From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir (Leander Ashcroft) novel Chapter 287

Chapter 287 You Think You’re Tough?

Finished

Skyler wasn’t known for being chatty in the Southern Wyvern Blade. In fact, ever since he got whooped by Leander not too long ago, the guy had barely spoken more than a few words at a time. He mostly kept to himself, head down, focused.

When he suddenly exclaimed, “How could it be you?“—his voice wasn’t merely surprised; it was

shaken.

He never expected to see that guy again–the one they called Mornwick’s Legend, who took over Jeff Enterprises, and nearly rattled the entire underground world. Yet here he was, standing directly in front of them, in their training ground.

The whole squad stood there, stunned. Eyes scanned Leander from head to toe, trying to make sense of what they were looking at.

Leander was way too young. He looked fresh out of school–maybe still getting carded when buying a drink.

His skin? Fairer than half the models they’d seen in magazines. Not a scar, not a scratch. Just smooth, clear, and weirdly perfect–like he’d never spent a single day sweating it out in training, let alone in combat.

He didn’t look like a soldier. He looked like he belonged on the cover of a luxury skincare

campaign.

Their mind raced. This guy? They put this guy in charge of us? You’ve got to be kidding.

Yet there Leander was—standing right on their turf, calm, composed like he owned the place.

After skimming through Leona’s intel just moments ago, he had called everyone down to the training ground. Sure, he had already mapped out some rough ideas for the upcoming sessions, but he wanted to take a look at the team himself–see what they were working with before locking in a proper training plan.

Leona stood beside him, documents in hand. Tall, sharp, distant as ever.

She barely looked at Leander. When she did, it was with the kind of coldness one would reserve for someone they barely tolerated.

To her, he was just this arrogant, rule–bending guy who waltzed in with a cocky attitude. That was her first and only impression.

What really bugged her wasn’t his attitude. It was the question that kept circling in her head: What had he done to earn such special treatment?

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The top brass at Crestgate Military District clearly adored him–from Darrow to the rest of the district heads. They didn’t just support him; they cleared the path for him. Even forced her own uncle out of his position just to hand Leander the title.

The whole thing felt off. None of it made sense to her.

On the other hand, Leander didn’t seem bothered at all. He casually scanned the crowd, eyes calm but piercing, taking in the entire squad.

Then, he opened his mouth. “I’m guessing most of you already figured it out.”

His tone was calm and detached. “Yeah. I’m your new Chief Instructor. For the next month, I’m the one in charge of shaping you into proper solo combatants.”

One hand tucked into his pocket, the other gesturing loosely–he looked more like some rich kid giving a campus tour than a military trainer.

“Anyway, my name’s Leander Ashcroft. Nice to meet you officially.”

The mood of the whole squad changed in a blink.

Wait a minute… that name. It’s the same one Skyler mentioned–his so–called love rival. The age fits, too.

A few of them exchanged glances, realization sinking in. No way. Is this really the guy? Skyler’s love rival is our new Chief Instructor?

Leander didn’t give them time to fully connect the dots. His voice dipped, just enough to cut through the air.

“Seeing all of you in person… I’ll admit, I was looking forward to this…” He paused, eyes sweeping the group. “Now that I’m here? Got to say—I’m underwhelmed.”

His tone shifted. Cool turned cold.

“You’re the Southern Wyvern Blade, yeah. You don’t answer to any ministry, you run independently–but at the core, you’re still soldiers. You follow orders. You stick to protocol. That much, I respect.

“Yet, you’re more than just soldiers. You’re supposed to be fighters. Warriors. Some of you are gifted with powers most people can only dream of.

“With all that going for you, you should be dominating the field.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Instead? You’re barely keeping up. That’s the part that disappoints me.”

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His words hit like a slap.

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All around him, the squad’s expressions hardened. Several jaws clenched. Even Torre–usually calm and unreadable–had a flash of something sharp in his eyes.

Leona’s brows lifted slightly. She could hardly believe what she was hearing.

