Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 231 231: The Great DecieverTimeless AssassinC231 231: The Great Deciever
"Is there no other way, Antonio? Must I beg before the devil himself for the sake of my son?" Dupravel muttered with a defeated sigh, his voice barely more than a breath as he slumped deeper into his chair, one hand clutching his temple, the other trembling around the edge of his chair.
Antonio, standing just a few paces away with his arms folded, looked equally grim.
"Only gods can take on gods, Dupravel. You and I both know this." His tone was low, even, resolute.
"The Evil God Soron is not someone we can outsmart, assassinate, or ambush. We can't invade Ixtal on our own…. Many forces that were much stronger than us have tried and failed over the years, as unless a God is willing to help us invade, we can do nothing about it on our own—"
"Also, not any God will do…. Soron has survived through the Great Betrayal. He sees through deception like we see through glass, and to take him on we need only the strongest to support us."
Dupravel did not immediately respond to Antonio's words.
He just sat there, jaw clenched, rage and power crackling in his bones with no outlet to release it.
Antonio continued, his voice now harder. "The only ones in existence who can match Soron are either his brother, Kaelith the Eternal Sovereign, or the Devil himself—Mauriss the contractor.
But Kaelith won't lift a finger against his brother. There's nothing you can offer him that he doesn't already possess, no price you can pay he hasn't already seen offered."
"And so... Mauriss remains our only option."
The name lingered in the air like a curse, making even Dupravel's skin crawl.
Mauriss.
The Eternal Deceiver. The Contract Devil. The one even the other gods feared to call upon.
The very idea of asking him for help—of going to him with bowed head and outstretched hand sickened Dupravel to his core.
He'd spent his entire life carving his name into history with blade and poison, with blood and ash. He had never begged. Not once. Not even when surrounded by enemies or staring death in the face.
But now?
Now he was no longer fighting for reputation or power or politics.
He was fighting for his child.
And that changed everything.
Dupravel stared at his own reflection in the polished floor tiles, his eyes hollow and far away.
'To save Darnell… I must now sell my soul to the devil.'
"I need time to think," he murmured at first, more to himself than to anyone else.
But that time lasted all of six seconds.
"Forget it," he growled, rising to his feet with a violent rush of motion. "Fire up the teleportation gate. Set coordinates to Planet Granoda."
Antonio's eyebrows twitched.
"You're serious?"
Dupravel didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
He simply turned away and began walking toward the guild's central teleportation chamber, his back heavy with the weight of what he was about to do.
"Inform the others," he added coldly, "that if I'm not back in twelve hours… the Black Serpent Guild is to consider me dead."
Antonio nodded once, the air thick with unspoken tension.
Because they both knew.
One did not visit Mauriss expecting mercy.
One visited him because they were out of other options.
—------------
(Dupravel's POV – Planet Granoda, The Peak of Solitude)
The skies screamed.
That was Dupravel's first thought as he emerged from the teleportation portal, the wind nearly tearing his cloak from his shoulders the moment he stepped onto the edge of the storm-ravaged planet.
Granoda was nothing but ocean. A planet swallowed whole by furious, churning tides and endless storms that never slept, where lightning danced between clouds like restless spirits and rain fell not in droplets, but in blades.
There was no civilization here. No cities. No homes.
Just one solitary mountain peak that pierced through the planet-wide sea like a god's forgotten spear— its rocky summit barely large enough to be called land.
And that… was where the Devil chose to live.
'What kind of man… chooses to live here willingly?' Dupravel wondered as he flew towards the peak.
"What kind of god makes his home atop chaos itself?" He asked the skies, however received no answers, as he only heard thunder in response.
*THUNDER*
Landing at the foot of the peak, Dupravel did not fly to the summit, even though he could have, as he knew better than to make that mistake.
For all the Devil's madness, Mauriss was bound by ancient etiquette— rules older than most empires. And according to his rules, if one sought his favor, they had to climb.
Step by step.
Stone by stone.
One foot in front of the other.
With the climb itself not being too long, however, the conditions surrounding it, not being normal either.
The closer Dupravel drew to the top, the heavier the air became, like some unseen will was weighing him down for every sin he'd ever committed.
The mountain that the devil lived on, automatically rejected anyone who climbed it with pride in their hearts.
It was a divine artefact in of itself, which only allowed those with nothing but desperation in their hearts to pass the threshold.
And Dupravel… just happened to have plenty of that.
By the time he reached the summit, his legs burned, his back ached, and his breath came in ragged intervals, but he still stood tall.
As before him lay a surreal scene—
The great God Mauriss lounged atop a colossal nine-tailed fox whose fur shimmered like liquid gold, tails lazily swaying in rhythmic pulses.
Two celestial beauties—barefoot, barely clothed, skin glowing like moonlight—gently massaged the devil's tattooed frame, rubbing divine oil across his chest and shoulders as he basked in their touch with his eyes closed.
Mauriss's body was covered in runes and inked seals that moved on their own accord.
His long obsidian hair flowed upward unnaturally, dancing with the wind, defying gravity itself as though even nature bowed to him.
And his smile—
That wicked, knowing smile—
Split his face before he even opened his eyes.
"Well… well… well…"
His voice was velvet soaked in wine, godly and indulgent, like it belonged to a being too powerful to rush anything.
"If it isn't the ever-proud Monarch Dupravel…" Mauriss said, eyes still closed. "How kind of you… to visit me in my little retreat."
Then his eyes opened.
And the world bent.
Dupravel fell.
Not from weakness, nor from shame.
But because no mortal—not even a Monarch—could bear the gaze of the Devil falling on their frame.
*THUD*
He crashed to the ground, his knees cracking the stone beneath him as gravity multiplied thousandfold, his entire body trembling under the sheer weight of Mauriss's divine attention.
"I greet you… O Eternal Deceiver," Dupravel gasped out, his forehead pressed to the rock, blood leaking from his palms where his fists clenched the mountain surface.
Mauriss's eyes flickered in amusement.
"Ahhh. You remember the old titles. How charming."
He said as with a casual flick of his wrist, the pressure vanished.
"You may rise, my little snake"
"You've come far to find me. Now speak." He said with an evil grin as Dupravel stood back up slowly, his shoulders shaking from the shame of what he was about to say next.
"I come to beg for the life of my son," Dupravel began, his voice low and steady.
"He is held on Ixtal by the cult. I cannot reach him. I cannot save him. So I come to you—"
He bowed again, deeper this time.
"—and offer you my soul in servitude. Pledge it to you fully and without condition. Just help me… save him."
Silence.
Then—
Laughter.
Not mocking. Not loud.
But amused. Like someone had just been offered a paper sword during a war.
"Your soul?" Mauriss said, the words dripping in mirth. "Dupravel… you wound me. Do you think your little Monarch-tier soul holds any value to me?"
Dupravel's jaw clenched, his face still low, humiliation eating at him like acid.
"I have no use for weaklings in my fold," Mauriss continued, waving the girls away as he stood, his bare feet stepping lightly onto the stone. "You think a little blood, a little killing, and some shadow games make you worthy of the Devil's favor?"
He grinned wider.
"No, no, no… If you want my help—Monarch Dupravel Nuna, you will have to offer me something more….
Something rarer…..
Something… delicious."
He stepped forward, his aura now dimming the very sky above, as even the storms held their breath.
"Tell me," Mauriss said softly. "How far are you truly willing to go to save your son?"
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 232 232: The PriceTimeless AssassinC232 232: The Price
"Tell me… how far are you truly willing to go to save your son?"
Dupravel froze, the words echoing louder than the thunder above, louder than the ache in his chest or the weight of the storm pressing down on his shoulders.
It wasn't that he lacked conviction—he had already offered his soul. But in that moment, he realized something deeper, something colder: Mauriss hadn't even begun bargaining yet. And if his soul wasn't enough, then what possibly could the devil be after?
