Stepping into his quiet and small residence that was colored by the evening sun, Leon took off his shoes and fixed his casual black and grey clothes, unused to wearing something other than his sect's uniform after the past couple weeks.
Taking in a deep breath, he became relaxed with the familiar scents of his home as he searched for his family to let them know he had returned.
'Oh! That's right, I had told them I was on a class trip...'
Finding his parents in the small cramped living room with his mother attending to his recovering father, Leon felt a warm emotion begin to swell from his chest at the sight of seeing his parents.
"What the hell Leon! You told us you were gonna be away for a week, not three!"
His mother's shrill voice echoed throughout the room as his father only revealed a small smile without questioning his son.
"I ended up meeting some acquaintances while I was out and decided to visit them for awhile. Sorry for worrying you."
Laughing internally, Leon couldn't help but smile slightly as he thought about how is mother was technically scolding a man in his thirties.
"I'm not upset for you visiting your friends but at least give us a heads up next time. For god's sake Leon, you know how on edge we all are."
Leon understood the unspoken meaning behind her words as he noticed his mother's concerned gaze change from himself to his recovering father and he decided to offer some sincerity.
"I understand, next time I'll call you guys ahead of time if plans ever change."
Seeing that his mother accepted his apology, Leon made his way to his room after ruffling Jesse's hair with his hand before departing.
'It really is a pain being treated like a teenager.'
Leon sighed as he opened the door to his room and dropped the duffle bag filled with his belongings on the chair next to his desk.
Laying on his bed while staring out his window, Leon began plotting his next couple of preparations that would bring havoc to the East of Fuyo.
'While I'm back I should begin preparations for seizing the east by heading over to FallenStar headquarters to check up on their improvements.
Without their backing I won't be able to settle the other gangs in the area, not to mention the powerful figures that like to keep themselves hidden and behind the scenes.
Shit, I still have to attend my last day at school as well before graduation.'
Leon understood their was much work to be accomplished before the east would fall into his hands and fell asleep during his scheming.
No dreams lingered in his sleeping mind except for a haunting vision that he relived most nights, depicting his past death as he awoke after the smirking face of Armani faded away from his sight.
Awaking in a cold sweat, Leon sat up right with a wild look in his bloodshot eyes as he glanced around his room and finally calmed himself.
'Every time I feel like I am making progress that bastard's face resurfaces in my mind.'
Leon gritted his teeth in an effort to contain his rage and quelled his burning emotions before leaving his room and taking a cold shower to hopefully drown out these intense feelings.
After finally being able to calm his mind, Leon put on a black jacket with a white shirt underneath and black pants before heading downstairs and eating a quick breakfast.
Once he was finished with his meal, he said his farewells to his family and dashed off towards school utilizing this time and distance to train his Silent Strides footwork on the way.
Leon zigzagged through the streets filled with traffic as he dodged the different cars using them as imaginary opponents to further increase his proficiency in his technique and eventually found himself in front of the courtyard leading to his academy.
Ending his training there, in order to not draw attention to himself from the many students within the courtyard's walls, he proceeded to slowly walk towards the doors of the academy for the last time since today was his final day of classes as a senior.
However, his effort to not attract attention was completely futile, ever since he was placed back within his teenage self causing the different shocking disturbances that left an imprint in the many students' minds they began to view him differently.
Whispers and gossip began to flood the courtyard after the appearance of the once trash youth returned to school after weeks of absence and the students could not help but be fascinated by the complete 180 of his personality.
Alice wasn't an exception from this group after witnessing the strange strength and unnerving aura that radiated from the once pitifully weak and timid youth.
She watched as her previously annoying and weak pursuer had morphed from a small mouse into a silent icy lion while paying her no interest as he had once held for her.
'I don't understand what changed you into such a cold and wild existence but why won't you even look at me?'
Frustrated with her many attempts and messages to try and appeal to Leon being ignored, Alice became even more infuriated as her most recent admirer continued to pester her.
After Leon completely wasted Arthur and even made him into an obedient dog when he tried to get revenge, Alice quickly lost interest in the powerless and cowardly youth that was constantly being put in Leon's shadow.
Snorting from behind her a young junior mocked Leon as he saw the infatuated look on Alice's face wander after him.
"Oh look, its that fallen family's garbage returning to the academy's grounds to further pollute its reputation."
Unfortunately, after her break from Arthur many of Alice's previous pursuers resurfaced and pined after her beauty.
Most of these rich kids and mommas' boys sucked up to their families to gain their wealth and would betray their friends in the blink of an eye just to raise their position or status.
Alice was similar to them in the aspect of riding the coat tails of a strong man to boost her image but she chalked that up to using her natural born "gifts."
"Alice, what is your answer to my previous offer?"
Content with his mockery and clear disdain towards Leon, the little rat greedily returned his attention towards Alice .
Alice was disgusted by the lecherous eyes of the short and fat faced pig that continued to follow her without restraint and responded in a cold manner.
