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Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 41: WavesTimeless AssassinC41: Waves

Chapter 41 - Waves

(Rodova Military Academy– The Academic Wing, Principal's Office)

Seated in the grand, dimly lit expanse of his private office, Principal Alric Dainhart swirled the champagne in his glass, the golden liquid catching the light of the massive holographic display before him.

His mood was exceptionally good today—better than it had been in years.

Because, just moments ago, he had received a Level-One Alert from the academy's Genetic Assessment Department for student Su Yang.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he reviewed the report once more.

A true scion of the Su Clan, the boy had been evaluated to possess Monarch-Level Potential—a classification so rare that even among the Six Great Clans, it was spoken of with reverence.

In the universe, Monarchs were beings with power and influence just a step under Gods, and to possess genes capable enough to reach that threshold was a true rarity.

In the universe, one's genetic make-up decided what one's potential was as a warrior, as while one could surpass their potential by a maximum of one tier through hard-work, defying it twice was simply impossible.

The growth rate of a warrior with a Monarch level potential was usually ten times that of a warrior with only a Grandmaster level potential, and hence Genetic Make-up was usually the main component behind deciding which individuals were going to be placed in the Elite Class, and which were going to be placed in the regular class, as the Rodova Military Academy simply did not wish to invest it's resources into students with inferior talents who were simply never going to yield the same rate of growth.

And as far as talents went, Rodova had not seen a student with Su Yang's talent in over a decade, despite being one of the top Military Academies in the universe.

Infact, Su Yang was only the seventh student in its illustrious history spanning centuries to have such a potential, making him a truly generational prospect.

'This is it! With Su Yang leading the first-years, Rodova Academy finally has the chance to reclaim its rightful position as the number-one military academy in the universe, finally overtaking Geneva–' Alric thought, as he took a gleeful sip of his Champagne.

For the first time in years, Alric Dainhart felt confident that things could turn around for good, however, just when he thought his day could not get any better, a new Level-One Alert flashed across his tablet, this time from the Physical Monitoring Department.

"What? Another alert? Did Su Yang break another record?" He wondered out loud, as he opened the alert message with haste.

However, to his surprise, the student generating the alert this time around wasn't surnamed Su, but Skyshard instead.

"Skyshard, Leo – Reflex Test Results" the heading read, as the moment his eyes landed on the reaction time metric, his body froze.

0.007 seconds.

A number so absurd that for a moment, he wondered if the system had malfunctioned.

But as he scrolled further, his expression shifted from curiosity to intrigue.

Leo Skyshard had apparently completed the reflex test chamber with an accuracy of 100%, A speed index score of beyond recordable thresholds and a historic #1 position amongst all past Rodova Military Academy Recruits for this test.

"Ha.... Hahaha" Alric chuckled, as for a moment he could almost not believe his eyes.

Rodova was a prestigious military institute with centuries worth of history.

Some of its graduates were now Transcendent and Monarch level figures in the universe, yet Leo had somehow surpassed their test score today.

"This is... quite the surprise," he murmured, reclining slightly as he accessed the student's full evaluation report.

And that's when he saw it.

Suspected Mu Clan descendant.

It was a note written by his psychological analyst, which explained quite a lot.

For a long moment, Alric simply stared at the screen, his smirk deepening.

The Su Clan's brightest heir—and now, a potential Mu Clan scion with unprecedented reflexes?

It seemed like Rodova wasn't just getting one monster student this year—

It was getting two.

He exhaled, taking another sip of his champagne, the bubbles fizzing pleasantly against his tongue.

"If his genetics live up to his performance..." he mused, a shiver running down his spine, as he shuffled restlessly in his seat.

He was hoping Leo was a Monarch level talent like Su Yang, however somewhere deep down he knew that hoping for yet another Monarch level talent was probably asking for too much.

"Even a Transcendent level talent is fine, as long as you're a Transcendent level talent, we can nurture you into one of the university's best Alumni–" He muttered before pressing a few commands on his tablet.

—-----

ALERT:-

Priority-Level Evaluation: Leo Skyshard.

—------

Sending an urgent priority message to the Genetic Assessment Department, Principal Alric requested for Leo to be escorted to the Genetic Assessment Room immediately, skipping all existing queues to be evaluated at once.

At this point, Alric no longer cared about the others, as he could not wait to see just how Leo was going to perform in the most important of all initial evaluation tests.

********

(Rodova Military Academy – The Teachers' Staff Room, Professor David's Office)

Across the academy, in a smaller, more modest office, Professor David sat before his monitor, his gaze narrowed as he read through the same notification that the principal received.

David was the head first year instructor, incharge of all first year students, which gave him the same access to their reports as Alric, but unlike Principal Alric, he was far from pleased by what he saw.

His fingers tapped against the desk, a slow, irritated rhythm, as his eyes skimmed the details of the alert through disdain.

The alert was generated by another suspected Great Clan descendant.

Another so-called prodigy shattering records, as he felt genuinely displeased by its optics.

"People like him ruin the academy's balance," he muttered, leaning back in his chair.

Individuals like Leo and Su Yang were natural born geniuses.

They were individuals who had never struggled, never fought tooth and nail to climb from nothing.

And David had seen the pattern of the rise of such individuals in class before.

These types of students—born into privilege, gifted with superior talent, showered with resources—

They suffocated the ordinary cadets.

They crushed their morale before the year even began, just by existing, for their superiority was too blatant, too overwhelming for most to compete with.

And now, with two of them in the same first-year batch? David felt assured that no-one else was even going to try and keep up, dampening the overall morale.

'No one else will even try to compete,' he thought bitterly.

'They will accept defeat before the race has even started.' he concluded before grinding his teeth in anger.

"How am I supposed to nurture an excellent batch of equally accomplished students when the outcome is already decided?" He muttered out loud, as he banged his fists on his desk.

His frustration ran deeper than just one student's performance.

This was the cycle.

The Great Clans weren't just wealthier, their scions weren't just fed elixirs and taught secret arts from birth, giving them a better foundation than the commoners could ever hope for, they were also born with better genes.

In a universe ruled by talent and power, they always stood at the top, ensuring that the gap between them and the common-born remained insurmountable.

And the rest?

They were left to fight for scraps, struggling against an impossibility, forever outmatched from the moment they were born.

And it was this unfortunate reality of the universe that made his blood boil.

"I'm a retired Universal Government Officer," he thought bitterly. "A well-respected Major, more experienced and decorated in real wars than that fool Alric!

Yet because my bloodline was insignificant, because I wasn't born with superior genes, he sits as Principal while I'm left overseeing first-year brats." David mused, as his lips curled in disdain.

Alric earned twice his salary, wielded twice the influence, although he was half as competent.

And to make matters worse, because he earned twice as much, he had more disposable income to spend on his kids and grandkids, and more influence to give them a headstart in life, to ensure that David's kids could never catch-up.

It was an endless cycle.

The powerful remained powerful, while the weak stayed weak.

"No more." David mused, his nails digging into his own skin, as he took a slow breath, making a bold decision.

"I refuse to partake in this system any longer." He said, his gaze burning with resolve.

"From this year, things will change."

"From this year, I will suppress the strong—"

"And uplift the weak."

"Because if no one else is going to level the playing field— Then I will do it myself."

 Contact - ToS 

Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 42: Genetic Testing.Timeless AssassinC42: Genetic Testing.

Chapter 42 - Genetic Testing.

(Rodova Military Academy – Reflex Testing Chamber, Post-Test Recovery)

Leo felt drained as the reflex test ended, his breath coming in ragged, uneven gasps while he knelt on the cold testing floor. Sweat trickled down his back, his entire body trembling from exertion, his muscles hollowed out as if every ounce of strength had been siphoned away.

However, this wasn't the first time.

This overwhelming fatigue—this complete depletion—was becoming a recurring pattern.

He had felt the same when he first triggered that strange time-slowing ability, for, the moment it ended, his body had collapsed under its own weight, leaving him gasping for air like a drowning man.

'I can't afford this in a real battle,' Leo realized, his hands curling into fists against the floor. 'If I collapse after taking out a few enemies in a real battle, I'll be done for.'

The urgency burned into him.

He had to master this ability and be quick at that.

He needed to learn to control it, regulate it—to trigger it when needed and suppress it when not.

Because if he did not—

It wouldn't be a weapon.

It would be a liability. One that could land him in deep waters.

"Skyshard!"

A voice suddenly pulled him from his thoughts as the chamber door slid open.