"…Anything," Dupravel said at last, his voice strained and low.
"I'll do anything you need me to."
He assured, as Mauriss chuckled softly, his godly eyes gleaming with delight.
"Your love for your child is almost touching," Mauriss said, pacing with a slow, predatory grace.
"It makes me wonder—was your pursuit of the Urn of Death really about power… or were you foolish enough to think it could bring your wife back to life?"
Dupravel's entire body stiffened.
That knowledge wasn't public. He had never told anyone about the true reason behind him searching for the Urn Of Death. And yet, Mauriss saw straight through him.
"Hahahaha…. You're an emotional fool Dupravel…. Foolish and Easy to manipulate.
Your talent as a fighter is a waste because of the poor brain on your shoulders—"
Mauriss laughed again as he mocked Dupravel with the satisfaction of someone who delighted in peeling back facades.
"No matter. It doesn't bother me that you're a fool. So let's get to the real terms of this exchange," he said, his tone sharpening.
"You already know that there is only one pair of weapons capable of scarring a god. The daggers of the Timeless Assassin. But those now lie sealed in Kaelith's personal soul space. Untouchable until the Eternal Sovereign dies—which he won't."
Mauriss stepped closer, the sky dimming above him as if it too bowed to his presence.
"So instead… you will forge me a new pair. One made from the same Origin Metal, and dipped in the same source of Chaos."
Dupravel blinked slowly, his lips parting as if to protest, but no words followed.
Origin Metal?
It was practically extinct. Even if one were to disassemble entire solar systems, and process every grain within it for presence of the Origin Metal, the trace amount of it gathered wouldn't amount to more than a shaving of dust.
Enough to study under a microscope, perhaps—but not forge weapons.
As it was simply impossible to gather enough to make another pair.
However, hypothetically, even if he were to somehow gather enough of it…. no blacksmith alive knew how to mold it, as even when exposed to temperatures of the hottest stars, the metal still remained unreactive.
And still, even if he somehow found a method to mold it and a blacksmith talented enough to make a weapon from it— it would still not be enough, as unless that weapon was dipped in a pool of pure chaos energy, it would not become the god killing weapon it was supposed to be.
"My Lord…. It's impossible to recreate the Timeless Assassin's dagger, I'm sure you're aware of the complications involved.
The known method behind its production is vague, and the final step of having to enter a galactic blackhole with it and finding a pool of pure Chaos Energy to dip it in, is not even a step that Gods can complete.
Nobody can survive that trip, and those who have tried to do it, have never returned alive—" Dupravel protested, as his complaints only made Mauriss smile wider.
"The difficulty of the task is precisely why I'm asking you to do it, Dupravel—" Mauriss replied, his tone silky smooth.
"Because nothing short of the impossible is worth my time."
Dupravel looked away, jaw clenched, despair flickering across his face. The mission Mauriss described wasn't a quest—it was a death sentence.
And yet… he couldn't refuse.
"It's clearly not impossible… After all, the Timeless Assassin managed to do it— and that too when he was just a Monarch," Mauriss said, his voice laced with quiet amusement.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, he conjured a glowing scroll, letting it drift slowly through the air until it hovered before Dupravel like a falling ember.
"I'll help you get started," he said. "This scroll contains the location of a spatial tear, beyond which lies a realm untouched by time."
He paused.
"As a four-dimensional being, I cannot enter. But you, with your weak and primitive constitution, should be able to survive the crossing."
"Inside… if you can somehow find it, there should be a block of Origin Metal Ore stored away.
Should you find it, and choose not to continue with the quest anymore, I'll accept it as a partial payment for a seperate favor.
Or pay you with a treasure of equal value.
However, you can also continue trying to refine it and dip it in Pure Chaos Energy, and if you succeed in all the steps, I'll accept it as enough payment to take on Soron for you–" Mauriss said, as Dupravel took the scroll in silence.
In his heart, he knew this task could take years. Decades, even. A fool's errand with no promise of return.
But still… for the sake of Darnell, he bowed deeply before the Devil and accepted his impossible fate.
It wasn't wise to curse the devil to his face and hence Dupravel held his tongue until he exited Granoda, as it wasn't until he returned on Planet Twin Fang that he truly began to hurl the curses buried in his heart.
"MAURISS THAT LOATHSOME, BASTARD-FACED, GRINNING PIECE OF COSMIC FILTH—!"
Dupravel's roar echoed across the Black Serpent Guild's private hangar as he stormed out of the teleportation gate, his cloak tattered and soaked, his breath ragged from barely surviving the trip back from Granoda.
Antonio, who had been waiting anxiously, raised an eyebrow.
"...So, it went well?"
Dupravel didn't even respond.
He hurled the scroll across the room like a cursed object, watching it spin midair before embedding itself neatly into the metal wall with a glow.
"That devil didn't just reject my soul—he gave me a suicide mission," Dupravel snarled, pacing like a madman.
Antonio moved to retrieve the scroll, examining the faint glyphs etched along its edges.
"What's this?" he asked, eyeing the shimmer.
"The location of a spatial tear," Dupravel muttered. "One Mauriss claims leads to a realm untouched by time. Apparently there's some Origin Metal Ore to be found there… if I can find it that is."
Antonio paused.
"You're… actually going?"
Dupravel didn't answer right away.
He simply turned to the nearest hangar bay, where the Black Serpent's best exploration ships waited.
"I am." He said while typing commands on a data slate, as he sent instructions to the crew to prepare a ship for an extended exploration mission.
"But… you might not come back. Not even Gods enter time-frozen realms." Antonio warned, however, Dupravel only shot him back a look that told him everything he needed to know.
"My son is trapped on Ixtal, Antonio. In the hands of the Evil Cult. And if the only way to get him out is by crafting a weapon that can threaten gods…"
"…then I'll become the madman who does it."
For a long moment, silence ruled the chamber. Only the hum of the activation systems could be heard.
Then Antonio sighed and gave a small nod, the kind that said he'd already started preparing for this.
"I'll ready the backup crew."
"No," Dupravel said quietly. "I'm going alone."
Antonio froze. "But—"
"If even one of them slows me down in that realm, we all die. I'll scout the first passage myself, and if I return, we can plan the next steps. If I don't…"
He turned, gaze steeled like the edge of a poisoned blade.
"…Take over the guild. And send my son a message explaining that I tried my best to save him."
Antonio didn't argue. He knew there was no point, as the preparations for Dupravel's departure began at once.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 233 233: Leo's DecisionTimeless AssassinC233 233: Leo's Decision
(Rodova Team Villa, Lockdown Day 5)
After four days of idling away in the team villa, the Rodova team finally saw the curfew lifted, on the early morning of day 5.
For the first time in days, the team members woke up to some good news instead of the usual requests to cooperate for investigation, as their winners trophy was delivered to the villa.
The trophy was made out of interwoven darksteel and starlight crystal, sculpted into a twisting double-helix that shimmered under every beam of light.
Suspended within its core was a miniature rotating galaxy projection, softly glowing with celestial hues, while the base was obsidian, engraved in golden with the name of the winning team and all its members.
It was a beautiful trophy, and everyone took their turns holding it in the morning, with Yu Shen and DP even shedding a tear as they held it.
However, as if receiving the trophy was not good news enough, that same afternoon, an even better announcement rang over the Villa's intercom.
"Clearance granted. Rodova Military Academy, please proceed to Launch Bay 3 for departure. Congratulations on your circuit win, Champions."
This time, there were smiles.
Not the hollow kind.
But real ones, as the team members cheered and hooted at the prospect of returning home.
"About time," Drake muttered, tossing his duffel over one shoulder with a grin.
Boxer elbowed him, smirking. "We can't leave without taking a team picture for the press!"
"Of Course we can't, I earned that picture and I'm not leaving without it," Drake fired back, before being interrupted by Yu Shen stepping into the room, the trophy case resting over his shoulder like a badge of honor.
