Master Assassin of the Ronan

Chapter 39. The Victor’s Choice (1)

As Daemon had anticipated, when it was revealed that Rubin’s choice was none other than Kuze Martin, the banquet hall stirred.

“This is truly unexpected.”

“Even as the winner, isn’t this choice a bit too careless?”

Was it because he had grown up among the outstanding retainers of the Ronan household?

Though they couldn’t openly say it, most of the family heads believed Rubin had made a very misguided decision.

“Young master, are you really choosing Kuze as your Ronenser? Really?”

When Hamil whispered to him, Rubin nodded calmly. He wasn’t shaken by the buzzing atmosphere.

Of course he wasn’t. In fact, at this very moment, Rubin felt satisfied with his choice.

‘As expected, no one truly understands Kuze’s potential at this time. Not even Mother.’

Rubin knew something that no one else present was aware of.

‘Kuze isn’t a failure. He’s a genius born in the wrong era.’

Rubin, now eleven years old, knew that Kuze was thirty-three.

He had just reached the level of a 4-star, barely achieving the basic metrics in essential skills to become a Ronenser: hand-to-hand combat, weapon handling, disguise, and stealth.

But Kuze’s true strength lay elsewhere.

‘His innovative application of Dark Ripple.’

An overwhelming creativity unmatched by anyone else.

In truth, in his previous life, Kuze had been a kind of eccentric experimenter, someone barely noticed.

With his quiet and somewhat melancholic appearance, no one paid him much attention.

But beyond that exterior, Kuze harbored an inexhaustible spirit for experimentation.

‘It was truly revolutionary. He created theories and trends that hadn’t existed before. If his genius had been recognized at the right time, he would have become a formidable weapon of the Assassin Blade Family.’

Originally, Kuze was supposed to return to the Krokisson Family without being chosen by any other house.

Branded a failure, he would be relegated to minor intelligence missions for the Krokisson Family, drifting here and there.

No matter how talented, a skill not used at the right time inevitably withers away.

That was the law of nature, and Kuze could not escape it.

When Rubin met him, it had been exactly at that moment.

In his previous life, Rubin had met the middle-aged Kuze about two years before the emperor’s purge of the Assassin Blade Family.

Kuze had already missed his prime, making it difficult for him to reach his full potential, but his creativity remained intact.

“When you release Dark Ripple in a hemispherical form and keep amplifying it, do you know what happens? You can create a zero-gravity field in an instant. Now, watch.”

The shock Rubin felt then.

He had implemented ‘telekinesis magic,’ something only possible in the realm of mana, using nothing but Dark Ripple.

But everything has its timing.

Kuze, whose abilities as an assassin had already declined, couldn’t apply his various experiments in actual combat.

Passing on his theories to someone else was also impossible at that point.

“I apologize. This is all I can show you.”

Kuze, who had been unable to properly develop Dark Ripple, could only suspend a few small stones in zero gravity.

It was the fate of an unbloomed genius.

‘But this time, it will be different. I’ll be the one to give him wings.’

Learning the various techniques Kuze developed was not the priority. More important was passing on Kuze’s theories and innovations to all other assassins.

To elevate the skill level of every member of the Assassin Blade Family.

Because, someday, everyone would be caught up in war.

At that moment, Seiren, standing at the center of the banquet hall, looked around at the Ronensers and spoke.

“From this moment on, I bestow upon you the title of Ronenser.”

The Ronensers bowed towards Seiren.

“From today, be the shadows of the children. And teach them. Everything you know and everything you will come to know.”

Afterwards, each Ronenser dispersed toward their new masters.

Bikandel, regarded as the most skilled, exchanged a final farewell with Rubin before going to Kun.

“Bikandel.”

“Yes, young master.”

“Kun has an exceptional combat instinct. His Dark Ripple is rough and straightforward, so he’ll like it if you help him hone that.”

It was a casual remark, almost in passing. Yet, hearing it, Bikandel smiled, though his gaze was serious.

“You seem to care for him.”

“I do. I hope that, should we meet again, he’ll at least be able to chase after my heels.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Bikandel chuckled lightly and nodded.

In truth, he had been quite wounded that young master Rubin had chosen Kuze over himself. However, he reassured himself that Rubin must have had his reasons.

‘Why on earth did he choose Kuze?’

Though he didn’t yet know the reason, as a seasoned retainer, Bikandel didn’t ask. He believed he would naturally come to understand it someday.