The assistant hurried inside, her expression a mix of concern and undisguised excitement as she knelt beside him.

"You did amazing!" she gasped, practically beaming.

"You just broke the university record for first-year students on your first day! I've never seen a better performance in my life—" She rambled, but Leo barely listened.

His mind was elsewhere, struggling to stay conscious as black spots flickered across his vision, expanding and contracting like ink bleeding into water.

"Oh, how silly of me, you must be exhausted... Here—drink this," the assistant urged, pressing a small glass vial into his palm.

Leo glanced at the vial, the liquid inside glistening with a faint golden hue. He studied it for a split second before deciding to gulp it down in one go.

The taste was sharp but not unpleasant, and almost immediately, a slow warmth spread through his veins—not as a sudden jolt of energy, but as a steady, stabilizing pulse.

It was a stamina potion—a high-grade one, at that.

Low grade stamina potions were usually yellow, but the golden tint in this one hinted at the superior alchemical herbs used in its creation.

It was a truly potent item that would usually cost a pretty penny in the open market.

And as Leo drank its contents, although the fatigue did not completely vanish, the leaden weight in his limbs eased almost immediately.

His muscles no longer felt like they were moments away from collapsing under him and his vision returned to normalcy.

"That should help a bit," the assistant nodded, quickly moving to help him back onto his feet.

Leo let her, though his stance remained slightly unsteady as she guided him toward a side panel where his uniform had been neatly folded.

"Here—get dressed," she instructed as Leo grabbed his uniform, shaking off the lingering dizziness before slipping back into his clothes.

His balance was still off, but at least now he could stand on his own.

As soon as he finished dressing, the assistant tapped her data slate, and moments later, an automated escort drone rolled up beside him, flashing a notification screen.

"You're being transferred to another building now," she informed him.

Leo frowned. "Why am I being separated from the testing batch?"

"You're going to follow this drone to the next building, and you'll be the only one doing so," she replied, her tone carrying a hint of amusement.

His frown deepened. "And why is that?"

The assistant's lips curled into a sly smile.

"You've been flagged for priority genetic testing," she said, winking. "So, you're skipping the queue."

Leo's frown deepened considerably at these words, however, before he could register any protest, the assistant tapped a few commands on her data slate, commanding the drone into action.

*Nudge*

*Nudge*

The drone slammed into his back, urging him to move on, as sighing Leo began to walk, knowing full well that he had no other option but to follow the university's orders.

If it were someone else, they would probably be elated to be the center of attention—

To get preferential treatment from the University, however, Leo was not one of them.

On a personal level, he did not appreciate being singled out, as it blew his cover of anonymity and thrust him into the limelight.

'I hope not many people see me being escorted as a priority case—' He thought, as the drone guided him to make a series of turns, leading him straight towards the Genetic Assessment Department.

*******

(Rodova Military Academy— Genetic Assessment Department, Outside Chamber #01 )

Soon, Leo reached the Genetic Assessment Department, and unfortunately for him, the moment he entered the testing grounds, he immediately became a topic of contention amongst the students present, who saw the drone flying above his head and flagged him as a serious threat.

Almost immediately, murmurs rippled through the gathered cadets, their voices hushed but unmistakably intrigued.

"Wait... isn't that the same drone escort that Su Yang had over him?"

"What the hell? Why is he alone?"

"A drone escort? Seriously?"

"Shit, is he some hidden young master?"

Leo kept his expression neutral, ignoring the stares, but he heard everything being said around him.

This was exactly why he did not want the unnecessary attention.

He had planned to keep a low profile, to observe and navigate Rodova without standing out at the beginning. But now?

Now he was walking into the Genetic Testing Facility like some special-case recruit, personally escorted by an academy drone.

It was a blatant sign that he was different. That he was being prioritized.

And that made him a subject of interest.

Eyes followed his every move as he strode through the facility, scanning him with everything from curiosity to suspicion.

Some cadets whispered among themselves, speculating about his background.

Others looked at him like a competitor to crush.

And then there were those few... the ones who already saw him as a future enemy.

Leo exhaled slowly, keeping his focus straight ahead.

'So much for staying under the radar...'

He had no choice but to deal with it now.

At the very least, he needed to see what this Genetic Assessment was all about—and why he was being prioritized.

"Skyshard, Leo–" A male voice said, as a lanky man with thick glasses walked towards him, a data slate firmly held in his hand.

"The principal has marked you as a priority testing subject. Genetic Testing Chamber #1 has been reserved to test your potential.... Please follow me—" The man said rather loudly, as if there were any lingering doubts about his special status amongst the gathered students up-till now, they were all gone now.

'Great.... This is exactly what I needed on day one!' Leo thought sarcastically, as he rolled his eyes in frustration.

Looking around, he could feel the hostile stares boring into his back, as there were more than one Candidate who looked at him with eyes that said 'I hope you fail miserably in your genetic test.'

 Contact - ToS 

Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 43: AnomalyTimeless AssassinC43: Anomaly

Chapter 43 - Anomaly

Leo followed the lanky assistant deeper into the Genetic Assessment Room, his footsteps echoing against the polished floors.

The testing room was pristine and sterile, just as he expected it to be, with an array of advanced scanning equipment embedded into the walls.

At the center stood a large, high-tech diagnostic pod, lined with glowing circuits, its transparent frame pulsing with soft blue light.

"Stand here," the assistant instructed, adjusting his glasses while tapping away on his data slate.

Leo complied, stepping onto a circular pad in front of the machine.

"You'll need to be plugged into the system first," the assistant continued, opening a compartment on the side of the pod and retrieving several thin bio-sensors, each lined with intricate runic etchings.

He moved methodically, attaching the sensors to Leo's temples, wrists, and chest, as the machine began humming with activation.

Leo glanced at the various displays flickering around him, filled with genetic diagrams and complex symbols.

"...So, what exactly does this test measure?" he asked, keeping his voice neutral.

The assistant adjusted his glasses, raising a brow. "You don't know? Well, I suppose that makes sense. Most recruits don't understand the full importance of genetic testing."

He smirked slightly before tapping a few more commands into the system. "Alright then, let me explain."

"There are five classifications for genetic potential," the assistant began, his tone shifting into a practiced explanation as he finalized the machine's calibration.

"First, at the lowest level, we have the Adept-tier Awakening. This means that while the person can train as a warrior, their genetic potential is fundamentally limited. No matter how much they push themselves, they will never reach the heights of true powerhouses."

Leo absorbed the information silently as the assistant continued.

"Adept-level warriors can, at best, reach the Grandmaster realm of power with extreme effort, but they will never go beyond that.

However, to compensate for this flaw, the academy offers such students a chance at genetic augmentation—a process where their DNA is fused with animal or beast DNA to artificially boost their physical capabilities."

The assistant shrugged, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Of course, doing that caps their potential at Grandmaster, but at least it makes the journey easier."

Leo frowned slightly. "...So, they'll never surpass Grandmaster, no matter what?"

"Correct," the assistant nodded. "They're better suited for roles like lieutenants in the Universal Army, but they won't ever make it to top management."

The machine emitted a soft pulse, signaling that Leo's biometrics had been fully linked to the system.

"Now, moving up—Grandmaster-tier Awakening," the assistant continued.

"This is the most common classification. In fact, 99 out of 100 cadets at Rodova fall into this category. These students have good growth potential and, with dedication, can advance far in the military."

He glanced at Leo. "Grandmaster-tier warriors are considered top talents in small and medium-sized factions. They may not be the absolute strongest, but they're highly respected and hold significant power."

Leo nodded slightly, his expression unreadable.

"But things start to get interesting at the Transcendent-tier Awakening."

The assistant's tone shifted subtly, carrying a hint of awe.

"Transcendent-level talents are rare—one in a million. If someone awakens at this level, they are immediately placed on a different trajectory. The academy ensures they receive the best resources, training, and opportunities. They're nurtured like prized assets."

Leo could see it now—the clear gap between tiers.

The difference between a great warrior and someone truly feared.

"And then... Monarch-tier Awakening."

The assistant paused, as if giving the words the weight they deserved.

"This is the highest classification the academy can officially measure. Only seven students in Rodova's entire centuries-old history have ever awakened at this level... well 8 now this morning—" The assistant said with pride, as Leo immediately understood the implications of such a sentence.

"The Su Clan's heir—Su Yang—scored at this level today," the assistant continued, his tone laced with admiration. "I'm sure the news is already making rounds academy wide."