These guys aren’t just some regular grunts, she thought, arms crossed. They were hand–picked from elite units across the country–the absolute best.

And now this guy is casually calling them weak, like they are fresh out of boot camp?

Seriously? What a joke.

Just then, a sharp voice cut through the tension.

“I don’t agree with that, Chief!”

It came from the loudest guy in the unit–callsign Boomer. Known for his explosive combat skills and an even louder temper. He stood tall, snapped a salute, and let his voice boom across the entire training field.

“Chief, I’ve got to call that out. Everyone here has been through the grind. We’ve seen real combat–we didn’t get here by luck. We train harder than anyone. We bleed for this. We push ourselves past the limit every d*mn day.”

“There are no weaklings in this squad.”

His tone didn’t waver. He wasn’t backing down–not even a little. Every word echoed the pride in every man and woman standing there.

They were Southern Wyvern Blade–hand–picked and battle–tested. They had their pride, and they wouldn’t let some pretty–faced outsider talk down to them, regardless of his title.

Leona narrowed her eyes, silently scoffing. Exactly. Let’s see how long this guy lasts.

Not exactly a warm welcome on day one, huh? Let’s see how he plans to step off this stage.

Meanwhile, Leander looked at Boomer, totally unfazed. “You’re the top guy in solo matches, right?”

“Yes, Chief!” Boomer shot back without missing a beat. He lifted his chin, voice ringing across the field–loud, proud, and full of fire.

He wasn’t even thirty, already pushing close to Martial Master level. Since joining the team,

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he’d never lost a one–on–one.

Yeah, he had every reason to stand tall.

Leander tilted his head slightly and let out a short laugh.

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“With you as the champion?” His voice dripped sarcasm. “No wonder the team’s level is what it

is.”

Boomer’s eyes snapped wide. “The hell did you just say?”

If Leander didn’t have the title of Chief Instructor, Boomer would’ve already charged in and flattened him on the spot.

Leander didn’t even flinch. “You heard me.”

“You think being undefeated in Southern Wyvern Blade’s internal sparring makes you special? Let me ask–how many moves did you last against Northern Wyvern Blade during that Wyvern Cup?”

A heavy silence settled over the field–even Boomer went quiet.

That memory still stung.

Six matches. Six straight losses.

Most of them didn’t even last ten moves. Even Boomer barely made it past twenty before getting knocked out of the ring.

Leander’s voice stayed cold, cutting clean through the silence.

“You call yourselves Wyvern Blade–but stacked against the Northern? Let’s be honest, I don’t even need to spell it out.

“You’re supposed to be the pride of the South. So, tell me what gives you the right to act like you’re untouchable?”

He pointed straight at them.

“You’re not elite. You’re not unbeatable. You’re just a bunch of guys who got wrecked–plain and simple.”

Leona, standing just behind Leander, frowned in disbelief. Is he serious? Those words are brutal.

She hadn’t expected that kind of heat from someone who looked like he belonged on a magazine cover. Pretty face, sharp tongue… This guy’s not holding back at all.

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Across the field, the entire Southern Wyvern Blade stood tense, fists clenched, jaws tight. Not one of them had a comeback.

Then Leander gave them a steady look and pointed to himself. “Drop the ego. Right now? You’ve got nothing to stand on.”

He didn’t pause long before resuming, his voice steady and assertive. “I’m here to change that. Trust me with a month, and I’ll make you stronger than ever before. You won’t enter battle hoping for a win; you’ll go in knowing you will. With my training, you won’t just fight to survive -you’ll fight to dominate.”

The team stood still, his words still echoing in their minds.

Fight to dominate? That’s a bold claim.

Even if someone could pull it off… there’s no way it’s him.

Boomer took a deep breath, then stepped forward again and snapped Leander a sharp army salute. His voice was steady this time, but the fire in his eyes said plenty.

“Talk’s cheap, Chief. If you’re really the real deal, show us.”

Leander’s lips curved into a slow, smug grin. “Oh? You looking to throw hands with me?”

Send Gifts

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