Master Assassin of the Ronan

Chapter 41. The Victor’s Choice (3)

After Rubin’s decision to go to Kapotini was revealed, others shook their heads, unable to understand yet another incomprehensible choice made by a main family member.

‘What a waste of talent.’

‘Tsk, tsk, his unpredictability has gone too far.’

‘Did the head of Ronan’s family command this? To train his son more ruthlessly?’

The leaders’ dark thoughts spread as they failed to comprehend the decision, all the while, Rubin guessed this reaction accurately.

‘They must think it’s a foolish decision. To them, I’m still just a kid who’s recently awakened Dark Ripple.’

Assassin Blade Family heirs typically awakened their Dark Ripple around age eleven.

At that age, most began sensing the Dark Ripple rooted in their Ring and nurturing it to maturity.

The timing for beginning assassin training also aligned with this age, aiming for peak results in Dark Ripple development.

It was indeed a crucial time—handling Dark Ripple with the delicacy one would use in caring for an infant.

But Kapotini?

The reaction of surprise was warranted.

‘It’s a place with a massive mana stone deposit, directly opposed to Dark Ripple.’

A massive mana stone.

Cities of magicians, like Kapotini, were often built on land with buried massive mana stones.

The overwhelming amount of mana it radiated was fatal for the growth of Dark Ripple.

To roam freely in a magician’s city, Dark Ripple had to be at least two-star.

And even then, without advanced skill, it was challenging.

The dense mana constantly obstructed Dark Ripple.

Even the Imperial Edict Office only assigned targets in magician cities to top-tier assassins.

‘Well, Mother and a few other participants might see things differently.’

Most leaders couldn’t imagine Rubin’s Dark Ripple already surpassing two stars.

Logically, it made sense.

Except Seiren was different.

Two years ago, there had been the ‘Mist Tree’ incident in Elder Gillifield’s Arboretum.

Rubin had been the one who resolved it.

Using his Pure Dark Ripple, he purified the Mist Tree in that incident, giving Seiren insight into Rubin’s level.

What began as a curiosity toward Rubin turned into awe, recognizing that accomplishing such a feat meant Rubin’s Dark Ripple was at least two stars.

The same went for Hamil, Blane, and Kun, who had all faced Rubin directly.

They also knew firsthand that Rubin’s skill exceeded what the leaders could imagine.

However, despite this, Rubin’s choice still seemed reckless.

Why?

What could he possibly gain there?

“I’ll ask again, Rubin. Kapotini is a magical city, home to one of the Empire’s top magic schools. Are you sure?”

Rulfo reconfirmed Rubin’s resolve.

It was the first time that Rulfo, usually absent from banquets, displayed such seriousness.

The intoxication was long gone; standing up from his seat, Rulfo had even set aside his drink.

“Yes, I am sure. I have decided on Kapotini.”

Rubin’s resolve did not waver.

A magic school? A massive mana stone? Obstacles to his growth?

They were all trivial challenges he could overcome.

But if he didn’t go there, something unavoidable would happen soon.

‘I have to go, no matter what.’

In Rubin’s mind, only one man’s image lingered.

It wasn’t Telmach.

Avenging him was the ultimate goal of his regained life, but there were tasks to accomplish before that.

He needed to save his allies, secure artifacts, and ascend to new heights.

And this time.

‘Eliminate potential threats.’

Someone who would one day become a fatal threat to the Assassin Blade Family was there.

That was why Rubin chose Kapotini.

“Now, let’s see.”

To mark each child’s choice, Rulfo planted different-colored markers on a large imperial map.

He chuckled, raising his glass with a mouthful of liquor.

“This year, they’re spreading out across a variety of cities. Satisfactory.”

Rubin, who chose a magician’s city, seemed like an oddity, but Rulfo didn’t mind.

Whether Rubin succumbed to mana poisoning or failed to develop his Dark Ripple didn’t concern him.

Lately, the Empire’s information network near Kapotini had been weakening, so it was actually convenient for the Imperial Edict Office.

And on a personal level, Rulfo found Seiren’s influence irksome, so he was almost glad her son showed such audacity.

“Now, let’s enjoy ourselves.”

The banquet continued until the rowdy Rulfo drank himself into a stupor.

As nightfall neared, the members of the Assassin Blade Family, who had agreed to disperse to their respective residences, enjoyed the remaining time lightly.

Dusk gradually settled outside the window.

With the heavily intoxicated head of the Imperial Edict Office now absent, the only ones left in the banquet hall preparing to leave were the Assassin Blade Family members.

While listening to Kuze chatter in a corner, Blane Krieger approached Rubin to bid him farewell.

“Young Master Rubin.”

“Blane.”

Rubin observed Blane’s changed demeanor.

After the test, within just a few days, Blane had become a disciplined assassin.

Her previously timid demeanor was gone, replaced by a soldier-like confidence.

As Rulfo had noted, her burn scar now felt like an honorable badge, fully conveying her determination.

“I’ll give more thought to what you said to me.”

“What did I say?”

“In the Dreamweaver World, you advised me, didn’t you? You mentioned someone who mastered long-range assassination by shaping Dark Ripple long and straight. I plan to try that technique myself.”

“You mean you’re going to train in ranged attacks?”

Blane nodded with a face full of resolve.

“Yes.”

This determined look was the stance she had always maintained in life.

The stance of an assassin, lying in wait for hours, kilometers away, focused solely on eliminating a single target.

In this changed future, she had gained her burn scar and lost her self-confidence. But having now overcome her fears, she would rise far higher than she ever had in her previous life.

Rubin smiled lightly.