Leo said nothing, his thoughts processing everything.

"And finally," the assistant murmured, his voice dropping lower, "there is a rumored sixth classification... God-tier Awakening."

A shadow flickered behind his glasses.

"But the machines at Rodova aren't advanced enough to detect it," he admitted. "Even if someone did awaken at that level, we wouldn't know for sure."

Leo remained still, his fingers subtly flexing as he absorbed the weight of the information.

"This test will determine everything about your future," the assistant finished, finalizing the last set of inputs.

"If you have a higher genetic potential to unlock, it just gives you unbelievable advantages as a warrior that the common folk can't compare to—" The assistant said before stepping back, as Leo tried to probe him for more information.

"Advantages? What sort of advantages?" Leo asked, however, the assistant ignored him, as the pod closed shut.

"All the best—" He mouthed, as Leo's genetic testing officially began.

A low hum vibrated through the chamber, the soft blue glow from the circuits intensifying as the machine's internal systems activated.

Thin lines of mana traced through the walls like veins, pulsing in rhythmic intervals as a stream of data began to flow across the transparent screen in front of him.

Leo remained still, his breathing controlled, his mind focused.

Then—

*HISS*

A sharp burst of cold air flooded the pod, prickling against his skin as the machine began its deep genetic scan.

[Genetic Identification Process Initiated...]

Leo felt a faint tingling spread across his body, not painful, but strange—like countless tiny electric currents crawling beneath his skin. The bio-sensors attached to his temples and wrists pulsed in synchronization with his heartbeat, sending streams of information into the system.

Then—

Prick.

Leo's muscles tensed as he felt something—a sharp sensation at the base of his neck. A thin needle-like device extended from the pod's inner wall, piercing just deep enough to extract a sample of his bone marrow. It was over in an instant, but the brief jolt of discomfort left a lingering sensation of unease.

[Genetic Material Acquired. Processing...]

The screen flickered, lines of text scrolling at high speeds as the machine began breaking down his genetic code.

Leo exhaled slowly, forcing himself to relax.

This was it.

This was the test that would determine everything—the academy's investment in him, the resources he would be given, the level of competition he would face.

A few moments later, a mechanical voice echoed through the chamber.

[Primary Genetic Structure Analyzed. Awakening Tier Classification Pending...]

Then suddenly—

BZZT!

Leo's vision blurred for a split second as a surge of mana coursed through his body, deeper and stronger than before. His muscles tensed involuntarily, his veins burning as the machine amplified the scan. It was as if his very existence was being dissected down to the smallest particle.

And then—

Something shifted.

It was subtle at first, but Leo felt it—a stirring deep within his core, something buried within his very being responding to the scan.

A pressure.

A weight.

A force slowly responding.

His fingers twitched. His pulse spiked. A deep, primal sensation stirred in his blood, something that felt both foreign and familiar at the same time.

[Warning. Unidentified Anomaly Detected.]

Leo's eyes narrowed as he heard the words flash across the screen.

Anomaly?

The machine whirred louder, recalibrating itself as the circuits flickered erratically for a brief moment before stabilizing.

[Attempting Reclassification...]

Another pulse of mana surged through him, stronger this time, probing deeper—searching for something hidden beneath the surface.

Leo clenched his jaw, his body instinctively resisting the force that was being forcefully drawn out of him.

Then—

[Genetic Awakening Tier: Analyzing...]

The air in the pod seemed to thicken, the entire machine vibrating as the scanning process reached its peak.

The moment of truth had arrived.

 Contact - ToS 

Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 44: ResultsTimeless AssassinC44: Results

Chapter 44 - Results

Leo's body tensed as the screen flickered again, a single ominous line flashing across the display.

[Warning: Unidentified Anomaly Detected.]

His pulse quickened. His breathing slowed.

An anomaly?

His mind raced through possibilities, but before he could process what it meant, the machine surged with renewed intensity. The circuits pulsed erratically, recalibrating itself as if struggling to classify whatever it had just uncovered.

Then—he felt it.

A pull, deep within his core. Something hidden, something buried far beneath the surface of his awareness, being forcefully stirred by the test. His veins burned faintly, his muscles tensed involuntarily, and for a fleeting moment, he felt like the machine was extracting something from him that he had no control over.

It wasn't pain—it was pressure. A weight pressing down on him, coiling within his very genetic structure like a dormant force being unearthed.

[Attempting Reclassification...]

The pod hummed louder. The mana within it surging—

Leo clenched his jaw as another pulse of energy coursed through his body, stronger than before, like an unseen hand prying apart his very existence, peeling away the layers of his genetic code in search of something undeniable, before stopping abruptly, as a result appeared on the screen before him.

[Genetic Awakening Tier: MONARCH LEVEL]

A brief, eerie stillness filled the room, as Leo studied the words before him with wide eyes.

Then, without warning—

A sharp, ecstatic laugh broke the silence.

"Hahaha!"

"I was here to witness it! I was the one to conduct the test on a historic figure!! Woohooo!" The assistant screamed in joy, as he barely clutched onto his data slate while spinning on his heels.

Still laughing to himself, he staggered back, shaking his head in pure disbelief.

"I swear... I'll tell my grandchildren about this day," he muttered under his breath, his voice brimming with giddy disbelief, however, Leo barely acknowledged him, for his gaze was locked on the glowing words on the screen, his thoughts spiraling.

Monarch-level talent.

A true scion of the six great clans might have reacted to this news with arrogance, reveling in their own superiority.

However, Leo knew deep down that he wasn't one of the six great clans members.

On the other hand, a normal recruit would be overjoyed by the news, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what this meant for their future and their family, however Leo did not feel overwhelmed either.

Instead, he felt a strange mixture of relief and suspicion at once, which clashed within him to make him anxious.

The relief was instinctual. Even without his memories, even without knowing the full implications of what the genetic result meant, he understood what this grade meant—power, privilege and protection.

In the future, he wouldn't be cast aside as cannon fodder. Not within the academy, and not outside of it either.

He would be nurtured, given the best resources, and treated as a rare asset to any institution that he joined.

But the suspicion? That ran deeper.

Was this truly his talent?

Or was this yet another piece of the puzzle that had been placed in front of him?

A preordained result? A script written before he ever arrived at Rodova?

Leo's grip tightened slightly, his fingers flexing as he kept his face expressionless.

He still didn't know who he was before waking up in that transport cart.

He still didn't know who sent him here.

But they did.

Whoever wiped his memories—whoever put him in that hellish entrance exam—they must have known.

And now, as he stood here, staring at the glowing words Monarch-Level Awakening, a chilling thought struck him.

Was this result something he truly earned? Or was it something someone had ensured would happen?

Was it truly his talent? Or was it pre-arranged, just like the symbol given to him for memorization before the psychological evaluation test?

These were questions that ate away at his brain, however, before he could dwell on it any further, the assistant—still grinning like he had just won the lottery—suddenly tapped a sequence on his data slate, sending the evaluation report directly to the highest levels of the Academy.

A discreet notification flashed across the device.

[ALERT SENT TO: PRINCIPAL ALRIC DAINHART.]

[ALERT SENT TO: PROFESSOR DAVID.]

Leo didn't see it.

Didn't hear it.

Didn't know that at this very moment, two of the most powerful figures in Rodova Military Academy were reading his name on their personal devices, processing the weight of what had just happened.

All Leo knew was that something didn't feel right, and that his evaluation pod was opening up before his eyes, with the assistant rushing towards him to greet him.

"Congratulations, Cadet, No, I mean, Sir Leo, you are the ninth candidate in the history of the Rodova Military Academy to be evaluated to possess a Monarch Level Talent.

It is my life's honor to have conducted this test for you, Sir–" The assistant practically stumbled over his words, visibly restraining himself from outright cheering.

However, his subservient tone only made Leo feel uncomfortable, as Leo replied with the same humility.

"Umm, if you don't mind, can you please tell me what my talent evaluation means? My memories have all been wiped before I came to this academy, so I don't possess much of the general knowledge that you would think I do" Leo requested, as he candidly came clean about his memory loss.

"Oh? Ohhh— Ohhhh!" The assistant said, as if just realising what was going on, before nodding viciously.

"Indeed Sir, please don't worry, I will explain everything to you," the assistant said, taking a deep breath to compose himself before launching into his explanation.

"First, let's talk about skills. Every individual who possesses the talent to become a warrior, even those with Adept-level genetic potential, has the ability to learn and master skills. However, there's a fundamental limit to how many skills they can learn at a time, which is capped at —five.

