Leo’s eyelids fluttered open, and he was immediately met with the indistinct chatter of voices. However, the figures around him were nothing more than blurred shapes. He blinked several times, each attempt gradually clearing the fog from his vision. As his eyes adjusted, he recognized the sterile, white walls of a hospital room, spacious and unoccupied except for himself. His attention was drawn to the doorway, where Edmond and Frank’s muffled conversation was taking place. Straining to hear, Leo attempted to prop himself up on his elbows.


    Edmond, noticing Leo’s consciousness, approached with a simple acknowledgment, “You’re awake.”


    Frank chimed in with a mix of concern and relief, “You had us worried there,,” as he lent a hand to help him sit upright.


    Leo, still disoriented and struggling to piece together the fragmented memories, looked between Edmond and Mr. Frank, his voice laced with confusion. “Captain, Mr. Frank, what happened?” he asked, hoping for some clarity.


    Edmond, leaned in slightly “what’s the last thing you can recall?”


    Leo furrowed his brow, searching his mind for the scattered pieces of his memory. After a brief pause, he finally spoke. “I was in pursuit of a girl, but, out of nowhere, a man... he descended from the sky, like he dropped straight out of the clouds. The force of his landing hit me like a shock wave. It knocked the wind out of me, and before I could react, he used some kind of ability—something I’ve never seen before. It overwhelmed me, and I—” Leo faltered, his frustration clear. “I blacked out.”


    Edmond’s gaze sharpened, concern etched into the lines of his face as he considered Leo’s words. “Describe the sensation when he used his spell,” he pressed, his tone more serious now. He needed to understand exactly what they were dealing with.


    Leo described the painful experience, “It felt like a searing pain coursing through me.”


    Edmond let out a weary sigh, revealing, “He identified you as a paladin and aimed to end your life. Fortunately, his own injuries were mortal, and he perished before he could complete his deadly spell. It was a narrow escape for you—and for all of us.”


    “Who was that man, Captain?” Leo inquired, his tone reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern.


    Edmond held Leo’s gaze for a moment, contemplating how much to reveal. “The man you encountered was our target—an enchanter of A1 rank. However, the specifics of his identity are not your immediate concern. Focus on documenting the altercation with Aline. Peter will arrive within the hour to process your hospital discharge. Hand him your report, then take some time to recuperate at home.”


    Leo, shifting topics, asked, “Captain, did anyone find a young girl in the vicinity of Orchid Street?”


    Edmond’s response was measured but direct. “If you’re referring to the child Aline  transformed to, I regret to inform you she didn’t survive. Aline killed her after taking her flesh.”


    A shadow of grief crossed Leo’s features, prompting Edmond to pause before offering some reassurance. “You did a great job yesterday, ”


    A glimmer of pride broke through Leo’s somber mood as he replied, “Thank you, Captain.”


    “We’ll reconvene tomorrow at the association,” Edmond stated, setting the expectation for their next meeting.


    In a gesture of respect, Leo placed his fist over his chest.


    Acknowledging the salute, Edmond turned to leave. Frank cast a sympathetic glance at Leo, then reached into his bag, retrieving a sheet of paper and a pen which he handed to Leo. “Take care, we’ll see you tomorrow.”


    With that, the two men exited, leaving Leo alone with his thoughts. He pondered the events of the previous day, the ‘what ifs’ haunting him. He wondered if they could have saved the girl had they acted sooner. Shaking his head, he dismissed the futile thoughts. “What’s done is done,” he murmured, accepting the harsh reality of their line of work.


    Leo grasped the paper Frank had provided and began detailing his report. Approximately an hour later, Peter arrived with his characteristic enthusiasm.


    “Leo, you prodigy, how on earth did you single-handedly overcome an E+ rank?” he exclaimed.


    Before Leo could formulate a response, Peter interjected, “Actually, save it for tomorrow. It’ll be more thrilling to hear it alongside everyone else in the grand hall.”


    Peter then laid out a set of fresh clothes on Leo’s hospital bed. “Time to get dressed,” he instructed.


    Leo complied, donning the clothes provided. He noted the absence of his sword, but his blue gem and cane remained in his bag. “You’ll retrieve your sword along with a new fireball gem and shield tomorrow,” Peter informed him.


    After a quick self-assessment in the mirror, Leo handed over the completed report to Peter. “Here’s my report of the events, Mr. Peter.”


    “Excellent, I’ll pass this along to Lara. Now, let’s get you back home,” Peter said, ushering Leo forward.


    As they departed the hospital, a concern dawned on Leo. “Has my family been informed about the incident?” he inquired anxiously.


    Peter reassured him, “We’ve dispatched a messenger to convey that you were detained with urgent matters and couldn’t return home.”


    Relieved, Leo reflected on the situation. It was a far less dire scenario than previous encounters; his injuries were minor, and his life wasn’t at stake. His family needn’t worry this time.


    Peter accompanied Leo to his residence, and with a quick farewell, Leo stepped inside to be greeted by his mother, Lisa, her smile warm and welcoming.


    "Sweetie, you''re back. Why didn’t you tell me your duties would keep you busy all day?” she asked, her concern subtle beneath the warmth.