“Pardon for eavesdropping. So, you’re saying you’ll use a bow, right?”

It was Hamil approaching with this question.

Hamil playfully mimed drawing a bow in front of Blane, his cheerful gestures friendly. Blane only gave a slight nod in response.

“Then, I’ll be going now.”

Blane left first, bidding a dry farewell.

Soon, the sound of Blane and the Krieger family’s carriage departing the banquet hall could be heard.

“Young Master Rubin, there’s something I wanted to ask…”

Just as Hamil was about to ask Rubin a question, Kun wedged himself between them, interrupting Hamil mid-sentence.

“Rubin.”

Since the end of the trial, Kun hadn’t uttered a single word to Rubin, let alone challenged him.

The defeat Kun suffered in the Dreamweaver World had clearly left a lasting impact.

‘It’s only a matter of time. His brutal and arrogant nature will return soon enough.’

But that assumption turned out to be wrong.

With a seriousness Rubin hadn’t seen before, Kun spoke in a low voice.

“I didn’t expect you to choose Kapotini. Are you planning to learn magic?”

“And you? Hoping to gain the Empire’s favor by hunting down pirates?”

“If it makes me stronger, then yes, I’ll do it. Rubin, I’m going to get stronger—much stronger than I am now.”

Rubin nodded at Kun’s words, filled with grim determination.

Though, Kun would need to be careful not to let his path stand in Rubin’s way.

Rubin decided to watch Kun from a neutral standpoint, seeing him neither as an ally nor as an enemy.

“This humiliating defeat—I’ll repay it, someday.”

Just then, Hamil’s playful laughter chimed in again.

“Pfft! Like that’s going to happen? You look pitifully tamed. But remember, before you can defeat Rubin, you’ll have to beat me first.”

“…Mock me all you want while you can. One day, I’ll repay you for this disgrace. And after I strip the flesh from your bones, I’ll inscribe those pathetic words of yours there.”

“Right. Only Kun could come up with something so crude. Typical Kun.”

Kun didn’t respond.

Turning his back, as if to signal the end of their exchange, he left the banquet hall.

Soon, the sound of the Krokisson family’s carriage departing echoed through the hall.

Hamil leaned in toward Rubin, as though he had been waiting for them to be alone, and whispered.

“Young Master, what on earth were you thinking when you chose Kapotini? Hmm?”

Even while pressing for answers, Hamil knew he wouldn’t uncover Rubin’s true intentions.

As expected, Rubin’s response was something else entirely.

“Reuretta is a dangerous place, Hamil.”

“The more dangerous it is, the faster I’ll grow. You’re going into the heart of a magician’s territory, aren’t you? I’ll ascend one step at a time while dealing with monsters.”

Yes, keep ascending, Hamil.

In her past life, Hamil’s potential had been cut short too soon.

If she hadn’t died and remained a part of the Assassin Blade Family, she would undoubtedly have been a thorn in the Empire’s side.

Perhaps, she might even change the future, just a little.

“Here, take this.”

Rubin handed Hamil a small box.

Inside was a peculiar stone and a sheet of paper detailing a particular recipe.

“This is… a ‘Frozen Stone,’ isn’t it?”

The Frozen Stone was a key ingredient used in various potions. It could be artificially crafted or naturally obtained.

“Use the recipe to make a potion and drink it.”

“A potion?”

“You’ll need it in Reuretta. It’ll also aid in your growth.”

Of course, the last line was something he’d added on the spot.

Perhaps sensing something suspicious, Hamil scrutinized him closely.

“Don’t worry. It’s not poisoned.”

“No, I didn’t mean…!”

The recipe Rubin had given her was for a potion that wouldn’t be known for another ten years.

An elixir that would provide comprehensive immunity against toxins.

Poison had always been Hamil’s weak point. And in the previous life, it was the cause of her death.

‘This time will be different.’

This Frozen Stone was one Rubin had obtained from Elder Gillifield and Phynik, taken from the upper layers of the Mist Tree, hidden between patches of moss.

In other words, it was a Frozen Stone cultivated by the toxic mists.

Grown directly by the Mist Tree, its effects would be uniquely powerful for someone with Dark Ripple.

“Why would I doubt you, Young Master? I was just…”

Rubin silently patted Hamil’s shoulder, now flushed with embarrassment.

Although she might not seem reliable now, Rubin trusted that in the end, she would follow his advice.

“Thank you, Hamil. Let’s meet again.”

“…Thank you, Young Master!”

Hamil, holding her gift, smiled brightly.

Just then, Trikang of the Ronan family approached her side.

“Hamil, it’s time to go.”

“Young Master Rubin, we should be leaving too.”

At that moment, Kuze also approached. It was time for all of them to proceed to the next stage.

Rubin followed Kuze, while Hamil went with Trikang.

Climbing into their respective carriages, each of them exchanged brief nods, wishing one another luck.

Clack, clack.

With that, the carriages set off toward each of their destinations.

Inside the slowly moving carriage, Rubin closed his eyes and organized everything he had gained from this trial.

He had steered Blane back toward the path of the strong and given Hamil a way to escape death.

He had obtained the only Roincrow of its kind in this world and acquired Kuze, a pioneer in unique Dark Ripple techniques.

And he had manifested the aura held within his third Ring.

The aura, first revealed in the Dreamweaver World, had roots in the Brion Sword Technique, so it would be fitting to call it the Brion Aura.

The journey to Kapotini on the continent’s western side would take quite some time.

If he departed from the Ronan estate, it would likely take around four weeks.

‘About a month.’

It would be ample time to hone his aura further.