No matter their dedication, no matter how much they push themselves, an Adept-tier warrior will never be able to learn and master more than five skill techniques in their lifetime."

Leo listened intently, his expression neutral but his mind actively processing every word.

"Of course," the assistant continued, adjusting his glasses, "the grade of the skills they learn can vary greatly. An Adept-tier warrior may learn weaker skills compared to a Transcendent or Monarch-tier warrior, and their mastery over those skills will always be fundamentally inferior. Moreover, there's an absolute restriction—no matter how talented they are, an Adept-tier warrior will never be able to master skills beyond the Legendary or Grandmaster grade, as the laws of genetic compatibility simply won't allow it."

Leo narrowed his eyes slightly, absorbing the implications. The number of skills one could master was fixed, and there were limits to how far a lower-tier individual could push themselves.

However, before the assistant could continue, Leo raised a hand, as not wanting to leave this conversation with more questions and pieces, he decided to take this chance to ask all the doubts he had along the way.

"Sorry to interrupt, but can you also tell me what grades skills are classified at? I don't know them." Leo asked, as the assistant blinked at him before nodding quickly.

"Ah, of course, Sir Leo. That's a crucial part of this discussion." He said, tapping his data slate, as he brought up a holographic display.

"Skill classification varies across different parts of the universe, as different factions and organizations use different ranking systems. However, there are two widely accepted methods."

He swiped across the display, bringing up two columns.

"The first method follows the same tier classification as genetic potential. It starts at the lowest level with Layman-tier skills and goes up as follows— Master, Grandmaster, Transcendent, Monarch, and God-tier at the peak."

Leo examined the list as the assistant continued.

"This system is straightforward, easy to understand, and is most commonly used in military institutions and government-run academies, like ours. However, in other regions, particularly among independent factions and elite martial families, a more detailed system is used."

The assistant swiped the display again, shifting to the second column.

"This second system has more classifications, breaking skills down into finer categories: Common, Rare, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Dark Gold, Epic, Semi-Legendary, Legendary, Semi-Divine, Divine, and finally, God-tier at the pinnacle."

Leo studied the list before glancing back at the assistant. "So, despite the different names, the second system can still be roughly mapped to the first one?"

"Exactly," the assistant confirmed. "For example, Gold-tier skills in the second system generally fall under Grandmaster-tier in the first. Legendary and Semi-Divine skills equate to Transcendent, while Divine is equivalent to Monarch, and of course, God-tier remains at the absolute peak."

Leo nodded, the information settling in his mind. It made sense why some organizations preferred the simpler system while others relied on a more detailed breakdown.

Satisfied, he gestured for the assistant to continue with his explanation.

 Contact - ToS 

Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 45: The Gap Between TalentsTimeless AssassinC45: The Gap Between Talents

Chapter 45 - The Gap Between Talents

Leo absorbed the information the assistant gave him like a sponge.

This was a rare chance to bridge the gaps in his knowledge about how this universe worked, and he wasn't going to let a single word go to waste.

The assistant, noticing Leo's focused expression, adjusted his glasses and gave him a small nod of approval.

"Now that you understand the various skill tiers, let me explain how crucial skills are in shaping the combat potential of a warrior," he said, resetting the atmosphere.

Leo remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"It's a simple concept," the assistant said. "The stronger the skills you can master, the stronger you become as a warrior. If you can execute higher-tier techniques, you hold a natural advantage over someone who can't. Makes sense, right?"

Leo nodded. It was basic logic.

"But skill strength alone isn't everything," the assistant continued. "Another key factor is how many skills you can learn and master in the first place."

Leo's eyes sharpened slightly.

"Individuals with higher genetic potential don't just have access to stronger skills—they can also master a greater number of them," the assistant explained. "That's where the real divide between the strong and the weak begins."

With a tap on his data slate, a holographic projection appeared in the air, listing different genetic tiers.

"Adept-tier genetic potential warriors," he began, pointing at the first category, "can only master five skills in their lifetime. That's their absolute genetic limit. No matter how much effort they put in, they cannot exceed that number."

Leo frowned slightly. A hard cap like that was brutal.

"Grandmaster-tier warriors, on the other hand, can master up to nine skills. This makes them significantly stronger than Adepts, not just because they can handle higher-tier skills but because they also have more variety in combat."

Leo absorbed the information, seeing the massive gap in talent between these two tiers.

"And at the top..." The assistant's lips curled into a smirk.

"Monarch-tier warriors can master over twenty skills."

Leo's fingers curled slightly.

That was more than double the limit of a Grandmaster-tier warrior.

And four times that of an Adept-tier warrior.

The difference wasn't just large—it was astronomical.

Before he could comment, the assistant pressed on, his tone growing more serious.

"But having more skills isn't just about variety—it's crucial for advancement."

Leo narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Advancement?"

The assistant nodded. "A warrior doesn't grow stronger randomly. There are thresholds. Breaking through to higher realms requires specific conditions—one of which is skill mastery."

The holographic projection shifted again.

"To ascend from Master-level to Grandmaster-level as a warrior, you must master at least five Legendary-tier skills amongst other requirements."

Leo's eyes flickered.

That meant an Adept-tier warrior, whose absolute limit was five skills, would need to master five Legendary-tier techniques just to reach the Grandmaster realm as a warrior.

And if (Legendary) was the highest level of skill they could even learn, then that meant they were scraping against their potential ceiling from the very start, just to reach the (Grandmaster) realm as a warrior.

The assistant continued, unaware of Leo's internal thoughts.

"And to ascend from Grandmaster-level to Transcendent-level, you must master at least nine Divine-tier skills."

"This means that, for an adept tier talent, who cannot learn skills ranked higher than the legendary grade, and who cannot learn more than 5 skills in total, becoming a transcendent level warrior is simply impossible"

"It's not a matter of determination or hard work, or even luck.... It's simply pre-determined, for in this universe, your genetics determine everything" The assistant explained, as he shrugged nonchalantly as if what he was saying was only natural.

Leo exhaled slowly.

Nine skills.

That was exactly the maximum number that a Grandmaster-tier talent could learn.

Which meant that even if they were the most talented of their kind, reaching Transcendent was next to impossible unless they maximized their genetic potential, but even then, they could never hope to become a Monarch.

In this universe, one could only defy their genetic potential by one tier at most.

An Adept tier talent, could become a Grandmaster level warrior at most.

A Grandmaster level talent, could become a transcendent level warrior at most.

And A Transcendent level talent, could become a Monarch level warrior at most.

However, Monarchs did not have that threshold.

Being a Monarch level talent meant that you could reach the highest God-Tier at most, which was the maximum ceiling, making Monarch level talents the best talent that one could be born with in the whole universe.

Leo processed the information in silence, trying to evaluate every implication behind it.

However, while he remained quiet, the assistant's enthusiasm only grew.

"As a Monarch, you can easily master over twenty skills.... And when I say over twenty, it's a rough estimate because we don't actually know the limit. Monarchs rarely participate in general surveys," he admitted, looking almost disappointed at the lack of data.

"Whether it's Legendary, Semi-Divine, Divine, or even God-tier—you have the potential to learn and master them all."

Leo's heartbeat was steady, but his thoughts weren't.

That level of growth speed...

That level of freedom...

It was terrifying.

The assistant adjusted his glasses before dropping yet another bombshell.

"And that's not all."

"Genetic potential isn't just about skill capacity," the assistant explained. "It also determines something else entirely—latent genetic abilities."

Leo's eyes narrowed slightly.

"There are individuals in this universe who are simply born with abilities," the assistant continued. "Abilities that are unique to their bloodline."

Leo stayed silent, absorbing the words carefully.

"Some warriors don't need to learn skills the way others do," the assistant elaborated. "Their genes hold abilities that awaken naturally as they grow stronger."

Leo's lips pressed into a thin line.

"Bloodline abilities," he murmured, as the assistant nodded.

"Some of these abilities are Divine-tier or even God-tier—and the person who inherits them doesn't need to master them. They already know them, as if they were born with the knowledge imprinted in their very bones."

Leo exhaled slowly, his fingers subtly flexing.

'Is that what happened to me in the reflex test?'

That strange time-slowing state...

Was that an inherited ability?

If so, then where did it come from?

Leo wondered, as the assistant gave him a considerate look before continuing.

"Finally, genetic potential doesn't just determine what you can learn—it also determines how strong your body can become."

