Why did Number 23 like [Bright] so much?
It was an answer that the man himself didn't know. Number 23 stumbled across the novel during his free time. After a lifetime of missions, the greatest Transcendent of all time had reached a stage where he didn't know where he should point the direction of his life.
There were instances when he'd thought of retiring. To escape the bloodshed and constant fighting, leaving it all behind as he retreated into a corner of the world and read books all day. However, it quickly became apparent that Number 23 wasn't suited to that life.
Trained to be a fighter, he didn't know how to do anything else. In more ways than one, he was an incomplete human being with half a soul. If he weren't on the battlefield, he would rot at home, lifeless and brainless.
Continuing on his inhumane path of completing missions given by the higher-ups wasn't an option either.
Number 23 had just gotten his freedom back, and slowly but surely, the emotions he'd thought he sealed away were resurfacing. After years of murder and violence, the man had gotten tired of it all. It had come to the point where his sword felt heavier than usual, and he began to question the purpose of it all.
Lost, the Transcendent had no purpose and no direction. He was a robot, going through life one day at a time.
It all changed when he picked up that one particular book.
[Bright] gave his monotonous life colour once again.
The inspiring characters behaved as heroes would. Their steadfast dedication to saving the world and protecting their loved ones. And the one who led it all…
Leon Bright.
Leon Bright made Number 23 dream again. He made him yearn again. He made the man who had lost his humanity… human again.
So, when Amon had the chance to finally meet Leon, the inner turmoil that plagued his heart was indescribable. It was akin to a fan meeting their favourite idol. Although he didn't show it on his face, Amon felt like the world was spinning as his sister led him through the familiar practice halls and towards their final location.
And then… the moment of truth.
"Leon! Sorry, I'm late!"
The moment the brother-sister combo stepped into the training hall, the first thing that caught Amon's eye were the four individuals standing carefreely at the corner. Three teenage boys and one girl, each with their own unique characteristics.
Gale and Adelia Solaris were childhood friends who had become Leon's most trusted comrades. Amon also knew that in the future, the pair would be engaged while following Leon through his journeys worldwide. They would become powerful Knights and slay thousands of Demons, proving worthy of standing next to this generation's Hero.
Rufus Dobbin. A Knight who got to his position through sheer will and hard work. Admiring his grit and tenacity, Leon befriended the young Knight, and the gentle giant became synonymous with Leon as he combated the threats facing Hyades. Perhaps his most loyal companion, Rufus was a central supporting character in [Bright] and helped Leon build his achievements as the Hero.
Seeing those three major supporting characters in real life seemed surreal to Amon, who had always imagined their appearance through reading the books. However, the three youths weren't the star of the show.
It was the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Adonis who smiled right back at them.
"Hmmm? Arya, I'd thought you had some personal matters to attend to?"
"Haha, I've finished them early, so I thought I would pop by to see how everyone's doing."
"Oh! We were just closing out the session by exchanging some notes! You're welcome to join if you're interested!"
"Haha, as tempting as that might be, I must pass for today. I have someone I would like to introduce you to."
Arya let out a radiant smile and twisted her body backwards. Amon was easily a head taller than his sister, so his appearance had been well-noted by the four individuals in the training hall. Particularly the three Apprentice Knights standing behind Leon.
Their movements froze as they scanned the newcomer from head to toe. Adelia's eyes were quivering while Gale felt the same trepidation. Rufus had a far different reaction. His heart was beating wildly as his fist was clenched into a ball. The trio had recognised the man Arya had brought, and they could hardly believe their eyes.
With his back turned to them, Leon couldn't see his friend's reactions and just plainly evaluated Amon.
Tall like a gallant warrior poised for the battlefield. Handsome like a celebrity who had charmed a thousand fleeting hearts. And most importantly…
'This guy… He's strong!'
Leon could feel an imposing presence, much like he did whenever facing Alrock or Sir Arthur. Like Amon, Leon's senses were spectacular, far beyond any Knight his age. And his senses were now screaming at him to run away. Or, at the very least, not challenge the mighty figure that had entered the training halls.
Powerful figures like Knights from the Solaris House would subconsciously emit pressure that would intimidate lesser life forms. Just like how Dragons possessed a presence that forced weaker creatures to bend the knee, strong Solaris House members possessed the same trait.
And that was what Leon and his comrades felt as they gazed upon Amon's encroaching figure.
"Guys, I would like to introduce you to my brother, Amon Solaris!"
"... a pleasure to meet you."
