The nights were still at the Valerian estate, their beauty found only in quiet. Under the soft light of the full moon, Leon sat up in his little four-poster bed, his mind racing despite the tranquility around him. The soft rustling of leaves outside his window and the distant hooting of an owl marked the silence, centering him on the path that lay ahead. In this new life, he had a family to protect, a legacy to uphold, and a future to carve out in the Kingdom of Eldoria. Such thoughts stoked a determination inside him, burning softly.
Leon knew that the road to strength began with a single step. While magic remained out of reach until his thirteenth birthday, his body was a canvas he could start shaping immediately. The hours spent perfecting the stance, finding the proper balance between strength and agility, and discipline that martial arts demanded continued to flash before his eyes in vivid detail. He knew well that his present body was way too young to go through such rigorous regimes, but he could overcome this problem. Silently, he planned it out.
The next morning came alive, bathed in golden hues as the estate rose with the sun. Leon approached Lady Amelia that morning in the sitting room, where she loved to take her morning tea. Her nature seemed always that of a soft-spoken woman, exuding sentiments of gentleness, and Leon found himself freely airing his thoughts to her.
"Mother," he said, his voice carrying the innocence of a child. "May I spend more time in the gardens? I would like to play and explore more."
Lady Amelia looked up from her cup, her eyes softening with affection. "Of course, my dear," she said, setting the cup aside to stroke his cheek. "Fresh air and sunshine will do you good. Just stay within the estate grounds and let the maids know where you are."
Leon smiled brightly and nodded, genuine in his excitement. With her blessing, he set his plan into motion.
The gardens of the Valerian estate were a wonderland of greenery, meticulously maintained by the estate's gardeners. Rows of vibrant flowers bordered cobblestone paths, their petals shimmering with dew in the morning light. Stately oaks and elms provided shade, while fruit trees dotted the landscape, their branches heavy with ripening bounty. For a child, it was a paradise of endless exploration.
Leon would go to the gardens every day, assuming the stance of a carefree young lad, running across the flowerbeds, his antics leading one to believe he was in hot pursuit of butterflies; all the while, he was perfecting his balance, testing himself to see how sure he was on the tight stone edges. Throwing pebbles up into the air and catching them became a game where he perfected his hand-eye coordination. All stretching exercises were camouflaged as innocent imitations of animals he would have seen-the arching back of a cat or a playful bow by a dog.
He soon began simple breathing exercises. Standing beneath a towering oak, he closed his eyes and focused on steady, rhythmic breaths. This practice, besides being a fundamental part of the martial arts studies of his past life, helped him center himself and toughen his core even as a child.
Leon soon learned the value of consistency. He made it a point to perform under his self-imposed regime morning and night, his movements subtle, so as not to raise eyebrows. He knew sudden spurts of developed aptitude would only raise suspicions he wasn't ready to answer yet.
Meals became another part of his strategy. Leon paid careful attention to his diet, selecting foods that would support his growth and physical development. He favored hearty soups full of vegetables, tender meats seasoned with local spices, and fresh fruits plucked from the estate orchards. The cooks, delighted by his hearty appetite, often served him seconds-their pride evident in the carefully prepared dishes.
"I've never seen a child enjoy their meals so much," one of the kitchen maids remarked with a laugh, watching as Leon eagerly devoured a plate of roasted potatoes and grilled fish.
"He's growing strong and healthy," replied another. "It's good to see him thriving."
Leon's deliberate choices were as much a function of his training as the garden exercises, only he didn't know it. He knew that the only way to acquire the strength he desired was to take care of his body from the inside out.
His efforts soon did not go unnoticed. Sir Roland, the head knight of Valoria County, was frequently out patrolling the estate and would often watch Leon's energetic antics on a daily basis. He was a tall man, weathered of face, his voice as low and smooth as summer seas. His bright eyes seemed to miss very little, and he would often pause in his stride, watching as Leon darted across the gardens or balanced on the low stone walls.
"Young Master Leon has quite the energy," said Sir Roland one afternoon as he joined Count Edmund on the terrace overlooking the gardens.
Count Edmund sat with a glass of fine wine in hand and followed the knight's gaze. He saw his youngest son precariously climbing the boughs of some low-hanging tree, small hands clasping the branches with determination.
"He's spirited, that much is certain," Edmund said with a chuckle. "But he's still a child. Let him enjoy these carefree days while they last."
Sir Roland nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps, but there's something about the boy. He has a focus uncommon for his age. It reminds me of… well, it reminds me of you, my lord, when you were young."
The compliment widened Edmund's smile, but he said nothing more, his eyes continuing to watch Leon with a glint of pride now.
Leon, unaware of their conversation, was silently pleased with his progress. While his activities might appear ordinary to onlookers, he knew he was laying the foundation for greater strength. Every step he took, every playful stretch, and every morsel of nutritious food brought him closer to his goal.
He was cautious not to overexert, knowing his body was still developing, and patience, he reminded himself, was as big a part of training as discipline. He found pride in small victories: the time he could balance on a stone wall longer than yesterday, or the newfound agility with which he dodged low-hanging branches on sprints through the garden paths.
As weeks started passing, Leon's routine became instinctive. This garden, full of color and peace, became Leon's retreat. Here, surrounded by rustling leaves and the scent of flowers, he was in a position to apply himself to his goals while still allowing the outer world to believe him a child at play.
Each day at sunset, when the estate lit its lamps, Leon retired to his room with the idea that he'd dealt well with everything. He knew he was only at the beginnings of his path, but the steps he was taking now would someday carry him to greatness. Leon resolved that for his family, for Eldoria, and the legacy he would cut out for himself, he would press onward, undeterred by his circumstances.