"Let's not waste the moment," Yu Shen said, his voice firm but proud. "Suit up. We're taking a photo before we board."
Outside, the skyship gleamed like fresh steel, as the Rodova pilot seemed to have given it a thorough cleaning for today.
The loading ramp was down, thrusters already humming gently as the medical staff quickly boarded to give the students and instructors some space.
The team lined up, everyone falling into place without being told.
Yu Shen stood in the center, holding the trophy high. Leo and Su Yang flanked him, both relaxed for once, as Su Yang stood to his left with a smirk and Leo stood to his right with the faintest glint of amusement in his eyes.
Boxer grinned wide as he threw an arm around Kohli. Du Plessis and Drake locked shoulders at the far end, while Enzo crouched in front, pointing at the camera with both fingers.
Minerva stood between Faye and David, smiling proudly, while behind them stood the pillars of their academy—Major Hen with his arms crossed, and Principal Alric holding his staff beside them like a war banner.
A media drone hovered overhead, as it was Enzo who took the lead.
"Alright everyone, say it with me!" Enzo called.
"3…2….1—"
"Rodova Forever!"
Click.
One frame. One perfect moment.
The champions of the Sky-God Arena, immortalized in a single photo as they boarded the shuttle and lifted off from the asteroid.
—----------
(Rodova Military Academy, a few hours later)
The clouds parted.
And as the ship descended toward the familiar grounds of the academy, the students inside were met with a view none of them expected.
Banners stretched from one building to the next. Tower-sized digital projections lit up the skies with their names. And directly below, the plaza was packed with students, faculty, and staff all cheering in unison.
"Welcome back, Champions!"
Yu Shen laughed under his breath. "They really rolled out the whole sky for us."
"Honestly, I thought they'd be too busy running classes," Boxer said.
"Classes are cancelled," Alric replied, his grin wide. "I made it so that today's an academy holiday now."
As the ship landed and the ramp lowered, the crowd erupted.
"Skyshard! Su Yang! Enzo! Captain Yu!"
Leo blinked, startled by how many first-years had crowded around him. One handed him a flower garland while another tried to get a picture.
"Captain! Captain Yu! Show us the trophy please!"
Yu Shen raised it proudly, smiling with confidence. "I won it this time, but it's up to you first years to win it again next year—"
Su Yang was instantly pulled into a group hug by some of the Elite class students, while Minerva, Drake, and the others were being high-fived left and right.
"Enzo, teach me that sand throw trick, that was so cool!"
"Boxer! Did you really knock that opponent off the cliff?"
Enzo climbed atop a bench like he was about to give a press conference. "Yes. And yes. And if you want autographs, form a single line!"
Off to the side, Principal Alric observed the team's return with a rare smile.
"They did well," he said.
Major Hen grunted. "Well I did coach a lot of them…."
Professor David simply folded his arms. "I suppose they're not entirely hopeless."
Muiyan Faye stood just behind them, her gaze fixed on Leo. And for once, even she allowed a smile to curl on her lips.
At Least for now, the chaos was behind them.
The cult, the gods, the politics, all distant.
Right now?
As in this moment, they were champions.
And they had come home with the trophy.
After 22 long years, Rodova was number one, once again.
—---------
(Principal Alric's office, a couple hours later)
A couple of hours later, Alric summoned Leo to his office for a private meeting.
When Leo stepped inside, he was greeted by the utterly ridiculous sight of the academy principal shamelessly hugging and kissing the tournament trophy like it was the most precious treasure in the cosmos, as watching him do that made Leo chuckle.
"You called for me sir?" He asked, after waiting patiently for Alric to stop, however, the principal did not seem eager to do so, as he gave the trophy two more kisses before finally pausing.
"Agh… Skyshard my boy! There's something I wanted to talk to you about for the past few days but couldn't, since the atmosphere never felt right, however, now that we are back at the academy, there's something I must tell you—" Alric said, as he leaned forward, and looked at Leo with a spark in his eyes.
"The Circuit's this year are over, and Yu Shen's tenure as Captain has come to an end.
It's time for Rodova to appoint a new Captain, and I want you to take the mantle my boy—" Alric said, as he smiled kindly towards Leo.
"Me? I'm not really the Captain type, I think Su Yang fits the role better…" Leo replied calmly, as Alric shook his head in denial.
"I asked the Su boy his opinion on who should be Captain, and he said 'The strongest member of the team should be Captain, and currently the strongest is Skyshard–'.
And I agree with him. The strongest should be Captain, so…. What do you say?" Alric insisted, as Leo shook his head in denial once again.
"With all due respect sir, while it's a huge honor to represent Rodova Military Academy as its Captain, I don't think I want to continue studying here for my second year.
The attack at the end of the Circuit's has rattled my psyche.
I may only be alive, because of Darnell Nuna stepping in at the right moment to try and save me, and I feel like I owe him a debt of honor.
I've made up my mind to leave the academy and join the Black Serpents Guild at the end of the academic year, if they will have me.
And I intend to join them in their quest to search for Darnell, as I've heard they're looking for him in full swing—" Leo replied as Alric's face darkened significantly at his response.
In truth, Leo's psyche was not at all rattled, infact, he did not give a rat's ass about Darnell or his well being.
However, it was also the perfect excuse for him to join the Black Serpents, and hence after careful deliberation, this was the cover story he had decided to stick with to justify his exit from Rodova, and his enrollment into the Serpents.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 234 234: Adamant LeoTimeless AssassinC234 234: Adamant Leo
Alric was not happy with Leo's decision to leave Rodova early. Not even a little.
And for the next hour, the old man tried everything in his arsenal—logic, persuasion, guilt, even mild threats— to explain why the path Leo was considering was, in his words, "borderline idiotic."
He started with the most obvious point.
"If you leave now, you won't graduate as a Rodova alumnus," Alric said, pacing behind his desk, his tone clipped and irritated. "That means no access to the alumni network, no future recruitment invites, no automatic clearance into universal army think tanks, and you'll receive a provisional certificate—not a full degree."
Leo stood straight, unflinching, arms behind his back as if he were in a military parade and not in the principal's office, as he said, "I understand, sir."
But Alric only scoffed in response, as he replied "You understand nothing."
And he didn't stop just there.
"There are entire branches of combat theory, infiltration training, and tactical command that Rodova only teaches in the second year,"
"We structure the curriculum that way because first-years don't have the experience to absorb it properly. You're throwing that all away."
Leo didn't respond.
Which only agitated Alric further.
"You want to join the Black Serpents? Fine. Let's talk about that," he said, narrowing his eyes. "Yes, they're elite. Yes, they're powerful. But they don't invest in you. They don't train you. The guild operates on meritocracy— if you bring results, you're rewarded. But that's it."
He leaned forward over his desk.
"You think a Grandmaster Talent and a Monarch Talent are treated differently there? They're not. You do the job, you get paid. You fail, you die.
They won't shape you, polish you, or care whether you succeed beyond the mission. And most importantly— they will not help you grow. Do you understand boy?" Alric asked, as he gazed straight into Leo's eyes expectantly, however, Leo's response only made him pinch his nose in anger.
"I don't need someone to help me grow, sir. I just need them to stay out of my way." Leo replied, as Alric froze for a beat.
*Sigh*
Exhaling sharply, Alric gripped the edge of his desk as if restraining himself from tossing the trophy still gleaming beside him.
"If you're so determined to leave Rodova, then at least consider joining the Universal Army," he said, his voice quieter now, almost tired.
"They'll give you structure. Resources. Protection. You'll be nurtured within the system and still have the freedom to pursue missions that matter."
But Leo simply shook his head. "I owe a debt of honor to Darnell Nuna. And I intend to repay it."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Alric didn't say anything for a full ten seconds.
Then he turned away, muttering something under his breath that sounded distinctly like "damn fool of a boy."
When he finally looked back, his expression was sour, but resigned.
