Leo's eyes groaned open to the familiar sight of his ceiling. The morning light seeped through the curtains, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. His body felt as if it weighed too much, every muscle crying out as though it had been crushed under an avalanche. He remembered playing out the last battle with the Orc King—its raw ferocity leaving him broken and battered. How did he end up in bed?
A soft knock at the door shook him out of his daze. "Young Master, may I come in?" a soft voice asked.
"Come in," Leo replied, his own voice a bit gruff from lack of use.
The maid came in, curtsying modestly. Seeing him awake, relief passed over her face. "Good morning, Young Master. You've finally woken up."
Leo slowly sat up, wincing as his muscles protested. He rubbed his temples, trying to clear the fog in his head. "How long have I been out?"
"Two weeks, Young Master."
His eyes widened. "Two weeks?!"
The maid nodded. "Yes. You fainted after returning from the battlefield. The doctors explained that your body was very exhausted from the battle against the Orc King. You've been unconscious since then."
Leo leaned back against the headboard, his brain racing. Two weeks… That was far too long. He clenched his fists under the blankets, irritation rising. He hated sitting around for so long. His plans, his training—everything had been put on hold.
But as he lay there, his thoughts turned to another day, many years ago, when he had woken up in this same bed after he had returned from Silent Dawn. Then he had been weak—so weak that simply to live had been an accomplishment. He had been powerless, barely able to resist the forces that had hunted him.
Then I was helpless, he remembered, his teeth gritted. But today… today I conquered the Orc King.
He looked down at his hands, folding his fingers back and forth. Power he now held was orders of magnitude higher than the power he had when he returned from Silent Dawn. He had faced the Orc King in a straight fight, an opponent who would have destroyed him previously. And he had won. His Dual Core, his aura, and even the faint suggestions of mana he had begun to control—they had all come together in that fight.
I'm stronger now, he thought, a small smile twisting the corner of his mouth. But it isn't yet enough. Not for what awaits.
The maid's announcement snapped him back to the present. "The Emperor summoned you to the court this morning. You can have breakfast, then prepare yourself."
Leo breathed in sharply and swung his legs over the side of the bed, disregarding the ache within his body. "I'll be there."
As Leo walked into the great court chamber, whispers filled the hall. He could sense dozens of eyes upon him, a mix of fear and admiration in their gazes. Others whispered about his newfound achievements, while others debated the authenticity of the rumors.
"I heard he uses magic," a noble complained from the back.
"Impossible," another jeered. "No one can wield both aura and mana at the same time. That goes against the laws of nature."
Despite the murmurs, no one dared to speak their mind aloud in front of the emperor. The air grew heavier as Leo advanced, every step commanding attention. The court was not only seeing his power—they were witnessing a potential future emperor.
When Leo arrived at the middle of the hall, he kneeled and pressed his fist to his chest in respect. "Leorion Von Lionheart salutes His Majesty."
The emperor stared down at him, the cold golden hue of his eyes glinting into the face of his son. The court was motionless, the silence stretching out painfully. And then, finally, Cassius had spoken.
"Leo." The tone of voice was strict. "You disobeyed a direct order."
The air was heavy. Everyone collectively held their breath.
Leo, remaining on his knees, replied with no hesitation whatsoever. "I did."
There was a collective gasp that ran around the court. No apology. No reason. Just a plain admission of having done it.
Caius' eyes flew open in outraged shock before he snorted lightly. "Tch. As bold as ever."
Cassius's mask didn't crack. Then his eyes flashed. "And you abducted Aries."
Leo hesitated this time. "Aries?"
His father's eyebrows danced with mirth. "Don't play dumb."
Leo blinked again. "Who is Aries?"
The court was stunned into silence for the first time in years. The emperor tightened his grip on the armrest of his throne, a spark of annoyance on his otherwise placid face.
"Aries is Sword King Asmuth Von Kelvin, old king Velkran's!!! That horse has centuries and not a single rider since Asmuth! And I couldn't ride him even as your emperor! And now you simply snatch him away like a mere war horse?!!"
Leo blinked again. "Oh."
The court almost broke with indignation. "Oh?! That's it he says!!"
Queen Sylvia exhaled, tracing her finger about her temple. Caius, although enraged, smiled insincerely like he did not want to chuckle.
