"So you're Godwyn's disciple? I've been looking for you," the man said, a sly grin spreading across his face.
Leon turned sharply, his posture rigid with unease. His piercing gaze narrowed as he spoke. "Who are you?"
The middle-aged man didn't flinch, his grin widening into something that resembled a challenge. "I'll answer that… if you can manage to defeat me," he said with an air of casual confidence, his arms now crossed over his broad chest.
Leon's heart thumped in his chest as the man's words settled. Whoever this was, he wasn't an ordinary adversary. The fact that he knew Leon's master, Godwyn, was troubling enough. But what unsettled Leon more was the possibility that this man might have been the one who had orchestrated last night's ambush.
Without hesitation, Leon's mana surged to the surface, creating a bright blue aura that shimmered faintly, blending seamlessly with the surrounding air. The atmosphere grew heavier, more charged, as his energy flared.
The man's grin didn't falter. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, his eyes locking onto Leon with an almost predatory focus. "Not bad," he muttered, seemingly unbothered. But the next moment, his smirk vanished.
Leon burst forward with stunning speed, closing the gap between them in the blink of an eye. His fist drove straight for the man's face with unrelenting precision.
The man's eyes widened briefly in surprise, but his instincts were sharp. With a subtle shift of his head, he evaded the blow, leaving Leon's fist slicing through empty air.
"You've got some speed, huh?" the man said, his tone a mix of amusement and condescension.
Leon didn't let up. He pivoted, swinging his leg in a powerful kick aimed at the man's ribs. Yet again, the man sidestepped gracefully, avoiding the attack by mere inches.
Strike after strike, Leon pressed on, his movements fluid yet relentless. Punches, kicks, and jabs were launched in rapid succession, each carrying forceful intent. But no matter how fast or precise Leon's attacks were, the man seemed to effortlessly dodge every single one.
"Is this all the old man taught you?" the man taunted, his voice dripping with disdain as he continued to sidestep Leon's efforts.
Leon's expression remained cold, his sharp blue eyes never leaving his opponent. He knew better than to be provoked by empty words. Instead, he adjusted his stance, pushing his body to move even faster, even harder.
The man finally stopped in his tracks, a glint of mischievous intent flickering in his eyes. "Let me show you how a real attack is done."
Leon barely had time to react. The man swung his left arm in a wide arc, aiming for Leon's side. Instinctively, Leon raised both arms to shield his side head, his muscles coiled tight in defense. But that was exactly what the man had anticipated.
In a flash, his right fist shot forward, taking advantage of Leon's focused guard.
THUMP!
The blow landed with crushing force, striking Leon squarely in the face. The impact was devastating, his head snapping back as the sheer power of the punch sent him flying through the air. His body crashed into a cluster of rocks, shattering them on impact.
Leon groaned, pain flaring through his body as he struggled to push himself upright. His face throbbed from the hit, and his back burned from the jagged stones he had landed on.
'Damn it,' Leon thought, gritting his teeth as he forced himself to stand. He hadn't expected the man to use such a deceptive feint. While he'd focused all his defenses on one side, he'd left himself vulnerable elsewhere—and now he was paying the price.
The man watched him struggle, his grin returning, smug and triumphant. "It's not about how many or how varied your attacks are," he said, his voice calm but sharp as a blade. "It's about how effective they are."
He raised his right hand, a crackling energy manifesting around it. The mana swirled and condensed, wrapping his arm in a shimmering, volatile glow. With a smooth motion, he waved his hand, summoning a thick white mist that quickly blanketed the area.
"Now," the man's voice echoed through the haze, "let's see how well you handle magic, this kind of-"
But before he could finish his words, the mist abruptly dissipated, scattering like smoke in the wind. The man's eyes widened in shock as Leon appeared directly in front of him, his palm glowing with fiery mana.
BOOM!
Leon's hand struck the man's face, releasing a surge of flame that exploded on impact. The fiery blast forced the man to stumble back, patting frantically at his scorched face.
Even as the man tried to recover, Leon pressed forward, his expression sharp and unyielding. But just as Leon moved to strike again, the man stomped the ground with a resounding "HMPH!"
A sudden, overwhelming pressure bore down on Leon, forcing him to his knees. The earth seemed to tremble under the weight of the man's aura.
The flames on the man's face extinguished as his expression darkened, his voice carrying a dangerous resonance. "So the old man was right, huh?" he said, his tone as heavy as the gravity he was exerting.
Leon clenched his jaw, his muscles straining against the force. He refused to give in.
"I will never… kneel to anyone!" he roared, his voice echoing through the forest.
Suddenly, for the second time, his blue pupils glowed faintly, the light radiating outward. The oppressive gravity vanished in an instant, leaving the man stunned.
Seizing the moment, Leon surged forward, landing a solid punch to the man's face. The impact sent the man flying, crashing into a massive tree that groaned under the force.
Leon stood tall, his breathing ragged. His glowing eyes dimmed, returning to their normal blue hue.
Mana energy swirled around his right hand as he approached the man, his expression grim.
"I won't ask again. Who are you, and how do you know my master?" Leon demanded, his tone icy and filled with menace.
The man lifted his head, his dark eyes locking onto Leon's with a sly glint. "Is that how you address a friend of your master?" he asked, his smirk widening.
Leon froze, the words catching him off guard. "What?" he said, his voice sharp with disbelief.