Leo's focus snapped back to him.

"Your muscle quality, bone density, mana circulation efficiency—all of it is influenced by your genetics," the assistant explained. "This is why warriors with higher genetic potential can train their bodies to far greater heights than normal people."

Leo processed the information carefully.

So that was why some people grew stronger and faster despite training the same amount.

It wasn't just effort.

It was genetic superiority.

The assistant took a deep breath, stepping back slightly with a satisfied expression.

"And that, Sir Leo, is what genetic potential truly means.... I've explained it as best as I could, but you can always understand it better if you read books in the library—" The assistant concluded, as Leo remained silent for a moment, digesting everything.

He had learned a lot just now.

Far more than he expected.

And yet... the more he learned, the more questions he was left with.

What was his true bloodline?

What kind of abilities would he inherit as he advanced?

Just how far could he grow in the future?

These questions gnawed at his mind.

But for now, they remained unanswered.

 Contact - ToS 

Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 46: ReportTimeless AssassinC46: Report

Chapter 46 - Report

After completing his explanation about Genetic Potential and Skills, the assistant once again began to rapidly tap on his data slate, his expression still alight with lingering excitement from Leo's test results.

"Okay, now that all your tests are done, let me assign you a proper meditation manual based on your genetic data," he said, scrolling through his interface.

"Based on your genetic potential, it will be a technique that will help you reach the next stage as a warrior very quickly."

Leo nodded in acceptance, maintaining a neutral expression despite the many thoughts running through his mind.

In this universe, regular meditation and mana circulation was an important process of getting stronger, and based on one's inherent characteristics, practicing different types of meditation manuals yielded different results.

Usually, most individuals did not have the luxury to be tested as thoroughly as the students of Rodova, which was why they never knew what meditation technique best suited them, and had to choose based on intuition.

Leo however, had undergone extensive testing today, and his potential as a Monarch level talent ensured that he received only the best and most suited technique for him.

********

( Meanwhile, Rodova Military Academy – The Academic Wing, Principal's Office)

A notification flashed across the holographic display in front of Principal Alric Dainhart, causing his champagne glass to pause midair.

His previously relaxed posture straightened, his eyes sharpening as he read the contents of the alert.

[ Genetic Evaluation Report – Priority Candidate ]

[ Skyshard, Leo – Monarch-Level Awakening Confirmed ]

For a brief moment, the office was silent.

Then—

A slow, pleased chuckle rumbled from his throat.

"Well, well..."

Alric placed his champagne glass down carefully, leaning forward as he scanned the report in greater detail.

The data confirmed it.

Rodova Military Academy hadn't just received one generational genius this year.

It had received two.

Su Yang, the pride of the Su Clan, had already been anticipated to dominate this year's recruits with his Monarch-level potential. But now, unexpectedly, Leo Skyshard—a name no one had even considered—had risen to match him.

The academy had gone from celebrating a single miracle to witnessing the rise of a second.

For a long moment, Alric simply stared at the glowing data, a deep smirk settling on his lips.

"This is perfect," he murmured.

With both Su Yang and Leo in the same batch, Rodova's standing among the top military academies in the universe would skyrocket.

This year was going to be legendary.

However—

His smirk faded slightly as his eyes flickered to the section of the report labeled "Background Notes."

[ Background Notes: Genetic Anomaly Detected – Natural Awakening Forcibly Suppressed ]

Alric's brows furrowed, his fingers tapping against his desk as he expanded the report. The system's analysis detailed an unusual phenomenon—one that caused a flicker of doubt to cloud his initial excitement.

According to the data, at some point in the past, Leo had been on the verge of experiencing a natural genetic awakening.

However, the process had been forcibly stopped, and worse—his progress as a warrior had been reversed.

For a few seconds, Alric remained silent, absorbing the implications.

In this universe, it was a known fact that natural genetic awakenings were not the best option for a warrior's future potential, for in 9/10 cases they lead to incomplete awakenings.

As an alternative, a serum-assisted awakening, one where the individual was constantly monitored and trained with the correct training regime, was always better, because it gave a greater chance to extract maximum awakening potential.

However, if one was already on the verge of experiencing a natural awakening, to force them to regress was pretty cruel.

At best it was a year's worth of progress washed out, and at worst it was five years worth of efforts in progressing as a warrior and mastering a meditation method going down a drain.

It was a very cruel method, one that forcibly held back the individual from getting stronger for years, only to provide them with a firm foundation for the future later on.

"This boy..." Alric murmured, steepling his fingers.

The Mu Clan's involvement in this was obvious. Because only a clan of madmen would do such a thing to one of their most talented children.

They had erased his memories.

They had stripped him of his past.

And now, according to this report, they had also suppressed his natural growth—all to give him a fresh foundation.

Alric's fingers tightened slightly.

It made sense why Leo had been sent to Rodova and not Geneva.

A genius with his potential should have naturally been placed in the number-one military academy in the universe, alongside the true elites.

But instead, he was here.

Why?

Because the Mu Clan likely understood something that the rest of the universe did not.

Leo wasn't ready to stand among the absolute best—not yet, not until he regained much of his lost strength.

And hence, instead of throwing him into Geneva, where he would have had to claw his way through an ocean of competition, they had placed him here in Rodova—where the environment was still cut-throat, but manageable.

A place where he could thrive, rather than struggle to survive.

"A smart move, but I see through it all clearly," Alric muttered, his smirk returning slightly as he thought he had figured it all out.

In his view, he had uncovered Leo's entire suppressed history today, however, all of his hypotheses about Leo were unfortunately wrong.

In his eyes, Leo was slightly unfortunate to come to Rodova the same year as Su Yang.

As while he thought, the operators behind Leo wanted to place him in an environment with no equals, so that he could thrive here.

Having Su Yang here meant that those dreams were crushed.

Because whether Leo was ready or not, he had just been placed in direct competition with a true monster, as once their talents were revealed, comparisons between the two were bound to be made, putting intense pressure on Leo who would clearly struggle to keep up.

Alric leaned back in his chair, swirling his champagne glass once more as he exhaled.

"This will be interesting," he mused, before pressing a single command on his desk.

A command that completely redacted any records about Leo's background check from the University Database.

**********

(Rodova Military Academy – The Teachers' Staff Room, Professor David's Office)

Across the academy, Professor David's terminal lit up with a Level-One Alert, pulling his attention away from his paperwork.

He adjusted his posture, eyes narrowing as he read the notification.

[ Genetic Evaluation Report – Priority Candidate ]

[ Skyshard, Leo – Monarch-Level Awakening Confirmed ]

A sharp, disapproving scowl immediately darkened his features.

His fingers clenched slightly, tapping the desk in irritation as he read further.

"...Another one?"

First Su Yang.

Now Leo Skyshard.

Two Monarch-level talents in the same year.

For most people, this would be an occasion for celebration.

For David?

It was confirmation of the very thing he despised.

Another recruit, born with everything.

Another so-called genius, given the best talent, the best starting point, the best future— all before they had even lifted a damn finger.

His grip on his stylus tightened.

It was always the same.

The Great Clans.

The powerhouses of the universe.

They monopolized talent.

They hoarded resources.

And their descendants—born into privilege—were always the ones at the top.

"...Disgusting," David muttered under his breath.

Even worse—Leo Skyshard's report contained background anomalies.

An erased past that he did not have access to because the Principal redacted it

"What more are you hiding?" He mused, as his hatred for Leo even surpassed that for Su Yang from this moment.

 Contact - ToS 

Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 47: Survival Is Earnt Not GivenTimeless AssassinC47: Survival Is Earnt Not Given

(Rodova Military Academy – Teachers' Quarters, Mu Fan's Room)

Mu Fan sat alone in her quarters, the only source of light being the soft glow from her data slate.

Her sharp eyes flickered as she scrolled through the encrypted feed she had hacked into, mirroring the exact evaluation report that Principal Alric had just received.

Technically, she wasn't supposed to have access to this level of classified data.

Genetic evaluations, especially for high-priority candidates, were heavily restricted. But for Mu Fan, barriers like these were merely inconveniences.

She had ensured from the moment Leo Skyshard stepped foot in Rodova that she would monitor his every move.

And now—

Her fingers froze slightly over the slate.

[ Genetic Evaluation Report – Priority Candidate ]

[ Skyshard, Leo – Monarch-Level Awakening Confirmed ]

A small exhale left her lips, a mix of relief and tension washing over her at once.

