(7 days later, Leo’s POV)
In just seven days, Leo pushed [Enhance] to (Advanced) mastery, weaving it so seamlessly into his movents that it felt like an extension of his own body.
*Block*
*Block*
[Enhance] — Counter
*BOOOOM*
The shockwave rattled the platform as the Fourth Elder’s body slamd into the far wall, stone cracking beneath the impact.
A wet, tallic cough escaped the old man’s lips as he spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground.
*Cough*
*Cough*
"Fourth Elder, are you alright?" Leo asked, his tone more curious than concerned, as he watched the old man stagger upright.
"I’m fine... I’m fine," the Elder rasped, wiping his mouth as his eyes locked on Leo with a strange mixture of fear and disbelief. "I think... you’ve more than got the hang of my technique now—"
Leo gave a small nod of satisfaction. A week of relentless training had brought him results that most warriors could only dream of, and with this, he had mastered the third forbidden skill of the Cult.
"You.... You’re free to go back to Vorthas or Juxta for now, Veyr should be returning to Tithia in about 3 days, so afterwards, the two of you are scheduled to train under the Eleventh Elder together.
*Cough*
It– It was my honor to be able to teach you." The Fourth Elder said, as Leo gave him a slight bow out of respect.
Never in his wildest dreams could the Fourth Elder have imagined that Leo Skyshard would master his technique that took him years to perfect in just under a week.
And although he wanted to take credit for Leo’s speed, and pretend like it was all because of his excellent teaching skills, he sohow couldn’t deny Leo’s talent either.
From this mont onwards, he swore to keep a closer eye on this young one, as although Leo started as a pawn on the First and Twelfth elders camp, the Fourth Elder now wanted to recruit him as one of his own.
—------------
(A few hours later, Planet Vorthas)
Leo chose to return to Planet Vorthas first rather than heading to Juxta, as he wished to et Amanda and the rest of his family before seeking out Charles.
At this point, he knew nothing of the discoveries Su Pei had made over the past week, and so he made his way ho in the jolliest of moods.
"Guess who’s back? Back again? Dragon’s back... tell Amanda...."
Leo sang happily as he jived and danced while entering the house, imdiately catching the attention of Elena and Jacob who were seated in the living room area.
*Jump*
Elena instantly pushed herself up from her seat, her eyes glistening with joy as Jacob rose beside her, both breaking into wide grins that could have lit up the entire ho.
Without a second thought, they joined him in his ridiculous little dance, clapping in rhythm to his steps, their laughter filling the air with the kind of warmth Leo hadn’t felt in months.
For a brief, blissful mont, the past war, the training, the sches of the elders, it all of it faded away, replaced only by the simple comfort of family.
"Look at you two, still got so moves left in you," Leo chuckled, spinning his mother around playfully as Jacob clapped louder, matching his son’s beat.
The sound of his voice, full of life and mischief, carried upstairs, prompting the rapid thud of footsteps rushing down.
In the next instant, Amanda appeared at the top of the staircase, her hair loose and slightly ssy, her expression lighting up the mont her eyes fell on Leo.
"I knew I heard your voice!" she called out, her voice breaking slightly with emotion before she all but flew down the last few steps.
Leo barely had ti to open his arms before she crashed into him, her montum lifting her off her feet as he caught her with ease, the two spinning slightly before her lips found his.
The kiss was urgent yet tender, the kind of reunion that spoke of too many worries left unsaid.
From the corner of his vision, Leo caught sight of Su Pei standing near the doorway, leaning casually against the fra, watching the scene unfold with a calm smile.
Their eyes t for a fleeting mont, and Leo gave him a quick wink, which was a silent acknowledgnt that he had seen him and that they would talk soon.
Su Pei, despite the weight of whatever urgent news he carried, made no move to intrude.
Instead, he folded his hands behind his back, content to wait until the laughter and the warmth had ebbed into sothing quieter before pulling Leo aside.
For now, this was family ti, and even the most pressing of matters could wait a few more minutes.
—--------------
Eventually, once the excitent had settled and even Luke and Alia, who had missed his grand entrance, had arrived and shared their own warm greetings with him, did Su Pei finally choose to pull Leo aside, knowing it was ti to speak about the matters he had been holding back.
"What’s up? Why do you look so troubled?" Leo asked, as Su Pei let out a troubled chuckle, as if he didn’t even know where to begin with his report.
"No need to cushion your words, Monarch Pei, lay it on , I promise I can handle it." Leo assured, as Su Pei reluctantly nodded in agreent.
"It’s about your brother, Master...." He began, his tone gravely serious.
"I have been overseeing his recovery, just like you wanted to, but while I was talking to him, I found out that his recollection of the events that happened to him did not add up.....
So I suspected that his mories might have been tampered with...." Su Pei explained, as suddenly, he saw Leo’s expression change.
His usually calm master, that did not even show such rciless fury when he was fighting a duel against him, now suddenly looked like he had turned into the most unforgiving predator in the universe, as there was sothing about the glint in his gray eyes, that made even Su Pei shudder.
"Go on...." Leo said, his voice ice cold, as Su Pei felt forced to gulp down a mouthful of saliva.
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