"Alright," he said curtly. "Let me talk to your sponsor—the Horizon Dominion Group—and see what they think about your plan."
Leo gave a respectful salute. "Understood, sir."
And without another word, he turned and exited the room, leaving Alric to rub his forehead in frustration.
"Debt of honor," he muttered bitterly to himself. "The boy's got more muscle than brains."
He didn't mean it.
But he also wasn't entirely wrong.
—----------
With the Circuits behind him and final exams fast approaching, Leo had already resolved to leave Rodova once the first academic year came to a close.
Knowing his days at the academy were numbered, he intended to make the most of every remaining opportunity, having firmly decided to join the Black Serpents once the semester ended.
There were three things, in particular, he wanted to secure before his departure:
1. A Transcendent-grade meditation manual.
2. As many high-grade skills as he was permitted to take.
3. His fifth and final Genetic Awakening Shot.
As he understood the immense value of these assets in the real world— and knew that acquiring them through Rodova's internal systems was nothing short of a blessing.
Since the final exams were only a month away, Leo knew that he had very little time to make his decisions and get started on learning his new skills, as once he exited the academy, Leo knew that he wouldn't be allowed to carry the holographic scrolls anymore, losing access to them permanently.
—-------------
(Meanwhile within the Rodova mess hall)
Su Yang, Mu Shen and Mu Ryan waited eagerly for Leo to return from his visit to the principal's office in the mess hall, completely unaware of his decision to leave the academy at the end of the semester.
"What's taking him so long? Did Alric start painting him on a canvas or something?" Mu Shen asked, growing impatient as his stomach growled in hunger.
"Well, I couldn't even properly congratulate him on his return…. Big brother was surrounded by so many people…. I just wanna tell him congratulations—" Mu Ryan complained as she pouted innocently.
"Just wait patiently…. Alric has probably called him to tell him he's the Captain for next year. Let Skyshard have his moment–" Su Yang said, smiling joyfully, as he seemed genuinely happy that Leo was about to be made Captain.
"Skyshard is Captain? Over you? And you're fine with it?" Mu Shen asked in shock, as Su Yang shrugged his shoulders in nonchalance.
"I'll be Vice Captain, also…. Since you're both selected for the summer camp, you better start practicing calling him Captain Skyshard, and not Leo—" Su Yang said without a hint of jealousy in his voice, as Mu Shen nodded in agreement.
"Next year we beat Geneva 5-0 to win the cup! With the four of us in the team, we will be unstoppable!" Mu Shen declared, as Su Yang and Mu Ryan grinned from ear to ear.
All of them felt very confident in Rodova's odds to win next year, however, little did they know that the future they were so excited to build had already lost its cornerstone.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 235 235: HurtTimeless AssassinC235 235: Hurt
"There he is… the future Captain of Rodova!" Mu Shen called out, pointing dramatically towards Leo as he walked into the mess hall.
Immediately, the entire hall broke into hoots and cheers, clapping and whistling as Leo made his way to their table.
Leo, however, showed no particular reaction to their cheers, his expression calm, almost cold, as he slipped into the empty seat beside Su Yang.
"So… how did it go? Did Principal Alric make you Captain?" Mu Ryan asked eagerly, leaning over the table with wide, expectant eyes.
However, listening to her question, Leo could only lower his head for a moment, as he felt unsure about how to break the news to the group.
After a while, he glanced up at Su Yang first, meeting his gaze before replying.
"Alric did offer me the captaincy,"
A brief spark of anticipation lit in Mu Ryan's eyes—only for Leo to crush it a second later.
"But I refused."
As listening to his response, Su Yang raised an eyebrow, not angry, just curious.
"If you refused because you think I should take it instead… I'll say it right now, we can settle it with a duel. Winner gets captaincy. No hard feelings." He proposed, as Leo shook his head immediately.
"No. I can't be Captain. Because…" he paused for half a breath, letting the weight of what he was about to say next settle, "...I'm leaving Rodova at the end of the semester."
*Silence*
The words seemed to stun the whole table into silence.
Mu Ryan blinked, confused. "Leaving? Leaving meaning what? You're skipping the hell training camp? Taking an early vacation or something?"
As Leo shook his head again, slower this time.
"No. Leaving as in leaving the academy. I'm joining the Black Serpents after the semester ends."
For a few seconds, nobody said anything.
The cheerfulness, the smiles, the easy atmosphere, all of it evaporated, as the weight of his words truly settled.
It felt like a hammer had suddenly just dropped on the table, and it seemed to affect Su Yang more than the others, as—
*BAM!*
Su Yang slammed both his palms, the impact making the plates and cups on the table next to them jump, as he startled the nearby students.
Then—
Without saying another word, he pushed himself up violently from his chair and stormed off, muttering under his breath loud enough for the whole group to hear—
"Man, this is some bullshit!"
And then he was gone, leaving Leo and the others sitting amidst the heavy, sudden silence he left behind.
The meal they had been looking forward to… forgotten.
The celebration they had been planning… soured.
And all that remained was a dull ache of something precious slipping away, even before it had a chance to begin.
"Why are you leaving though? Isn't becoming the Captain and leading your team to a circuit win the dream? We can do it Leo! You, Su Yang and me, the three of us can be unstoppable next year? Don't you believe in us?" Mu Shen asked, seemingly unable to comprehend why Leo was leaving when they could potentially be champions again next year, as in his mind there was no greater honor than being a circuit champion.
"Yes, big brother… Leaving Rodova early is not the best course of action. We can have so much fun together next year…. And you won't even have to deal with Professor David!
Why are you leaving?" Mu Ryan asked, as Leo let out a deep sigh.
"Darnell Nuna put his life in danger when he jumped ahead of me and tried to attack the Evil Cult bastards.
I owe him a debt of honor.
I can't enjoy my academy life in good conscience knowing that he's out there captured by the cult, and I'm enjoying life here unbothered." Leo answered with a straight face, as his words left Mu Ryan and Mu Shen speechless.
Had Leo gave a logical answer, they would have perhaps tried to persuade him against it using counter logic, however, since he gave an emotional one the two of them were rendered speechless.
Even if they wanted, they couldn't oppose such a noble ambition once Leo had set his mind to it, and hence although they put up some weak protests, in the end they could not say anything much about it.
However, Leo didn't care much about the two of them to begin with.
The person he wanted to convince was Su Yang, however, he did not linger around enough to listen to his reason.
'Whatever…..I still have time. I'll talk to him sometime in the coming month—' Leo thought, as he moved away from the topic for now, and focused on enjoying his first meal back, although Mu Shen and Mu Ryan looked like they had completely lost their appetite.
—-----------
Su Yang stormed through the academy courtyard, fists clenched at his sides.
The longer he walked, the angrier he got, as Leo's decision to suddenly leave the academy made him feel like he was being betrayed by a family member.
For him, Leo wasn't just a teammate.
He wasn't just another student.
He was his brother.
And deep down, Su Yang had always thought—assumed—that there was an unsaid promise between them.
An unsaid promise, that after everything they had endured together—the battles, the wins, the losses, the grind— that they would lead Rodova side by side next year.
That they would bring home a trophy of their own.
But now?
Now Leo was throwing it all away.
As not only was he leaving. He hadn't even consulted Su Yang before making the decision, which hurt Su Yang even more.
He just… informed him.
Like his thoughts on the topic didn't even matter.
Like their bond, meant nothing to him in the grand scheme of things, and it hurt Su Yang very much.
"Man, this is bullshit," Su Yang muttered under his breath again, running a hand through his hair in frustration as he reached the edge of the training grounds.
He wanted to punch something.
No—he wanted to punch Leo.
Just once. Just hard enough to knock some sense into that thick skull of his.
'How can you just decide to walk away, Skyshard?'
'How can you decide something like that without even talking to me?'
Su Yang's jaw tightened painfully as he stared up at the clear blue sky above the academy.
