reminder of the academy's storied legacy.
For any visiting military academy, stepping into this coliseum was an overwhelming experience—not just because of its imposing architecture but because of the sheer psychological pressure it exerted.
The weight of Rodova's history pressed down like an unshakable force on any visitor stepping foot inside it, as the banners stood as a silent yet deafening reminder of Rodova's past dominance in the Circuits.
*CHEERS!*
As if the atmosphere itself wasn't already suffocating, the overwhelming roar of the home crowd certainly was.
Rodova lived and breathed the Circuits.
Posters of past champions lined the dorm rooms of present students, while the current circuit team members were treated like celebrities, and their matches were followed with religious fervor.
So as the Nature Military Academy stepped onto Rodova's turf, they were immediately drowned in deafening chants of the Rodova team captain, as the crowd unanimously chanted Yu Shen's name.
YU SHEN! YU SHEN! YU SHEN!
Thousands of voices roared in unison, the sheer volume shaking the air as Rodova's students welcomed their team captain onto the field.
—---------
Seated among the crowd was Leo, his expression unreadable as he observed the unfolding spectacle.
Had he won his fight against Khyaal weeks ago, he would be standing in that arena right now preparing for his fight.
But losses had consequences.
And since he lost his fight, he was forced to watch instead of fight, as he missed out on first-hand combat experience at the circuits level.
Still, it was not all bad, as the universe did have its way of offering second chances.
As while Leo couldn't fight himself, it was still a great opportunity to finally witness the Circuits firsthand and to analyze the combatants, study their techniques, and understand exactly what level he needed to reach to compete and thrive at the grand stage.
—--------
On the opposite side of the arena, the Nature Military Academy team stood in formation, their presence a stark contrast to the all-human Rodova roster.
Composed entirely of non-human warriors, their team consisted of elves, nymphs, pixies, dryads, and fairies—all species renowned for their affinity with nature.
And yet, despite their origins, there was nothing gentle about them.
These weren't mere guardians of nature.
They were warriors.
And they carried themselves as such, their sharp gazes and controlled stances exuding the unmistakable aura of seasoned fighters.
"Captains, approach!"
A booming voice silenced the crowd, signaling the start of the pre-match formalities.
A neutral referee, clad in Geneva's blue-and-gold official robes, called for the captains to step forward.
At the center of the arena, Yu Shen, Rodova's captain, strode forward with a confident, steady gait.
Opposing him was a tall, silver-haired Elven warrior, donned in sleek green and gold armor—the Nature Academy's captain.
The two warriors met in the center of the battlefield, standing mere feet apart, their expressions unreadable.
Between them, the referee raised a silver coin into the air.
"This match will be conducted under standard Circuits format—a 5v5 elimination battle."
"The team that eliminates all five opposing members first will be declared the victor, and switching out members after each conclusive fight will be permitted." The referee informed, as he read out the standard circuit rules as per formality.
*TWINGG–*
He tossed the coin in the air, as the crowd held its breath for this defining moment.
Winning the toss gave a team the right to choose their fighters second, gaining a significant advantage in battle, which was why winning the toss was always very important.
*TANG*
(Tails)
The coin landed as tails, as instantly the crowd erupted in Boo's
BOOOO—!
Rodova had lost the toss.
And in the Circuits, losing the toss meant losing the early advantage.
This was the tactical side of the Circuits.
Strength alone wasn't enough.
Matchups mattered.
A poorly placed warrior could mean instant defeat, as some fighters were natural counters to others.
A tank versus an archer?
An assassin versus a mage?
A brute against a speedster?
All of it played into the captain's strategy.
And because Rodova lost the toss, they were now forced to reveal their first fighter first—handing the Nature Academy the ability to counter-pick.
"It's okay. Congratulations on winning the toss—" Yu Shen said, as he shook his opponent's hand, as despite the setback, remained composed.
"Rodova's first fighter will be —Ethan Cross." He declared, as the crowd erupted in cheers for their first fighter.
—---------
Ethan, a hulking figure stepped forward, his heavy boots thudding against the ground.
Ethan was a bruiser—a defensive powerhouse.
Standing at 6'5, his frame was layered with dense muscle, his entire presence radiating raw durability.
As he was a fortress in human form.
He wasn't necessarily a counter to any specific fighting style—but he was resilient enough to not be countered either.
A safe first pick.
On the opposing side, the Elven Captain took a moment before nodding.
After a quick discussion with his team, he made his decision.
"Nature Academy's first fighter—Aelin, the Wind Dancer." He said as a tall, lean elf stepped forward, his movements almost weightless, his steps light as air.