"Ah, I'm sorry it seems I've forgotten. What was it again? I've been rather busy lately without much time to spare and usually forget these trivial things."
She knew she couldn't offend these brats that held great power within society due to their families' positions, but refused to be controlled or tainted by them.
Suddenly, an idea popped into her mind that would help her escape these flies and hopefully better her standing with Leon.
"Actually, why don't you remind me later after classes Keith. We can meet here in the courtyard just don't be late."
Winking at the end of her entrapping statement, Alice quickly departed from her pursuer and went to her scheduled classes for the day where she hoped to see Leon.
"Okay! But don't just be teasing me this time like the others. You know my family's position within the city council."
Keith answered the beauty with his words trailing after her departing figure along with his lecherous eyes and licked his lips in satisfaction before turning towards his group of underclass minions.
"Watch this guys your big brother is about to tame the tigress."
The small group of youths snickered with their leader imagining the kinds of things he would due to the poor Alice once he had her ensnared.
Leon was oblivious to all the plotted actions of Alice and the foolish youths as he sat in his usual spot in class near the windows and daydreamed about his long awaited plans for the east as well as the realm of immortals.
As usual the classes Leon was in were all basic high school courses that he had taken in college or high school in his previous life and incurred no interest within him.
The professors for each class droned on throughout the day as Leon only answered when called upon and returned to his lucid stupor only being interrupted by Arthur's annoying offers of friendship occasionally.
Leon only shrugged off or ignored Arthur through his annoyances and before long the last classes of his high school career came to an end.
However, reaching into his bag and pulling out a thick stack papers, Leon headed towards the office to hand in the tests and assignments he needed to make up due to his prolonged absence.
Luckily, Leon had ordered Jay to handle the missed work and he handed it down to the secretaries of FallenStar to take care of before delivering the work to Leon's home awhile ago.
After handing in the papers, Leon departed from the office and texted Lawrence to let him know he was heading over to headquarters, now that he was finished with school, to witness their progress in his absence.
Turning off his phone after seeing his message was sent, he sighed as he recalled all the annoying messages he had received from Alice interrupting his chats with Lawrence.
'That woman just doesn't understand she is unwanted.'
Leon pressed against the doors to exit the academy without knowing the devil he had been thinking of was waiting for him on the other side.
"Ah! Babe it looks like you finished your classes as well. Want to go to that new café that just opened down the block? I heard they have some of the best coffee in the east of Fuyo!"
Alice's annoying voice reached Leon as he entered the courtyard and caused him to stare at the origin of her voice without emotion.
'What is this idiot preparing now?'
Leon was annoyed with this exasperating thought as Alice rushed over and interlocked her arm with his, leaning on him shamelessly.
However, before Leon could utter a complaint another shrill voice was heard from behind Alice's original location.
"What right does a piece of garbage from a trash family have to embrace my Alice!"
Keith's face was fuming as he stomped over towards Leon and attempted to remove Alice from Leon's side but surprisingly couldn't make the senior's arm budge an inch.
Becoming more enraged at seeing his prey being scooped up by another man, Keith began insulting Leon and his family more as he cursed his parents.
"You useless bastard! You think your still hot shit since your family was once provident but now your father is just a cripple with a worthless whore by his side."
Seeing the small fly in front of him spewing curses at his family, Leon began to lose his cool as his expressionless face formed into that of a demon from hell.
"I guess your family still hasn't taught you about nature's hierarchy Keith. I'll give you a free lesson right now free of charge."
Slightly pushing Alice to the side to remove her poisonous hands from his body, Leon slowly stepped towards Keith and began exuding his cold and death like aura.
Surprised by the contrasting change in the atmosphere, Keith gulped as he was confused by the power emanating from the ostracized youth before him.
He felt as if the angel of death had begun alluringly whispering into his ear telling him his end was near and began to slightly tremble before the demon slowly approaching him.
Keith started to shakily withdraw to escape the unnerving presence of Leon but was stopped by a hand that grabbed his collar.
"Some ants think they are birds and need to be reminded of where they stand before they realize their precious wings were only a mirage."
Leon ended this statement with a slight smirk causing Keith to tremble even more before his face brutally kissed the cement they stood on causing him to fracture his nose.
Blood and tears began to clog his eyes as he shivered on the pavement from the freezing temperature and emotion Leon emitted cursing his own foolishness.
Keith had heard of the incredible events that unfolded a few weeks prior but only believed them to be rumors spread by the student body, never accepting that the trash he could once step on was higher than himself.
Sighing Leon turned back towards Alice as Keith's minions dispersed quickly after witnessing their boss being brutally beaten in front of them.
"Alice. Go live out your sorry existence somewhere away from me. I would appreciate it if you would keep your toxic thoughts and emotions to yourself."
Leon whispered this final warning to the shivering Alice as he passed by her to exit the courtyard and was met by Lawrence, who was waiting for him with a black Mercedes sedan.
