Leo sat in the dimly lit room, the flickering candle casting elongated shadows on the walls. His hand throbbed—a reminder of the clandestine meeting he had attended earlier. The decision weighed heavily on him, like a stone lodged in his chest.


    “If I bring this to the captain,” Leo mused, his gaze fixed on the scarred back of his hand, “they can remove it. I’ll be safe—no more secrets, no more danger.” But the allure of what he could gain tugged at him. The clandestine gathering had offered tantalizing treasures—knowledge, gold, and, most importantly, information that could alter the course of his life.


    Yet doubts gnawed at him. What if they discovered his true identity? What if the captain unravelled the web of deception he had woven? Leo’s mind raced, each possibility a forked path leading to uncertainty.


    Then, like a sunbeam piercing through storm clouds, inspiration struck. A great man’s words echoed in his memory: “To win big, you sometimes have to take big risks.” Leo’s resolve hardened. He would keep the identity of Mr. Clone hidden—for now.


    That night, thoughts swirled like restless spirits, denying him sleep. The weight of secrets pressed upon him, threatening to suffocate. When dawn painted the sky, Leo rose from his bed, his muscles aching from tension. He followed his routine—exercises, breakfast, and the familiar path to the association.


    Outside, Rorin awaited Leo. The B-rank Paladin, who was typically sluggish in the mornings, stood there with his eyes half-closed, as if still caught between sleep and wakefulness. Leo eyed him curiously, wondering if this was the first time Rorin had managed to awaken so promptly.


    “Good morning, Mr. Rorin,” Leo greeted, doing his best to mask the unease stirring inside him.


    Rorin’s response was little more than a grumble, acknowledging the greeting without much enthusiasm. The two walked side by side, their footsteps echoing in the stillness of the early morning streets.


    A few minutes passed in silence before Rorin’s voice, thick with drowsiness, broke the quiet. “What were you up to last night?”


    Leo’s pulse quickened at the sudden question. “Nothing,” he replied, attempting to sound casual.


    Rorin, still fighting a yawn, gave him a side glance. “I felt a disturbance in your mana.”


    Leo’s mind raced for an explanation. “Ah, yes,” he said, hoping his tone didn’t betray him. “I overextended during practice. Pushed my spells further than I intended.”


    Rorin yawned again, his tone growing a bit more serious. “Just be cautious. Mana corruption creeps up on you before you realize it.”


    “I will. I’ll be more careful,” Leo assured him.


    A few minutes later, they reached the association building. Pushing through the heavy wooden doors, the worn carpet beneath their feet swallowed the sound of their steps. Peter greeted them with a nod, his expression neutral but watchful as always.


    Leo changed into his training clothes—a worn tunic and trousers, marked by the stains of many practice sessions. The mark on his hand ached slightly, reminding him of the secret meeting that had set everything in motion. He couldn’t shake the thought: did Peter suspect anything?


    As Leo headed toward the yard, Rorin’s voice broke the silence.


    “Leo,” Rorin said, his tone casual but purposeful, “go ahead. I need to speak with Edmond. Warm up with Faleria, and I’ll join you in fifteen minutes.”


    Leo nodded and made his way outside. Once there, he stretched and got ready. After the promised fifteen minutes, Rorin returned, and they began their practice.


    Leo spent the rest of the day like any other, refining his illusion magic, working on False Power, and slowly improving his Telekinesis. He could now move small objects just a few centimeters.


    As the day went on, Leo felt his pulse quicken with each glance exchanged. He couldn’t help but wonder if anyone had started to figure things out.


    …


    The following day settled into routine. Leo’s stress had dissipated, replaced by a sense of normalcy. After his rigorous training session with Rorin and Faleria, he sought refuge in the library. Samuel had already recognised Leo’s hunger for knowledge, so he gave him an hour to read his books. But Leo knew that mere hour wouldn’t suffice. He had already read “Magic Symbols” and “Basic Illusion” and returned them to Lavi.


    Now, “Life of Animals” lay open before him. Its pages revealed a fascinating tapestry of creatures—some familiar, others fantastical. Earth and this planet shared common inhabitants like eagles. But here existed enigmas like the gryphon—a hybrid of lion and eagle with big wings on its back.


    Leo’s eyes scanned the text, revealing more curiosities. The kitsu—a fox with three tails, dragons, werewolves, minotaurs, half-human and half-bull, centaurs, more than mere beasts—possessed intelligence.


    And then there were the basilisks and the elusive unicorns. Unfortunately, “The Life of Animals” merely introduced these beings, leaving their depths unexplored.


    As the clock neared noon, Leo closed the worn pages of “Life of Animals.” His mind swirled with gryphons, kitsu, and elusive unicorns. With these thoughts, he went to the kitchen to eat his lunch.


