Thursday, 9:00 AM
Leon arrived at the main park early in the morning, where the sunlight reflected off the fountain in the center amidst the bustle of passersby. He sat on a wooden bench, watching the scene around him with a practiced calm. He wasn't really interested in the appointment, but he knew well the importance of pretending—appearances can be deceiving.
After a few moments, Rinary appeared, walking with gentle steps. She wore a simple white dress that enhanced her radiance and carried a small handbag. Her smile was shy, but Leon saw something behind it that others didn't.
Rinary (with a warm voice): "Hello, Leon. I hope I'm not late."
Leon (with a faint smile): "It's fine. I just arrived."
She sat beside him on the bench. She started talking with light enthusiasm about simple things, as though trying to break the ice. Leon was calm, responding with thoughtful answers, while his mind worked, analyzing every movement and word.
Leon (in his mind): "The way she speaks, her gestures, even that smile... It all seems too perfect. Like she's intentionally leaving a certain impression."
System (calmly): "Masks are familiar to you. Don't you see a reflection of your own style here?"
Leon (coldly): "Exactly. It makes me more certain that there's something else behind this mask."
The two spent the day walking around the park, talking about light topics. Rinary appeared very friendly and kind, talking about the books she liked and the places she wanted to visit.
Rinary (with a warm smile): "Leon, you're different from others. You don't talk much, but you listen attentively."
Leon (calmly): "Perhaps because I believe that excessive talking wastes meaning."
Rinary laughed lightly and pointed to a small café at the corner.
Rinary: "What do you think about resting for a while? We can have something light."
Leon: "As you wish."
The two sat in the café, ordering their drinks. The conversation continued, but every time Rinary tried to learn more about Leon, he responded with vague answers.
System (mocking): "You should write a book titled 'How to Look Cute While Not Caring at All.'"
Leon (in his mind): "Let her talk. The more she says, the more I learn about her true intentions."
As the sun began to set, the two sat on a bench overlooking the lake. Rinary seemed calm, gazing at the water in harmony. Leon watched her, his demeanor calm but ready for any surprise.
Rinary (with a soft smile): "Leon, thank you. I had a wonderful day. I didn't think I'd find someone who made me feel this comfortable."
Leon (calmly): "Peaceful days are rare these days."
Rinary hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a shy tone:
Rinary: "Leon, I have a request. Please don't refuse it."
Leon felt something strange in her tone. Her words seemed ordinary, but his instincts warned him of something else.
Leon (calmly): "What is your request?"
Rinary took a deep breath, then suddenly spoke in a cold voice:
Rinary: "I want you to die."
In an instant, the kind smile vanished from her face, and her features became colder and harsher. Behind her, large black wings emerged, her eyes pulsing with superiority, and her smile turned sadistic. In her hand, a spear of light formed.
System (shocked): "What the hell? A fallen angel?"
Leon (coldly): "I knew something was wrong, but this... is new."
Rinary (in a sharp voice): "Your existence could be a threat to us. Die for me, you worthless creature."
She rushed toward him with incredible speed, aiming her spear at his heart. Leon barely dodged the first attack, but he wasn't so lucky with the second. The spear pierced his side, knocking him to the ground as he groaned in pain.
System (worried): "Leon, this spear is dangerous! This is really bad!"
Leon (calm despite the pain): "Be quiet. It's not over yet."
Rinary slowly approached, preparing to strike again.
Rinary (confidently): "I thought you were stronger than this. What a huge disappointment."
But as she raised her spear, Leon seized the moment. He quickly drew his knife and began to feel a strange energy flowing through him: anger, envy, greed. The knife turned black, glowing with dark energy.
Leon (calmly, with eyes glowing with power): "You made a huge mistake."
In a swift move, Leon rushed toward her. Rinary was surprised by his sudden speed and power, but he didn't give her a chance to respond. With a precise strike, he drove his knife into her chest, then released a wave of dark energy that tore her black wings apart.
Rinary (weakly): "How... How is this possible..."
She fell to the ground, her eyes slowly losing their light, and her wings disappeared.
After the battle, Leon dropped to his knees, breathing heavily. The knife returned to its normal shape, while blood flowed from his wound.
System (worried): "Leon! You have to move now. This place is no longer safe."
Leon (exhausted): "I need... a minute..."
He closed his eyes for a moment, preparing for another round if necessary.
In those critical moments, Leon struggled to stand. The pain gripped his body, but he was determined to leave the area before more people gathered. But as soon as he tried to rise, he felt an intense dizziness. His legs betrayed him, and he collapsed to the ground again, his body shaking with pain as he slowly began to lose consciousness. His mind was filled with fragmented thoughts, but his body refused to respond.
At that crucial moment, a magical portal suddenly appeared in the air before him. The colors were vibrant, and in the center, a familiar figure appeared with crimson red hair. Rias emerged from the portal, her eyes widening as she saw the scene before her.
The fallen angel, Rinary, lay dead on the ground. Leon's body was covered in blood, unconscious. Rias muttered in a low voice: "I didn't expect Leon to be this powerful... How could he defeat a fallen angel without even awakening his sacred weapon?"
But the opportunity was in front of her. Rias smiled with a wicked thought, realizing she had a chance to change the course of things in her favor.
With quick steps, she began her magical rituals, using the cursed pieces she had with her. She placed the first pawn, then another, and continued placing the pieces one by one, all the way up to 8 pawns in a row. The pieces formed a precise pattern around Leon's unconscious body.
But she felt something unsettling. The pieces she placed were powerful, but still not enough. Even with 8 pawns, something was missing. There was a lack of energy needed to complete the ritual. The ritual was supposed to be completed, but something still wasn't right. The energy wasn't flowing as she had anticipated.
Tension appeared on her face. She tried to control the situation, but the plan that seemed flawless began to show cracks. Her heart began to beat faster, while her mind raced to find a quick solution.
At that moment, the system intervened in Leon's mind, still immersed in his unconscious state. The voice in his head was calm, sneaking into the depths of his mind as he felt the familiar energy of the pieces and said: "This might be a good thing."
The system was actually encouraging the transformation, supporting Leon in these critical moments. Rias felt something strange. The magical lights surrounding Leon began to change, as if an unknown power was beginning to flow from him. She wondered if the ritual would succeed.
Then the pieces began to react unnaturally, as if a tremendous energy was being released. Rias was about to lose control of the ritual, but the system seemed to silently guide the process. As the energy grew, Leon's wounded body began to slowly transform. His eyes, which had been closed, began to glow with a strange light.
At this moment, Rias felt something decisive change. Perhaps she wasn't sure of the outcome yet, but she knew that this transformation could change everything.