"Wait, what!?" Leon felt numerous questions clouding his mind.
"We're royalty?"
His heart remained calm, but outwardly he still wore a shocked expression. He had already expected them to hold a higher position, noticing that even the fatty's family who owned numerous lands had only a clay house, while they lived in a better one.
"It's probably time for you to head to school, so I'll let you roam the castle. My elder brother would be happy too," his uncle spoke with wild laughter.
"Thank you, Uncle." Leon bowed.
"Don't mention it. As a warrior, you have a responsibility to protect your family. We never have cowards born in our household."
The uncle's expression turned ferocious, like a beast emitting a chilling presence that made everything around them tremble.
An invisible pressure spread outward, overwhelming Leon's senses, causing his heart to race with a surge of fear. His legs trembled, threatening to buckle under him, but Leon gritted his teeth, channelling every ounce of willpower to stay on his feet.
In that moment, he felt as if he were facing a tiger rather than a human, the sheer intensity of his uncle's presence bearing down on him like a blood thirsty beast ready to pounce.
"Brother." His mother frowned.
"Sorry." The uncle immediately stopped, rubbing the back of his head with a smile. "I was wrong, wrong."
"If you dare to do so again, then…"
"I am sorry, sorry, Sister." The uncle lowered his head with an extremely terrified expression.
"You may take Leon to the palace, but remember he should not be involved with those dirty hands."
"Yes, Sister. I swear on my moustache this will not happen." After that, Leon was taken by his uncle. His uncle walked silently, and Leon followed quietly.
Even though his uncle's pace was fast, Leon could still keep up.
Sweat trickled down his forehead as the sun bore down and the insects buzzed incessantly around him.
Leon didn't mind and continued following his uncle in silence.
"Is this some kind of trial?" Leon wondered silently, his expression unchanging even as his legs wobbled.
After a long time, they arrived seeing a carriage in the distance. His uncle paused, looking at Leon with raised brows. "You really have quite the determination and endurance."
"Thank you, Uncle," Leon replied, his legs still faltering, though he kept a composed expression.
Five servants dressed in woollen clothes stood by the carriage. Upon seeing the two, they immediately bowed respectfully in response, treating them with utter reverence. His uncle casually nodded and entered the luxurious carriage, which was made of shiny, polished wood with a red flag and a sword in the middle of it.
Leon looked silently at the open door. To enter the carriage, he'd need to clear a gap nearly as tall as he was, and his uncle was clearly not paying attention to little Leon or at least trying to not pay attention.
"Master, let me help you," one of the female servants offered, extending her hand to assist Leon, but he just shook his head.
"I don't need it," Leon said softly, stepping back with determined eyes. Then, gathering himself, he lunged forward, closing the distance before leaping onto the carriage stairs.
His landing was a bit shaky, his legs slipping slightly as he nearly tipped backward. Leon quickly reached out, gripping both sides of the door to steady himself, just barely managing to regain his balance.
With a nonchalant expression, he climbed into the carriage, and his uncle spoke in his rough voice:
"Start the carriage."
Soon, the carriage set off on the rocky road, bouncing up and down.
Leon leaned back with his shoulder slumped on the comfortable seat, feeling his body slowly sink in, bringing him a sense of satisfaction. His uncle patted him with a smile on his face.
"You are strong, Leon. When you become a strong warrior in the future, promise me you'll protect my sister, your mother, in the future," his uncle said warmly, though his voice seemed to carry a deeper meaning.
"Yes, Uncle." Leon nodded promptly. He knew that there was something hidden in his uncle's tone, but since his uncle didn't want to tell him, he also didn't ask.
Soon, the carriage stopped, and Leon was led into a luxurious castle of some sort.
The structure soared high into the sky, its tall peak seemed to be piercing the sky itself, adorned with intricate gold inlays that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight. The building itself was a masterpiece of architecture, boasting grand arches and sweeping balconies, with ornate carvings etched into its walls.
Sturdy tall walls surrounded the luxurious castle, and two guards stood at the front, holding spears and shields.
"Interesting." Leon looked at the guards with eyes full of curiosity. They were bulky, and an intimidating presence radiated from them as they stood there with menacing gazes.
He slowly walked toward them, side by side with his uncle. The two soldiers gave a royal salute, extending their hands to their palms and striking their chests, producing a bang sound.
His uncle casually nodded and stepped inside with a warm smile. Leon followed closely, matching his uncle's pace, though his expression was tentative, eyes wide as he took in the grandeur surrounding him.
The hallway before him stretched out like a crimson river, a long red silk carpet flowing beneath his feet and seeming to extend infinitely into the distance.
"Want some help, little guy?" his uncle asked, his tone light and teasing.
"No," Despite his legs losing all strength, Leon pressed on with focus, each step felt like he was walking right towards hell. A hell that Leon gladly chose.
No matter how much his nerves flared, Leon's pupils looked ahead, and nothing seemed to faze him.
The uncle glanced from the corner of his eye and felt an inevitable sense of satisfaction.
"But this little guy will tire out soon," he thought, ready to give Leon a shoulder at any time.
Suddenly, he paused, frozen on the spot.
Leon pressed on, his step unsteady but with each stride, he felt a surge of strength rising within him, defying the fatigue that should have consumed him.
"What kind of monster is this?"
The uncle's mind was filled with shock beyond words. You have to understand that Leon is just a five-year-old kid; even a ten-year-old would tire out easily. It was already a miracle that he could walk so much, but now he seemed to be growing stronger instead of weaker?