Timeless Assassin

(7 days later, Leo's POV)

In just seven days, Leo pushed [Enhance] to (Advanced) mastery, weaving it so seamlessly into his movements that it felt like an extension of his own body.

*Block*

*Block*

[Enhance] — Counter

*BOOOOM*

The shockwave rattled the platform as the Fourth Elder's body slammed into the far wall, stone cracking beneath the impact.

A wet, metallic cough escaped the old man's lips as he spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground.

*Cough*

*Cough*

"Fourth Elder, are you alright?" Leo asked, his tone more curious than concerned, as he watched the old man stagger upright.

"I'm fine… I'm fine," the Elder rasped, wiping his mouth as his eyes locked on Leo with a strange mixture of fear and disbelief. "I think… you've more than got the hang of my technique now—"

Leo gave a small nod of satisfaction. A week of relentless training had brought him results that most warriors could only dream of, and with this, he had mastered the third forbidden skill of the Cult.

"You…. You're free to go back to Vorthas or Juxta for now, Veyr should be returning to Tithia in about 3 days, so afterwards, the two of you are scheduled to train under the Eleventh Elder together.

*Cough*

It– It was my honor to be able to teach you." The Fourth Elder said, as Leo gave him a slight bow out of respect.

Never in his wildest dreams could the Fourth Elder have imagined that Leo Skyshard would master his technique that took him years to perfect in just under a week.

And although he wanted to take credit for Leo's speed, and pretend like it was all because of his excellent teaching skills, he somehow couldn't deny Leo's talent either.

From this moment onwards, he swore to keep a closer eye on this young one, as although Leo started as a pawn on the First and Twelfth elders camp, the Fourth Elder now wanted to recruit him as one of his own.

—------------

(A few hours later, Planet Vorthas)

Leo chose to return to Planet Vorthas first rather than heading to Juxta, as he wished to meet Amanda and the rest of his family before seeking out Charles.

At this point, he knew nothing of the discoveries Su Pei had made over the past week, and so he made his way home in the jolliest of moods.

"Guess who's back? Back again? Dragon's back… tell Amanda…."

Leo sang happily as he jived and danced while entering the house, immediately catching the attention of Elena and Jacob who were seated in the living room area.

*Jump*

Elena instantly pushed herself up from her seat, her eyes glistening with joy as Jacob rose beside her, both breaking into wide grins that could have lit up the entire home.

Without a second thought, they joined him in his ridiculous little dance, clapping in rhythm to his steps, their laughter filling the air with the kind of warmth Leo hadn't felt in months.

For a brief, blissful moment, the past war, the training, the schemes of the elders, it all of it faded away, replaced only by the simple comfort of family.

"Look at you two, still got some moves left in you," Leo chuckled, spinning his mother around playfully as Jacob clapped louder, matching his son's beat.

The sound of his voice, full of life and mischief, carried upstairs, prompting the rapid thud of footsteps rushing down.

In the next instant, Amanda appeared at the top of the staircase, her hair loose and slightly messy, her expression lighting up the moment her eyes fell on Leo.

"I knew I heard your voice!" she called out, her voice breaking slightly with emotion before she all but flew down the last few steps.

Leo barely had time to open his arms before she crashed into him, her momentum lifting her off her feet as he caught her with ease, the two spinning slightly before her lips found his.

The kiss was urgent yet tender, the kind of reunion that spoke of too many worries left unsaid.

From the corner of his vision, Leo caught sight of Su Pei standing near the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, watching the scene unfold with a calm smile.

Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and Leo gave him a quick wink, which was a silent acknowledgment that he had seen him and that they would talk soon.

Su Pei, despite the weight of whatever urgent news he carried, made no move to intrude.

Instead, he folded his hands behind his back, content to wait until the laughter and the warmth had ebbed into something quieter before pulling Leo aside.

For now, this was family time, and even the most pressing of matters could wait a few more minutes.

—--------------

Eventually, once the excitement had settled and even Luke and Alia, who had missed his grand entrance, had arrived and shared their own warm greetings with him, did Su Pei finally choose to pull Leo aside, knowing it was time to speak about the matters he had been holding back.

"What's up? Why do you look so troubled?" Leo asked, as Su Pei let out a troubled chuckle, as if he didn't even know where to begin with his report.

"No need to cushion your words, Monarch Pei, lay it on me, I promise I can handle it." Leo assured, as Su Pei reluctantly nodded in agreement.

"It's about your brother, Master…." He began, his tone gravely serious.

"I have been overseeing his recovery, just like you wanted me to, but while I was talking to him, I found out that his recollection of the events that happened to him did not add up…..

So I suspected that his memories might have been tampered with…." Su Pei explained, as suddenly, he saw Leo's expression change.

His usually calm master, that did not even show such merciless fury when he was fighting a duel against him, now suddenly looked like he had turned into the most unforgiving predator in the universe, as there was something about the glint in his gray eyes, that made even Su Pei shudder.

"Go on…." Leo said, his voice ice cold, as Su Pei felt forced to gulp down a mouthful of saliva.