“Take care of Kun, Bikandel.”

“……”

After this moment, Bikandel would become Kun’s Ronenser. It might be akin to handing a weapon to someone who could one day be his enemy, but Rubin believed in his decision.

And he was confident that this choice was the best outcome for everyone.

“I hope you reach even greater heights.”

Leaving these words behind, Bikandel went over to Kun.

Then, passing by Bikandel, another retainer approached Rubin.

It was Kuze Martin.

His face showed a mixture of joy and bewilderment.

“Young master Rubin, it is an honor to be by your side.”

“Kuze. I’m glad. I look forward to working with you.”

“It… is an honor.”

Rubin recalled a conversation he had shared with Kuze in his past life.

Creating a zero-gravity field with hemispherical Dark Ripple.

Kuze had mentioned that he first attempted that dark technique around this time.

Right after Rubin made his second choice and Kuze became a Ronenser candidate.

“And if you succeed, you must tell me, Kuze.”

“…Pardon?”

Rubin’s remark, seemingly out of nowhere, left Kuze looking puzzled, as if he had just been handed a riddle.

Rubin added in a voice so low that no one else could hear.

“The hemispherical Dark Ripple.”

At these words, Kuze’s expression changed drastically again.

This time, his mouth hung slightly open in shock.

“H-how do you…?”

“I’ll gladly be your experiment partner.”

“…What?”

Rubin extended his hand for a handshake.

Kuze could only stand there, dumbfounded by the incomprehensible situation.

An experiment partner?

Not only did he know about his peculiar research, but he was offering to help?

This was research he had been too embarrassed to tell anyone about.

Rubin merely grinned at the still-bewildered Kuze.

It was noon.

The party from the nine families of the Assassin Blade Family proceeded one by one toward Elder Gillifield’s Arboretum, each following different identities and routes.

Among them, Rubin and Kuze were the last to enter the Underwater Cave.

“For hemispherical Dark Ripple to create zero gravity, you need a sequential process of ‘discharge action’ that maintains an even density and ‘amplification action’ that connects without interruption.”

Though Rubin didn’t respond, Kuze’s mouth showed no sign of stopping. It was as if a dam had burst, overflowing with passion.

‘So he only became reserved as he grew older. I shouldn’t have acted like I knew anything.’

Perhaps because Rubin had recognized his worth, Kuze continued talking about his research and discoveries the entire way through the Underwater Cave.

It was surprising to find him more talkative than expected, but Rubin didn’t mind seeing Kuze’s eagerness to show his work.

“We’re here.”

“Oh, are we here?”

Before long, the two of them arrived at the exit.

As they passed through the exit, other participants, who had arrived earlier and were waiting for the victor, approached.

The other participants seemed fascinated, seeing the habitat of the Roincrows for the first time.

However, there weren’t many areas they were permitted to enter.

They weren’t allowed to witness the sight of Roincrow eggs hanging from the branches of the Mist Tree or view the upper branches of the Mist Tree.

Such areas were only accessible to members of the Ronan bloodline or those who had ascended to the status of a branch family head, so they headed straight to the place designated for selecting the Roincrows.

A large clearing in the lower branches of the Mist Tree.

There, at the cliff’s edge, awaited hundreds of adult Roincrows, waiting for the young masters.

The Roincrows clung to the steep cliffs with strong legs, their sharp eyes gleaming as they awaited selection.

Watching this, Kuze muttered in a low voice, amazed.

“There are many excellent Roincrows here.”

He was right.

The Arboretum had completely erased the chaotic period from two years ago and was now experiencing its peak.

The Roincrows awaiting selection by the young masters this time were the fledglings that hadn’t even participated in the race to decide the King two years ago.

At a glance, they all looked sleek and large. It was evidence that the entire flock had achieved remarkable growth over the past two years.

‘Looks like the King did his job well.’

From the distance, a loud voice called out to Rubin.

“Young master Rubin!”

The one approaching with a wide wave was Phynik.

Phynik’s bold and lively voice cut through the serious atmosphere that had settled as the participants prepared to make their selections.

Sharp gazes, like daggers, aimed at Phynik.

They were the fierce looks of participants led by Kun.

“Phynik, it’s been a while.”

“It’s been ages, young master!”

“Shh. Everyone’s on edge as they prepare to make their choices.”

