His right arm hung at his side, and sweat dripped from his chin onto the ground.
"Ho ho ho, Young Master Illumi is right. I used fifty percent of my strength."
But the reality is that Young Master Illumi is weaker than I am. I'll use as much strength as I deem necessary to deal with you.
The weak have no choices, and that is the privilege of the strong.
Zebro smiled kindly.
Still, Young Master Illumi has already surpassed more than ninety-nine percent of his peers at this age.
"I didn't even expect you to dodge that last attack."
Zebro had been most satisfied with Illumi's progress over the past three years.
Illumi's understanding far surpassed that of other children his age.
Whether it was assassination techniques, theoretical knowledge, or anything else, he learned at an astonishing speed.
His strength increased at an extraordinary pace.
He mastered grueling training that should have taken six to nine years in just two and a half years.
But his talent was not limited to physical prowess.
His unwavering resilience, relentless pursuit of strength, and steadfast dedication to training combined to make Illumi a true prodigy in Zebro's eyes.
"Can you still move?" Zebro asked, crouching down to study the sweat-drenched Illumi, a faint smile on his face.
"Young Master Illumi?"
Illumi's brow twitched, and he trembled violently.
He rolled over, planted his hands on the ground, and struggled to his feet.
"Impressive," Zebro said, watching Illumi's difficult struggle.
I still had the strength to stand after taking a knee strike delivered with fifty percent of my power.
Though Zebro wasn't yet at her peak, it was crucial to remember that fifty percent of her strength still amounted to a staggering sixteen tons.
"That really hurt," Illumi muttered, grimacing.
He glanced at Zebro with a frown, then staggered toward the Zoldyck Family estate, his legs trembling.
Today's combat training was over.
Now came the daily routine, brutal drills involving poison, electric shocks, and impact resistance, all of which had become second nature.
It was 8:30 PM.
In the room where Silva was staying, Zebro stood rigidly across from Silva and Kikyo, his posture respectful.
"How is the training of Illumi and Irumi progressing?" Silva asked casually, leaning back on the sofa with his right hand propping up his chin.
Young Master Irumi's training is proceeding according to plan.
"On schedule," Zebro said honestly. "Though still very young, it's clear he will become an exceptionally meticulous assassin."
"Meticulous, you say?" Silva murmured, glancing at Kikyo.
"Meticulousness is essential for any outstanding assassin," Kikyo said. "Irumi will undoubtedly become a top-tier professional killer."
Silva nodded in agreement with Kikyo's assessment, then turned back to Zebro.
And what about Illumi?
A glint flashed in Zebro's eyes as he adjusted his monocle, and he declared solemnly, "In my opinion, Young Master Illumi is already fully qualified to serve as a competent assassin."
At that pronouncement, Silva immediately frowned, and Kikyo gasped in astonishment.
"Zebro, why do you believe that?" Silva asked, his eyes narrowing as a palpable pressure pressed down on Zebro. "Illumi is only six years old. He is far too young to leave home."
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Zebro's forehead, but he forced himself to speak, determined to voice his opinion.
I know Young Master Illumi's training progress better than anyone else.
In truth, he completed the training that should have taken six to nine years more than half a year ago.
These past six months have simply been me keeping him here to improve his practical combat skills.
Zebro detailed Illumi's progress over the past three years, and Silva's tightly furrowed brow relaxed as the oppressive atmosphere in the room dissipated.
"Lord Silva, Young Master Illumi is the most prodigious talent I have ever witnessed."
By the time he reaches adulthood, he will likely possess strength that rivals your own.
I think it's time to expose Young Master Illumi to the dark world sooner rather than later.
This will let him fully unleash his potential and speed up his growth.
The room fell silent.
After a moment of thought, Silva turned to Zebro and said, "Then let's test his strength first."
"I'll take him to Heaven's Arena. If he can reach the 200th floor there, I'll allow him to undertake assassination missions."
The next day at eight in the morning, it was time for breakfast.
Silva suddenly spoke, causing Illumi, who was drinking milk, to set down his glass and look at him. "You don't need to train today. I'm taking you somewhere."