'Monarch-level…'

She leaned back against her chair, staring at the glowing words as conflicting emotions surged through her chest.

This was it.

The assurance she needed.

This result was proof that Leo could truly become the next Dragon Candidate.

If groomed properly, if guided correctly, he could finally be the one—the one to rise above, the one to carry the burden that so many before him had failed to uphold.

However—

A shiver ran down her spine.

Her hands instinctively tightened around the edges of the data slate as old memories clawed their way back to the surface.

The previous Dragon Candidates…

Each of them had once been hailed as a beacon of hope. Each of them had carried the same talent that Leo now did.

And yet—

One by one, they had all been hunted down.

Brutally.

Relentlessly.

Before they could spread their wings. Before they could even glimpse the peak of their true potential, they had been slaughtered.

Some had fallen in open battle, their names etched into history books as fearsome warriors of the Evil Cult.

Some had been assassinated in the dead of night, never even realizing who had come for them.

And the worst—

The ones who had been betrayed by their own allies.

The thought made Mu Fan's stomach twist uncomfortably.

She closed her eyes for a moment, steadying herself.

Leo's potential was undeniable. That much was now a fact.

But was it enough to survive?

Would history repeat itself? Would he too be cast into the flames before he ever had the chance to rise?

Would they come for him the moment his wings began to form?

The cycle had repeated itself too many times. The weight of it bore down on her like an unshakable curse.

And yet—

As Mu Fan opened her eyes, a cold determination settled in her gaze.

"Not this time." She muttered under her breath, for, if Leo was truly going to be the next Dragon Candidate, then she would ensure that he would have enough time.

Enough time to grow, to sharpen his claws, to become something that even the universe's deadliest hunters would fear.

This time—the righteous alliance would not clip the dragons before he could fly.

This time they would use the resources and facilities of the righteous alliance itself to nurture the Dragon and make him stronger until he was ready to stand on his own.

This time, they would shield him from enemies and allies alike, even if it meant that the Dragon would be forced to live without his memories for many more months to come.

"Not this time…. We have lost too many good seedlings over the course of history to lose another one now" Mu Fan mused, as she walked towards the hidden compartment in her room, to retrieve the communication crystal.

Mu Fan steadied herself, gripping the obsidian communication crystal tightly as she passed her mana through it to establish the connection.

A cold sweat ran down her back as the connection established, as for a long moment, the crystal remained dormant. Silent.

Then—

A voice, deep and unearthly, vibrated through the connection.

"Speak."

Mu Fan exhaled, her grip tightening. "The test is complete," she reported, keeping her voice even. "Leo Skyshard—Monarch-level potential has been confirmed."

A pause.

Then—

A slow, amused chuckle echoed through the connection, carrying with it a sense of something ancient, something immeasurable.

"Monarch-level? Hah. How insignificant."

Mu Fan stiffened. Insignificant?

She had expected satisfaction. Perhaps even relief.

But disdain?

The voice rumbled again, this time more measured as if sensing her anger through the crystal.

"It is only the surface. Monarch-level is the limit of what they can measure, not the limit of what he is."

Mu Fan's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

Because deep down, she knew he was right.

Leo's bloodline—if the readings were true—was something beyond Monarch-level.

Beyond what Rodova, or even Geneva, could hope to quantify.

The voice hummed in dark amusement.

"And yet… you hesitate? Do you wish to perhaps delay him being crowned as the Dragon?"

Mu Fan exhaled sharply. "I am only cautious," she corrected, forcing composure into her voice. "We have seen too many rise only to be cut down before they could fulfill their purpose. You should understand better than anyone—potential means nothing if he does not survive."

The voice fell silent.

Then, after a beat—

"Survival is earned, not given."

Mu Fan's nails dug into her palm.

"And what if he is not ready?" she asked, unable to stop herself.

The air in the room seemed to grow heavier.

"Then he will die."

Cold. Absolute. Without hesitation.

Mu Fan swallowed.

The voice continued, unwavering.

"If he cannot reach the peak, then his existence is meaningless. He will be no different than the corpses that came before him."

Mu Fan's breath caught in her throat.

She had seen those corpses. The lines of tombs that marked the fall of the previous dragons.

Individuals who had potential to become the next 'Timeless Assassin', but died long before they could achieve it.

She clenched her fists. "Then what do you propose? That we throw him into the fire before he's ready?"

The voice remained silent for a moment.

Then—

"No."

Mu Fan blinked.

That was not the answer she had been expecting.

"You will sharpen the blade first."

The weight behind those words sent a chill down her spine.

"He will be tested. Over and over. He will suffer. He will struggle. He will be broken and reforged, over and over, until he is either unshakable—"

A pause.

"—or shattered beyond repair."

Mu Fan inhaled sharply.

"You would gamble everything on this?"

"It is not a gamble. It is the only way."

A faint pulse of mana surged through the crystal, almost as if the voice itself was reaching through it.

"He is not meant to crawl beneath the weight of history. He is meant to crush it beneath his heel."

Mu Fan closed her eyes.

She wanted to believe that.

She needed to believe that.

But how many times had she thought the same before?

And how many times had she watched those she placed her faith in be torn apart?

Her silence must have been telling, because the voice spoke again.

"Do not look to the past for answers. There is only forward. Only what must be done. You have two years to prepare him, in two years, if he survives, we will crown him Dragon."

Mu Fan exhaled slowly.

There was no point in arguing.

They both knew what was required.

Leo had to become something greater. Stronger. He had to outgrow those who came before him, lest he suffer the same fate.

"...Understood," she finally said, her voice softer than before.

A pause.

Then, the voice gave one final command.

"Watch him closely, Mu Fan. If he is what we believe him to be… then his journey is only beginning."

And with that, the connection cut.

The crystal fell silent.

Mu Fan remained still for a long time, staring at the darkened stone in her hand.

Then, finally, she lowered it, closing her eyes.

"...Then I'll do my best," she murmured. "I will do my best to make him worthy of the title 'Dragon'."

 Contact - ToS 

Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 48: Choosing the right meditation manualTimeless AssassinC48: Choosing the right meditation manual

(Rodova Military Academy – Meditation Manual Storage Room)

Leo followed the thick-glassed assistant down a winding corridor, the soft hum of energy panels beneath his feet echoing through the otherwise silent hallway.

Unlike the Genetic Testing Chamber, which had been sterile and clinical, the Meditation Manual Storage Room exuded an entirely different atmosphere.

Rows upon rows of holographic shelves lined the massive chamber, each one containing glowing data scrolls suspended midair, categorized meticulously by tier and specialization.

The assistant adjusted his glasses, his fingers rapidly tapping on his data slate.

Moments later, three manuals floated forward, their luminescence brightening as they drew closer.

"Traditionally, meditation manuals are written in physical books that can only be used by one owner at a time. However, since we are a university, who may require multiple students to use the same manual at once, we have created a digital library of some of the universe's finest techniques.

This library here is probably worth 70% of all the material wealth poured into this university.

Because, each manual in here costs about as much as one Genetic Testing Machine" the assistant explained in awe, as upon hearing his explanation, Leo's whole perspective of the place shifted.

There were thousands of holographic meditation manuals in this room, and if all of them were as expensive as the assistant claimed, then this room was no different from a literal treasure trove.

"Alright, Skyshard," the assistant said, still slightly giddy from their previous conversation. "Based on your genetic potential and test results, the academy's manual selection system has narrowed down three meditation techniques with maximum compatibility to your physiology."

Leo crossed his arms, studying the three floating texts carefully.

"These are all high-grade meditation methods, each with unique strengths," the assistant continued, adjusting his glasses. "Whichever you pick will shape your foundation moving forward. So choose wisely."

Leo nodded, his gaze narrowing as the first manual unfolded.

—---

[Complete Marrow Meditation Manual]

A technique that gradually alters the body's bone marrow composition so that it produces modified red blood cells capable of carrying both oxygen and mana.

Strengths:-

•Improved mana control and stamina – Red blood cells infused with mana allow for better endurance and sustained combat.

•Improved bone and muscle density – Strengthens the skeletal and muscular system, reducing injuries and fatigue.

•Enhanced explosive movement and recovery – Allows for faster bursts of speed, quicker healing, and extended stamina.

The assistant smirked. "This is a top-tier foundation-building technique—nothing flashy, but extremely balanced. It will not only improve your mana control and capacity, but also improve stamina and physiology."

Leo nodded slightly.

This was undoubtedly a solid technique, but he wasn't going to decide just yet without looking at all the options.

