The morning air in Avalon was crisp, the scent of fresh bread and spice lingering in the streets. The city was alive with merchants shouting prices, adventurers preparing for expeditions, and the occasional drunkard still lingering from last night's revelry.
Weld Denvor pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders as he made his way through the marketplace. Otto trailed behind him, munching on a stolen apple.
"Oi, you know you could just buy that, right?" Weld muttered, side-eyeing him.
Otto grinned. "Stealing from a fruit stand that overcharges is just redistribution of wealth."
Weld rolled his eyes. "Try telling that to the guards when they throw you in a cell."
He wasn't here for Otto's antics, though. His destination was a small shop tucked between two larger establishments, an alchemist's store where Leon VI Narita reside.
"Leon, huh…" he muttered to himself before stepping inside.
The scent of herbs and potion ingredients filled the air, a faint trace of burnt charcoal lingering beneath it. Shelves were neatly lined with glass jars, and various medicinal herbs hung from the ceiling. Behind the counter, a familiar figure was carefully organizing bottles.
Leon.
He looked up as the door creaked open, his black eyes calm as ever. "A customer this early?"
Weld smirked. "Just passing by. Figured I'd pick up some supplies."
Leon nodded and gestured toward the shelves. "Take your time."
Weld slowly browsed the shop, though he wasn't really paying attention to the items. Instead, he observed Leon carefully. His posture, his expression, the way he moved—there was no sign of injury, no exhaustion, nothing to suggest he had been in a fight last night.
Good. That means it wasn't him.
"So, how's life?" Weld asked casually, picking up a small vial filled with red liquid.
Leon glanced at him. "Quiet. Peaceful."
Weld smiled slightly. "That's good. You don't go out much, do you?"
Leon shrugged. "Why would I? Everything I need is here."
Weld chuckled. "Fair point." He placed a few more items on the counter. "You're really serious about this alchemy business, huh?"
Leon simply nodded.
Weld studied him for a moment before sighing. That's right. This is how it should be.
No politics. No wars. No conspiracies. Just a young man running a shop, making potions, and living a quiet life.
That was all Weld ever wanted for him.
"Five Valo," Leon said, breaking Weld's thoughts.
He handed over the coins without hesitation. "I'll be back if I need more."
Leon gave a slight nod. "You're always welcome."
As Weld stepped outside, the morning sun cast long shadows across the street. He took a deep breath, feeling a strange sense of relief.
Yeah… This is fine. Let him stay like this.
After Weld stepped out of the shop, the morning light caught him on the busy street outside. Otto was waiting near the entrance, a wry smile already forming on his lips.
"Boss," Otto called, his tone casual yet curious, "is the young prince the one?"
Weld paused, glancing back toward the shop. He lowered his eyes for a moment before replying. "The one you mean? From what I saw, he's just been running his shop—quietly making his potions, sorting his herbs… nothing out of the ordinary."
Otto leaned in, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "But you know what they say, boss. They whisper that our little master has a mind sharper than most, and some even say he might be connected to yesterday case... the one with the escape criminal" I mean Lance Volia, right? Young prince and he played a lot together in our castle, I won't be surprised if young prince was the mysterious man"
Weld shook his head slowly. "I've been hoping he'd never be drawn into such chaos. I want to see him grow up peacefully—make potions, sell them, maybe even find a sweet girl to settle down with and build a proper life here in Avalon."
Otto's gaze softened, his tone sympathetic. "I know, boss. I worry about him too. He's still young, ..."
Weld sighed, his voice heavy with both hope and resignation. "That's exactly my fear. I want him to stay out of this endless cycle of power struggles and bloodshed. I want him to have a chance at a quiet life—even if it's not the life of a knight or a savior."
Otto gave a small nod. "Then we keep an eye on Young Prince, make sure he live peacefully —a simple alchemist with dreams of peace."
Weld managed a small, determined smile. "Exactly. For now, let's trust that the young prince will choose his own path—and that path will be one of healing, not war."
With that, the two men set off down the bustling street, each lost in their own thoughts about the future of the one they both cared for.
Leon's inner dialogue :
"This guy, is he here to buy supplies. My heightened intuition is telling me he is here to check me, if I were the man who save Lance"
"What would he want to do with that information, I need to be careful not to spill any beam "
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After a long day in Avalon, Leon returned to his modest residence. The familiar creak of the wooden stairs led him down to the basement, where the soft mechanical glow of his alchemical light set a calm, steady atmosphere. As he stepped into the room, he noticed Lance in the middle of his calisthenics routine—performing push-ups and sit-ups with a determined rhythm.
Leon leaned against the doorway with a small smile. "Filling with so much energy, huh?" he greeted casually.
Lance paused his workout and looked up, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. There was a moment of friendly silence before Lance's tone shifted to something more serious. "Leon, I really shouldn't be here," he said quietly.
Leon's inner dialogue:
"I have never noticed before, Lance Volia is the son of a transcender worrier, his strength, agility and precision are off the chart.
This skill : heightened intuition is something else.
Lance- looking at this situation, I might get in trouble if I keep him forever. But, I need his strength to revenge on assassin, and I also want to grasp the throne of Narita,"
Leon replied,"what do you mean that you shouldn't be here?, I was just saving an old friend"
I worry that if I keep hanging around, you might end up getting tangled in chaos. I want you to live a quiet life here—make potions, run your shop, maybe even settle down someday." Lance explained.
Leon glanced around the familiar clutter of vials, books, and alchemical tools before meeting Lance's eyes. "I get it," he replied softly.
" that night, you pushed the intriguing dagger to me, it is still here, is it related to King of Narita", Leon asked.
"Yes, exactly, you guessed right,it is the artifact meant for King of Narita, the artifact itself is nothing much, but the information I got from inner circle, it is of at most important " Lance answered.
"So, what is the plan?, Leon"
Leon's inner dialogue:
"I shouldn't push something onto Lance out of nowhere, so, first, I want him to be thankful and become loyal to me like a knight, then I will take his strength to do the condition I need to done for bigger picture. Now, I just need to act like a friend. "
Leon acting an unsure face, "I will give you a job at my store, don't worry about people, I will make face surgeries onto your face, and dye your hair brownish. Lance Volia died yesterday and you will be Lancelot from now on, I will give you the honor of being my Knight."
Lance inner dialogue:
I left that life of thievery behind, or so I hoped. But as I watch Leon speak of nobility and a peaceful destiny, I can't shake this gnawing doubt. Is his vision of becoming a knight truly free from the chaos of our world? I fear that the shadow of my past—those dark alleys and desperate nights—might one day reach him, dragging him into a vortex of turmoil he never asked for. Leon's path should be one of simple growth and honest alchemy, not stained by the blood of old crimes.
I will serve my friend as my liege, I will prevent him from any danger and also, my past of thievery.
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Leon VI Narita a.k.a Leonard aquire a Knight.
A transcender, a survivor, a mercenary, called
Lance Volia a.k.a Lancelot.