Leon arrived directly beneath the room where he was about to meet the two individuals. He skillfully scaled the window of that room and gently knocked on it. Only after the father laid eyes on Leon did he finally grant him entry. Despite the father's warm welcome, Leon's attention was firmly fixed elsewhere – he focused his gaze directly on the girl lying on the bed. Without preamble, Leon inquired, "How old is she?" "...She just turned 16 this year," the father responded with a hint of uncertainty. "That's the same age as my younger sibling," Leon mumbled as he moved closer to the girl's bed. "Y-yes?" the father stuttered, not quite catching Leon's words. Nevertheless, Leon seemed indifferent to his reaction as his eyes meticulously scanned the girl's entire body, attempting to determine the stage of her illness. 'Considering her complexion and her slender physique... could it be the third stage?' he pondered silently. If it indeed was the third stage, that implied there was sti
Leon concentrated his inner strength, which held sway over the girl's heart, summoning it back to his fingertip. With practiced finesse, he delicately enwrapped her heart, skillfully coaxing it to beat in rhythm. The entire process unfolded in the span of a mere second, but to Leon, it felt like an eternity. Before he even realized it, a resounding thump echoed inside the girl's body a few times. Amidst the palpable waves of his power and the unmistakable sound that tickled his ears, he thought, "It's done!" Finally, he sensed the heart resuming its rhythmic pulsations. At that moment, a deep sigh of relief escaped Leon as he carefully relinquished his control over the girl's heart. With a gentle touch, he withdrew his finger from her back while channeling his power to mend the wound he had inflicted. A series of coughs interrupted the silence, signaling the girl's gradual awakening from her profound slumber. Her father acted swiftly, removing the needles that had pierced his dau
The journey to the forest was enveloped in silence as three individuals advanced in single file, with Leon leading the way. It was as if the forest itself was leading them, with no signs of danger in sight. They reached their intended destination, the place where Leon had instructed the dragon to prepare, with relative ease.Pausing at this specific spot, the trio stood there for a moment. Leon took a few steps towards the center, and the others instinctively moved to follow him. However, one of them halted upon hearing Leon's words."Noxin, remain in your current position.""Young master?""I have a private matter to discuss with Kelt. Please stay where you are for a moment. If any issues arise, you have my permission to intervene."It was only after hearing Leon's reassuring words that Noxin's expression finally relaxed, and he nodded."Very well, young master."Together, Leon and Kelt proceeded in silence towards the center of the forest.Eventually, Leon came to a halt, and Kelt f
Kelt took a moment to process all that he had just learned. The revelations about Leon's childhood, the awakening of his powers, and his illness were staggering. It was a testament to Leon's strength and resilience that he had not only survived such hardships but had also used them to protect his family. "Then, young master," Kelt began, but Leon interrupted him with a hushed tone, "Shh, it's not over yet, Kelt. There's much more I need to share." When Leon instructed Kelt to maintain silence, Kelt's response was to clench his fist tightly until it grew pale. His face displayed a multitude of emotions, a complex blend of guilt, sadness, and worry. His mind wrestled with the turmoil of these conflicting feelings. Nonetheless, Kelt chose to listen to his young master. He sensed that there was something more profound beneath the surface of Leon's words, something that required his full attention. "After I became aware of my illness, that's when I made a crucial decision," Leon contin
"Regardless, no, I've chosen to extend my forgiveness. Just accept it." "!?" Kelt's expression shifted from bewilderment to Leon's unexpectedly casual demeanor, as though the gravity of their prior serious and somber conversation had evaporated. He stammered, attempting to gauge his young master's current mood, and even his tears quickly subsided. "Young master, I—" "I've reiterated it several times now. Don't burden yourself with guilt or any other emotions. I'm simply expressing my thoughts without intending to impose any particular feelings on you, you know." Kelt, still taken aback by this unexpected change in Leon's demeanor, struggled to find the right words. His emotions were in a whirlwind, from disbelief to a deep sense of relief. However, he couldn't deny the honesty and compassion in Leon's gaze. Leon went on, his tone softer now, "Kelt, I've come to realize that dwelling on our past actions won't lead us anywhere. We've both made choices, some good and some bad, but
Leon had no intention of prolonging the conversation. He stole a quick glance at his pocket watch, its hands almost reaching the appointed time. With a deliberate look at both of them, he broke the silence."Let's pause our discussion here for now... and as for you, Kelt," Leon directed his gaze towards him."Yes, young master," Kelt responded."Please reach out to my family,""?""There's something I need to convey to them," Leon's countenance remained tranquil as he made this request. Kelt refrained from further inquiries and complied without hesitation.Before long, the orb in Kelt's hand finally projected the familiar faces of the three individuals Leon knew so well—his family.A soft smile graced Leon's lips. His heart swelled with a mix of emotions.The expressions on their faces as they gazed at him revealed a blend of surprise. It seemed that they hadn't anticipated receiving communication from Leon at this late hour."Leon, what's the matter? What so urgent that you call us t
"Leon... I know you. I know you so well. You're the kind of person who conceals your emotions and thoughts," Carl remarked, withdrawing his hand from Leon's shoulder. He wiped his face, his eyes still bearing the weight of sadness, but now devoid of tears. Continuing, he said, "So the fact that you've reached out to us like this, sharing this with us, there must be a hidden message behind it. What is it, my son? What have you been keeping from us? How much time do you have left?"Leon fell into a contemplative silence. It wasn't that he didn't grasp the significance of his father's question; rather, he needed a moment to gather his thoughts.Before long, Leon, his voice quivering, finally summoned the courage to respond to his father's inquiry. He paused briefly before admitting, "...Father, I may not be fortunate enough to see tomorrow."Carl's countenance contorted, a mixture of shock and grief washing over him as he absorbed the weight of Leon's revelation. The magnitude of the sit
A dense silence gripped the surroundings, with no one daring to break it, including Leon, who refrained from speaking given the current situation. His failed attempt at humor, which had earned him disapproving looks earlier, had taught him that silence was the most appropriate choice in this atmosphere. Not long after, the hurried footsteps of two individuals echoed, closing in on their location. Leon had a strong suspicion about their identities. "Likely Luis and Mother," he surmised. His intuition proved correct when, in the next moment, the two appeared behind the trees shrouded in darkness. And there, amidst the dimly lit woods, the figures of Luis and their anxious mother came into view. Their faces were a mixture of worry and relief as they finally reunited with Leon. Luis rushed towards Leon, embracing him tightly, unable to hold back his tears. "I'm here, Leon," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "I came as quickly as I could. We're all here for you." His gaze shifte