    In the kitchen, Albert and Gery sat at the wooden table, their conversation punctuated by bites of food. Leo greeted them, slipping past to retrieve ingredients from the cold box. He took a sausage and two eggs from it, and started making an omelet with sausage.


    Albert’s voice cut through the air, muffled by a mouthful of lunch. “Leo, when will you take the exam to advance to E rank?”


    Leo turned, studying Albert’s bearded face. “I’ve just become an E- Mr. Albert, I haven’t even done my writing exam yet,” he replied, stirring his omelette. “And beside, I don’t know when I can take the exam. ”


    Albert leaned back, his eyes twinkling. "You don''t know yet? After E-, you can take the exam every week."


    He took another bite, talking through a mouthful of food. "Me, Gery, and Peter are all taking it this week."


    Leo raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Peter? He''s taking the exam too?"


    Albert nodded. "Yep, he''s excited about it."


    "Well, first, I need to get a lot stronger," Leo said.


    Albert stood up and ambled over to the sink. Gery hovered nearby, clutching his dish as he waited for his turn. However, Albert paused midway, his gaze settling on Leo with a curious glint in his eyes.


    "Something wrong?" Leo asked, noticing the stare.


    Albert scratched his beard. "You''ve grown a lot taller these past few months. Do kids your age really grow this fast?"


    Leo looked at himself, then at Albert. The difference was striking; just a short while ago, he barely reached Albert''s shoulder.


    Gery chimed in, glancing over. "They say exercise straightens bones. Maybe that''s part of it."


    "Maybe," Albert muttered, still standing by the sink.


    Gery, losing patience, said, "Can you move, please?"


    Albert snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh, sorry," he said, stepping aside as Gery moved in to wash his dish.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    "Anyway, see you around, Leo," Albert added as he left.


    Gery echoed the farewell, and the kitchen settled back into its quiet routine.


    After finishing his lunch, Leo returned to the library. Lavi was yet to arrive so Leo seized the opportunity, immersing himself in the pages of “Life of Animals.” The clock ticked, and as expected, Lavi strolled in twenty minutes behind schedule. But Leo had already read the last chapter.


    While Lavi was arranging his materials on the table, Leo returned Life of Animals to its designated place on the bookshelf. When he turned back, Lavi had already settled in, prepared for their next lesson.


    Lavi’s voice broke the silence. “Last time, you chose ‘False Power,’ a smart move. Today, we’ll focus on two more spells—‘Calm’ and ‘False Aura.’” He laid out fresh sheets of paper in front of Leo, each covered with intricate spell markings. One half of the pages was dedicated to the symbols of "Calm," while the other displayed those of "False Aura."


    Leo’s fingers brushed over the symbols as Lavi continued. “Now that you’re an E-rank, you’ve got room for two more words. Today, we’ll expand your spell repertoire.”


    The room felt charged with expectation as Leo leaned in, eager to dive into the new material.


    Before proceeding, Lavi paused, his gaze fixed on Leo. “Any questions about what we covered last time?”


    Leo thought for a moment before speaking up. “Actually, yeah,” he began, curiosity getting the better of him. “How exactly does ‘False Power’ connect to illusion magic? It feels more like an enchantment than an illusion.”


    Lavi’s grin widened. “Ah, the intricacies of magic,” he mused. “When you truly grasp it, you’ll see that ‘False Power’ is, indeed, about illusion. Imagine this: when you cast ‘False Power,’ you’re weaving an illusion around magic items, convincing them they lack any inherent power.”


    Leo’s brow furrowed. “But how? Weapons don’t have eyes, and I never physically touch them when I use the spell.”


    Lavi leaned in, his voice conspiratorial. “Picture it: a pulse of mana emanates from your spell, affecting anything nearby. Magic items, unlike humans, possess rudimentary intelligence—they don’t require much mana for this illusion.”


    Leo absorbed the explanation, intrigued yet puzzled. “Can’t we use an Illusion on a human the same way we do on magic items? That way, we wouldn’t have to reveal our mark to the opponent.”


    Lavi leaned back, his expression thoughtful. “Ah, the delicate balance,” he replied. “Magic items lack human complexity—their intelligence minimal. In illusion spells, precision matters. You channel mana to a specific point. But spell circles—well, they’re not mere veils. You must grasp their entirety, then reshape them like a sculptor molding clay. That''s what we do in science.”


    “Got it,” Leo said, mentally noting the nuances.


    Lavi placed a fresh sheet of white paper before him. “Now, our new words: ‘Fear’ and ‘Courage.’” He wrote the letters, emphasizing their simplicity. “For E- rank, you need at least four spells. E rank illusionists, due to the similarity of their initial spells, require seven. And E+? A total of ten.”