He wanted to scream.
He wanted to fight.
But most of all…
He just wanted his brother to stay.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 236 236: Skill OptionsTimeless AssassinC236 236: Skill Options
(Rodova Military Academy, Physical Training Grounds)
Academy life resumed as usual for Leo the next day, as he slipped back into the familiar rhythm of lectures, drills, and endless training.
However, one thing did change, which was that Su Yang seemed to be actively avoiding him now.
Whether it was the morning endurance runs where they usually pushed each other stride for stride, or the partner drills in Practical Combat Class where they always ended up facing off —Su Yang kept his distance today, as he paired up with others, and outright ignored Leo when they crossed paths.
Leo noticed his odd behaviour, of course.
But he didn't push.
He figured it was better to let Su Yang cool off in his own time, rather than force a confrontation that would only make things worse.
And besides, Leo had other priorities occupying his mind now.
As classes ended for the day, Leo headed straight for the Academy Skill Scroll Archive, eager to select the two remaining skills he was permitted to claim this semester.
—---------
The archive was a towering facility, lined with endless rows of gleaming shelves and holographic terminals, which impressed Leo with its grandeur every time he entered.
An assistant was already waiting for him at the entrance with a data slate in hand, bowing deeply as she saw Leo approach.
"Mr. Skyshard," she said with professional courtesy. "You have already claimed two skill scrolls last semester. As per academy regulations, you are entitled to choose two additional skills for your first academic year."
She handed him a sleek black data slate, its surface lighting up as he touched it.
"Since you are a Monarch-level talent, there are no restrictions on the grade or type of skill you may select. Please take your time browsing."
Leo nodded silently and moved towards one of the tiny seating chairs within the skill scroll archive, as he sat down and took his time browsing through the skill options.
The archive interface displayed thousands of categorized skills before him, however, he already had an inkling to what he needed.
The recent battles during the Circuits had exposed the areas where he was still lacking, and after introspection, Leo knew precisely the areas he needed to improve on.
Firstly, he needed to work more on his mobility.
He had [Blade Switch] and basic evasion drills to reposition himself, but he needed something more advanced— something versatile that could help him reposition instantly mid-combat, confuse enemies, and add layers to his assault patterns, because seeing how Gu Ramos figured out his [Blade Switch] mid battle, Leo knew that he couldn't rely on it as his sole card.
And secondly, Leo felt like he needed to work on enemy restraint.
[Shadowbind] had been useful against weaker opponents, but against top-tier foes, it simply didn't last long enough, nor could it fully lock down their movements.
Since his (Legendary) ranked skills became useless against [Transcendent] level warriors or higher, Leo intended to replace [Shadowbind] completely from his arsenal, forgetting the move all together, and replacing it with a superior version which did not occupy an additional skill slot.
As per his understanding, he needed a move that could reliably pin down even peak-tier enemies, buying him precious seconds to land a critical blow.
As although he pulled off landing [Ball Buster] against Jishan last time, he knew deep down that he wouldn't be so fortunate every time.
Hence, with those goals in mind, he filtered the vast catalog of skill scrolls accordingly and narrowed down his options, to three in each category.
—---------
Mobility Skill Options:
1. [Storm Flash Traverse]
A short-range teleportation technique that allows the user to instantly "flash" between preset points within their line of sight.
Once activated, the user can chain multiple flashes in rapid succession, provided they set the anchor points beforehand by mentally locking them during movement.
This technique shines in chaotic battlefields, letting the user weave unpredictably through enemy lines, dodge area attacks, or even reposition for sneak attacks.
Pros:
Nearly unavoidable repositioning ability in mid-combat.
Perfect for dodging large-scale area attacks or overwhelming enemy targeting systems.
Cons:
Extremely mana-intensive, chaining more than 5 flashes can drain up to 20% of total mana pool for Grandmaster tier fighters.
Requires mental focus to set anchor points correctly; mistakes can cause flash errors or backfire.
---
2. [Solar Rift Leap]
A burst-mobility technique where the user tears a tiny solar rift in space behind them and uses the explosive recoil to launch themselves forward at incredible speeds.
Unlike teleportation, this technique creates a high-speed physical leap rather than bending space.
It's particularly deadly when combined with mid-air attacks, as the rift shockwave can temporarily disorient nearby enemies, giving the user a brief opening to strike.
However, it leaves a visible trace, meaning stealth-based users must be cautious of enemies reading their trail.
Pros:
Instant acceleration for dodging or gap-closing.
Brief shockwave effect stuns nearby enemies (0.5s disorientation window).
Cons:
Leaves behind solar rift traces, giving away movement paths.
Recoil needs excellent balance control to avoid missteps.
---
3. [Spectral Pivot Flow]
A hybrid footwork style focused on rapid, angular pivots that generate aftershock ripples in perception.
To an observer, the user appears to "blur" during sharp movement transitions, making reading their attack direction far harder.
Unlike traditional footwork, it deliberately uses momentary inertia breaks to distort enemy reaction timing.
Perfect for dagger users, ambushers, or anyone who thrives on close-quarters confusion, though it demands superior body control to pull off without spraining joints or exhausting stamina too quickly.
Pros:
Creates visual lag in enemy perception, throwing off predictive counters.
Low mana cost compared to teleportation or flashing techniques.
Cons:
Physically taxing if overused—risks muscle fatigue or ankle injuries.
Less effective against enemies relying on aura-sense instead of sight.
---
Restraint Skill Options:
---
1. [Heaven's Chains]
This technique summons radiant chains from the sky, descending with brutal speed to slam the enemy into the ground.
Each chain is imbued with heavy suppressive force, locking movement and draining stamina from the bound target.
Particularly effective against highly mobile or evasive opponents, but it requires a brief 1.5-second charge-up where the caster must maintain uninterrupted line of sight.
If cast successfully, however, it all but guarantees a kill window.
Pros:
Strong crowd-control, can completely immobilize mobile enemies.
Chains sap stamina, weakening even if the enemy somehow breaks free.
Cons:
Short but critical charge-up delay; easily interrupted.
Not ideal in tight indoor environments (chains need vertical room to fall, at least 50 meters).
---
2. [Bone Prison]
A brutal containment skill where jagged skeletal pillars rise around a target, trapping them in a tightening cage.
The unique structure of the prison reacts to blunt physical attacks by hardening further, making it superb for locking down berserkers or heavy melee types who try to muscle through obstacles.
However, high-energy attacks—like plasma bursts or lightning strikes—can crack it faster, as the bones are poor conduits for energy dispersion.
Pros:
Perfect defense against raw physical attackers.
Instantly creates a psychological barrier, forcing enemies into panic.
Cons:
Vulnerable to elemental or energy-based destruction.
Can also unintentionally trap the user if cast poorly in narrow spaces.
---
3. [Astral Hook Bind]
A gravity-manipulation skill where ethereal "hooks" made of condensed astral energy snag onto the target's joints—elbows, knees, ankles, slowing physical movements massively without fully freezing them.
Unlike a traditional snare, Astral Hook doesn't anchor the whole body, but instead disrupts fine muscle control, making clean attacks or escapes almost impossible.
Requires excellent aim to land the hooks during high-speed combat, but once latched, the effect is devastating.
Pros:
Subtly ruins enemy movement without full immobilization—perfect for surgical takedowns.
Works well even on high-agility targets.
Cons:
Requires high targeting precision; a miss wastes the entire activation cost.
The effect is gradual—not an instant stun.
—---------
Leo scrolled through the details of each skill, absorbing the pros and cons quickly.
Each one had merits.
Each one filled the gaps he needed to address.
But which combination would serve him best?
He leaned back slightly, eyes narrowed at the glowing screen.
'I can only pick two. Mobility first, restraint second… but which ones?'
The choice would define the next step of his evolution, and Leo was determined to choose without regret.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 237 237: ChoiceTimeless AssassinC237 237: Choice
(Rodova Military Academy, Skill Selection Archive)
Leo thought about every skill option very seriously.
