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As the ritual ended, Leon descended to the ground and approached Walter.
Walter looked at him with a satisfied smile. "It looks like the ritual was a success."
Leon nodded. "Yes, Sir Walter, the ritual was successful. As you mentioned, my godhood has decreased to that of a newborn God. Is that normal?"
Walter responded reassuringly, "Yes, it is natural for that to happen. Don't worry too much about it."
Flora, who had been watching Leon intensely, felt a pang of disappointment when Leon clothed himself. She had wanted to admire his form a little longer. Her heart raced to another level, audible to anyone standing close by, as Leon conversed with her grandfather.
Unable to contain herself, Flora stepped in front of Leon and began touching and inspecting his entire body. When she finished, she looked at him with greedy eyes, though she didn't fully understand her feelings. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, she recoiled from Leon like a startled cat.
Leon, stunned by Flora's behavior, couldn't fathom why she acted this way. But when he looked into her eyes, he saw the greed in them and thought she might desire him. Yet, he quickly dismissed this thought, assuming she was just concerned for him.
Walter, observing this interaction, felt a twinge of jealousy. However, he had already devised a plan to bring Flora and Leon closer. Given Leon's handsome appearance and the double abilities bestowed upon him by the world, Walter knew Leon would become a formidable entity. Forming a close relationship with him seemed beneficial.
"Okay, Leon, you can go rest. I need you to come to my office later," Walter said.
Leon looked worried, ready to explain, but Walter continued, "Don't worry. You don't have to explain your abilities. Just confirm that you have two abilities."
Leon readily said, "Yes, I have two abilities." He wanted to mention that he had more but decided against it since he didn't fully understand them yet.
Walter nodded. "Okay, come to my office when you're free, or I will call you later. Arnold, take Leon to his room."
Arnold, following Walter's command, led Leon to his room.
Walter then turned to his granddaughter. "Flora, you and Leon will be joining the Gods Academy starting this year," he announced without asking her permission.
Flora, taken aback, retorted, "Grandpa, I already learned everything. Why do I have to go to the academy now? Also, you know the restrictions placed on me."
Walter, understanding her hesitation and intentions, replied, "Flora, you have only received home teachings. You don't understand the outside world. You have to go to the academy. And don't worry, Leon is coming with you." He smiled.
Flora, still confused, asked, "But Grandpa, the Gods Academy only accepts a few noble and royal families, and a handful of talented mortal gods. How can you get Leon, with no background and no strong backing, admitted there?"
Walter smiled confidently. "Don't worry too much, my lovely granddaughter. Leave everything to me. I am going to ask someone to return a favor they owe me."
Flora, not fully understanding but trusting her grandfather, said, "Okay, Grandpa. Do what you need to, but don't put my Leon in a difficult situation." She then left.
In his study, Walter finished writing a letter and called for Arnold.
Arnold bowed slightly. "Greetings, master. Did you call for me?"
Walter, smiling, handed the letter to Arnold. "Yes, Arnold, I want you to deliver this letter to someone."
Arnold, recognizing the recipient's name, started shaking. "Master, do you really have to send this letter to her? She is the most dangerous one out there. You know that, right?"
Walter's smile turned devilish. "Don't worry too much about it. Just deliver the letter."
Arnold hesitated. "Master, do you think she will come after receiving this letter?"
Walter, confident, said, "Of course she will. There's no way she would reject it."
Arnold, seeing Walter's reaction, remembered the master he served was known as the Slow Poison Master—not because he used poison, but because of how he treated people around him. First, he would make them feel like family or friends, then use his manipulative words to ensnare them. Many had fallen victim to Walter's schemes. Sighing, Arnold bowed his head and left the room.
Walter, on the other hand, began to laugh. "Ha ha ha ha ha!"
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