One week before Leon's return to the Solaris House
In a vast, echoing training hall, shafts of sunlight streamed through high windows, casting beams onto the polished stone floor. The air was thick with the metallic tang of sweat and the rhythmic clashing of steel against steel. At the heart of this arena, two figures danced with deadly grace, their swords flashing in the light.
On one side stood a tall and gallant Paladin, a seasoned Knight with weathered features and a greying mane. His body was toned by the decades of muscle training he'd invested in himself. His expression was fierce and focused, revealing the numerous wrinkles that had accumulated over the years.
On the other hand, his opponent was a young buck with entirely differing features. Shorter than the man by an entire head, the young boy looked right in the middle of his puberty, as not a single stubble of hair could be seen on his flawless face. His golden hair glistened with sweat through the sunlight, creating the illusory effect of a sanctified halo.
However, just like his sparring partner, the young teen's blue eyes were dyed with a determined expression as he gave his all to the session.
Their swords clashed with a relentless flurry, creating major sparks that would have ignited any dry wood. Utilising a series of feints and well-timed strikes, the two training partners read each other's moves and constantly clashed, each unable to break the defences of the other.
The older Knight struck like a well-oiled machine, measured and precise. The power that came with each blow was enough to hack a tree in half, let alone a sixteen-year-old teen. Meanwhile, the younger knight was as agile as a rabbit, dodging the stronger strikes by a hair's breadth while parrying the weaker ones with his superior speed and reaction time.
From an outsider's viewpoint, the sparring match seems won. The older Knight was pushing the younger one back, as all the blonde teen could do was react to his opponent's strikes. Not to mention, the older Knight was using his years of experience to gain the edge. He was fully aware of the younger teen's superior reflexes and agility, yet the older Knight had better positioning and timing.
However, those who knew the pair could tell… The sparring session was about to end soon.
Just as the older Knight was about to strike an opening he'd thought was created, the youngster disappeared from his sight, prompting the seasoned warrior to panic. He rapidly turned around, only to slash an afterimage left by the blonde teen. And before he knew it…
Clank!!!
The older Knight's training sword flew through the air, rolling on the stone floor while sending metallic echoes throughout the hall. The Knight looked down at his disarmed hand and saw a sword pointed up at his neck. Unwitting, a bead of sweat rolled down his cheek as he met eyes with the youngster who bested him.
"Well done, kiddo!" The seasoned warrior couldn't help but praise the boy. "You beat me fair and square."
"Thank you, Sir Patrick!"
Leon withdrew his sword and sheathed it immediately. It was just a training session; there was no need for excessive force once his partner had surrendered. Bowing down in reverence, he thanked the senior Knight with great gratitude.
"Your teachings have been invaluable to me! I would not have improved so quickly if not for your guidance."
"Don't be so humble; this old man didn't do anything!" Sir Patrick bellowed out in a booming laughter. "In the month I trained your swordplay, I didn't teach you anything! You just improved all on your own… But still, to lose to a young fledgling Knight… Should I start considering retirement?"
The jolly Paladin brushed his beard and remarked in jest. However, his sudden words threw Leon into a fluster.
"N-No, Sir Patrick! Y-You're still a powerful Paladin who can use sacred arts and Aura! If we weren't just restricted to swordplay, you would have defeated me within two seconds!"
Leon's white complexion was flushed entirely now, and it wasn't due to excessive exercise. His heart was truly in turmoil, thinking that he had caused a Paladin he respected to consider retirement. Sir Patrick narrowed his eyes at the unsettled youth before truly breaking into a fit of laughter.
"BAHAHAHAHA!!! You have a good heart, kid!" Sir Patrick tapped Leon's shoulder and asked: "Do you want to join my squad? You'll fit in like a glove with your talent and heart!"
"Ermmm…"
Leon would be lying if he said he wasn't tempted. The Holy Church's Paladins weren't all managed under the same umbrella. Some of them were defenders of Hyarum, while some were fighters who actively sought out evil in the world to destroy. Sir Patrick belonged to the latter.
They were warriors capable of smiting evil with a divine hammer of justice, bringing order to a chaotic world. Slaying Demons and defeating heretics were just some of their daily tasks. And while their duties did interest Leon, it wasn't his ultimate goal.
Fortunately, someone was here to bail him out of this awkward situation.
"Hey, Patrick. Don't try to poach my protege behind my back."
A red-haired, lanky man spat as he approached from the sidelines. During the past five years, Sir Arthur Pagiel, Leon's mentor and protector, immediately sprung into action when he saw his precious disciple being targeted by the vultures. Seeing the Head Paladin approach, Sir Patrick could only shake his head in pity as if he'd missed a golden opportunity.
"Tsk, I'm not trying to do it behind your back. I'm doing it right in front of you!"
"That's even worse!"
Arthur scoffed and rapidly shooed him away.
"Okay, thank you for your assistance. You are dismissed and may return to your squad."
"Hah… You're just as hard-headed as ever!" Realising that Arthur was closing the doors, Sir Patrick made a last-ditch attempt to head-hunt his new talent.
"Kid, if you ever get bored of doing drills with this boomer, come find my squad! Our doors are always open for you!"
