[TRAINING FACILITY]
As the crowd erupted in cheers, Najenda cast a sidelong glance at Leo, her smirk lingering. "It seems like you've unintentionally amassed your own group of admirers over the years," she remarked.
Her tone carried an air of amusement, and Leo could almost see the glint of mischief in her visible eye.
Najenda was well aware of the rumours circulating about Leo, or as many referred to him, the "Immortal Wraith." From his ethereal voice to his enigmatic mask and slender build, it wasn't hard to see why some believed he was a beautiful girl hiding beneath the guise of a soldier.
Though she found the misconception amusing, Najenda couldn't deny the admiration Leo had earned for his combat skills and his success rate on missions. She chuckled to herself, quietly entertained by the adoration surrounding her newest recruit.
Leo didn't dignify her teasing with a response. His focus was solely on the spar, his mind already calculating his next move.
---
As the match resumed, Leo launched forward, unleashing a relentless flurry of punches. Each strike carried immense power, forcing Najenda to shift her focus entirely to defence.
Her sword moved fluidly, deflecting his attacks with precision, but the sheer force of his blows drove her back.
Najenda narrowed her eye, impressed by Leo's determination. He's stronger than the reports suggested. No wasted movement, no hesitation... but let's see how he handles a curveball.
Without warning, Najenda activated her mechanical arm. The metallic cables shot out, wrapping around Leo's leg. With a practiced twist, she spun him off the ground and hurled him across the training hall.
Leo hit the ground hard, dust and debris clouding the air. Gasps rippled through the crowd, but the tension only heightened when they saw Leo rise to his feet, seemingly unfazed.
His hands gripped the metallic ropes of Najenda's mechanical arm, holding it firmly in place despite the distance between them.
---
Leo's movements became sharper, more forceful. He could feel it—that familiar surge of power coursing through his veins. It was the same phenomenon he had experienced during life-threatening missions, when his body seemed to tap into a reservoir of untapped strength.
It's happening again, he thought. His blood felt like it was boiling, his muscles burning with newfound energy.
Najenda's instincts flared, warning her of the shift in Leo's presence. Something's changed... I need to be careful.
Before she could retract her mechanical arm, Leo yanked it with incredible force, pulling her toward him at breakneck speed.
Najenda adapted quickly, slashing her sword toward Leo as she closed the distance. But Leo deflected the blade with his gauntlet, sending it flying out of her reach.
He moved in close, aiming to pin her down, but Najenda's agility saved her. She twisted mid-air, using her free leg to deflect his gauntlet and creating enough space to escape his grip.
Leo, undeterred, seized her leg mid-kick and hurled her to the ground. The impact was heavy, but Najenda rolled smoothly to her feet, recalling her mechanical arm with practiced ease.
---
The clash between the two fighters left the onlookers spellbound.
"NAJENDA! NAJENDA! NAJENDA!"
"IMMORTAL WRAITH! IMMORTAL WRAITH!"
The hall erupted with cheers, the crowd's energy reaching a fever pitch as they witnessed the intensity of the duel.
Amidst the commotion, Najenda raised a hand, signaling the end of the match.
"That's enough," she declared, her voice cutting through the noise. "Time's up."
Leo paused, lowering his gauntlets. Despite the exhaustion creeping into his limbs, his breathing remained steady.
Najenda approached him, her smirk returning. "You've passed," she said simply.
Leo glanced at her mechanical arm, now fully reattached. "Still adjusting to that?"
Najenda chuckled, brushing dust from her coat. "You caught me. It's a prototype. Give me a few more weeks, and you wouldn't have landed a single blow."
Leo crossed his arms. "If I'd used my Teigu, this would've been over quicker."
Najenda arched an eyebrow. "Fair. But if I'd used Pumpkin, you'd be a smoldering pile of ash."
"Pumpkin?"
Najenda's smirk widened. "My Teigu. Long-range, ridiculous firepower... you'd love it. Unfortunately for you, I've passed it on to someone else in my squad."
---
As the crowd began to disperse, Najenda turned back to Leo. "Let's head to my office. We've got some details to sort out about your new assignment."
Leo nodded, following her toward the exit.
As they walked, he muttered, "Even if there were a dozen of me, I'd still lose to you. Your experience is... overwhelming."
Najenda's laugh echoed through the hall. "I'll take that as a compliment. You're not bad yourself, kid. Stick around long enough, and you might just surpass me."
Leo remained silent, his thoughts drifting as he prepared for the next chapter of his life, or maybe his final.
---
[NAJENDA'S OFFICE]
Seated across from Najenda, Leo listened as she outlined the specifics of his new role.
"Before we dive in, I've got one question for you," she said, leaning back in her chair.
Leo tilted his head slightly. "Go ahead."
"Why now? You've turned down other squads before. What made you change your mind and agree to join mine?"
Leo hesitated for a moment before answering. "Because I want to," he said simply, his voice even.
Najenda studied him carefully. She could sense there was more to his decision, but she didn't press further.
"Fair enough," she said finally. "Let's talk conditions. As long as they don't interfere with the mission, I'll give you as much freedom as possible. But if you break any rules... well, you've seen what happens to people who cross me."
Leo gave a small nod, his expression unreadable behind the mask.
Najenda smirked, lighting a cigarette as she leaned forward. "Welcome to Night Raid, kid. Try not to die too quickly."
Leo's gaze didn't waver. "No promises."