At Rubin’s quiet warning, Phynik quickly covered his mouth with both hands. Looking around, he realized the looks in everyone’s eyes were indeed fierce.

‘I have something to tell you. Lady Tina had a message for you.’

Did he notice that?

Rubin met Phynik’s eyes and gave him a small nod.

“Now, make your choice of Roincrow.”

At last, the moment of selection.

Seiren’s announcement followed, and the first to choose was Rubin, the winner of the second selection.

“Rubin. Step forward and choose your Roincrow.”

Rubin stepped forward from among the participants.

The gaze of every family head and participant followed him.

‘Phew.’

Hundreds of Roincrows filling the cliff. As Rubin approached, their eyes shone with awe.

Grrr.

Grrrrr.

The Roincrows already knew.

They recognized that the pure Dark Ripple, which had purified the Mist Tree two years ago, belonged to Rubin.

Having grown within the vastness of that Dark Ripple, they all longed to be chosen by Rubin, crying out as if to court him.

Kuze, Phynik, and even the other family heads and participants of the Assassin Blade Family looked on, mouths open, fascinated by the sight they had never seen before.

“What is this? It’s like they’re trying to court him.”

“Shh, be quiet! Fool.”

Hearing the rebuke from the Head of the Krokisson Family directed at Kun, Rubin chuckled softly.

Now, the moment of choice had arrived.

‘Any crow I choose here would be excellent.’

These Roincrows in their prime.

Such an abundance of choices was something Rubin had never experienced in his previous life, where he was always among the lowest ranks.

Back then, the Roincrow available for Rubin to choose from was only those that were below average.

But this time was different.

The quality of the entire flock was much higher than before.

Normally, there were only a few Roincrows considered top-grade. But this generation seemed to have nearly double the usual amount.

In other words, it was a golden generation where any choice was a good one, regardless of selection order.

‘Still, there’s only one crow I’m going to pick.’

Rubin stood before a Roincrow lying sprawled at the bottom of the cliff. It was an odd one, looking both lazy and arrogant.

“I choose this Roincrow.”

The Roincrow Rubin chose was smaller than the average adult.

As expected, murmurs filled the air once again.

“He’s making another strange choice.”

“What an arrogant kid. Acting so full of himself.”

“He’s a child you can’t read at all.”

It was understandable.

The crow Rubin chose was one of the ones at the bottom of the cliff.

Typically, superior specimens occupied the upper parts of the cliff, with their wings spread wide, looking down.

Aware of this, the participants following Rubin chose the crows from the upper part of the cliff first.

Kun, Hamil, and Blane were among them.

Grrr- Grrrrrr.

Regardless of that, Rubin stared directly at the Roincrow larger than himself.

When Rubin extended his hand, the Roincrow let out a displeased cry.

Kuze approached and spoke with concern.

“Are you sure about this? As you know, not every Roincrow accepts its master. Some even attack their master.”

Hearing this, Rubin chuckled. Then, in a tone fitting his youthful appearance, he soothed the crow.

“Hello, nice to meet you. This is my Ronenser, Kuze. You’ll get along well with each other, right? Kuze, you too?”

Introducing his chosen Roincrow, Rubin left Kuze scratching his head awkwardly.

Being asked to greet a Roincrow felt strange.

Cawww!

“Young master. The Roincrow seems to be wary of me.”

“That’s because it has a nasty personality.”

At that, the crow cried out once more.

Grrrk! Cawww!

“Stop crying. Come on, let’s go.”

The moment Rubin’s chosen Roincrow lifted off into the air to follow him.

Kuze noticed a change in the remaining Roincrows on the cliff.

‘Are all the other crows bowing their heads?’

It was as if they were showing respect to the Roincrow that had chosen to follow Rubin.

Only then did Kuze realize that this Roincrow had a rare eye color.

‘Mint-colored?’

Had he ever seen a Roincrow with mint-colored eyes?

Normally, their eyes were black.

Only Seiren’s crow, the one belonging to the head of the Ronan Family, rarely had red eyes.

“Ah, I just thought of a name. Tina sounds good.”

At Rubin’s words, the Roincrow named Tina cried out again.

Watching this, Phynik chuckled repeatedly, finding it amusing.

Finally, Phynik leaned in to whisper in Rubin’s ear.

“Young master Rubin. I didn’t get to deliver Lady Tina’s message earlier. May I tell you now?”

“What is it?”

“Don’t mess up and pick carefully, little brat.”