The Glorious Evolution

Hearing this, Levi decided to bite the bullet... the Runehoof Kin might have already lost their planet to the Nightcrawlers, but Earth was still standing.

To ensure it stayed that way, Levi needed everyone around him to become as strong as possible.

”If I were to possess such an Aspect... hypothetically,” Levi coughed, ”what’s your policy concerning the passing down of your techniques?”

Brahmin raised an eyebrow in surprise... his first thought was that Levi might be connected to the Runehoof Kin in one way or another.

Although he couldn’t detect any bloodline connection within him, Brahmin understood that there were plenty of Nightcrawlers spread across the universe with bloodline ties to their species.

Reaching this conclusion, Brahmin assumed that Levi wanted to expose his connection to their race, but was too ashamed to admit that he was a Nightcrawler, or at least contracted to one.

”It would be our honor.” Brahmin bowed his head slightly. ”I don’t judge one’s past actions or hold grudges... I judge the present. You, the current you, have saved thousands of my people... that alone is more than enough for us to pass down our techniques to you.”

Hearing this, Levi felt appreciative, but at the same time, he realized that it might not be easy to set Jojo up for their teachings... Brahmin had made it clear that the passing down of their techniques wasn’t guarded as tightly as it was by many other Lineages.

However, a condition still had to be met, and Levi had fulfilled it.

Jojo... not so much.

Still, he wasn’t giving up on her yet.

”I’m afraid you misunderstood me...” Levi smiled wryly. ”As much as I would love to possess the Zenith Constellation Aspect, it is not my path.”

Sati tilted her head slightly in confusion, and Brahmin’s expression mirrored hers.

”I brought up this matter for a dear friend of mine... she was blessed with the Zenith Constellation Aspect, but it remains beyond her understanding at the moment.” Levi requested in a solemn tone, ”I would be very grateful if you could give her some pointers...”

”...”

”...”

Both Brahmin and Sati went quiet... although they said nothing, Levi could feel their immense discomfort at his request.

It was as though their hearts wanted to please him and repay their debt, but at the same time, their blood boiled at the thought of passing their techniques on to an outsider who hadn’t even earned the right to enter their estate.

Not even Sati, the heir of the Zen family, had yet to unlock the Zenith Constellation Aspect and learn its techniques.

Levi wasn’t bothered by their reaction... in his eyes, it was mild compared to how some other Lineages would have reacted to such brazenness.

Trueborns despised Nightcrawlers in general... it was even worse for the Runehoof Kin, whose planet had been overrun by them.

Levi was the exception, not the rule.

They could do or give almost anything to him at the moment... but extending the same privilege to others, even his friends, was an entirely different matter.

”Mr...”

Just as Brahmin was about to steel his heart and deny Levi’s request, Levi added in a serene tone.

”I understand your plight, and it wasn’t my intention to put you in such a difficult position.” He paused. ”I’m not trying to force your hand... my only wish is for my friend to spend some time under your care. If you deem her worthy of receiving your teachings, please accept her as one of your own... if not, you’re free to let me know, and I’ll take her back.”

”No hard feelings whatsoever,” Levi assured them.

Brahmin’s expression softened slightly... he had been troubled by the notion of being forced to accept Jojo against his will, while fearing that refusing would make him appear ungrateful to Levi.

But now... it was different.

”If it’s merely accepting her as a guest, then I don’t mind.” Brahmin agreed with a slight bow.

”Much appreciated.”

Levi knew that Jojo was going to have a difficult time earning her place amongst them... however, he trusted her fully to earn their respect.

If she failed, well... it only meant that it was never meant to be.

”Will you bring her now or after we deal with the Targons?” Brahmin sighed. ”I don’t even know if your plan can still work... their actions were too extreme.”

”Fret not... nothing has changed,” Levi uttered coldly.

Although the terrorist attack hadn’t been part of Levi’s plans, it didn’t alter what he had prepared to win the case... in fact, he believed it had made things easier.

”I’ll handle the rest as promised... just be prepared once it’s time to file the suit,” Levi added while standing up. ”It’s our only shot at taking them down before your Noble House’s demotion.”

Brahmin gave him a stern nod, assuring him that he wasn’t going to drop the ball... after what had happened yesterday, he knew this was their sole opportunity for victory without bloodshed.

Soon, Levi left the Samsara Temple under the public eye... as the Runehoof Kin bowed in his direction with appreciation and gratitude, Levi went on his merry way through the dimensional gate.

He had made his departure so visible not to receive their attention or affection... but to let the Targonians know that he could finally be reached.

As expected, one of the few remaining spies within the Zen estate delivered the news to their boss right away... the boss was none other than Monora, House Targon’s Spymaster.

She delivered the news to Silas, who ordered her to position one of her spies near the Zen Relic Store... it was the only place they could make contact with Levi to arrange a meeting, since they had neither his contact information nor any knowledge of his true identity.

Levi had expected such a response, and yet... he didn’t go straight to the store. He wanted to leave them simmering for a little while after their spectacular failure to scare him off.

Instead, he returned to his studio apartment in Nocturn’s Heart City Main Hub and focused on working on the tool that would help him achieve his goal.

’It has to be perfect... to avoid detection. It has to...’

***

Two Hours Later... Jasmine’s Territory.

Levi stepped out of the dimensional portal, taking a deep, refreshing breath... Jasmine’s territory was as beautiful and peaceful as ever, enough to draw a soothing smile from any visitor at first glance.

He flew for a couple of minutes before descending into the camp.

Though it was a bit too peaceful... eerily so.

”Hmm? Where did they go?”

Levi murmured inwardly, using his spiritual vision to scan the camp, only to find no one around... he even extended it for a couple of kilometers, and still found nothing.

Not thinking much of it, Levi walked toward his cottage while sending a dimensional message to his brother.

’Are you traini...’

Abruptly, Levi’s entire body froze mid-step against his will.

Ambush.

That was the first thought that coursed through his mind... before it could spiral into a storm of questions, Nurah’s playful voice echoed beside his ear.

”Welcome back, handsome.”

Whoosh!

A shadowy dagger flew directly toward his shoulder with no murderous intent, but still... if it connected, Levi knew it wasn’t going to be a pleasant experience.

Caught by Nurah’s shadow with a dagger mere inches from piercing him, Levi instinctively concentrated Aetheric energy into a single point.

The exact point where the shadowy dagger’s tip was about to strike!

Expecting blood, Nurah was left surprised when her dagger met tremendous resistance against a bright green dot... tiny as it was, it was enough to stop her dagger cold.

”You wish.”

Nurah’s playful expression turned cold as she instantly transformed her dagger into multiple smaller shadowy blades.

Levi knew that once those daggers pierced his flesh, she wouldn’t hesitate to harden them and inflict devastating damage... and he wasn’t planning on letting that happen.

Taking advantage of the brief moment he’d bought himself, Levi expanded the concentrated Aetheric energy across his entire body, blocking the shadowy daggers.

Then, using his Harmonic Spine, he synchronized the Aetheric energy with its natural frequency through countless microvibrations.

Before Nurah could react to her second failure, her instincts screamed at the sight of Levi’s entire body glowing brightly... alarmed, she immediately sank into Levi’s shadow.

A split second later...

BOOOM!