Amon's low voice reverberated within everyone's ears. The one most affected by it was Adelia. Her face became flushed, not by glee or blissful joy. But fear and wariness. The others felt the same anxiety but to varying degrees. Only Leon had the wits to reply to Amon's greeting.
"Sir Amon, it's an honour to meet you finally."
"... you heard of me?"
"Of course! Your skills and valour are legendary! I have been hoping to meet you, and who knew I would get the chance so quickly? Sir Amon, I…"
"Please, just call me Amon."
Brushing aside the fact that Leon knew him, Amon didn't feel comfortable with the character he liked talking to him in such a formal tone.
"But…"
"Arya told me that the two of you are the same age. That makes me two years your senior. There's no need for such formalities when we're so similar in age."
"I-I see…"
Fortunately, Amon's quick thinking was able to concoct an excuse, convincing the young and impressionable Leon Bright. Amon intended to continue the conversation with Leon, but he didn't want to appear too eager. As Yue had explained to him many times before, it was imperative to help the Protagonist grow from the shadows, at least during the early parts of [Bright], to ensure as little deviation as possible. Hence, the stone-faced blockhead did something uncharacteristic of him.
"Gale, Adelia… It has been a while. How have you been?"
"S-Sir Amon! You remember us?!" Gale gasped while Adelia narrowed her eyes.
"Of course," Amon replied calmly. "The two of you gave me quite an impression the last time we met. Especially the young lady Adelia. I didn't expect you to cry that loudly when…"
"A-Ahaha, it's an honour to meet you again, Sir Amon!"
Abashed, Adelia flung her arms in a flurry. Leon watched his good friend turn from a straight-faced Amazonian into a frantic wreck, and wildly speculated what happened between Amon and her in the past.
'There must be a story there… Hmmm, I will need to grab Gale and make him spill the beans.'
While Leon was scheming to fish out a good gossip, the last person in the training hall made his way past Leon and politely greeted the infamous figure who had graced their grounds.
"Sir Amon, it's an honour to finally meet you!"
"... and you are?"
"Rufus Dobbin! I'm studying at the Knight's Academy alongside Arya, Leon, Gale, and Adelia! I've long heard of your exploits! It truly is an honour to meet you in person!"
Amon scrunched his face at Rufus' lengthy praise. Rufus was a character that Amon knew very well, and his love of justice and honour was second to none. It made sense that Amon's persona enamoured the young Apprentice Knight, but seeing a character he'd read treat him with such reverence and respect still felt odd.
Briefly cracking a smile, Amon answered back: "It's an honour to meet you. Also, you may drop the formalities, too."
"R-Really? It would be my honour!"
'Just how much honour does he have?'
Amon couldn't help but wonder. Nonetheless, he brushed aside Rufus's fervent eyes and turned his attention back to Leon.
Over the past eighteen years, Amon had wondered what it would be like to meet the Protagonist for the first time. What questions could Amon ask? What would he do when facing Leon, the object of his admiration? And what would he do to help advance Leon's growth and, ultimately, change the future to save the world?
However, as he was given more time, he could only reach one conclusion.
"Leon Bright."
"Y-Yes?"
Sensing the change in Amon's tone, Leon's back unconsciously straightened, and his neck stiffened. Not knowing what to expect, the young teen braced himself for the worst.
"I heard from my sister that you're the most talented Apprentice Knight in the cohort, and you're planning to join the upcoming Demonic Beast Purge."
"T-That's right!"
Hearing Leon's answer, Amon shook his head and continued.
"I won't advise you against participating in the Purge. It may be dangerous, but it's not uncommon for Apprentice Knights to partake in that activity. However, I'm curious to see what the most talented cadet in the Knight's Academy can do. So… Would you duel with me?"
Amon's request sent shockwaves throughout the training hall.
Arya widened her eyes in fright, unaware of her brother's intention. Not only that, she was appalled by the direct manner which Amon chose to request the duel.
Gale and Adelia were similarly frightened, this time in horror. They were perplexed by Amon's request and fearful as they had seen his prowess once before. If Leon and he clashed with all their might, there was a high likelihood that Leon could sustain heavy injuries.
Rufus, on the other hand, was excited beyond belief. Blood was pumping through his veins at an exponential rate and his adrenaline spiked. He couldn't wait to see the bout between the two giants of the younger generation.
As for the person who Amon challenged… there was only going to be one answer.
In fact, Leon had always envisioned duelling with the man who took down his father's record. Fighting and pitting himself against the best of the Solaris House. And hence, Leon grinned from ear to ear as he replied:
"With pleasure!"