Lawrence had arrived and just exited the car to witness his boss's display of cruelty while waiting for him and smiled as he noticed the slightly stronger aura of the youth.
Leon soon forced Lawrence to wipe the grin off his face as he explained he would be inspecting the results of the training he had the FallenStar operatives perform in his absence and entered the car while emotionlessly staring out the tinted window.
Alice was still left in a daze and had not left her previous position in the courtyard as she shivered while remembering Leon's cold and heartless gaze after he annihilated Keith.
Of course Keith was in a worse condition as he clutched his bloodied nose and stared venomously at Alice knowing that he couldn't vent his anger like Arthur had towards Leon after seeing his results.
However, Alice had no one left to protect her since she had abandoned Arthur and had received the same treatment from Leon.
She could only curse Leon for not recognizing her beauty while noticing the cruel stare from Keith.
"You will be accompanying me to explain this incident to my family and take full responsibility to make amends."
Keith stared daggers at Alice as he spit blood out the corner of his mouth after painfully stating his intent.
Alice was helpless in the situation due to her lower status and without a stronger power to lean on she had no choice but to accept.
"Yes young master Keith."
Hating Leon's guts, Alice lowered her head as an apology and in agreement with the lecherous and vile youth before cursing Leon again and promising herself she would take revenge.
Even if it would take some years, she would embarrass Leon and his family lowering their prestige below the dirt in order to gain some reconciliation for her certain fate Leon had left her with in the hands of Keith.
Meanwhile, Leon and Lawrence drove off towards the new warehouse that housed their training operations near Nuit Frivole in anticipation for the results of Leon's training regiment.
Arriving at their destination, Lawrence quickly parked the car under the shade of one of the few trees that dotted the perimeter of the warehouse before opening the door for his boss.
Leon stepped out of the sedan causing the crunching sound of gravel beneath his shoes as he donned a black overcoat from the backseat and followed Lawrence into the seemingly normal warehouse.
Upon entering Leon was amazed by the sight that greeted him inside the spacious warehouse that had been transformed to fit their needs.
Multiple young operatives wearing tight dark black uniforms were training their internal energy on mats laid down on the one side of the warehouse.
While in the center they practiced the techniques shown to them by Lawrence upon Leon's orders in an arena that took up two thirds of the space.
The arena was fitted with an urban setting in an attempt to replicate the city they would be fighting in, and had many black shadows darting between the obstacles with clashing sounds ringing throughout the warehouse.
As Leon scanned the walls of the building he noticed a railing and inner balcony that lined the walls of the training facility allowing for spectators to watch over the performance and quickly ascended the stairs leading to it.
Overlooking the facility, Leon was satisfied with the results of the facility and the progress at which the operatives were learning.
In fact the operatives were not only accelerated with the training but thriving from the strict and resourceful environment they were given.
Leon glanced over to Lawrence after estimating the amount of time needed before he unleashed his operation on the east with the current level of his subordinates.
"Looks like everything is progressing smoothly I see."
Hearing his boss satisfied with the state of their operatives and new training facility, Lawrence proudly answered.
"Yes, your ideas reaped great benefits boss! In a couple weeks we should be fully operational with this new force."
Nodding his head, Leon turned his attention back to the arena and gazed at the proficiency in which the operatives performed their techniques.
'I'd say within two weeks we should be able to start claiming the east territory. Although, we still must be cautious since the strength of the other gangs alone won't be powerful, but if they form an alliance against us it could become quite difficult.'
Understanding his opponents was what led to his victory in the underground and business world in his previous life and Leon knew that their greatest weapon would be information.
"How is my special infiltration squad turning out?"
Without removing his eyes from the arena Leon questioned Lawrence and was excited as Lawrence placed his hand on his shoulder and beckoned him to follow.
Letting Lawrence take the lead, Leon followed him to a hidden staircase that led to the expansive basement of the warehouse filled with gadgets and reconnaissance gear for infiltration and was satisfied again after seeing the state of his special force.
Six operatives decked out in gear and gadgets stood before them and bowed, surprising Leon as he inspected each of them.
Leon couldn't feel a trace of energy or aura radiating from them which further signified their dangerousness.
"These six operatives were the strongest out of the bunch and were immediately taken here for secluded training according to the information and instruction from you boss.
The belts they were given operate to sustain an absorbing force that hides their auras and strength while their techniques have been centered around silence, mobility, and assassination."
Leon nodded in approval as he took a step forward and gestured for the operatives to raise their heads before he spoke.
"You will now have no name, background, or identification other than your face. Starting from the left and at one you will be given a number.
This will be your name and way of identification. I expect nothing but results from you six."
Bowing again, the six operatives smirked as they became recognized by their leader and would gain great wealth and prestige from their endeavors.
Staring at his own personal militia, Leon smirked as well knowing the time was near when he would regain his former glory.
'My death truly wasn't the end, but a new beginning.'
Content with these thoughts, Leon let the operatives resume their training as he and Lawrence departed. An uproar would soon be felt in the east of Fuyo with Leon at its center.