Leo was visibly taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise; the flavors were unexpectedly rich, rivaling even the fond memories of his mother’s cooking.
Frank’s grin widened at Leo’s reaction. “So, it meets your approval?”
Regaining his composure, Leo nodded enthusiastically. “I have to admit, I didn’t think it would be this good. This is exceptional.”
Frank laughed heartily. “You’re laying it on thick, aren’t you?”
Shaking his head, Leo replied earnestly, “Not at all. You’ve got real talent. If you ever decide to hang up your paladin’s cloak, the life of a chef could be your true calling.”
The idea seemed to amuse Frank. “The thought has crossed my mind, but the thrill of being a paladin hasn’t worn off just yet.”
As the meal concluded, Leo rose, his plate in hand, and offered a slight bow in gratitude. “thank you for the food”
Frank waved off the formality with a chuckle. “Ease up, no need for such formality among friends.”
Leo’s declaration was firm as he carried his plate to the sink. “A meal this good justifies a bit of formality,” he said, scrubbing his dish clean.
Once the kitchen was tidied, he said goodbye and made his way to the library. Lavi’s habitual tardiness was almost reliable, so Leo seized the opportunity to immerse himself in the ‘Magic Intermediate’ book he’d borrowed. The book was a compendium of the foundational spells across various magical fields, beginning with the rudiments of pure magic.
‘Light ball, telepathy, and basic wards are the cornerstones of pure magic,’ Leo mused, ‘and those who dig deeper encounter basic healing and telekinesis.’
Contemplating the possibilities, Leo reclined in his chair, his gaze drifting upwards as he pondered the potential of telekinesis.
With a newfound resolve, he returned the book to its place on the table and approached Samuel. “Mr. Samuel, could you direct me to a book on telekinesis? It’s considered an F-rank spell, so I presume there’s something suitable for my level.”
Samuel’s expression betrayed his surprise. “Telekinesis? That’s a challenging spell to master.”
Leo met his gaze with determination. “I’m aware of the difficulty, but I believe mastering it could prove invaluable.”
Samuel paused, his fingers idly combing through his beard. “Well, if you’re set on it,” he conceded.
Rising from his seat, he navigated the labyrinth of shelves to the section dedicated to magic, zeroing in on the subsection for pure magic. “The right volume should be here,” he muttered, scanning the titles.
After perusing several spines, Samuel extracted a moderately-sized volume, its cover worn from use. He presented it to Leo. “This one delves into pure magic, with the second chapter dedicated to telekinesis.”
Leo accepted the book, examining the cover. “5 Steps into Magic,” he read aloud, a hint of recognition in his voice. “I glanced at this just yesterday, but didn’t realize it covered telekinesis.”
Samuel offered a wry smile. “Yes, the titles can be misleading. Should you need more guidance, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Grateful, Leo nodded. “I appreciate it, Mr. Samuel.”
Leo strode across the room to his desk, where a stack of well-thumbed books awaited him. With a thoughtful expression, he placed the newly acquired book atop the pile.
“I first need to finish what I’m reading now” he murmured to himself, his fingers tracing the spine of the book he was determined to finish.
As he settled into his chair, intent on resuming his reading, the library door creaked open. Lavi stepped inside, his presence interrupting the silence. Leo rose to greet him.
“Mr. Han, greetings,” Leo said, his voice steady and welcoming.
Lavi responded in kind, a brief “Hello,” escaping his lips as he approached, depositing his belongings beside the table. Observing the limited space, Leo swiftly scooped up his book and placed it beside him on the floor, clearing the tabletop for Lavi’s use.
Lavi spread out a handful of parchments, each covered in intricate symbols from the illusion spell. “Yesterday, you were on the verge of mastering it. I’m confident today will be the day you succeed,” he said encouragingly.
With a nod of understanding, Leo reached for one of the papers. The patterns were familiar, etched into his memory from countless hours of study. He began his practice, Lavi’s watchful gaze guiding him through the delicate intricacies of the arcane art.
…
Atop a towering edifice in the urban heart of the city, a solitary figure stood against the skyline. Clad in a flowing black robe and a wide-brimmed hat that shrouded his features in mystery, he held a stark black card, its surface devoid of any markings. His gaze swept across the cityscape, alert and searching.
“The paladins have intensified their patrols; they’ve somehow sensed my presence. But how?” he pondered, a hint of annoyance in his tone.
With a fluid motion, he slipped the card into a concealed pocket within the folds of his robe, contemplating the enigma.
“My abilities should render me invisible to anyone below the A3 level, and according to my intelligence, there’s no one of that rank in this city. Could there be an individual with unique talents? Or perhaps…” His thoughts trailed off as he cast a wary glance towards the district where Oryu was.
