Knight: from Apprentice to the Almighty

Chapter 275: Chapter 263: The Storm Is Coming

Roland’s heart tightened.

’To be able to evade normal Perception at this distance and in this manner, yet trigger my [Lonely Barrier]...’

Without the slightest hesitation, his body instinctively lowered its center of gravity. It was as if invisible roots grew from his feet, anchoring him firmly to the ground.

The hand holding his sword quietly adjusted its grip. It looked relaxed, but his Power was already like a fully drawn Bowstring, ready to be unleashed.

"Who’s there?"

The instant the words left his mouth, the patch of Shadow marked by [Lonely Barrier] rippled violently, like the surface of water after a stone has been thrown into it.

A figure coalesced with shocking abruptness from that empty space, as if he had always been a part of the Shadow and was only now revealing his physical form.

It was the Assassin, Jia Xiu.

He was still wearing the same suit of pitch-black Leather Armor that seemed to devour light. The half of his face visible beneath his hood looked exceptionally pale in the cold moonlight.

His injured arm was now tightly wrapped in bandages, but a faint smell of blood still hung in the air.

His eyes, which usually held a look of detached indifference, now narrowed for a rare moment. His sharp gaze, almost tangible, was fixed on Roland, filled with pure, undisguised...

...astonishment.

’More than... five paces away...’

Jia Xiu repeated the distance to himself, and it was as if a Giant Stone had been dropped into the icy lake of his heart.

This was the perfect range for his "Shadow Step."

Theoretically, at this distance, it was impossible to be detected unless actively scanned by a powerhouse specializing in the Prophetic System or possessing a special Perception Domain.

’But...’

Jia Xiu stared intently at Roland, as if he were truly seeing the young man before him for the first time.

In his Perception, the young man’s aura was the same as always.

Stronger than an ordinary Extraordinary, but only by a small margin.

And yet, this "weak" existence, as he saw him, had pinpointed his location with perfect accuracy.

’Even Graham probably couldn’t have done that.’

Within a few breaths, the astonishment in Jia Xiu’s eyes receded like a tide, replaced once more by the indifference of a deep pool.

But the way he looked at Roland was now completely different.

It was a look of scrutiny, of assessment.

It was a solemn reevaluation that instantly elevated Roland from a "prospect worth watching" to someone whose "danger and value must be reassessed."

’Then... the person who cast such a powerful spell at the High Tower earlier... it couldn’t... really have been this kid, could it?’

"Lord Jia Xiu?"

Roland’s voice broke the Assassin’s chaotic train of thought.

Jia Xiu let out an almost imperceptible breath and slowly spoke.

"Where is Dean Graham?"

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..."

Before Roland could answer, a series of heavy coughs tore through the silence, followed by the hoarse voice of the Knight Academy’s Dean.

"I’m over here, Jia Xiu."

Hearing his name, the Assassin finally withdrew his scrutinizing gaze from Roland.

"If you would... please continue to keep watch."

Noticing a hint of warmth in his tone, a departure from his usual stiffness, Roland raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Yes."

Seeing this, Jia Xiu said nothing more. He just gave a slight nod and walked straight toward Graham.

The distance had been too great before, and with the dimness of the night, Jia Xiu hadn’t been able to see Graham’s condition clearly.

It was only when they were a stone’s throw apart that the Assassin got a full view of the Knight Academy Dean’s state. He couldn’t help but let out a low cry of alarm and hurried forward.

"Dean Graham, you’re..."

"It’s a minor issue. I’ll recover after some rest back home. But you..."

Graham’s lips twitched into a forced smile. Looking utterly exhausted, he gave a weak wave of his hand and decisively changed the subject.

"You seemed to be in a hurry to find me. Is something urgent?"

Seeing that Graham didn’t want to discuss his injuries, Jia Xiu wisely didn’t press the matter. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke slowly.

"Lord Derek wants you to return to the Royal Capital as soon as possible."

"Hmm?"

Hearing this, Graham’s brow furrowed at once.

He knew his old friend’s personality all too well.

Compared to Marston, the impetuous leader of the noble faction, Derek, as the head of the Merchant Faction, had always been profoundly shrewd and never easily showed his emotions.

Even in the face of a major crisis, the man always maintained a calm and composed demeanor.

’But this time...’

Looking at the solemn expression in Jia Xiu’s eyes, Graham gripped his sword hilt, using the nearly broken blade to support himself as he struggled to his feet. He asked in a low voice,

"What happened?"

Jia Xiu glanced around, and after confirming that Avril and the others were fast asleep, he gestured with his eyes, leading Graham to a secluded corner before speaking in a hushed tone.

"According to reliable intelligence, the Beastmen to the north have once again launched a war against the Golden Valley Kingdom."

"That..."

A flicker of confusion crossed Graham’s eyes.

"That sort of thing happens a few times a year. It’s hardly out of the ordinary, is it?"

"Indeed."

Jia Xiu nodded lightly.

"I am merely reporting to you on Lord Derek’s orders. However, this time... it’s different."

"It is said... that the Golden Valley Kingdom has amassed a large army this time, and the one leading the troops is King Morne himself."

"Leading the campaign himself?"

Graham was stunned for a moment, then he let out a soft sigh, a look of understanding on his face.

’It seems the old King’s body... really can’t hold out much longer. Does he want to completely eliminate the Beastman threat to the Kingdom before he dies? But...’

A complex look flashed through his eyes.

"If I recall correctly, the succession of the Golden Valley Kingdom is still undecided, isn’t it?"

"That’s right."

’It seems... even a Transcendent of his caliber can’t escape such worldly concerns in the end...’

Graham’s voice was filled with deep emotion.

"Lord Graham, that matter is not important."

Jia Xiu interrupted Graham’s sentimental musings.

"Lord Derek is urging you to return to the Royal Capital because... an important guest has arrived."

"A guest?"

Graham’s breathing was heavy due to his poor condition.

"What? Have those stubborn Dwarves finally given in and agreed to our request to purchase Mithril?"

"No..."

Jia Xiu took a deep breath before speaking in a low, grave voice.

"It’s the High Tower... those Wizards have come to the River Domain."

"Wizards? By the gods..."

Hearing that ancient and ominous title, Graham first stiffened slightly, then let out a vague, bitter chuckle.

"It seems this world... is truly about to descend into chaos... A Storm is coming..."

He shook his head gently, the smile vanishing from his face, his expression becoming incredibly solemn.

"Do you know their purpose?"

"At present... it’s still unclear."

"I understand."

Graham clapped the Assassin heavily on the shoulder.

"You’ve worked hard, Jia Xiu."

Before the words had even faded, the Dean of the Knight Academy straightened his pained body, took a step forward, and called out in a resonant voice.

"Roland! Wake up your partners!"

"You can save your sleep for after we get back to the Royal Capital!"