In the town of Leford at this time, an unlikely meeting was occurring.
On one side of the wooden table sat the knight William, his squire, a young man of 16 years or so age stood next to him. On the other side was Leon's grandfather. With the table full of food and beer, the knight breaks his silence.
"It's been a long time since I have seen you sir".
"Sir?" the young man gives a quizzical look at his liege's response.
"Ah young Jack, this man here, well I suppose I would call him my teacher".
"Sir knights' teacher. He must be amazing then".
"Quite so, during my youth he… ah forget I said anything" William quickly backtracks as Leon's grandfather gives him a stern look.
"Anyway, Vildred what brings you to this small town".
"My grandson has come of age, so we travelled here together".
"A grandson huh, well if he has been taught by the legendary Vildred he must be quite the warrior. What's his name so I can look out for him tomorrow?"
"The kids name is Leon. As for his strength, I don't know if I would call it reliable".
"If he is weak, then I can send out some knights to keep him safe during the knight".
"Sir William the ceremony is a sacred act for the southerners, such blatant-"
Before the squire can finish his complaint, his legs weaken at the intense stare by William.
"Haha don't scare the kid. As for Leon you don't have to worry. He may be bit to trusting and good natured for my liking, as well as having just a smidge of magic power but he has something special".
"Something special?" giving a puzzled face, he looks over to his senior awaiting an explanation.
"It was about a year ago when I learnt about it. For about three years I had watched the kid wake up to train and only after the sun had set would he stop. Despite the brutal training he would put himself through, he probably wasn't much stronger than the kid his age".
Stopping to take a gulp of his beer, Vildred continued "Don't get me wrong it yielded some results, I'd bet that if both parties couldn't use magic particles, but a dozen people in this kingdom could beat him. He had learnt all kinds of weapons and combat. But struggle as he did, I could only see anguish, as his magic power let him down".
'Impossible, this geezer is just making up stories. No way could a peasant from the boonies, let alone a child have skills comparable to the great knights that pledged their allegiance to families like the Serpents'. Though the words flickered in Jacks mind he dares not mention them in front of his liege.
'Poor kid' William began pitying him in his mind.
"Seeing that I wished for him to give up, to live a carefree life. So, one night I decided to show him that the path of the warrior he had chosen was wrong. The boy was sent off to collect some things from a nearby settlement. I put on a 'mask of illusions' and attacked him. To show him that, it was pointless. At first, I was able to easily get the better of him, within ten moves he was unconscious".
"Lasting ten moves of yours means he likely had quite the talent" reminiscing on the harsh beatings he would get when he slacked off.
Vildred smiles at the remark before continuing "Once he was out cold, I thought all was done and my decision right. However, as I turned to leave, I felt his presence as he got back to his feet. His movements were nothing like prior. The once magic-less boy now held power over multiple elements, launching all kinds of attacks".
"It sounds almost unbelievable; I haven't heard of anyone using such variety of magic".
"The only similar figure I can think of is the knight of one. But compared to their wild onslaught, Leon's was sharp, his attacks more refined then when he was conscious".
"Wait, you have seen the knight of one, I thought they were a legend?".
Unable to contain himself the squire spurts out.
"I am curious too, I heard they are unbeatable".
"That might be right, I was still in my prime then and I couldn't last more than a few minutes. I was lucky to escape."
"I see they do indeed live up to the legend then" shocked by the revelation that even his teacher was beaten he nearly chokes on his drink.
Regaining his composure, he follows up, asking "So, what happened with Leon?"
"After half an hour I was finally able to subdue him. After he returned from his mission, I later asked how it went. He said for some reason he blacked out after getting into a fight, seems he had no knowledge of what happened after he fell unconscious".
"Sounds like he has quite the strange power".
"Anyway, what brings you out here William?"
"I'm investigating the possible appearance of you know what" almost whispering the sentence, Vildred's face visibly tightens.
Seeing the dark tone setting in William quickly tries to ease it "Its all just speculation at this point, no need for you to dwell on it when its probably all rubbish".
Wiping his forehead, he continues "Not just that, but I am also here by the Mistress's order, I was asked to keep an eye on her heir. Seems the two had some problems with the lack of a suitor decided for the heir". Knowing how haughty Elise can be, he had an inkling of how it was going.
"Don't talk about marriage with me, I have been trying to get Leon to chase some girls, but all he does is train. Such an unfilial grandson" placing his head on his hand he pouts.
"If its marriage you are looking for, I could propose this idea to the mistress, given what you said is true I'm sure it would convince them".
"Heh, if we say it was already promised, he sure to keep his old grandpa's word" as he flashes a mischievous smile.
"Alright I will see to it".
'But first he will have to deal with the knife pointed at his back' Vildred thought.