He wasn't the kind to pick based on instinct or flashy descriptions, as every move he made had to fit into the overall puzzle of who he was building himself to become.
The mobility options floated before him again.
[Spectral Pivot Flow] was tempting at first.
The ability to create perception lag, blur his movements, and throw off enemy counters would be invaluable.
But the more Leo considered it, the more doubts surfaced.
'[Thousand Phantom Strikes] already leaves behind afterimages.
Can't I just use it to achieve a similar effect in battle?' he mused, frowning slightly.
He didn't want redundancy.
He wanted evolution.
Not to mention, Spectral Pivot Flow was physically taxing.
Repeated pivots stressed the joints, ankles, and knees far more than traditional footwork.
If he overused it during a prolonged fight, it could backfire horribly.
No...
He needed something that granted positional control without risking cumulative damage to his own body.
Which was why his gaze shifted to [Solar Rift Leap].
Of the three options, Solar Rift Leap was probably the easiest one for him to pass over, as not only did the move have a long activation time, but it also compromised his stealth everytime he used it.
The whole point of him repositioning mid combat, was to gain a positional advantage against his opponent, and to take them on by surprise, however, if a skill compromised on the 'surprise' element of it, it was as good as useless.
Which was why he was left with the final option.
[Stormflash Traverse].
This technique allowed him to make, chained short-range flashes between mental anchor points.
It facilitated instant movement that bypassed linear motion entirely, which was perfect for weaving through enemy lines or closing gaps against long-range attackers.
If mastered, it could even be used aggressively— flashing straight into an enemy's blindspot mid-attack.
Yes, the mana consumption was heavy.
But Leo had already tempered his mana capacity beyond most of his peers.
And overall he felt like it was better to risk high mana consumption than tear muscles and hobble himself mid-fight.
'It's dangerous,' he admitted to himself.
But then again, it was the best option of the bunch, and hence in the end he decided to go with it.
[Please confirm skill selection 'Stormflash Traverse']
[Yes]
[No]
The data slate asked him, as Leo locked in the selection with a firm tap of his thumb, before swiping the slate to bring up the restraint skills.
—----------
The choice for restraint skills was even harder than movement ones, as [Heaven's Chains], [Bone Prison], and [Astral Hook Bind] were all good options, with each offering incredible value depending on the situation.
Heaven's Chains was undoubtedly powerful.
The sheer momentum of celestial chains slamming down could pin fast movers like Yu Shen or Gu Ramos in place for a kill-shot.
But the 1.5-second charge-up time nagged at him.
Against high-speed opponents or in chaotic battles, even a single second of delay was an eternity.
And Leo didn't like skills that left him exposed.
Also, its failure to activate in small rooms without high ceilings was a major drawback, as it was impossible to always be fighting in the open, making it slightly impractical.
In contrast, Bone Prison was better suited against bruisers and heavy melee types.
Its reactive hardening made it a nightmare for berserkers to muscle through.
But… Leo wasn't afraid of brute force fighters to begin with.
With his speed, perception, and precision, it was the swift, slippery enemies that truly endangered him.
Which brought him to Astral Hook Bind.
A gravity-manipulation skill that didn't fully immobilize… but ruined muscle control subtly, cruelly.
It wouldn't matter if the enemy was faster than him.
Once hooked, their fine motor control would deteriorate.
Their dodges would become sluggish.
Their parries would become delayed.
Their attacks would lose sharpness.
And in that gap, Leo would strike.
He read through the cons carefully again.
High targeting precision needed. The hooks must land cleanly on joints for full effect.
And this was one of the cons that made him feel like he could work around.
As having [Absolute Vision] and high fine motor skills, Leo felt confident in his ability to land the hooks.
'I don't need a flashy trap.
I think Astral Hook Suits me better.' Leo thought, as he input his second and final choice into the system.
—-----
As he finalized both selections, Leo felt a small surge of satisfaction bloom in his chest.
[Stormflash Traverse] for instant, unpredictable movement.
[Astral Hook Bind] for silently wrecking enemy balance.
Both risky.
Both (Divine) grade.
Both perfect for him.
He stood up slowly, handing the slate back to the archive assistant.
"These two," he said simply.
As the assistant bowed deeply.
"Understood, Mr. Skyshard. Your scrolls will be retrieved at once."
—--------
(Meanwhile, in Principal Alric's office)
Ladina Horizon personally showed up at Rodova Military Academy, when Principal Alric sent a letter of distress to the Horizon Dominion merchant group.
Ladina, just like Alric, was not at all amused by Leo's decision to leave the academy early, as he was currently the hottest prospect across the cosmos.
Not only was he the best emerging fighter from last year's circuit's, but he was also the child who survived the Evil Cult assault, making him the talk of the town everywhere.
Ladina had big plans for Leo once his semester ended and the gloom surrounding the terrorist attack faded from public consciousness .
As once the gloom faded, Horizon could capitalize on his popularity, and launch a massive ad campaign with his face plastered everywhere, however, his sudden decision to join the Black Serpents put that all in jeopardy.
"What's gotten into the boy? Does he not care for money or fame? Does he not understand how hot of a prospect he is right now?
Everyone will be expecting to see him in the circuits next year, and the anticipation of his return will only make his fanbase follow him that much closer throughout the year.
Very few, if any, first year fighters receive as much attention as that kid, and he wants to just leave it all behind to become a sell-sword?" Ladina vented, as she couldn't believe the level of stupidity behind Leo's decision.
"And for what? To repay some debt of honor?
Who even cares about honor in this day and age?
That kid has a few nuts loose, that's for sure–" Alric added, as he poured himself and Ladina the most expensive glass of wine he had.
*Clink*
*Sip*
The two clinked glasses before taking a sip, as Ladina paced around the room, thinking of a strategy to blackmail Leo onto the right path.
She did have some interesting details on his past that no-one else was privy to, however, she wasn't sure if she wanted to use that card yet.
As far as possible, she wanted to keep things cordial between herself and her newest top star, and not make him feel like the Horizon group was holding him hostage in this relationship.
However, if civil talk failed, she did intend to use his past against him, as she was simply not ready to let Leo destroy his career so early by making wrong life choices.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 238 238: A foolish boyTimeless AssassinC238 238: A foolish boy
(Rodova Military Academy, Skill Archive Entrance)
As soon as Leo stepped out of the Skill Archive, he found Principal Alric's personal assistant waiting for him outside, standing stiffly by the door with a clipboard in hand.
The moment she spotted him, she gave a hurried bow. "Mr. Skyshard, Principal Alric requests your immediate presence. If you would follow me, please?"
Leo gave a small nod, tucking the newly issued holographic scrolls under his arm, and followed her without question.
He didn't know what Alric wanted now, but something about the assistant's anxious pace made it clear that this wasn't a casual summons.
—---------
When Leo stepped into Alric's office a few minutes later, he immediately noticed there was someone else already waiting inside.
A woman.
She stood near Alric's desk, dressed in a sharply tailored black business suit that somehow managed to look both practical and devastatingly expensive.
Her shiny black hair with a few blue highlights was swept into a clean bun that framed her face in a way that looked beautiful, commanding, and cold all at once.
Leo didn't recognize her at all, though there was something about the sharp look in her eyes that instantly set him on guard.
'Who is she?' he wondered, as Alric, standing behind his desk, gave a tight smile.
"Leo," Alric said, gesturing toward the woman, "I want you to meet Mrs. Ladina Horizon, the CEO of the Horizon Dominion Group— and your primary sponsor."
The woman smiled, extending a hand toward him, which Leo took and shook politely, offering the minimum grip needed to avoid seeming rude.
"Congratulations on your victory in the Circuits, Leo," Ladina said smoothly, her voice warm and inviting. "You were truly the highlight of the tournament. And—" she added, tilting her head slightly, "I'm deeply sorry for what happened afterwards. It must have been a truly traumatizing experience."