    Leo returned her smile. “Something came up downtown—an incident that needed attention. We had to step in to keep things safe.”


    Lisa''s expression shifted slightly, her worry showing. “Were you in any danger?”


    Leo shook his head, aiming to reassure her. “The captain took care of the fighting. We were just there to keep the perimeter secure. Besides, being a Paladin means dealing with things like this from time to time. You don’t need to worry too much.” He decided not to mention his own role in the skirmish, keeping that part to himself.


    Understanding her son’s intent to ease her concerns, Lisa offered a gentle smile. “You must be exhausted. Change out of your uniform, and then join me in the kitchen.”


    As Leo made his way to his room, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway just before Rosie’s door flew open.


    “Leo, you’re back! Where have you been?” she asked, her face a mixture of joy and concern, her eyes scanning him as if to check for injuries.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    “I just returned from my assignment,” Leo replied, his voice steady but tired.


    Rosie’s expression quickly turned serious. “You shouldn’t make Mom worry like that. She was pacing half the evening.”


    Leo blinked, caught off guard by her stern tone. It wasn’t just their mother she was worried about—it was clear her concern extended to him as well. He gave her a small, reassuring smile. “I’ll be more careful, I promise.”


    Rosie’s gaze dropped, a flush of embarrassment crossing her face at her sudden outburst. Lisa, who had been watching the exchange, chuckled softly from the kitchen, the tension easing with her laugh.


    After a brief moment, Leo headed to his room to change, the familiar and comforting aroma of his favorite dish wafting through the house. After savoring a hearty meal with his family, he finally retired to his bedroom. His muscles ached from the day’s events, and as soon as his head hit the pillow, the weight of his exhaustion pulled him into a deep sleep.


    …


    The following day at Edmond’s office, the air was tense with anticipation.


    Edmond, with a critical eye, addressed Leo, “I’ve gone through your report. There are sections that lack clarity. Let’s delve into those.”


    Leo, with a respectful nod, awaited further instructions.


    Edmond queried, “You’ve described transforming a light orb into a fireball using illusion. At what point did you cast the illusion?”


    Leo explained, “There were two potential methods for deploying my illusion, and I couldn’t show the illusion symbol to him. Believing I was merely a warrior, he let his guard down. I seized that moment—right when he moved behind me and I struck him—that’s when the illusion took hold.”


    As Leo recounted the events, Edmond’s eyes remained fixed on the report.


    “How did the illusion take hold? From what you said, you cast the illusion on him by touching, yes?”


    Leo nodded and raised the back of his hand, revealing a faint mark etched into his skin. “Ever since I learned the illusion spell, I’ve been drawing this symbol on my hand every day. It’s subtle enough to go unnoticed if I’m careful.”


    He flexed his fingers slightly, the mark catching the light. “It does make fighting harder—I have to keep this hidden while maintaining precision. But as I mentioned, he let his guard down and that gave me the opening I needed.”


    “Yet, your opponent holds an E+ rank, while you haven’t reached E-,” Edmond pointed out.


    “He made the mistake of underestimating me from the outset. Plus, I had an arsenal of items provided by the association at my disposal,” Leo responded, his expression serene yet confident.


    His brow furrowed slightly as he spoke. “Despite my meticulous preparations, if my final strategy were to fail, I would be staring at certain death.” The gravity of his words hung in the air, a testament to the high stakes he faced.


    Edmond studied Leo thoughtfully.


    “The gap between lower ranks is narrow, but beyond C rank, the odds of defeating someone even one rank higher are slim. If you find yourself in such peril again and victory is uncertain, prioritize your escape.”


    Leo acknowledged the advice, “Understood, sir,” though his voice betrayed a flicker of concern.


    Edmond continued, “Your capture of an E+ rank fugitive and your command over the police to protect the city have not gone unnoticed. As a reward for your service, you’ll receive 10 gold coins. Additionally, the church has confirmed your actions using ‘Lost Memory’ and detected residual mana at the scene. After consulting with them, we’ve decided you don’t need to take the E-rank ability test.”


    Leo’s eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and joy as Edmond produced a small card with a dramatic flourish.


    “There’s still the written exam, but I’m confident you’ll excel,” Edmond added, his voice brimming with certainty.


    He handed the card to Leo. “Congratulations, You’ve achieved E- rank.”


    Leo accepted the card, excitement coursing through him. For a moment, he was speechless, unable to fully process the achievement.


    “For further instructions and to claim your reward, report to Peter,” Edmond instructed.


    Snapping back to attention, Leo saluted with a fist over his heart. “Yes, sir, thank you, sir!” His gratitude was heartfelt.


    As he turned to leave, Leo paused at the doorway, his expression shifting from happiness to concern.


    “Captain, may I ask about Coach’s condition?” he inquired, his voice heavy with worry. He had already heard from Peter that she had been injured during the incident.


    Edmond, maintaining a steady tone, reassured him. “She’s doing well. Thanks to Bishop Oryu’s healing abilities, most of her injuries have healed. She was released from the hospital just yesterday.”


