In this one month, Leon had been able to clear up his thoughts, although he can't say he was back to normal, he couldn't say he was as depressed as he previously was. Since there was no way to change what had happened, he had to live with it.
When Mason asked him why he stayed in his room all through the month without even going to visit Dean once, he couldn't respond because he didn't know what to say.
"Did Dean come visiting?" He asked softly.
"No. According to Anthony, he has been cooked up in the library for the past month. It's quite strange given how he usually behaves." Mason replied while rubbing his chin in surprise.
The two were still speaking when Dean suddenly walked into the hall.
"Oh! Here he is." Mason was the first to spot him.
Following the direction of Mason's gaze, Leon looked at Dean. And was surprised by his appearance, he had dark circles around his eyes, his hair was a mess, and judging from how red his eyes were, he could tell he hadn't slept for days.
"Kid, what happened to you?" Mason was left dumbstruck by Dean's haggard appearance.
"Hello uncle, I stayed in the library for too long, barely had any sleep, in short, I'm exhausted." Dean replied tiredly while searching for a seat.
A seat that had an armrest with the head of a lion caught his attention and he quickly made his way towards it.
Seeing Dean going towards that seat, a strange light flashed through Leon's eyes.
After taking his seat, he looked at Leon's sad face. Seeing this, he flashed him a somewhat bitter smile.
"How are you doing?" He tried engaging in a conversation with Leon.
"Fine." Leon replied blandly.
Looking at the two youths, Mason realized that something else happened in the forest that day.
'Maybe they had a fight.' He thought.
Giving Leon a meaningful look, he got up.
"I see you two have things to discuss, I'll see myself out." He started walking towards the exit.
After taking a couple of steps, he paused, he gave both youths a deep glance before walking out. He remembered the times he also quarreled with Anthony, but after each quarrel, their friendship grew stronger. In any relationship, disputes were unavoidable.
"How have you been? The truth." Dean asked again with a sad look.
"To be honest, not so good." Leon replied truthfully.
"Have you been able to come to terms with things or do you need more time?" Dean asked softly.
"If I lock myself up for another one hundred years, it wouldn't bring him back." Leon tried to keep his agitated heart calm.
"It's okay. I know it would be hard on you, especially since you would be seeing me frequently, this was why I stayed at the library and didn't come to see you during the past month." Dean tried comforting him while tapping his fingers on the armrest.
Leon who was about to speak noticed this and froze, a teardrop suddenly fell from his eyes.
"You act so alike." His voice was shakydue to him trying to stop himself from crying when he thought of his friend.
"Huh?" Dean raised his head looking at Leon.
"You act so alike. Whenever he comes here, he always sits in that chair. At first, I thought maybe it was a coincidence, but just now you started tapping your fingers on the armrest exactly the way he usually does whenever he's speaking." Leon replied after getting control of his emotions.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that, it's just, I'm already used to it." Dean apologized.
He didn't think he and his predecessor would have so much in common.
'Is this really a coincidence?'
This thought once again came to his mind.
"So, why are you here?" Leon asked after a moment of silence.
"About that... I want to start training, and additionally learn some techniques." Dean announced.
"Also, I want to get revenge for Dean. Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing this only for revenge, but this is the first task I wish to accomplish after coming here. And I can't do it without your help." He added.
When Leon heard this, he was slightly taken aback. He didn't expect Dean would want to take revenge. He initially planned on taking revenge, since Dean also wanted to do that, he didn't mind teaming up with him for now.
"Okay." He nodded.
"But before we can get revenge, we need to grow stronger." Dean looked at Leon.
"I'm aware of that." Leon replied calmly.
....
The people of this world are mainly separated into two major power systems, Magus, and Warriors. The Body Tempering realm is a stage every individual must get through if they want to start their journey as a cultivator. After that, they would then see which path is suitable for them between the magus and warrior path. Not everyone could cultivate, hence those who can are looked upon highly.
In low-tier cities like Raven's City, Magus' are rare, rather, there are more Warriors. The reason for this was that becoming a Magus required too many resources, so they all preferred the Warrior path since what it mostly required was training. Only people with high potential to be powerful Magus' dare to embark on that path.
....
Hearing Leon's response, Dean didn't speak any further. During this one month, he had spent in the library, he had gotten a general view of the world. This world is ruled by three major races, the human race, the demon race, and the beast race. Although there are other races, these three races dominated the world.
The beasts' race has some unique properties thanks to its extraordinary bloodlines. Some humans have been known to pillage the bloodlines of the beasts and assimilate them with themselves, mainly those on the Warrior path. This caused a war between both races which lasted for over five hundred years. To this day, the beast race still hated humans.
Humans are also known to have a variety of unique bloodlines as well.
The demon race on the other hand is hated by both the human and beast race, the reason being that they were demons.
"If we want to fight against the Dale family without any fears, then we would need a backing that is at least as strong as theirs." Leon suddenly spoke up.
The Dale Family had connections with a powerful force, this was not something the O'Brien or Dawson Family could deal with in their current state.
"I heard they have ties with a tier seven Academy, so even if we want to join one, it would be at that level at the very least. To do that, we'll have to travel out of the city." Dean said after a while.
"I know, and I already have one in mind. But I don't know if we'll be able to join." said Leon.
"Why did you say that?" asked Dean.
"It's nothing much, we just need to break through to at least the Seventh layer in the Body Tempering stage in a month and a half." Leon shrugged.
"Hmm, a month and a half? Wait...why a month and a half?" Dean asked, puzzled.
He had read a lot about the world and had some knowledge about training. The Body Tempering stage being the first stage of the cultivation realm, focused on the tempering of the body through different physical training.
Advancing each level required tough training, and also the use of tonics, herbs, and other natural treasures. It usually took at least two weeks to break through the first layer, but after that, each breakthrough gets harder.
"Because there will be a recruitment in the Soaring Phoenix Academy, and we're taking part in it." Leon smiled lightly for the first time.
"Okay. So when does training start?" Dean asked.
Since Leon had agreed to cooperate with him, he wanted to put in his all. Besides, how hard could it be?
"Before sunrise." answered Leon.
"What?! I'll still be in bed at that time," Dean grumbled.
"It's not my problem." said Leon.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something.
"I remembered you said getting revenge was your first task, what other tasks do you wish to accomplish?" He asked curiously.
Although he didn't want to admit it, he was quite curious about this person occupying his friend's body, and what the person knew.
"The long-term plan is rising to the peak of the world." Dean said while tapping his fingers on the armrest once again.
"The peak? Do you think it's that easy?" Leon rolled his eyes when he heard this.
"That was why I said long-term plan. I'm confident we'll be able to get there." Dean didn't think he was saying anything wrong.
"Heh! We'll see." Leon turned around to walk away.
"Wait!" Dean suddenly called out.
"What do you want?" Leon asked.
"I'm tired, where can I get some rest?" Dean asked while stretching his arms.
"In your house, now, if you'd excuse me, I have things to do." Leon replied with a cold tone.
"So rude." Dean complained as he dragged his tired body back to his house.