…
In the aftermath of his instructional session with Lavi, Leo found himself in the dim confines of the storage room. He meticulously reviewed his gear, ensuring everything was in order for his upcoming patrol. The illusion spell, a technique he had managed to execute only once at the session’s conclusion, had taken him a full five minutes to cast. He acknowledged the impracticality of employing such a time-consuming spell in the heat of combat, so he needed to shorten the time he required to cast it.
Once Leo had double-checked his equipment, ensuring each piece was secured and in place, he made his way to the main hall. The vast space was silent, save for the soft ticking of his watch as he withdrew it from his pocket. The hands pointed to 3:50. Today’s patrol duties had necessitated an early end to his class with Lavi, cutting it short by thirty minutes.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
He lingered in the stillness of the hall, the minutes stretching on. After a ten-minute wait, the sound of a door unlatching broke the stillness. Edmond emerged from his office. He was adorned in a full suit of armor that gleamed white and gold under the hall’s luminous chandeliers. His attire was a testament to his rank: two heavy gauntlets, a pair of imposing shoulder guards, and a medium chest plate laid over a pristine white shirt. The armor extended down, encasing his legs fully, culminating in a pair of sturdy boots. Affixed securely to his back was a massive two-handed sword, its presence undeniable.
Leo bore a similar ensemble of heavy gauntlets and shoulder armor, complemented by the same style of white shirt. The distinction lay in the elegant sword that hung at his left side and the satchel strapped to his right.
Edmond’s gaze swept over Leo, taking in his prepared stance. A nod of approval was all it took before he uttered the words that set them in motion. “Let’s go,” he declared, his voice resolute, signaling the beginning of their shared patrol.
With a firm nod, Leo fell into step behind Edmond. As they emerged into the daylight, Edmond led the way towards Main Street. Leo couldn’t help but notice the stares they attracted; the townspeople’s eyes were invariably drawn to Edmond. The Paladin captain’s towering presence was hard to miss, with his large sword and armor that gleamed in hues of gold and white.
Leo made a conscious effort to focus on his surroundings, searching for anything out of the ordinary. Yet, amidst his vigilance, curiosity got the better of him.
“Captain, why have you taken to patrolling the streets personally?” he inquired.
Edmond’s reply came promptly, his attention never wavering from their environment. “We have an A-rank intruder within the city. It’s the duty of all captains to locate him.”
He elaborated further, “Your task is to alert the association via telepathy at the first sign of trouble. Subsequently, your focus must be on maintaining order and minimizing casualties.”
“Casualties?” Leo echoed, a trace of surprise in his voice.
Edmond nodded gravely. “We’re dealing with middle-ranker. The situation could escalate quickly.”
Their route took them from Main Street to Bush Street, then towards Sun Square, looping back to Main Street, and finally down Ashburn Street. Their patrol concluded at the city gate on Justice Avenue.
Every two hundred meters, Edmond would halt abruptly, his posture shifting as he prepared to cast a spell. Leo, though not privy to the specifics of the incantation, could sense the formidable surge of mana that Edmond channeled. It was a palpable force, a testament to the captain’s prowess. Meanwhile, Leo’s task was to remain vigilant, scanning their surroundings for any sign of disturbance or threat while Edmond was engrossed in his arcane workings.
Upon their return to the Paladin Association’s main hall, Edmond regarded Leo with a nod of approval.
“Well done today. Be advised, our patrol schedule may change next Wednesday. Lara will keep you updated,” he stated.
Leo responded with a salute, his fist pressed to his chest. “Understood, Captain.”
After that Leo went to the storage room and changed to his old clothe, but he kept the sword and the bag on his belt.
Leo departed from the hushed corridors of the association, his footsteps echoing softly as he made his way home. En route, the warm aroma of freshly baked goods lured him into a local bakery. There, he exchanged ten silver coins for an assortment of breads. Clutching the paper-wrapped bundle, he calculated his remaining funds: 1.20 gold coins, a sum that had to last him another week and a half until the month’s end.
Despite his respectable earnings, Leo couldn’t shake the feeling that it was barely enough to scrape by, let alone save.
Arriving at his doorstep, he was about to insert the key when a cacophony of voices from within gave him pause. Among them, he recognized Belgilia’s distinctive timbre and another, unfamiliar male voice. Opting for a less intrusive entrance, Leo pressed the doorbell. Moments later, his mother greeted him, her face alight with joy.
“Hello, Mother,” he greeted.
“Oh, hi sweetie,” she beamed back, ushering him in. “We have guests.”
Feigning surprise, Leo replied, “Really?”
