Leo's gaze locked onto the girl walking toward him, her silver hair shimmering like threads of moonlight, her purple eyes glinting with mischief. Her knowing smile sparked something in his mind—a faint memory he couldn't quite place. Still, his instincts buzzed. There was power radiating from her, a quiet force that cqn rival even the strongest leaders in the academy.
"Well, hello, senior Leonhardt Caulem," she said, her voice velvet-smooth, laced with a confidence that felt rehearsed, like she'd practiced this moment. "I've been eager to meet you."
Leo tilted his head, his smirk tight and guarded, crimson eyes probing hers. "Hey there, miss," he replied, voice low and even, testing her.
"Do I know you, or is this my first time meeting?"
Her smile sharpened, a flicker of amusement in her gaze, as if she saw every move he might make. "No, this is our first meeting," she said, deliberate and calm. "I'm Erin Dranemount, First year student who joined this academy recently"
The name hit like a quiet detonation. Dranemount—one of the kingdom's three great houses, alongside Caulem and Rathur. While Rathur is hostile towards Caulem, Dranemount is neutral.
He leaned back slightly, sizing her up. "So, you're Adrian's little sister," he said, voice slow and edged. "The rumoured genius."
Erin's chuckle was soft, calculated, her violet eyes glinting like she'd anticipated his words. "I'm flattered you've heard of me, Senior Leonhardt. Thank you."
She tilted her head, mirroring him, her stare unrelenting. "So, what's on your mind now that I'm here?"
Leo crossed his arms, his smirk hardening into something colder. "Not much, Miss Erin. More wondering what you're after."
Her smile turned razor-sharp, playful but with a deliberate edge. "Nothing much senior," she said, stepping closer, her tone too casual. "I wanted to congratulate you on yesterday's feat—impressive doesn't cover it."
He shrugged, his response clipped, dismissive. "Thanks."
She didn't flinch, her gaze locking tighter. "Oh, and one more thing," she added, her voice dipping into a teasing lilt. "Thanks to you, I won 600 gold crowns."
Leo's eyes narrowed slightly. "You," he said, low and cutting. "The only other one betting on me."
Her smile widened, a glint of triumph flashing as she leaned in just a hair. "Naturally," she muttered, her tone dripping with intent. "I saw through the setup from the start—couldn't resist staking my own money on it." Her words were light, but her eyes pinned him, calculating every flicker of his reaction.
Leo's mind raced, his hitman instincts screaming. She's been watching me—tracking every step. She wasn't just smart; she was a chess player, moving pieces he hadn't even spotted yet. Her poise, her timing—it was too perfect, too orchestrated.
She adjusted her gold brooch with a delicate flick, then glided past him, her steps silent and precise. "Good luck from here on, Leonhardt," she said, her voice a soft taunt as she brushed by.
"It's going to be a brutal ride from now on."
Leo turned his head a fraction, his stare boring into her back. "Planning to tag along for it?" he shot back, voice steady but laced with a challenge.
She paused, glancing over her shoulder, her violet eyes flashing with something dark and thrilling. "Perhaps," she said, her smile curling into a promise. "I'd hate to miss the fun." Then she moved on, vanishing into the corridor's shadows.
[She seems very suspicious, Reo. Caution is advised.]
"Yeah," he muttered. "I see it."
His life as a hitman had shown him the darkest sides of humanity—men and women who were masters of manipulation, intelligence, and charisma. He had crossed paths with people like them before—people who never acted without a calculated purpose. Still, none had managed to outwit him.
She feels familiar, he thought, his brows furrowing as a shadow of recognition passed through him. "Erin Dranemount," he murmured, her name on his lips like a puzzle waiting to be solved.
_____
Leo shoved open the door to his dorm room, his face a storm of confusion and annoyance. Without a word, he collapsed onto the couch, sprawling out with a lazy thud, one arm flopping over his eyes.
Liana approached him, her steps soft but deliberate, a tray in her hands with a steaming cup of coffee. She set it down on the table before him with a gentle clink,. "Young Master Leo, your coffee."
Leo shifted, his arm still shielding his face, voice dragging low with a tired edge. "Thanksssss, Liana."
She tilted her head, catching the strain in his slumped posture, the way his jaw tightened. "Young Master," she said, her tone soft but laced with worry, "did something go wrong at the principal office?"
Leo let out a slow sigh, dropping his arm to meet her brown eyes. "Not really," he said, pushing himself up a bit. "Got two offers—promotion to Silver Class, and Professor Gidon wants me as his apprentice."
Liana's face lit up, her eyes sparkling like green fire. "That's amazing, Young Master! Congratulations! I'll make something special to—"
"Nah," Leo cut in, waving her off with a faint, worn smirk. "Turned down the promotion. Put professor Gidon's offer on hold."
Her glow dimmed, a small frown creasing her brow. "Oh… alright," she said, voice dipping into careful calm. "If that's what you want, Young Master."
Leo grabbed the coffee, sipping it slow. He let the quiet stretch, then fixed his gaze on her, sharper now. "Liana, yesterday—when you were betting on me, did anything weird stand out? Anything off?"
Liana paused, thinking hard, her brows knitting. "Not much," she said. "People were laughing, saying they'd lose it all fast. But… I heard there was this girl—she bet 50 gold crowns on you before I even got there."
Leo's eyes narrowed, a flicker of suspicion tightening his grip on the cup. "So she knew ahead of time," he muttered, low enough it was almost just for him.
"Young Master?" Liana's voice nudged, worry creeping in. "Something bothering you?"
He shook his head, smirk faint but steady. "Nope. Just wondering."
He set the cup down with a soft tap, his mind shifting gears. Silently, he called up Elynn's item space, and a shimmer of light flared in his vision.
Three items floated into focus:
[ITEM SPACE.]
1. Bear Defense x1
2. Speed Enhancer Potion x1
3. Voltsteel Knuckle Glove (Right Hand)
Leo flexed his hand, summoning the Voltsteel glove. It appeared in a flash in his hand. Liana blinked, startled, her breath catching. "Young Master… what's that?"
He turned it over, crimson eyes tracing the worn leather—scratched and scorched from the fire mana he'd unleashed in the duel. "This need fixing," he said. "I'll handle the weapon delivery tomorrow.
_____
The next morning, Leo strolled through the academy hallways on his way to class. The air was thick with whispers, following him like a persistent shadow.
"Did you see it? How did he manage to beat Garrik?"
"I swear, the way he punched with thunder mana—insane!"
"I lost all my savings because of him. Unbelievable."
The murmurs buzzed, relentless and grating. Leo exhaled heavily, his irritation bubbling beneath the surface. Don't they have anything better to do? he thought.
As he turned a corner, he came to a sudden stop. A knot of students blocked the hall ahead, lounging and laughing without a care.
Elara's crew, of course, sprawled like they owned the place. The second their eyes landed on him, the noise snuffed out, replaced by a thick, jittery silence. Every head turned, stares prickling with unease.
Elara, standing at the center, met his gaze. Her expression faltered, unsure, as if she was trying to decide how to react.