"Thank you," Leo said simply, releasing her hand.
She waited, expecting him to say more.
But he didn't.
He just stood there, posture relaxed but distant, his gray eyes giving away nothing, as his indifference made Ladina frown inwardly.
Usually, when people met someone of her stature, they just wouldn't shut up.
They would flood her with praise, make jokes, share their ambitions— or do anything to catch her attention, to somehow curry her favor, to try and tie themselves to the Horizon name.
But Leo?
Leo looked like he didn't even want to be in the room, and this cold nature of his made him very hard to deal with.
'He clearly isn't motivated by money…' Ladina thought with a slight inward scoff.
'If he were motivated by money, he would be sucking my toes right now just like everyone else at corporate do all the time, but he isn't…..So I need to approach him differently.' Ladina concluded, as forcing a slightly brighter smile onto her lips, she moved to the real reason behind why she was here.
"Leo," she said, smoothing the lapels of her suit jacket. "Principal Alric has shared some… concerns about your future plans."
She exchanged a brief look with Alric before continuing.
"And frankly, I can't help but agree with him."
Leo didn't react. He simply waited.
"As far as I can see," Ladina pressed on, "leaving Rodova after just one year— after everything you've already achieved here— is not a wise decision. You are poised to become a household name, Leo."
She began pacing slowly, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor.
"Next year's Circuits would be your stage. Millions of fans are already waiting to see your return. The media buzz, the sponsorship deals, the universal endorsements— you would cement your status as a superstar. And beyond the fame, Rodova provides the safest environment for you to grow stronger, smarter, better."
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
"The Black Serpents are powerful, yes. But they won't nurture you. They won't invest in your long-term future. They'll use you, throw you into danger, and if you die? They'll just replace you with the next talented fool."
She stopped pacing, turning to face him fully.
"For someone with your potential, Leo, this… isn't the optimal decision. Not for your career. Not for your future. And certainly not for your life."
"As your sponsor, and as someone who has more practical experience of living in this universe than you do, I feel concerned about a youth like yourself destroying their future, so I give you this advice, as if I'm your elder sister," Ladina said, as for a moment, the room was quiet.
Alric looked at Leo expectantly.
Ladina waited, sure that her carefully constructed argument would sway at least some part of him.
However, Leo met her gaze with no change in his expression, and when he finally spoke, his voice made it clear that he didn't give two fucks about the arguments she just made.
"I agree with everything you said, it's not like I don't understand that joining the Black Serpents is not the best path for my future growth" he began.
"But for some men, honor is more important than money or power and I just happen to be one of them," He continued without raising his voice, as he did not wish to preach, but was rather just stating an immutable fact.
"For me, the debt of honor I owe Darnell Nuna is absolute. I cannot rest in good conscience knowing he's out there, captured, while I enjoy the luxuries of this life." Leo said, as he bowed his head slightly— not in apology, but in firm respect.
"My decision to join the Serpents is not about fame. It's not about making the right choice. It's about honor." He concluded, as Ladina couldn't help but click her tongue softly in disapproval.
'Tch. I expected as much.' she thought internally, however, maintained her polite smile outwardly.
Because while Leo's heart was clearly set... she wasn't ready to give up just yet.
Not by a long shot.
"Leo…. I assume you're a practical child…. You are, aren't you?" Ladina began, her tone chiding as if talking to a child.
"The Black Serpents Guild already has dozens of Transcendent level and tens of thousands of Grandmaster level warriors trying to find Darnell, so tell me how you going there will change that equation even slightly?"
"And even if you do find him, can you really save him from the clutches of the Evil Cult at your level? No you can't.
So what exactly is it that you wish to achieve by throwing your budding career under the bus?" Ladina questioned, as once normal logic failed, she pulled out the slightly sterner argument.
"My honor is a promise that I made to myself. My honor is what allows me to push myself harder in training, and it is what allows me to live my life with my head held high.
Whether I make a difference or not is besides the point for me.
For me what is more important is that I try my best to save Darnell.
That I make the maximum effort I could, regardless of the results.
As only by living like that can I be happy with my own body—" Leo said, as Ladina couldn't help but pinch the bridge of her nose in anger.
'Fool…. This boy is a fool—' is what she concluded, as she couldn't help but feel like she was talking to a brick wall.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 239 239: Giving UpTimeless AssassinC239 239: Giving Up
Leo could see the frustration growing in the eyes of Principal Alric and Ladina Horizon, but he didn't care.
Unlike what they thought of him, he wasn't a fool.
He understood perfectly as to what risks he was taking by leaving Rodova, the opportunities he was walking away from, and the comfortable future he was deliberately choosing to abandon— yet none of it was enough to make him waver.
In truth, he had no intention of engaging Alric and Ladina on their terms.
He knew very well that if he gave them logical explanations, they would only counter him with sharper logic and try to trap him in endless arguments, where they would try and paint visions of success and fame too vivid for him to ignore.
But by framing his decision around something as intangible and stubborn as honor, he left them no ground to stand on.
Honor wasn't a transaction. It wasn't a career move. It was a private vow— one that no amount of persuasion could touch.
And so he remained steady and calm in his worldview, giving the duo nothing to grasp on.
For a few seconds, the room was heavy with unsaid words.
Then—
Ladina, unwilling to admit defeat so easily, straightened her blazer and leaned forward slightly, her voice turning brisk but still laced with persuasive charm.
"Alright, how about we do this instead?" she offered, her tone measured.
As Leo tilted his head slightly, curious but silent.
"You use the money you've earned by signing with Horizon to hire two or three Transcendent-level warriors to aid in the search for Darnell," she proposed smoothly. "This way, you'll not only be making a real difference— mobilizing people powerful enough to make a difference should they actually be successful in finding him— but you'll also be able to sleep easier with your conscience, knowing that you did your best trying to save him and even going as far as becoming bankrupt for his sake."
She smiled, sensing a glimmer of hope.
"And as an added bonus," she continued, "Horizon Dominion will match whatever amount you contribute. We'll hire two or three additional warriors under our banner, which should make this offer a no-brainer."
She proposed, as Leo's eyes widened at her words, but before he could respond, Alric immediately sprang up, slamming a hand on his desk in support.
"That's a brilliant offer!" he exclaimed, his face lighting up. "Even the Rodova Military Academy will match it. For something as noble as rescuing a missing child, we will contribute the same amount as Horizon."
He leaned forward, eyes gleaming.
"That means you'll be tripling the resources at your disposal, Skyshard. Six elite warriors instead of two. Think about it— the chances of success would be exponentially higher!"
The room was buzzing now, with Alric and Ladina practically vibrating with the satisfaction of what they believed was a perfect solution.
And if evaluated objectively, it was indeed perfect.
But that was only if Leo's true goal had really been to save Darnell Nuna.
Which, it wasn't, as the truth was far more complicated.
Leo had invoked Darnell's name as a shield, a convenient excuse to justify the path he had already chosen.
As the real reason behind his departure from Rodova had nothing to do with honor or debts— but rather about reclaiming the missing memories of his family, memories that Muiyan Faye had promised to return once he joined the Black Serpents Guild.
And to Leo, those memories mattered more than his career, his fame, or even his personal growth.
His decision was not something they could bargain away with promises of protection or success.
Moreover, once he recovered the truth about his past and about the so-called 'mission' he had undertaken for the Evil Cult, Leo wanted the freedom to act without institutional shackles binding his hands.
He knew that if he stayed at Rodova, he would be chained.
The institute did not allow its students to enter or leave at will, which meant that he would be unable to seek out or live alongside his family even if he managed to find them, for at least another year.
He would be trapped in the endless cycle of training drills, academic classes, and mandatory Circuit preparations, day after day.
When what he needed... was the freedom to walk whichever bloody, broken, or uncertain road he chose— whether it led back to his family or toward completing the unfinished mission he had once sworn to.