"Take a hint, will you? Scram! And who are you calling a boomer?! You're older than me!!!"
Only after Arthur finally snapped did Sir Patrick leave the training hall like a kid who had succeeded in pranking his parents. Rubbing his temples, the Head Paladin deeply sighed and remarked: "He's nearing sixty, and he's still so childish."
"Haha, that's Sir Patrick for you."
Leon chuckled as he waved goodbye to his training partner.
"Hah… Well, at least he has done some good. Leon… Your swordsmanship has improved by leaps and bounds. If not for my promise to your father, I would have made you a junior Paladin by now."
Sir Arthur Pagiel sighed as he observed the sixteen-year-old youth once more.
Possessing the rare combination of youthful vigour and knightly grace, over the past six years, Leon has grown into a dashing young teenager who would turn heads wherever he went. Standing at a height of 1.7 metres, he cut a striking figure, his frame lean yet sturdy, honed through hours spent in training and battle. His movements were fluid; every gesture imbued with the confidence of one who had mastered the art of swordplay and chivalry.
Leon carried himself with the regal bearing of a Prince with complete confidence and royal poise in everything he did. And yet, he possessed a heart of gold, with kindness that would warm a thousand cold stomachs. His smile could light up a bonfire, as his astonishing good looks would move even the most heartless individuals.
A handsome man with a compassionate soul.
If there ever were a Prince Charming, it would have been Leon. And no one was more suited to be a Paladin who defended the Holy Church… than Leon.
"Has the time come?"
Leon questioned his mentor with widened eyes. Evidently, he was well aware of the Head Paladin's plans.
"It has been five years since you came to Hyarum. According to my promise with Lucas, if he hasn't returned to find you, you will have to return to the Solaris House."
"... must I go?"
Leon protested with reluctance. The young teen had been living his formative years in Hyarum. Sir Arthur Pagiel's constant care nurtured him, the kindness of the clerics and other Paladins of the Holy Church fostered him, and his close relations with Ella gave him friendship.
For him to give it all up and move to another country… was a terrifying thought for the sixteen-year-old.
But Sir Arthur Pagiel was firm on his decision.
"I promised your dad, Leon. Plus, you have been and always will be a member of the Solaris House. Your rightful position isn't in Hyarum but Solfea."
"B-But!"
"Don't worry," the Head Paladin reached for the young boy's head and affectionately petted him. "If you ever want to return to Hyarum to join the Holy Church Paladins, there will always be a spot for you."
"Thank you…"
Leon sighed heavily, understanding he could not change his mentor's mind. Furthermore, as much as the Holy Church accommodated Leon, he was just an outsider who hadn't joined any Paladin Order. There was a limit to how much they could let Leon freeload.
"My only worry is Ella… I don't know how she is going to take it."
The blonde teen's voice turned sombre as he recalled his bubbly junior. Over the past five years, Leon had become quite close to his playdate, who was a year younger than himself. Leon had even promised to become her personal protector many years back, but that memory still blushed their faces whenever they recalled it.
"Ellahan will understand. She isn't a Saintess candidate for nothing. And besides, it's not like you guys will be separated forever. Who knows? Perhaps the Solaris House would allow you to marry her when you come of age."
"S-Sir Arthur!"
Leon's face flushed cherry red, prompting a hearty laugh from the Head Paladin. At times like this, Sir Arthur was reminded of his protege's youth despite his mature personality.
"What's wrong? Aren't the two of you sweethearts despite the Archbishop's annoyance?"
"W-We aren't like that!"
The young man's reaction became more animated by the second, wildly amusing his mentor. Ellahan was Archbishop Araquiel's granddaughter and a prime candidate to become this generation's Saintess. On the other hand, Leon was the son of Lucas Solaris, the former heir of the Solaris House.
On paper, the two were a match made in heaven. However, to Leon and Ellahan, they were playmates who grew up fond of each other. They were aware of their feelings, but due to their immaturity regarding relationships, they had no idea how to express them. Hence, their current awkward yet adorable situation.
'Ah, puppy love.'
Sir Arthur blissfully thought. As much as Sir Arthur wished to continue teasing Leon, there was a limit, especially since the young teen's departure date was approaching.
"We will leave in a week. Initially, I planned to bring you during your grandfather's birthday. But I will be busy after this month due to the rise of peculiar incidents."
"Peculiar incidents?"
"Yeah, there has been an increase in Demon sightings recently. And there have been some reports of scorched earth. There was even a sighting of a Sun appearing at night."
"A Sun?"
Leon became more confused as he heard the Head Paladin rant about his woes.
"Yeah, that last one should be a hallucination from a delirious camper. Nevertheless, there have been more disturbances than usual. Hence, I foresee myself being busy for the rest of the year. Since your father entrusted me to bring you to the Solaris House safely, I hope you can understand that I have to bring you back ahead of schedule."
"N-No! I should be the one apologising for inconveniencing you all these years!"
"Haha, I'm glad you understand. You will have a week to say your goodbyes and pack."
"Okay…"
Life seemed to be sucked out of Leon's body as he unknowingly stared towards the West, where the Solaris House was.
'The Solaris House, huh? I wonder what I will find there?'