"Really?" the mother of his scowled. "I don't see any injuries on your body; it feels like you played in mud or something."
"Maybe that's the case." Leon nodded his head.
"You..." her brows twitched. "Forget it, just wash up; lunch will be ready soon."
"Yes, Mother."
He gave a smile to his mother before entering his room. At the side of his room was the bathroom.
"This sweet smile of his… how many women will he seduce in the future?" his mother shook her head and walked away, completely speechless.
After filling the bathtub with water himself, Leon put his finger into the water and then licked his finger.
"It should be cold." Then he dipped himself into the tub, completely submerging himself.
After a short moment, Leon found himself slowly closing his eyes, completely relaxing. Then his mind returned to that strange perception that Leon himself had experienced.
"What was that feeling?" Leon muttered in his heart as he searched his body for answers. The warmth from the base of his spine had already become entirely ineffective, and all the red bubbles he pops seem to have gradually been stored in the base of his spine.
When that strange perception overwhelmed him…
"The red energy did come from the base of my spine?"
Leon slowly opened his eyes, a small scowl forming on his face. "I just can't reach the previous state no matter how hard I try again."
"There are three bubbles I have obtained so far: Red, Orange, and Yellow," he slowly stepped out of the wooden tub.
"The Red energy seemed to bring warmth into my being and foster a connection to the earth. Then the Orange energy seemed to…" Leon quietly looked down at his pp.
"The last one, Yellow, seemed to create a core right at the center of my body."
For a moment, Leon couldn't grasp any answer to his question.
"Are there more bubbles?"
Leon couldn't help but think, feeling very curious. Unfortunately, he couldn't find an answer yet.
The next day, he woke up as the warm yellow rays shone through the curtains, falling into his eyes. The cuckoo of the chickens ringing in his ears. Leon slowly propped himself up, fixed his bed, and then stood up, walking out of the window for some exercises.
His exercise mostly consisted of push-ups, burpees, stone lifting, and running. Strength was crucial in this world, and although these exercises barely helped his body grow, Leon had always maintained the discipline of exercising daily.
The effects were evident as Leon grew much taller and stronger compared to his age, although much of the credit went to his Runes and the system. Still, some of it was achievable through his consistent training.
"Sigh, my little frame can't handle it for long." After a rigorous amount of training just enough to avoid exhausting his body, Leon stopped his exercise.
Then he tiptoed back to his room from the window.
"Leon, are you coming?"
"Yeah." Leon replied and rested for a moment, taking some deep breaths before stepping out of his room.
"Oh, why are you here, Veronica?"
"Young master, I am here to take personal care of you until you fully grow." She bowed her head. "Please take care of me."
"I see."
Leon nodded his head. Veronica had been his nanny until just a few months ago when she left after he no longer needed her. She was a brown-haired woman, probably in her mid-thirties.
Despite having some wrinkles and a hint of tiredness, her calm and cold demeanor stood out the most.
"It seems Mother has hired her again?" he muttered to himself and silently entered the kitchen.
"Oh, Leon, you're finally here." his mother called out and took his hand, guiding him to the table with a smile on her face. "Come, eat."
"Yes, Mother."
After eating to his fill, Leon quietly left the house.
"Sigh, this boy always seems a little depressed. Is it because he has no friends?" Looking at Leon's retreating back, she muttered with concern in her eyes.
"Madame, Leon is a talented young man and has always been different from other children. He should be fine," Veronica softly consoled, a small smile on her cold face.
"I hope so." his mother said, about to turn away when she saw a little girl running up to Leon and hugging him. She paused, her eyes wide.
"That brat is too fast," she said, utterly speechless.
"Hahaha." Veronica giggled softly.
…
"Why are you hugging me so much?" Leon frowned, dumbfounded.
"It's a thank you from yesterday," Tina whispered, then walked away with a big smile on her face.
"Forget it."
Leon casually shrugged, and soon they reached school. Marcus also joined them at some point, panting like a dog while grumbling.
In the classroom, there wasn't much else, but the seats seemed to have been rearranged. Fatty and Tina sat on either side of Leon, making his brows twitch multiple times.
At this moment, the teacher entered the classroom and spoke with a smile on his face:
"Children, it is time for you to take the outdoor training class." He looked at everyone, who was undoubtedly excited. His lips couldn't help but curl.
"But those who failed the test won't get to join. So call me if your name is called, okay?"
Soon, the names were announced despite the children's grumbling.
"We're stuck in this crappy place because we wanted outdoor training, and the teacher says we don't get it?" Edward complained.
"My papa is a high-ranking official at the investigative department; I'll complain to him about it," Esmond said.
"Yeah, my father is a merchant with connections to the Gold Laners; I'll tell them about it too," Yoland echoed the sentiment.
"Brats, this isn't the time to complain and show your standings. The academy's prestige cannot be harmed. Those who don't want to comply with me, step out." The teacher adjusted his glasses and spoke with a frown on his face.
Silence!
"Good, the first name is Edwin."