Unlike Ethan, who stood solid and immovable, Aelin barely seemed to touch the ground, his body swaying with an effortless grace.
Leo's eyes narrowed slightly.
'A heavyweight tank versus a speed-based skirmisher…'
This was going to be interesting.
"LET'S GO RODOVA!"
"CRUSH THE TINY ELF ETHAN–"
"GIVE US BLOOD!"
The crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch as both fighters took their positions.
They wanted to see the action start now, and the referee did not disappoint, as a couple seconds later, the referee raised his hand as he said.
"First match—begin!"
And just like that—
The battle was on.
—----------
(The First Match: Ethan Cross vs. Aelin)
BOOM!
Ethan launched forward like a living battering ram, his massive frame barreling toward Aelin with terrifying momentum.
But the elf vanished.
A sudden burst of wind surged through the arena as Aelin's figure flickered—his movements so fast, it looked as if he had turned into a gust of air itself.
Leo's eyes sharpened.
'That's not just speed… He's manipulating wind currents to shift his momentum mid-movement.' Leo analysed, as he felt sweat trickling down his neck when he tried to think of what he would do if he were in Ethan's place now.
The pace that Aelin showed now was far higher than anything his peers in first year were capable of, and this alarmed Leo big time.
Ethan however, skidded to a halt, eyes darting left and right, as he tried to track his opponent—
But while he looked left and right, his opponent was already behind him, as—
SHING!
A thin, curved blade gleamed as it sliced toward Ethan's exposed side.
CLANG!
Ethan twisted at the last second, raising his armored forearm to block the attack, causing sparks to fly as metal met enchanted steel
"OOOO—" The crowd gasped at the close call, as Aelin continued with his relentless assault.
He moved like a storm, his body weaving in and out, his blades striking from all angles, forcing Ethan to stay on the defensive.
From the stands, Su Yang clicked his tongue.
"Tch. This is a bad matchup for Ethan, this match reminds me of my fight against Minerva" he muttered, as he did not harbor many hopes of Ethan winning.
Leo, however, remained silent, observing.
Aelin's Wind Footwork made him almost untouchable.
Meanwhile, Ethan was a defensive warrior, built to endure damage and counter-attack with crushing force.
But countering only worked when you could hit your opponent.
And right now—
He couldn't.
Aelin's speed was overwhelming, his blades a blur, striking at Ethan's armor joints, looking for an opening.
But somehow Ethan looked like he was holding on for now.
*BANG*
Then, it suddenly, it happened.
SWOOSH—SHING!
Aelin's dagger sliced past Ethan's defenses, drawing first blood as a thin line of red appeared on his bicep, as the crowd's violent energy suddenly muted.
Aelin leaped back, landing with featherlight grace, his expression unreadable.
Ethan, however, only grinned.
Then—
BANG!
His foot slammed into the ground, sending cracks sprawling across the arena floor as the very air around him seemed to shift.
Leo's brows rose slightly, as he looked towards the sky, noticing a phenomenon he completely missed before.
'Did he just—'
Before he could finish the thought—
BOOM!
A sudden, shockwave blasted outward from Ethan's body, forcing Aelin to retreat further.
The air around the massive warrior rippled—as if the very space around him had hardened.
"You're fast, Elf. But let's see how fast you are when you can't breathe." Ethan rumbled.
And that's when Leo realized it.
Ethan had activated his special technique a few moments ago, which went completely unnoticed by the crowd and Aelin himself—
[Wind Vaccum]
Ethan was manipulating the mana in the air to create a wind current so strong that it was sucking out all the air above the fighting arena, thinning the oxygen concentration in the air significantly.
For him, who was a bruiser tank, he did not need much oxygen as he did not move around much in the first place, however, for Aelin the lack of oxygen was lethal.
He needed a constant stream of air to sustain his explosive movements, as without getting enough, he started to grow visibly sluggish.
'What the fuck? Just what sort of a mental level are these guys playing at?
What sort of combat is this?' Leo wondered, as he finally realized what the circuit's were all about.
Just like Minerva's fight against Su Yang, this fight too was determined by strategy more than the fighter strength, as it wasn't Aelin that was weak, but just that Ethan had the better strategy to wear him down.
*PAH—*
*PAH—*
Aelin visibly panted and struggled as time went on, as while Ethan was used to fighting under low oxygen conditions, Aelin was not.
And in the end, that made him a sitting duck for Ethan's attacks, who brutalized him using close ranged strikes for the win, much to the delight of the Rodova Home Crowd.
"WINNER— ETHAN, RODOVA MILITARY ACADEMY!"
The referee declared, as deafening cheers erupted throughout the arena.
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