Inside, he found Belgilia in the company of another dwarf, slightly taller, with a mane of long brown hair and a beard to match. The man’s medium-sized, black eyes were set above a prominent nose, his mouth obscured by the thicket of his facial hair. He was clad in simple attire, a blend of black and brown that spoke of practicality rather than finery.
Lisa stepped forward, her voice carrying a warm note of introduction.
“Leo, this is Mr. Rorin Fodoln; he is Belgilia’s husband.”
Leo advanced with a courteous nod and extended his hand.
“A pleasure to meet you, sir,” he said, surprised by the unexpectedly firm handshake. Despite his Paladin’s strength, Leo felt the pressure in his palm—a clear sign of Rorin’s impressive power.
Rorin’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Your reputation precedes you. To achieve Paladin status at such a young age, some might call you a prodigy.”
Leo could not help but notice the bulging muscles that strained against the fabric of Rorin’s long sleeves.
“I’m just lucky,” Leo replied modestly.
Rorin’s laughter boomed through the room. “Hahaha… Merely luck, you say? I’m inclined to disagree.”
Once the pleasantries were exchanged, they settled into their seats. Rorin’s gaze fixed on Leo with a mix of curiosity and respect.
“So, Leo, what rank have you reached?”
“I’m currently at F rank in the field of illusion, but I aim to reach E rank within the next two weeks.“
Rorin raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed. “Reaching E rank in just three months is no small feat.”
Seeking to divert the conversation from himself, Leo posed a question to Rorin.
“And what of your own Rank, Mr. Fodoln?”
“Please, just Rorin will do,” he said with a casual wave of his hand.
Rorin’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “And what makes you so sure I possess a rank?”
Leo’s smile mirrored Rorin’s, tinged with respect. “One doesn’t need to be a seer to recognize the aura of strength you carry. It’s quite evident you’re leagues beyond me.”
Rorin’s laughter filled the room once more. “Hahaha, you’re quite perceptive. Indeed, I am ranked as a B- Warrior.”
The revelation caused Leo’s eyes to widen in astonishment, his voice inadvertently rising. “B- rank?”
“Are you, by chance, an adventurer, Mr. Rorin?”
Rorin’s grin held a hint of secrecy. “You could say that. I have a hunch you’ll be privy to that knowledge soon enough,” he chuckled, his laughter echoing in the hall.
As Lisa and Belgilia retreated to the kitchen to prepare the meal, Leo and Rorin continued their conversation in the hall.
“Leo, with your build, you could’ve easily pursued the path of a warrior,” Rorin observed.
Leo’s response came with a touch of humility. “Ah, my apologies for not clarifying. My pursuits are threefold; illusion is merely my primary discipline. Enchantment and warrior are my other fields.”
Rorin’s eyes widened in surprise. “Three fields? And such a combination is less prone to corruption. You’re quite the smart one.”
Leo’s smile was modest. “I appreciate the compliment, sir.”
Thirty minutes later, dinner was announced ready. Leo called out to Rosie, and together they joined the others in the kitchen. As they dined, Rorin regaled them with tales from his youth, his stories as rich and varied as the meal before them.
After the meal, a collective effort saw the kitchen restored to its pristine state, with Rorin lending a hand alongside the others. As the time went by, Rorin and Belgilia made their farewells. Pausing by the door, Rorin turned to Leo with a boisterous inquiry.
“Leo, have you explored the world of romance yet? Do you have a girlfriend?”
Belgilia’s reaction was swift; her hand struck the back of Rorin’s neck, eliciting a startled look from him.
“What? It’s a simple question,” Rorin protested, rubbing the spot where Belgilia’s hand had landed.
Suppressing their amusement proved challenging for Leo and Lisa, but after a moment, Leo composed himself enough to reply.
“At present, my commitments leave little room for such pursuits,” he admitted.
Rorin seemed poised to delve deeper, but Belgilia interjected with a gracious smile.
“We’re indebted to you for the hospitality. Until next time,” she said, tugging at Rorin’s sleeve to guide him away.
“Alright, alright,” Rorin acquiesced, allowing Belgilia to lead him out.
As the door closed behind their departing guests, Lisa and Leo exchanged a brief wave before retreating indoors.
“Rorin is quite the character,” Leo remarked, a hint of admiration in his voice.
Lisa nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling with a teasing glint as they settled on Leo. “Indeed, he is. So…”
he paused, his brow furrowing in confusion. “So?”
The question lingered, both playful and direct. “Have you thought about finding a girlfriend?”
A flush of embarrassment tinged Leo’s cheeks. “Mother, I believe I’m still too young for such entanglements. Besides, I trust fate to guide such matters.” With that, he retreated to his room, leaving the conversation with a hasty “Goodnight.” He closed the door behind him, leaving Lisa alone with her mirthful laughter.