Leo hacked. "In my own defense, Aries did not drop me off. He was okay carrying me."
Some of the nobles gagged with disgust. "That's not the issue, you lunatic!"
Cassius exhaled sharply and relaxed back. "Forget it." His voice was calm once more. "We can talk of Aries another time. Right now, explain to me why you disobeyed me."
The smile had faded from Leo's face. He lifted his head slightly, his expression serious. "Because I couldn't allow Caius to die."
The emperor's golden eyes skewered his son. The two sat there in silence for a moment, just sitting. Then, at last, Cassius nodded, his expression unreadable.
"You may rise."
Leo stood up with ease, letting out a sigh as he did so. His father hadn't reprimanded him, or praised him. Instead, the matter hung in the air—hanging in an unspoken agreement.
Leo stepped aside to exit, when suddenly a voice called out. "Second Prince!"
Leo turned around, one eyebrow cocked. An elderly minister came forward timidly. "Excuse me, but… did you actually use magic?"
The court stilled. The question had been posed so bluntly.
Leo stepped aside. "Magic?"
The old man nodded again. "They say you used mana together with aura… but it's impossible. No human is capable of that."
Leo looked at him for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Who said I was human?"
And with that, he walked out of court, leaving stunned silence in his wake.
In the hidden chambers of the palace, Sylvia and Cassius sat in stunned consideration.
Queen Sylvia: "To consider. all three of my sons so talented. But that is what troubles me."
Cassius massaged his temples, his eyes closing for a second. "Caius was always hardworking and talented. Galen is intelligent and resourceful. But Leo."
He paused, his voice weighed down by contemplation. "Leo's ability is something I have never witnessed. A phantom martial art, a sporadic Dual Core find, and even possessing the ability to slay an Orc King at age 17. And the most amazing thing about it all? He broke in Aries—the last king's horse."
Sylvia's eyes turned sympathetic with worry. "I just hope he doesn't get hurt in the future."
Cassius was quiet. He simply gazed at the candle flame dancing to the music, in a trance.
Five days passed, and Galen found Leo practicing alone in the palace courtyard. The ring of steel echoed through the air as Leo practiced his sword forms, moving smoothly and accurately.
Galen leaned against a pillar, watching quietly for a moment before speaking. "Why are you training so hard?" he asked, his voice light but curious.
Leo stopped in mid-swing, wiping the sweat that dripped into his eyes. He turned to Galen, appearing unfazed. "Why do I need a stupid question like that?"
Galen smiled, shaking his head. "You really are something else, you know that? Most people would say, 'To protect the empire' or 'To do my duty.' But you? You just say it's obvious."
Leo shrugged. "Isn't it? If I don't get stronger, I can't protect the people who are important to me."
Galen's smile was soft, a rare warmth in his eyes. "You really don't care about the throne, do you?"
Leo blinked, genuinely perplexed. "The throne? Why would I want that? That's Caius's affair, isn't it?"
Galen laughed, the laughter genuine and unrestrained. "You're amazing, Leo. The whole court is buzzing with speculation about you, and here you are, completely in the dark."
Leo cocked his head to one side, still not understanding. "What are they saying?"
Galen waved his hand aside. "Forget it. Forget it, anyway. Just… just carry on as you are, all right? And if you need a hand sometime, you can come find me."
Leo nodded and smiled. "Thanks, Galen."
Galen ruffled Leo's hair lovingly before turning to depart, his heart lightened more than it had been in days. He loved both of his brothers, and to see Leo so absorbed in his own future—utterly unaware of the political storm that was gathering in his wake—was both amusing and reassuring.
Later that night, Leo sat in his black room, staring at the ceiling. The events of the day continued to replay in his mind—the whispers at the court, his father's piercing glare, and Galen's teasing remark. But he wasn't thinking about the court, the rumors, or even Aries.
"Before I go to the academy… I have to get THAT power," he whispered to himself.
His fist tightened, his resolve hardening. "This is the power that allowed me to become a Mythical Rank Swordsman in my past life."
His gaze burned with determination as he rose to his feet and strode over to the window, staring out at the moonlit grounds of the palace. The burdens of his old life and the hardships of this one weighed upon his shoulders, but he accepted it. He had a purpose, and nothing was going to get in the way.
The screen went black as Leo's figure disappeared into the night.