    Relief washed over Leo, and a smile found its way back to his face.


    “That’s a relief to hear. I’ll attend to my responsibilities now,” he said, his spirits lifted by the news.


    Exiting Edmond’s office, Leo made his way to the storage room, only to find Peter absent. Puzzled, he searched the library and kitchen, but they too were deserted.


    ‘That’s strange.’ he mused.


    He then went to the great hall. As he pushed open the doors, the once dim room burst into light.


    “Surprise!”


    The sudden celebration caught Leo off guard, rendering him speechless. The room was filled with familiar faces, all except Edmond. Even Faleria was present, though Leo suspected she hadn’t joined in the exclamation.


    ‘Do they celebrate like this here too?’ he wondered silently.


    Noticing Leo’s frozen stance, Liamond approached with a hint of concern. “We didn’t scare you to death, did we?”


    Regaining his composure, Leo’s lips curled into a smile.


    “Apologies, I didn’t expect any more surprises today,” Leo said, recovering from his initial shock. He then offered a respectful bow to the crowd. “Thank you, everyone.”


    Liamond, with a warm gesture, placed his hand on Leo’s shoulder.


    “Congratulations on your promotion to E rank!” he exclaimed, prompting a round of individual congratulations. Gery approached first, offering a simple yet sincere, “Congratulations.”


    “Thank you,” Leo replied, his gratitude evident.


    Frank chimed in with a playful tone, “You’re nearly at my level. Lucky for me, I just advanced to E rank yesterday, or we’d be equals now.”


    “That’s impressive, Mr. Frank. Congratulations to you too,” Leo responded with genuine happiness for his friend.


    Before Frank could return the sentiment, Albert interjected, wrapping an arm around Leo’s neck in a friendly manner. “You’re truly exceptional, Leo. Maintain this trajectory, and you’ll be among the Big shots.”


    “Big shots?”


    “like Captain Edmond and Bishop Oryu,” Wina answered from the other side of Frank.


    “Alright, let’s give the young hero some breathing room,” Rorin interjected, parting the crowd as he arrived with Faleria.


    “It’s a pleasure to have a prodigy like you as my tenant, Leo,” Rorin beamed.


    “Just remember to stay humble, Leo,” Faleria cautioned with a wise tone.


    Leo acknowledged her advice with a fist over his heart. “Of course, coach”


    Leo halted momentarily, collecting his thoughts before adding, “It’s good to see your well-being”


    A fleeting smile graced Faleria’s face, a rare occurrence, before she composed herself. You too,” she replied succinctly, her tone carrying a hint of warmth.


    Frank’s excitement echoed through the room as he urged, “Come on, Leo! Tell us how you defeated that guy!” His words reached Rorin, who stood just behind him.


    The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to Leo. He met their expectant gazes, noting the way some leaned in, eager to catch every word, while others exchanged glances, curious about the tale he was about to tell. With a deep breath and a spark of enthusiasm lighting up his face, Leo began his story.


    As he recounted the events, murmurs of approval and occasional gasps filled the air, especially during the tense moments. A few smiled in admiration, while others listened with furrowed brows, hanging on his every word. The room seemed to sway with the emotions of his narrative, from the moments of peril to the final victory. When he finished, a wave of applause erupted, and nods of respect were exchanged among the group.


    As the celebration wound down and people began to leave, Peter approached Leo with a subtle grin, holding something in his hand.


    “Here’s your reward, and don’t forget to stop by the storage room before heading home to pick up the new fire and shield gems,” Peter instructed, handing over a small pouch to Leo.


    “Thank you,” Leo said, accepting the pouch with a grateful nod.


    As he loosened the drawstring and peered inside, his lips curled into a smile. His financial situation had been precarious, with only a single gold and twenty silver coins left. But now, with this reward and his upcoming salary, he would have a total of eighteen gold and twenty silver coins. His mind instinctively shifted to budgeting mode, mentally allocating funds for rent, household necessities, and Rosie’s school fees, leaving him with a comfortable surplus.


    Securing his newfound wealth in his bag, he decided to postpone further financial planning for later.


    Today, Leo was off from his patrol, so after finishing his other duties, he walked home alongside Rorin. As they strolled, the two discussed the previous day''s skirmish in detail, with Rorin offering insights and Leo brainstorming alternative strategies he could use against Aline in future encounters.


    When Leo finally arrived home, his mother greeted him with her usual warm smile.


    “Welcome home, sweetie,” Lisa said, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel as she approached him.


    “Hi, Mom,” Leo replied, his voice light and cheerful.


    “What would you like for dinner?” she asked, already planning what she might prepare for the afternoon.


    Leo’s grin grew wider, and there was a playful glint in his eye, hinting at the surprise he had up his sleeve.


    “There’s no need for you to cook today,” he announced with an almost teasing tone.


    Puzzled, Lisa raised an eyebrow. “Why’s that?”


    His grin broadened even more as he revealed his plan. “Today, we’re dining out at a restaurant,” he declared, the joy of treating his family clear in his voice.


    Lisa''s expression softened with surprise. "A restaurant?,". Leo couldn''t help but smile wider, excited about the special outing.