---

[Abyssal Vein Circulation Manual]

A method focused on refining mana circuits, allowing for deeper mana absorption and purification.

Strengths:-

•Extreme mana capacity increase – Grants three times the mana reserve of an average warrior at the same level.

•Hyper-efficient mana circulation – Converts external mana into internal reserves at 40% higher efficiency than standard techniques.

•Passive mana absorption – The body will naturally absorb ambient mana over time, even without active meditation.

Leo raised an eyebrow. This was far more aggressive in terms of energy cultivation.

If he picked this, his mana control and spellcasting would skyrocket—but his physical body wouldn't receive as much reinforcement.

"You'd become a walking mana battery with this one," the assistant noted. "Best for those who rely on energy-based combat rather than pure physical confrontation."

Leo nodded but said nothing.

Then, the third manual revealed itself.

---

[Titan Physique Refinement Manual]

A technique that gradually alters the user's muscle fibers and skeletal frame to develop a physique that surpasses the natural limits of physiological strength and resilience.

•Enhanced raw strength and durability – Muscles are reinforced at a cellular level, drastically increasing physical power.

•Shock absorption and endurance – The body can take extreme impacts without suffering internal damage.

•Passive regenerative factor – Minor wounds heal quickly, and stamina loss is slowed during prolonged combat.

Leo narrowed his eyes. This one was purely physical-based, unlike the first option, which focused on stamina and mana synergy, however, it offered better improvement in departments like defence and raw strength.

"With this technique, you'd develop a monstrous physique, resistant to external damage and capable of wielding overwhelming raw power," the assistant explained. "It's ideal for those who favor close-quarters combat and brute force. And with your unique muscle fibre composition, it's a fighting style that suits you well."

Leo took a deep breath, considering his options carefully.

1. Complete Marrow Meditation Manual – Enhances stamina, mana control, and explosive movement.

2. Abyssal Vein Circulation Method – Greatly increases mana reserves and absorption efficiency.

3. Titan Physique Refinement Technique – Boosts raw strength, durability, and physical recovery.

Each technique had its own charm, it's own appeal, however, in general the Abyssal Vein technique was broadly focused solely on improvement in the mana department, while the Titan Physique was only focused on the physical department.

Either could have been the best option for him, if he knew what kind of a warrior he was and what would complement his fighting style best, however, without having that knowledge, Leo did not want to risk not working on both departments at once.

Hence, as the Complete Marrow Meditation Manual improved both mana circulation and physical attributes, to give the user a solid foundation, Leo decided to choose it in the end.

"I'll take the Complete Marrow Meditation Manual." He said eventually, as the assistant smiled knowingly.

"Smart choice. It's one of the best meditation manuals from the Mu Clan, of course it's the best suited for you–" The assistant said, as Leo raised his eyebrow in surprise.

He had no idea that the technique he chose traced its origins to the Mu Clan, however, coincidentally he chose it as his final option.

The floating scroll pulsed brightly before descending gently into Leo's hands.

"You won't regret this one, usually, we wouldn't recommend this scroll to individuals with low talent, because it's notoriously hard to master.

However, with your talent and speed, there should be no issues–" the assistant said, as he gave Leo an honest smile.

"It's not the most glamorous, but it will build your body into something unshakable. A strong body is the foundation for everything else." He continued further, as Leo nodded and began looking around, as if asking permission to leave.

"Oh, right, this concludes your Preliminary Evaluation. You have nothing more scheduled for today.

Once everyone else is evaluated too, a class list and class schedule would be posted on the academy notice board later in the evening.

You're almost guaranteed to be in the Elite Class, so make sure to check the class schedule, because classes start from tomorrow—" The assistant said, as he gestured for Leo to leave the building as he sealed the room shut behind him as per protocol.

Immediately, Leo began making his way back to his dormitory, not wanting to run-into anyone else, as he wanted to take a moment to organize his thoughts after today's events.

His evaluation today had brought to light a lot of shocking discoveries, and as a result of those discoveries, Leo found himself compelled to organize and plan for what was going to come ahead.

 Contact - ToS 

Show menu Novel BinNovel Timeless Assassin Chapter 49: A meet and greetTimeless AssassinC49: A meet and greet

(Rodova Military Academy – Notice Board Area, Evening)

A loud murmur filled the air as students pushed and jostled around the large holographic display projecting the newly released rankings.

Everywhere, there were mixed reactions—some filled with elation, others with frustration or disappointment.

"I made it into the Elite Class!" One student cheered, pumping his fist. "Man, I was so sure I'd end up in the Regular Class! But I did not. Haha, guess I'm an Elite afterall–"

"Ugh, I barely missed it," another groaned, shaking his head. "My combat evaluation score wasn't high enough."

"Two Monarch talents in the same batch? That's unheard of—" A hushed voice carried through the crowd, drawing attention to the rankings at the very top.

"Leo Skyshard? Who the hell is that?" A student muttered in confusion, reading the name that had claimed first place. "I've never heard of him before."

"There's no way he's not from one of the Big Six clans," another added. "I mean, his genetic potential is Monarch-level, and he even beat Su Yang's score. That's insane."

"But the Skyshard name isn't tied to any of the major clans…" someone pointed out. "Could he be using an alias?"

More whispers spread as students took down notes, discussing potential rivalries, alliances, and what this meant for their futures.

But all conversation came to a sudden halt—

When 'he' arrived.

The crowd instinctively parted as Su Yang made his way toward the notice board, his expression unreadable.

Dressed in his pristine academy uniform, his long black hair was tied back neatly, his piercing golden eyes sweeping over the gathered students with a quiet intensity that sent chills down their spines.

His presence alone commanded respect—and fear.

The son of the Su Clan. The prodigy that was destined to dominate this batch.

And now, everyone was watching—waiting—to see how he would react to the news.

Su Yang stopped a few steps from the board, his hands clasped behind his back as his gaze calmly moved over the rankings.

His name was there.

[2nd Place – Su Yang – Monarch Level Talent – 94.5 Points]

But above him—

[1st Place – Leo Skyshard – Monarch Level Talent – 95 Points]

A single half-point difference.

A brief flicker of surprise crossed Su Yang's eyes before he schooled his expression, scanning the top of the list, where he saw another 'Monarch Level' talent take the top.

This was unexpected, because Monarch level talents usually did not choose to join Rodova, but chose to join Geneva instead.

He himself had only chosen Rodova because of a special circumstance, and had not expected to see any other such individual in this year's batch.

'Hmm…. What about the others? Who else is near me?' He wondered, quickly scanning the list under his name, as he looked for other potential rivals.

[3rd Place – Mu Shen – Transcendent Level Talent – 87 Points]

[4th Place – Ru Lan – Transcendent Level Talent – 85 Points]

[5th Place – Gu Feng – Transcendent Level Talent – 82 Points]

[6th Place – Du Yiren – Grandmaster Level Talent – 79 Points]

[7th Place – Tyran Crest – Grandmaster Level Talent – 76.5 Points]

His eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the list.

As expected, most candidates on the top were from the Big Six clans, however, none of them were really close enough to him to be called a rival.

In this regard, only Leo Skyshard had matched him.

And only Leo Skyshard had surpassed him.

The air around the notice board thickened as the watching students felt the weight of the moment.

Su Yang wasn't just the strongest in the batch—he was the heir to the Su Clan, a Monarch-level prodigy who had been trained from birth to stand at the top.

To see someone else above him—someone no one even recognized—was something no one had expected.

The tension was suffocating.

The students braced themselves, some already stepping back in fear that Su Yang might lash out at them randomly.

They had seen what happened to the poor guy in the mess hall before and did not want to take chances with his temper.

But then—

Su Yang smiled.

It was a slow, genuine smile that caught everyone off guard.

"So it looks like I have a worthy rival this year," he murmured, amusement flickering in his golden eyes. "This surely makes things interesting."

His voice carried through the silent crowd, not in anger, but in intrigue.

Then—his gaze slid toward the dormitory assignments written beside the names.

[Leo Skyshard – Dorm 22C]

The smirk on his lips widened slightly.

"Well, time to introduce myself to this other genius."

And with that, he turned on his heel, making his way toward the dormitories—

The gathered students hesitated for only a second before hurrying after him, eager to witness the first meeting between the two titans of this generation.

**********

Leo chose to avoid the notice board until later in the evening, once the crowd had thinned.

Though he doubted anyone would recognize him by name alone—for he wasn't that well-known yet—he preferred not to take any chances.

