Chapter 12: The Path of an Assassin
As the sun barely touched the horizon, painting the sky in a soft crimson glow, Ardyn and his companions awoke to the biting cold of the Seichi mountains. The frigid air stung their skin, but there was no time for complaints. It was 4 AM, and their training under Ezra had officially begun.
Ezra stood at the highest peak, his golden eyes sharp as a hawk's. "Your first lesson is to display the assassination techniques you already know," he said in a commanding voice.
Everyone exchanged glances before stepping forward one by one, showcasing their techniques—silent strikes, evasion maneuvers, and swift, deadly movements. But just as Steel prepared to demonstrate his skill, he hesitated. "Wait, shouldn't we—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Ezra moved like a shadow. In an instant, a sharp blade flashed through the air.
Slash!
Steel staggered, his eyes wide with shock. Blood sprayed from his chest as he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
The group froze, horror washing over their faces. Zion took a step back, his breath caught in his throat. "W-What just happened?"
Kai clenched his fists. "You killed him... just like that?!"
But before panic could fully take hold, Ezra knelt beside Steel and placed a single hand over his motionless body. A faint golden glow radiated from his palm.
Resurrection.
In an instant, Steel gasped as his body jolted back to life. He sat up, eyes darting around in confusion. "What... happened to me?"
Everyone stood in stunned silence. Zion, still shaking, muttered, "This guy... his raw power is unreal."
Ezra simply straightened himself. "Lesson one," he said coldly. "Death is real. You either survive or you don't. There is no hesitation in this world. If you can't handle it, leave now."
No one spoke. The air felt heavier than before.
After a long pause, Ezra nodded. "Good. You're all still standing. Now, let's begin."
---
For the next five days, sleep became a distant memory. The training was brutal. Ezra forced them to master not only assassination techniques but also martial arts—something every true assassin needed to wield efficiently.
The rigorous schedule included Sambo, Judo, Boxing, Wrestling, Muay Thai, Karate, Kung Fu, Krav Maga, Ninjutsu, Capoeira, Kickboxing, Kushti, Kalaripayattu, Silambam, Adimurai, Kempo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and traditional Jiu-Jitsu. They trained for hours without stopping, their bodies breaking, rebuilding, and adapting to the intense discipline.
By the third day, exhaustion clawed at their souls.
Steel collapsed on the cold ground, his breath ragged. "Man, this is brutal... are we even human anymore?"
Kai, panting heavily, wiped the sweat from his forehead. "We have no choice. That tournament is coming up. Two billion yen, Steel. Do you want it or not?"
The mention of the prize reignited their spirits. Steel groaned, pushing himself up. "Alright, alright... let's keep going."
Each of them found their own rhythm, slowly mastering select martial arts suited to their strengths:
Vex mastered Kickboxing and Krav Maga, making him a devastating close-range fighter.
Zion became a specialist in Silambam and Sambo, improving his defensive counters.
Steel, with his enhanced bone structure, mastered Boxing and Muay Thai for sheer brute force.
Kai excelled in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Karate, making his fighting style unpredictable.
Ardyn found his edge in Judo and Capoeira, balancing agility and grappling techniques.
By the fifth night, Ezra sat on a nearby rock, watching them struggle yet endure. A small smirk formed on his lips. "In just five days, you've managed to grasp two martial arts each. Impressive. But this is just the beginning."
Everyone collapsed onto the ground, their bodies sore beyond belief. Ezra crossed his arms. "Tomorrow, we begin assassination training. Get some sleep while you can."
---
That night, Ardyn couldn't shake the feeling that Ezra was still hiding something.
Sitting beside the fire, he turned to his mentor. "Ezra... back at the fortress, you killed your students. I saw it. Why?"
Ezra remained silent for a moment, gazing at the flickering flames. "They weren't my students. They weren't my sons or daughters. They were people who had long lost their way."
Ardyn frowned. "But still—"
Ezra sighed. "I gave them chances. Countless times. I tried to make them understand the meaning of honor, discipline, and survival. But they rejected it. Some people cannot be saved, Ardyn. They don't deserve redemption."
The words hung in the air like a heavy cloud.
"But you," Ezra continued, locking eyes with Ardyn, "you're different. You and your friends... you still have a choice. You still have a chance to change this world."
Ardyn clenched his fists.
Ezra leaned back, his golden eyes reflecting the firelight. "Your grandfather sent you here for a reason. He knew you had potential. That's why I agreed to train you."
Ardyn's eyes widened. "Wait... this was planned?"
Ezra chuckled. "Of course. You think you came to Seichi Mountain by accident? Your grandfather tricked you. Told you there were 'mysteries' to uncover, right?"
Ardyn let out a sharp breath. "That old man..."
Ezra placed a hand on his shoulder. "Listen, Ardyn. Train hard. Become strong. And most importantly... always remain humble. That is the true mark of a king."
As the fire crackled between them, Ardyn sat in deep thought.
This world was cruel, but he would survive. He would rise above it.
He would become something greater.
And for the first time, he felt ready.