Leo smiled at the redhead before speaking, ''We'll have to fight sometime, Bel. I want to see how strong you are.''
''That would be fun. You also have some good skills, which excited the emperor,'' she giggled.
Without hesitation, Leo asked, fully aware of his intentions, ''Can I test my Healing Light on you?''
His stepsister's face lit up with a bright smile. ''Of course, Leo. Here you go.''
She extended her hand, and as he took it, a soft warmth began to spread from his touch. Bella's eyes widened in surprise, her cheeks flushing a deep red as a gentle, tingling sensation filled her.
''Healing Light,'' Leo muttered, causing a soft white glow to wash over her body.
Bella shuddered as she spoke in a shakey voice, ''That feels strangely good. Your magic is amazing, brother.''
Leo pulled her closer as Roxy approached with a knowing smile as she spoke, ''Enjoying yourself, Bella? His magic makes you feel so much better, doesn't it?''
''Yes, it's incredible how strong he already is—and with so many skills!'' the redhead answered excitedly as she kept glancing at him while blushing. ''Most of us only got one skill or spell, but he already has five!''
Roxy smiled in agreement. ''Why don't we all train together? After the fight, I can heal you two,'' she offered Bella.
His stepsister considered it for a moment, then nodded. ''That sounds good. We need to learn how to fight as a team.''
Leo smiled, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. ''You've been helping me with my homework—why not help me practice my skills and spells too?'' he said with gleaming blue eyes.
Bella laughed softly while leaning into his embrace with a sweet smile. ''Alright, let's see if you can keep up,'' she replied, the spark of a challenge in her eyes.
As the three of them chatted, Bella began to warm up to him as she didn't pull away. However, their moment was abruptly interrupted by an irritated voice that cut through the air, ''Do you mind not flirting with my girlfriend, Leo?"
He turned around to find Bella's boyfriend, Mike, alongside Nick and Julius, standing there with smug expressions on their faces. Leo kept his arm casually draped around the redhead's waist, a cocky smile spreading across his face as he replied, ''She doesn't seem to mind my charm, Mike—just like your mom, I'm her favorite student, after all.''
Mike's face flushed with anger as he shot back, his voice laced with indignation, ''Don't bring my mother into this! She wouldn't like a hooligan like you.''
Leo stepped closer, leaning in with a smirk as he whispered so only the two could hear, ''Oh, I know exactly what women like your mom prefer in bed, Mike. And soon enough, I'll find out what your girlfriend tastes like. Sound good to you, buddy?''
When Mike heard this, his face flushed crimson. He shoved him away and swung as his Fighter Class activated. Leo smirked while expertly dodging the wild blow before unleashing his new spell as he punched, ''California Smash.''
With a sudden burst of speed, Leo launched into a fierce punch. The impact resonated like thunder, shockwaves rippling as his fist connected with Mike's jaw. The force was unimaginable, sending Mike hurtling backward like a ragdoll.
He crashed into the wall with a loud thud, plaster crumbling around him as the hall echoed with the aftermath of the blow. When Nick saw this, he went to join in, but Leo sidestepped the young man and gave him a swift backhand.
The slap rang out, causing Nick to fly due to Leo's strength, which shocked everyone around them. After everything calmed down, Bella looked at him with an unknown expression before rushing to her boyfriend.
That's when a notification popped up.
[Bella Anderson - 40>52%]
Afterward, the Emperor returned to the scene, surveying the chaos with a look of disbelief. He shook his head and said, ''Heroes, what transpired here cannot interfere with our upcoming mission; otherwise, our empire will fall to the Demon Queen's army.''
He turned to the older man, his smile a veneer of sincerity. ''Sorry, Dorian, but everything's fine now. We're ready to learn.''
After speaking, the emperor nodded understanding and told Leo not to worry. Several men and women entered the hall while the group was split up, and everyone went with the person who could help them learn.
Leo quickly notices the Hero talking to the princess while Luna keeps stealing glances at him, which makes Leo chuckle. Empress Helena approached him with a friendly smile, and Roxy grabbed his arm.
The older woman spoke, ''Would you two and the saintess like to learn the basics of healing magic?''
He eyed the curvy woman and nodded, ''Of course, Helen, it would be good to be taught by a beautiful teacher like yourself.''
Roxy giggled before agreeing, ''Yeah, none of the other teachers are as pretty as you are empress.''
Leo noticed the woman's face flush with color before she shook her head, leading them through the corridors. Much to Julius's annoyance, Luna joined them after the empress called out to her and shot Leo a glare of irritation.
He flashed a grin that could charm a dragon, fueling the nerdy boy's anger. Julius was already irritated about Luna's presence, but his annoyance soared when he saw Leo eyeing up his girlfriend, which enraged him further.
While walking, Roxy whispered, ''Talk to her, babe; she has been stealing looks at you.''
Leo nodded before appearing beside Helena, who smiled but yelped when he wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered into her ear, ''The sway of your hips is driving me mad, Helen. I think you should compensate me for such a view.''
The older woman giggled as a notification popped up, and her cheeks went deep red.
[Helena Duskwood - 11>25%]
Seeing this, Leo's smile widened as he continued, ''What do you think of me, Helen? Be honest, Dorian isn't here and will never find out.''
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