Leon spent the following days quietly observing his family. The way they moved, the conversations they had about magic and powers—it all had a new meaning now. His parents often spoke of their children's abilities with pride, though they never made him feel like an outsider for not being one of the gifted. Still, their talks about Bjorn and the other siblings who were away training stirred something within him—a longing to be more, to be seen as an equal.
He found himself thinking more and more about that moment by the fountain when he had touched Atlas. He remembered the raw, electric feeling that surged through him, the way Atlas's eyes had widened in surprise. If he truly was a Guide, then it would mean he wasn't as powerless as everyone believed. But revealing his secret came with risks. For one, he wasn't sure what kind of Guide he was, or even if he could control whatever had awakened within him.
Leon began practicing in secret, trying to recreate the sensation he felt when touching Atlas. He'd press his hands against different surfaces, concentrate, and even try tapping into his emotions, hoping for a hint of that strange energy. Nothing worked. He remained just as physically weak, just as fragile.
His frustration grew, but so did his resolve. He had to learn more about being a Guide, and he needed to know exactly what kind of Esper Atlas was. It was crucial to understand the connection between them before he could decide whether to reveal his abilities to his family.