( One month later, Leo )
After a full month of practicing the 'Kill Strike' Leo was able to finally grasp the essence of mana compression.
The problem had lied with him trying to compress mana as if it was a solid object all along.
In his mind, he tried to compress mana like one would try to compress a ball of dough, trying to make it as compact as he could, however, that was a mistake.
Ben always told him, that mana was like a stream of water, that mana was ever flowing, however, Leo never understood the importance of these words until one day it suddenly made sense.
After repeated failures, constant reflection and comprehension, Leo realized that to compress mana on the tip of his dagger, he needed to compress it not as a solid, but rather like channeling and narrowing a stream of water through a tight passage, focusing its flow to achieve a more potent force at a single point.
This epiphany marked a turning point in Leo's training. He began to approach his practice with a newfound perspective, treating mana as an extension of the natural world around him.
Instead of forcibly compacting it, he learned to guide and concentrate its flow, harnessing its inherent properties to enhance his 'Kill Strike'.
*BOOM*
As he managed to pierce the entire 16 inch plate for the first time ever-, Leo felt like he was hallucinating, as for a moment no words came out of his mouth.
[ System Notification : Congratulations player 'TheBoss', you have attained, (Basic) mastery over the move (kill strike), since the move is naturally obtained, it's effects will be more potent when used ]
"YES!" Leo screamed, however, his own voice was not even audible to him, as before he could even scream 'yes', a much bigger scream came from behind him, as his washed up master ran towards him with visible joy on his face.
"YESSSSSSSSSS" he screamed as he lifted Leo over his shoulder and danced in joy, as even Leo could not help but chuckle.
Everyday, as Leo faced frustration and failure, Ben watched him closely and although he did not say anything, he suffered just as much.
He wanted Leo to succeed and understand the basics of his core move more than Leo wished to succeed himself as the second when Leo achieved his first complete success, he was the first to lose his mind as he lifted Leo over his shoulders and danced in joy.
'Kill Strike' was a (Legendary) grade technique. Something that could not be learnt unless one had exceptional comprehension and it was the move that Ben was afraid he would never be able to pass down to a student ever.
Two years.... That was how long it took him to gain basic mastery over kill strike, yet Leo did it in just over a month as in Ben's eyes Leo was a generational talent that defied common sense.
" Haha, Leo, sometimes you have no idea how proud you make me feel" Ben said, as by this point his and Leo's bond had been solidified forever.
For Leo, Ben was the father figure that he never had growing up, while for Ben Leo was like the child he never had.
While both never acknowledged this to each other, the warmth of the bond they shared needed no acknowledgement in the first place.
"Tell me, what gift it is that you want from me. For one time only, for attaining mastery of the kill-strike, I'll indulge you" Ben said, as he placed Leo back on the ground below, his face still full of smiles.
" Really? I can ask you for anything?" questioned Leo as Ben nodded in affirmation.
" Very well then, I want to know how a great and powerful assassin like you was reduced to a door-guard outside the assassin's alliance.
No matter how much I think about it, I can never make any sense of it" Leo said, as he felt Ben's bright smile dampen at the question.
" Hmmm, that-" he said, as Leo protested before he could even say anything as he reminded Ben that he had just said that Leo could ask him for anything he wanted and this was what he wished for.
"You said anything old man, and this is something I really want to know" Leo said as Ben slapped his head and chuckled.
"Very well. I did say I'll indulge you…" he said relenting, as he walked back towards their primary camp, with Leo in tow.
" It's a very sad story, boy, are you sure you want to hear it?" he asked one last time as Leo replied with gusto " Yes, I do".
Starting a small fire, Ben sat at his usual spot for cooking dinner, as he placed a pot over it and began boiling the water.
Leo sitting across him patiently waited for him to start narrating his tale as he could see Ben's facial expressions changing rapidly as he tried to recall the events that led to his downfall.
Anger, hatred, despair, these were some of the emotions that flashed past his face as taking in a deep breath he began his story.
" The Evanus family.... How much do you know about it?" Asked Ben as Leo tilted his head in confusion, not knowing anything about the Evanus family at all.
" The Evanus family is the current ruling family of this Empire.
The current Emperor, Julien D Evanus is the 4th Emperor of the Unity Empire, however, he was never supposed to succeed the throne" Ben said as he educated Leo about the royal family, as Leo immediately understood that this story had some connection to Ben's greatest feat as an assassin. The murder of the royal prince.
" The one who would have became crown prince was Marcus D Evanus, Julien's elder brother, however, after I famously assassinated him, everything changed" Ben said, as a pained expression gripped his face, almost as if he regretted that assassination.
"Let me roll a bit back so you understand better.
From before I became the greatest assassin to ever live, to before I met Julien..."