Preserving his anonymity for as long as possible was his priority.

Which was why he was surprised to see a crowd of students gathered outside his room when he responded to a simple knock on his door.

At first, he was merely surprised to hear a knock at all, assuming it was something trivial. A misplaced delivery? A staff member with instructions?

Getting up, he opened the door without much thought—only to regret his decision instantly.

Nearly twenty students stood outside, filling the hallway, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright scrutiny.

His grip on the door handle tightened instinctively as his body prepared for a fight, but none of them seemed hostile. Their postures were relaxed, their eyes filled with intrigue rather than aggression.

"He's Leo Skyshard?"

"Whoa, he's so lanky, barely over six feet. He doesn't look imposing at all—"

"No wonder he's from the assassin branch. We'd body this guy in the swordsmanship branch—"

People whispered amongst each other, their voices carrying just loud enough for Leo to hear. He absorbed the information quietly, his gaze scanning their faces, already committing their words to memory.

Then, as the crowd began to part, a presence emerged that instantly shifted the atmosphere.

Leo's eyes landed on a man he recognized immediately, not from personal interactions but from reputation alone.

A young man with sharp golden eyes, dressed in an immaculate academy uniform, exuding an aura of effortless confidence.

It was Su Yang. The bully.

Unlike the others, he didn't gawk or whisper. He simply approached, his movements precise, his expression unreadable.

"You're Leo Skyshard?" he said, closing the remaining distance before extending his hand forward for a seemingly simple handshake.

Leo observed his extended arm for a moment, wondering if he should take it or not, as a part of him really did not want to accept the handshake, but another was afraid of the consequences of if he did not.

After a while, he decided to accept the handshake after all, as he meekly extended his hand to meet that of Su Yang.

*Clap*

Su Yang pressed his hand with a firm squeeze, gauging the change in his expression as he clamped down on his hand with all his strength, however, Leo did not budge.

Internally, he was in a world of pain, however, externally he remained as stoic as ever, not backing down at all.

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As Leo's black eyes locked onto Su Yang's golden ones, an unspoken battle of wills took place between them.

Su Yang's grip on Leo's hand was firm, unwavering—yet as seconds passed, he tightened it further, applying slow, deliberate pressure.

It wasn't just a handshake. It was a test.

A test of endurance. Of composure.

The students around them watched in tense silence, the more experienced ones recognizing what was happening.

Leo felt the sharp constriction around his fingers, the way Su Yang subtly altered the pressure to stop the blood flow while crushing the smallest capillaries beneath his skin. It was a slow but calculated application of force—not enough to break bones, but enough to send a message.

Yet, Leo's expression never wavered.

His grip remained as steady as it had been from the start. He did not flinch. He did not react.

And Su Yang noticed.

His smirk widened as he finally released his grip, stepping back.

"Interesting…" he mused, shaking his own hand slightly as if to release the tension. His voice was tinged with genuine amusement.

A murmur rippled through the gathered crowd. Only now did they see the aftermath of the exchange—Leo's palm, faintly reddened, with dark patches beginning to form where the pressure had been highest.

Su Yang had done enough damage to cause internal bruising. Yet Leo showed no sign of discomfort.

He did not wince. He did not flex his fingers to seek relief once Su Yang let go of the grip, he did not move an inch, as if the pain did not affect him at all.

And that, more than anything, impressed Su Yang.

"I'm Su Yang," he finally introduced himself, his tone carrying the weight of certainty. "I'm the student who is going to stand at the pinnacle of Rodova this year."

The words hung in the air like an undeniable truth.

And yet—

Leo did not react.

There was no hint of irritation on his face as Su Yang made that claim, no flicker of ego either.

His cold gaze remained as impassive as ever, as he silently asked Su Yang the question of 'So What?' as if he simply did not care for his ambitions.

Su Yang's smirk twitched slightly.

'Not even a twitch of emotion? Tch. Now that's a rare type of arrogance.' Su Yang realized, his golden eyes gleaming with intrigue as he tilted his head slightly.

"Do you not wish to challenge me? Do you not wish to ascertain your dominion, Mr. No.1 ranked student?" Su Yang prodded, raising his chin slightly.

Then, grinning, he tapped his own jaw mockingly.

"Come on, take a swing. I dare you. Put me in my place—if you can."

A hushed gasp spread through the crowd.

Was he seriously inviting Leo to attack him?

Some students leaned in slightly, expecting an instant explosion of violence.

But Leo didn't move.

He merely continued to observe.

Still. Unflinching. Unshaken, as the air around him grew thick with unspoken tension.

Then—

Su Yang sighed.

"What a boring rival I have," he said dramatically, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Not even baited into a proper confrontation…"

He clicked his tongue, before letting his amused smile return.

"Let me tell you something, Skyshard."

His voice took on a grander, almost theatrical quality as he gestured toward the students surrounding them.

"If you want to stand at the pinnacle of an institution, you must have that iron roaring loudly through your veins."

He turned slightly, clutching his fists as he let the veins pop through as he addressed not just Leo, but everyone gathered.

"You must ascertain your dominion loudly and boldly, so that those beneath you never mistake themselves as your equals."

A few students swallowed nervously, already feeling the invisible weight of his words.

"You must crush the weaker competition absolutely and thoroughly, so that they never dare raise their heads toward you except in fear or respect again."

His gaze flickered back to Leo, sharp as a blade.

"You're too cold, Skyshard. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but with that attitude, you'll never be a leader."

His smirk deepened.

"You're bound to be a loner for life."

The words carried weight, but Leo remained unmoved.

Su Yang chuckled.

"Let the iron in your veins roar. Show these lesser talents that you and them are not the same."

He took a step closer, lowering his voice slightly so only Leo could hear his next words.

"Or else… they'll drag you into mediocrity along with them."

Then—he stepped back.

With a single, casual tap on Leo's shoulder, he turned away.

"See you around, Skyshard, I think we will be good friends," Su Yang said, his voice carrying an unmistakable edge of satisfaction.

He didn't get the reaction he wanted from Leo today.

But he would, eventually.

And that was a certainty.

*********

(Su Yang's POV)

On his way back to his own dorm, the smug smile slowly faded from Su Yang's lips.

For the first time since stepping foot in Rodova, he found himself feeling something unfamiliar.

Not annoyance. Not anger.

Intrigue.

'He's dangerous,' Su Yang concluded, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.

There was something about Leo Skyshard that unsettled him—not in a way that made him feel threatened, but in a way that set his instincts on edge.

Leo's pain tolerance, his unwavering gaze, his sheer lack of reaction—it wasn't just discipline.

It was something much more refined. Something cultivated over years of training that wasn't meant for showmanship, but for survival.

'His self-control is absurd.'

Most warriors, especially young ones, carried an innate fire—an emotional response when challenged. Even the most disciplined among them would at least sneer or show some flicker of pride.

But Leo?

Nothing.

Not a twitch of irritation. Not a flicker of competitiveness.

Not even amusement.

It wasn't arrogance. It wasn't confidence.

It was indifference.

And that, more than anything, was what disturbed Su Yang the most.

People who lacked ambition didn't concern him.

People who showed too much ambition were easy to manipulate.

But someone like Leo? Someone whose drive was unreadable?

That was a problem.

'He's perfect,' Su Yang thought, rolling his shoulders slightly. 'I can't get under his skin through taunts, and he doesn't seem like the type to stand up for others or form deep bonds of friendship either. He's the most no-nonsense warrior I've ever met.'

For someone like Su Yang, who had built his reputation on charisma, dominance, and psychological warfare—Leo Skyshard was an anomaly.

A complete outlier.

And he hated outliers.

Because outliers could not be predicted.

If Leo was going to be his rival, he wanted to know how to trigger him in battle, how to push his buttons to gain every advantage that he could when they faced off against one another, however, as of today, he found nothing that triggered the guy.

"Tch. Whatever. Once we get to actual combat, I'll see what kind of beast he really is—" Su Yang muttered under his breath, as a smirk found its way back to his lips once again, as he opened the door to his room.

'I was planning to take my time enjoying my climb to the top this year. But maybe… having someone trying to match my pace will make it all the more entertaining.'

With that thought, he stepped inside, shutting the door behind him.

Leo Skyshard may not have risen to his provocations today.

But Su Yang knew better than anyone—

A warrior's pride always came out in battle.

And he couldn't wait to see it.

Since his rival was this interesting, he couldn't wait to challenge him at every turn possible.

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