Illumi nodded to show that he understood, finished his breakfast quickly, and followed Silva toward the dining hall doors.
Irumi stared blankly as his father and Illumi left the dining hall, poking listlessly at the rice in his bowl with his chopsticks.
Zeno lowered his gaze, glanced at them casually, and continued eating.
"Hmm?"
Just as Illumi was about to step out of the dining hall, his brow furrowed slightly. He paused, turned back, and looked at the three figures seated at the table.
"Greed and envy?"
In Illumi's eyes, Irumi was currently enveloped in an extremely dense blue mist representing greed, and it seemed to be growing even thicker around him.
His mother, Kikyo, was surrounded by a pink mist that represented jealousy, and its intensity was overwhelming.
His grandfather, Zeno, was surrounded by a green mist that represented tranquility. Very little of the mist drifted away. Instead, it clung to his skin like a thin film, showing his complete emotional stillness.
After three years of research, Illumi had discovered that every emotional color had both positive and negative sides.
For example, the blue mist around Irumi represented both positive emotions, such as calmness, rationality, and caution, and the negative emotion of greed.
Similarly, the pink mist represented positive emotions such as charm, sensuality, and gentleness, as well as the negative emotion of jealousy.
The colors representing the emotions were varied and diverse.
All of this required Illumi to constantly explore and analyze.
Tap... tap...
In the dimly lit, cavernous corridor of the mansion, two sets of crisp footsteps echoed with slightly different rhythms.
Illumi followed Silva, keeping a half step behind.
Silva remained remarkably calm, his body enveloped in a deep blue aura that radiated composure and unwavering resolve.
They did not speak as they walked to the main hall, where Zebro and Gotoh had been waiting for some time.
"Lord Silva, the arrangements for your departure are complete," said Zebro and Gotoh, bowing respectfully.
Both were enveloped in a pale blue aura that represented calmness, harmony, and rationality.
"Let's go," Silva said, nodding.
Zebro turned and headed toward the main gate, while Gotoh waited for Silva and Illumi to pass before following.
The two gatekeepers greeted them with deep bows, saying, "Master, Young Master Illumi," while each grasped a handle on either side of the gate.
With a click, the massive doors swung open.
As Silva and Illumi passed through the gate, the gatekeepers bowed again to see them off respectfully.
Outside the gates, a limousine waited, its emblem a silver three-pointed star enclosed in a circular frame.
Zebro and Gotoh approached the car from opposite sides and opened the doors for Silva and Illumi.
Silva entered through the right door, and Illumi took the left.
Gotoh and Zebro followed, taking positions as guards on either side of their masters.
The chauffeur sat behind the wheel, ready to drive.
The limousine sped from the Zoldyck Family estate toward a city near the mountainous Republic of Batoccia.
There, a dirigible had been arranged to carry them to the city where Heaven's Arena was located.
Inside the dirigible, Illumi and Silva sat facing each other, with Zebro standing guard beside Silva and Gotoh beside Illumi.
"Young Master Illumi, don't you have any questions?" Zebro asked with a smile, watching Illumi's silence since they had left the estate. "For example, where we're going."
Illumi, who had been gazing out the window, turned his attention to Zebro and lowered his eyes.
If you want to tell me, you will.
But even if you had not told me, I would have guessed where you were taking me.
"Ho ho ho, I just love Young Master Illumi's intelligence and composure," Zebro chuckled, with a slight hint of surprise in his eyes. He couldn't recall giving away any clues. "He truly embodies Lord Silva's exceptional qualities."
Gotoh glanced at Illumi from the corner of his eye, his expression cold.
"This time, I'm taking you to Heaven's Arena," Silva announced, his face calm as he met Illumi's gaze, radiating tranquility and harmony. "I want you to fight your way to the 200th floor of Heaven's Arena."
There is no time limit, but you may not use any methods outside the matches. This is to test the results of your training.
If you reach the 200th floor, you will become eligible to accept assassination missions for the family.
After that, you'll be free to leave home and do as you please.