Thus, even if Muiyan Faye somehow relented and gave him his memories without demanding that he join the Black Serpent guild, staying another year in Rodova was simply not an option for Leo, who had already made his mind to leave.
Hence, after carefully weighing his words, Leo finally smiled— and said, "I will indeed spend all the money I own, and I will hire the best help I can. Your suggestion is indeed brilliant, and I thank you for it."
He began, as listening to his words, both Ladina and Alric straightened slightly, sensing a victory within reach—
But then his tone shifted.
"But even then," he said, voice dropping lower, "I'll still go myself."
The room froze.
Leo's voice didn't waver. His eyes didn't flinch. His posture didn't shift even a fraction.
"Darnell didn't send others to save me, he came himself, he moved without regard for his own life, almost on instinct, and I have to do the same for the sake of my conscience—" Leo concluded, as he stared into the eyes of Ladina without apology or hesitation.
'A truly foolish boy, and the worst kind of fool at that—' Ladina thought, as her composure visibly cracked now, her expression turning sour, as she dug her own nails into her palms in frustration.
Meanwhile, Principal Alric simply slumped back into his chair, exhaling long and slow, like a man finally accepting the inevitable.
He had accepted that there was no winning against this stupid argument.
Not against someone who had already decided what kind of man he wanted to be— and what kind he refused to become.
And although it was idiotic, there was nothing they could do to stop him.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 240 240: A tiger in pig clothingTimeless AssassinC240 240: A tiger in pig clothing
"Can I have a moment alone with the boy?" Ladina said finally, her voice taut with barely concealed frustration.
"If you don't mind...?" she added, glancing at Principal Alric.
Alric pointed at his own face in confusion, then looked around the office as if making sure she was indeed talking to him.
It was his own damn office— and yet here he was, being asked to leave like a guest overstaying his welcome.
"Sure... I'll be waiting in the lobby outside," Alric said after a pause, suppressing his irritation as he stood up and made his way toward the door.
Normally, he wouldn't have agreed so easily to such a request.
However, Ladina Horizon wasn't just anyone.
She was the damn CEO of the Horizon Dominion Group and when she asked you to lend her your office, you simply did it. No questions asked.
He didn't know what she wanted to say that he couldn't hear, but whatever it was, it was clear that it wasn't meant for him.
*Click*
As the door clicked shut behind him, the atmosphere in the room shifted almost instantly.
The soft, understanding smile Ladina had worn all evening vanished.
Her eyes sharpened, turning cold, professional, and predatory as she stepped closer to Leo.
"Boy," she said, her voice low and cutting, "don't think for a second that Horizon Dominion doesn't know what you are— and what you've done."
Leo's brow lifted slightly, genuine surprise flickering across his face.
He had no idea as to where this sudden anger was coming from.
"You are wanted on Planet Terra Nova for leaking classified government documents and defrauding the state," Ladina continued coldly.
"And there's an open investigation linking you to the deaths of two security officers."
Her words hit like thrown daggers, but Leo didn't flinch.
"You're no knight in shining armor, Skyshard.
So cut the crap."
She stepped closer still, standing so near that Leo could feel the faint warmth of her skin against his own.
Despite her modest height—barely reaching his collarbone—Ladina didn't hesitate to meet his gaze directly, the sheer weight of her presence doing what her size could not.
"The only reason you're not under investigation by the universal government right now," she hissed, "is because Horizon wiped your crime records clean before the Circuit Finals."
"We did it," she emphasized, jabbing a manicured finger lightly against his chest, "because you were a good investment. Our rising star."
"And as long as you keep shining, we'll keep protecting you."
Her voice dropped even lower, almost to a growl.
"But do something stupid like joining the Black Serpents— and I'll personally rip that shield out from under you."
For a moment, Leo felt a dangerous heat stir within him.
The urge to kill— to rip apart the woman daring to threaten him— flickered dangerously beneath the surface.
But he didn't move.
Didn't blink.
He simply stared at her, cold and still, his murderous instinct buried under layers of absolute control.
Ladina smiled thinly, mistaking his restraint for submission.
"After the terror attack at the Arena, a full background sweep was conducted on every single participant," she said.
"You somehow slipped into Rodova's ranks with your history, but without Horizon's quiet intervention, you wouldn't have made it out of the Sky-God Arena without being detained."
"You owe us a debt of honor too, Skyshard.
And I suggest you focus on repaying it first." She said flatly, as for a moment, the room remained frozen.
Then—
Leo threw his head back and laughed.
A low, sharp, almost feral sound that made even Ladina take half a step back.
Because in that laugh... there was no fear.
Only contempt.
"Did you just admit to committing crimes and tampering with government records... right in front of me?" Leo asked rhetorically, his voice flat with disbelief as he stared at Ladina.
Ladina's frown deepened, but she said nothing.
"I have no memories of my past. That much is true. I walked into Rodova with a wiped mind, and everyone knows it."
He stepped forward, the air around him growing heavier.
"If I truly were a criminal, I would surrender myself to the government the moment those accusations surfaced," he said, voice steady.
"Because those are the standards of honor and moral integrity I live by."
Ladina's eyes widened in horror as she realized where this was heading.
"And I'm more than willing to do it right now," Leo continued, his tone almost casual.
"I'm not afraid of prison. I'm not afraid of punishment."
He smiled thinly, like a predator baring his teeth.
"But I think the authorities would find it even more interesting to learn about the Horizon Dominion Group— and how you altered my records without my consent."
He let that hang in the air for a beat, before driving the dagger in deeper.
"After all, I have a rather sizable following now, don't I?
How about I call up a few media channels and give them an exclusive?
Tell them how the great Horizon Dominion tampered with state investigations to cover up for a 'star product' they barely understood?"
Ladina visibly paled, her professional mask starting to crack.
"You're bluffing!" she snapped, trying to regain control.
"You wouldn't do that. Why would you? Why would you willingly throw yourself into prison?"
Her voice was tight, disbelieving.
To her, it made no sense.
Why would anyone, when faced with a clean escape, deliberately choose chains over freedom?
But as she stared into Leo's calm, unreadable face... she couldn't tell if he was bluffing or not.
For that cold, calculating gaze of his betrayed nothing.
"Am I really?" Leo asked softly, tilting his head with a mischievous glint, his voice almost playful— but the danger behind it undeniable.
Ladina felt her stomach drop.
Because deep down, her instincts screamed the truth:
Leo Skyshard wasn't bluffing.
And by opening this door— by trying to intimidate him— she had dug her own grave.
If Leo exposed the cover-up, the government would not forgive the Horizon Group easily.
They would uncover how Horizon had orchestrated the murder of the lead investigator, how they bribed officials, falsified records, and spent millions cleaning up a mess they never fully understood.
In the current political climate— with the Universal Government desperate to crack down on corruption after the Sky-God Arena attack— Horizon Dominion would be dragged into the light and torn apart piece by piece.
And Ladina Horizon... would be the one blamed for it.
*Gulp*
She gulped nervously, as what started as a move to intimidate Leo, had backfired so catastrophically now that she was becoming the one being intimidated instead.
"Since you call yourself my 'big sister' and since the Horizon Group wants nothing but the 'best' for me.
I'll let your crimes slide just this once, only for as long as you don't bother me.
I'm going to find Darnell Nuna and save him, and until I do, I expect the Horizon Group to not send any stupid gear testing summons my way.
I know it's written in my contract that I am to show up for exhibition matches as and when needed, but you can forget about it now.
I'll show up for them once I'm morally free after saving Darnell, but not before—" Leo said, as he patted calmly on Ladina's shoulders, before turning to leave.
"See you around, Mrs. Ladina, it was a pleasure to meet you today!" He said before leaving the room, as it was only now that Ladina realized that Leo was not a fool at all, but rather a tiger hiding in pig's clothing.
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