Chapter 1391: Affinities

"Correct, indirect manners of assassinations can be remarkably effective at circumventing security and protective measures, but they are much more difficult to plan, and have a much greater margin of error." Master Reina echoed his words. "Under what circumstances is one more preferable than the other?"

Rui had already arrived at the answer. "Indirect assassinations are probably preferable when the defensive measures of the target exceed the combat capabilities of the assassin. A Martial Artist has no need to go through the tedious and complex preparations and measures to assassinate a normal human who isn't even protected. However... if the target is protected by powerful Martial Artist bodyguards, then a direct assassination is likely to fail."

Master Reina nodded. "You mentioned you had powerful enemies. Assuming that the man you wanted to kill is among them, then you might want to consider an indirect assassination."

Rui hadn't given the actual manner of killing Chairman Deacon too much thought. After all, he had already decided to wait until the Beggar's Sect had gathered the information that it needed before making a plan.

But now that Master Reina had helped him get a slightly better understanding of the paradigms of assassination, her suggestion was definitely quite palatable. Chairman Deacon was undoubtedly a difficult target to target and kill.

Although Rui had quite some time to grow stronger, he may not reach a level of strength where he could directly assassinate Chairman Deacon past the man's security and defensive measures.

The Shionel Confederation may not be a powerhouse like the Kandrian Empire, but it was still a Sage-level nation. That meant it almost certainly was capable of raising and attracting incredibly powerful Martial Seniors. Certainly more powerful than the likes of those in the Shadow Isles which was a Senior-level region, barring the Silent Shadow.

Could Rui cross the vast gulf of the Senior Realm before his time was up?

If he could, then it was possible for him to consider a direct assassination where he attacked Chairman Deacon and his security detail and convoy to kill the man himself. But if he couldn't... then the only way to go about it was to rely on indirect assassinations.

There was another thing that made him consider it too.

"The probability of success of an indirect assassination is largely contingent on the quality of preparation," Rui noted. "Which means I'm probably more suited to indirect assassinations than direct."

"That's a smooth way of calling yourself intelligent indirectly. You really do have a talent for it.." She noted thoughtfully. "I shall keep that in mind the next time I want to brag without actually bragging."

Rui heaved an amused sigh. "I thought you were supposed to be the teacher."

"A good teacher learns from her student."

"I see. Can we get back to the main topic now?"

"Can we? Yes, but will we? That depe-"

"Perhaps I should have looked into more indirect forms of killing," Rui murmured interrupting her. "Indirect forms of killing don't directly make use of Martial Art techniques. And as prone as I am on relying on rigorous analysis and planning, I rely on Martial Art even more."

"Indirect assassinations can make use of Martial Art techniques just as much as direct assassinations do." Master Reina continued. "It is very difficult to poison someone well-protected without powerful poisons or good stealth-oriented techniques, as a Martial Artist."

"Hmmm..." Rui noted. "That convinces me mory that my mind makes me more suited for indirect assassinations, if not for my Martial Path, that was."

Rui's Martial Path was centered around adaptive evolution in a direct confrontation setting. That meant although his extreme analysis, deductive, and preparatory ability would normally make him more suited for indirect assassinations, he had applied those three mental parameters toward direct combat in the form of the VOID algorithm.

His ability to analyze, recognize, and predict was something that fully employed his cognitive parameters to the highest degree in combat in the form of the VOID algorithm. He has also applied it to his assassinations as well.

"My direct assassinations have as much preparation as indirect assassinations do," Rui murmured.

Master Reina nodded. "The level of preparations of your assassinations was quite unusual for a direct assassination. Usually, the only preparations that direct assassins need are ascertaining security measures, finding a good time and place, and securing an escape route. That isn't nothing, but it doesn't compare to the level of preparation you went through for each assassination, although you did make it look easy."

She turned back to the whiteboard. "Regardless, let us get back to the lesson. You can ponder your own course of action and potential endeavors after I have finished."

Rui put aside his thoughts for the moment before paying attention to her. He had come to appreciate the simple clarity that came with the distilled wisdom she offered. It hadn't even been fifteen minutes into the lecture on assassination theory and he had already found it to be quite informative and relevant to his own considerations.

He highly doubted that the information she provided was standardized information. Most likely, these were perspectives that had been born from her own experience as an assassin.

That meant that they were priceless. Who knew how many decades or centuries of experience had been distilled into these explanations and insights. Although she did lighten the atmosphere with her silly teacher cosplay, she was completely serious about passing on as much as she could to her pupils.

"Assassination is a field that has existed as long as humanity has." She momentarily interjected. "Furthermore, it is not a standardized field for Martial Artists since Martial Artists pursue solitary paths. What that means is that there is no existing theory for how assassination ought to be approached. Martial Artists simply hone their Martial Art and do their best with their assassinations with what they have. The reason I have developed a broad and deep outlook on the paradigms of assassination is because of my all-rounder nature and my many years of experience in the field. Be sure to absorb as much as you can."