Shaking his head with a slight smile, Leon pulled on garments from his storage ring. He didn’t go for his typical noble robes. Rather, he picked out a black training suit—slick, skinny, meant for mobility freedom, but highlighting his regal, rough-hewn sex appeal. The fabric glimmered faintly in the pale morning light, elastic but obviously woven with spells intended for combat.
He secured his dark hair in a loose knot at the back of his head, a hairstyle that gave him an air of both discipline and reserve authority.
When he caught his own reflection in the high, silver-framed mirror, a low laugh escaped him at the sight.
The face looking back at him was dashing. Confident. Ready.
He nodded the mirror a little, then stepped away, his eyes moving toward the huge arched window. Outside the glass, the sun’s first rays had started seeping through the horizon, coloring the sky gold and amber.
Leon’s thoughts whirled with ideas—calculations, assumptions, and cautious plans all centered on a particular someone’s forthcoming arrival.
If only my arithmetic is right... he thought to himself, brow furrowed and eyes narrowing fractionally, then that individual will arrive today...
His lips twisted into a soft smile, tinged with hope and wariness. Whatever the future held, the day promised to be an interesting one.
He refaced Rias, moving quietly over her. Bending low, he kissed the forehead softly. Her eyes did not even flicker open—the weariness from their fervent night guaranteed she would sleep a bit longer.
With a soft smile, he stayed a moment, then without further comment, slipped out of the room quietly, not wanting to wake his sleeping daughter.
Downstairs, the house slowly came to life. Fey and the rest of the maids glided silently through the lavish halls, their quiet steps merging with the sunbeams streaming in. As Leon stepped down from the stairs, five sets of eyes settled on him—stuck in mid-motion.
He looked like something out of a dream. The black training suit clung perfectly to his form; the sharp lines of his body accentuated by its simple design. The morning light caught him just right, highlighting his powerful presence—regal and magnetic.
Admiration and awe glimmered in their eyes. For a brief moment, their hearts fluttered, and they remained rooted to the spot.
Leon caught it but remained calm. A subtle, half-knowing smile pulled at his lips. Clearing his throat gently, he arched an eyebrow. "Ahem."
The spell was broken.
Fey, the lead maid, blushed fiery red, her cheeks afire as she fought to regain her breath. Her voice was shuddery, almost a whisper, "G-Good m-morning, my Lord."
The rest of the maids then echoed them, their steps in tandem as if choreographed, heads bent low together. Their voices, though shaky, had the same respectful cordiality, "G-Good morning, Lord Leon."
Leon’s lips curled into a weak, knowing smile—a smile laced with amusement and quiet approval. The image of them, so caught off-guard by his sudden arrival, was almost sweet.
He took a step forward, the quiet thud of his footsteps taking up the space between them. He saw the pink flush still on their cheeks, the rapid rise and fall of their breathing, the diffident glances flashing upward to meet his before they rapidly looked away.
"Fey," he said softly, his tone low but gentle, "I am going to the training hall. Wake the others up when they wake. Let them know."
She nodded, not able to look him in the eye. "U-understood..."
Leon smiled slightly before heading to the main door of the mansion. Outside, the grounds of the estate were heavily protected. Captain Black was among Leon’s personal guard in gleaming silver armor, socializing with palace guards in black. Discipline and preparedness thick in the air.
The guards saw Leon emerge and bowed their heads in one motion to salute him.
"Lift your heads," Leon ordered softly, his tone possessing inherent authority. The guards complied at once.
Captain Black drew near; his face courteous. "My Lord, are you going somewhere?"
Leon nodded. "To the training hall."
Black’s eyes sparkled with comprehension. "Do I go with you?"
Leon shook his head with a soft movement. "No need. Guard here and stay. I’m going by myself."
Without hesitation, Black bowed. "As you wish, my Lord."
Leon nodded again and approached a palace guard standing close by in black armor. The guard stiffened at once, inclining his head respectfully.
"Guard, take me to the royal training grounds," Leon commanded.
"With honor, my Lord," the guard replied, voice firm and respectful.
"Proceed ahead," Leon instructed, falling into step beside him.
They strolled together along silent stone path brought them to a great colosseum-like building—an imposing edifice where warriors from every rank trained. The dark stone exterior of the building was guarded by many black-armored guards whose presence was as intimidating as it was comforting.
The training ground of the royal palace lay before him—a wide plain where rank and title dissolved into nothing but raw power and skilled proficiency. Here, soldiers and nobles greeted each other as equals, proven by the same austere standards of war and self-discipline.
As Leon walked through the massive gates, a wave of recognition swept through the guards lining the way. Their stances stiffened in an instant, eyes alert and deferent. They bowed deeply—not because they had to, but in true respect for the fighter that they knew him to be.
This respect had been earned a long time ago by the first Leon Moonwalker—the great war hero who had commanded the kingdom’s armies through countless wars and hard-fought victories. Though the man in front of them shared the same name, it was the legacy and spirit of that hero that they owed loyalty now.
Leon countered their stares with an unyielding nod, his face serene but firm. He moved forward without hesitation, every step calculated and deliberate as he stepped further into the training grounds where his real test lay.
As Leon entered, the ring of swords rang out in the air—a battle symphony. Silhouettes flowed smoothly, performing combat training, blades shining with practiced expertise. But to his astonishment, the arena lay vacant. Rather, all the guards congregated closely around the center of the training hall, bordering a cohesive circle close to the biggest exit.
Leon’s smile broadened, cutting and assured.
Here you are, he mused, eyes shining with determination.
"So," he said in his heart, golden eyes burning with dreams, "let us take the first step... to conquer Moonstone Kingdom."
Thus, he marched ahead towards the ring of guards, who were like a wall, standing in the way of seeing further.