That split second of hesitation was all the man needed. In a sudden, fluid motion, he surged forward, his hand wrapping around Leon's throat like a vice. With alarming strength, he lifted Leon off the ground and slammed him into the earth.
The impact sent a jolt of pain through Leon's body, and he gasped, struggling to breathe under the man's crushing grip.
With an amused grin, the man leaned closer, his voice low and mocking. "Lesson two: always stay focused," he said. "Though, I'll admit… I let my guard down a bit earlier. Heh."
Leon's chest heaved as he clawed at the man's arm, his strength fading under the suffocating grip. Just as his vision began to blur, the man released him, stepping back.
Leon collapsed onto the ground, coughing and gasping for air. As he struggled to sit up, the man extended a hand toward him.
"Come on, stand up," the man said, his voice strangely calm. "I meant what I said earlier—your master is my friend."
Leon hesitated, his sharp blue eyes narrowing as he studied the man. Years of training with Godwyn had taught him to read people, to discern truth from deceit. Despite his instincts screaming to stay on guard, the man's expression didn't seem to betray any lies.
Cautiously, Leon reached out, clasping the offered hand.
But the moment their hands met, the man's grip tightened like a steel trap. With a wicked grin, he yanked Leon off the ground, lifting him with ease.
"Lesson three: never trust anyone!" the man bellowed, his voice booming with unrestrained glee.
Before Leon could react, the man swung him around and slammed him back into the ground with bone-rattling force.
"HAHAHAHA!" the man roared with laughter, his mirth echoing through the forest.
Leon groaned, the pain radiating through his body once more. 'Damn it!' he thought, gritting his teeth against the ache in his back. If this was some twisted idea of teaching, it was the most brutal lesson he'd ever endured.
---
The forest near the waterfall was calm and beautiful. Tall trees, draped in moss, formed a canopy of green, with sunlight slipping through the gaps. The ground was soft with ferns and dotted with wildflowers in bright colors—red, yellow, and purple. The songs of birds mixed with the faint hum of insects, filling the air with a gentle, natural harmony.
The waterfall was a sight to behold—clear water rushing over dark rocks, its steady roar echoing through the forest. A cool mist hung in the air, carrying the earthy scent of trees and flowing water. It felt like a peaceful retreat, far from the noise of the outside world.
By the riverbank sat Leon and the enigmatic man he had battled earlier. The tension of their fight had subsided, replaced by an odd camaraderie as they cast their fishing lines into the slow-moving current.
The man had introduced himself as Cedrik Luthsvone, a member of the illustrious Luthsvone family, known for its close ties to the Sky family and its affiliation with the prestigious Nine Realms Guild.
Cedrik turned to Leon, his expression stern but not unkind. "You've got raw talent, kid. And your innate ability? It's extraordinary—one of the strongest I've seen. But don't let that get to your head. Talent alone isn't enough. You've still got a long way to go. Avoid arrogance, and keep a low profile. Got it?"
Leon nodded slowly. "I understand, Mr. Cedrik. My master always taught me that. But lately… nothing's been going the way I planned. No matter how hard I try, it all falls apart. Do you have any advice?"
Cedrik studied him, his sharp eyes weighing Leon's sincerity. After a pause, he leaned back against a worn boulder and spoke calmly.
"Listen son, life isn't a straight road. Plans fail, even the best ones. But failure doesn't mean the end—it's a chance to grow stronger. Stop being so hard on yourself. Look back and learn from your mistakes, but don't let regret hold you down. What matters is that you keep moving forward."
Leon stayed quiet, letting the words sink in. Then, a faint smile broke through. "Thanks, Mr. Cedrik. I needed that. I'll remember it."
Cedrik gave a brief nod, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
"So, what's next for you?" Cedrik asked after a pause.
Leon sighed. "Honestly, I'm not sure. I've been thinking about joining an academy, but… I never even finished high school."
Cedrik chuckled lightly. "Well, it's a good thing I found you. Turns out, I hold a pretty high position at a military academy. I can write you a recommendation. All you'll need to do is pass an assessment at a guild or sect recognized by the empire."
"Wait, that's possible?" Leon's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Thanks, Mr. Cedrik. So, I just need to find one of those guilds and take the test, right?"
Cedrik nodded. "That's right. And you won't have to search too hard." He reached into his storage ring, pulling out a jagged shard of metal with sharp edges—a fragment of a once-mighty sword.
"Take this to the Nine Realms Guild," Cedrik said, handing it to Leon. "Show it to them, and they'll assist you."
Leon examined the shard, its weight and texture intriguing. He looked back at Cedrik, curiosity in his eyes. "You're not coming with me?"
Cedrik shook his head. "No, I've got my own matters to attend to," he said, standing up. "This is where we part ways, kid."
Leon rose as well, respect evident in his posture. "It was an honor meeting you, Mr. Cedrik," he said, extending his hand.
Cedrik grasped it firmly, a rare smile softening his stern features. "The honor was mine. Until next time, Leon."
With that, Cedrik turned and strode into the forest, disappearing into its shadows as if he were one with the wilderness.
Leon lingered only a moment longer, his grip tightening around the shard. His path was now clearer, his next destination set.
He already had plans for the evening. He was heading to the antique market, hoping to strike gold again. Last time, he'd picked up an artifact for just two dollars, and it had turned out to be a treasure. Maybe tonight, luck would be on his side once more.
"Lady Luck, don't let me down this time," he muttered with a wry grin, before stepping out of the forest and into the next chapter of his journey.