    Leo examined the words, their power resonating within him.


    “These next spells are straightforward,” Lavi continued. “Their names match the words of power that were used to create them. ‘Fear’ induces fear, while ‘Courage’ instills confidence. To cast them, place the word atop the symbol’s central circle.”


    Leo visualized the spells in his mind, anticipation building with each passing second.


    “We won’t be practicing them today,” Lavi said, raising his hand to halt him. “But pay attention.” He leaned in and whispered, “Fear.”


    Leo''s heart instantly pounded in his chest, his skin growing clammy as an overwhelming sense of dread gripped him. It wasn’t a physical fear, but a deep, unsettling panic that gnawed at his resolve.


    Lavi held his hand steady. “And now, ‘Courage.’”


    In an instant, the fear evaporated, replaced by an unshakable confidence. A wave of inner strength coursed through Leo, steadying his breath and mind.


    Leo’s eyes met Lavi’s, wide with astonishment. “Remarkable.”


    Lavi gave a brief nod. “Remember, magic isn’t just about saying the words. It’s about emotion, intent, and understanding. Every spell taps into those.”


    Turning back to the paper in front of him, Leo refocused. The circle of magic for "Calm" and "False Aura" seemed to beckon him, as if the inked symbols held ancient knowledge. He carefully traced the curves of each mark, feeling the gentle flow of mana beginning to channel through his fingertips, connecting with the lines of the spell.


    …


    The next day, Leo waited for his class with Lavi and was surprised when Lavi showed up on time. There was a sense of anticipation in the air as Lavi approached him.


    “Leo, I have a mission today. Take these,” Lavi said, handing him a stack of papers. “Keep practicing, and if you have any questions, ask Samuel.”


    Leo accepted the papers, curiosity stirring. “Got it.”


    “Good. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Lavi replied, his farewell brief and to the point. He turned and headed toward the main hall, where Edmond stood waiting for him.


    Edmond’s gaze was sharp as he addressed Lavi. “Let’s move.”


    Without another word, Lavi fell in step behind him. The two made their way through the winding corridors of the church, passing through dimly lit halls that led deeper underground. The air grew colder, the stone walls damp and rough as they descended into the church dungeons. The faint flicker of torches cast long, eerie shadows, adding to the unsettling stillness of the place.


    At last, Edmond stopped in front of a cell. The iron bars were thick and rusted, casting jagged shadows across the floor. Edmond unlocked the gate with a heavy clank, his voice low and commanding. “I’ll leave the rest to you.”


    Inside the cell sat a man—Aline—his body visibly trembling. The fear in his eyes was unmistakable. Lavi stepped closer, a smirk curling on his lips. “What’s this? You’re already shaking? I haven’t even started yet.”


    Raising his hand, Lavi whispered words of power. Aline’s pupils widened in terror, and a piercing scream echoed through the dungeon, sending a chill through the cold stone walls.


    …


    Leo spent the next three days practicing the ‘Calm’ spell, inching closer to mastering it. After finishing his patrol, he headed home, his thoughts preoccupied with the secret meeting scheduled for tomorrow. As he approached his house, distant shouting caught his attention. His heart raced, and he quickened his pace, rounding the corner to see three men confronting his mother and Belgilia. Two of the men were large and intimidating, while the third, smaller and loud, seemed to be leading the confrontation.


    The small man’s voice was raised, yelling at Belgilia, while one of the larger men lifted his fist, ready to strike. Without thinking, Leo darted forward, his hand shooting out to grab the man’s wrist before the blow could land.


    “What’s going on here?” Leo’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding.


    The small man turned to face him, a smug grin creeping across his face. “Well, look who finally decided to show up.”


    Leo’s eyes narrowed as he sized them up. “Who the hell are you?”


    The small man scoffed, crossing his arms. “You don’t remember me? Of course, you wouldn’t. If you did, you’d have told me you left my house so I could rent it to someone else.”


    Recognition flickered in Leo’s mind—this was their landlord.


    Before Leo could respond, the landlord waved dismissively. “We’ll take this kid, beat the shit out of him, and then you’ll bring me my money,” he sneered, directing his goons.


    The first big man tried to wrench his hand free from Leo’s iron grip but failed. Leo tightened his hold, and the man let out a strangled cry of pain, collapsing to his knees. The second man stepped forward, intent on helping his companion, but Leo was quicker. Raising his hand, Leo whispered, “Calm.”


    Instantly, the man’s aggression melted away, his posture loosening as confusion crossed his face. Leo didn’t hesitate—he drove a swift kick into the man’s stomach, sending him crumpling to the ground.


    Turning back to the small man, Leo''s patience ran thin. “How much is your rent?”


    The landlord, now visibly trembling, took a step back, his confidence shattered.


    “Talk!” Leo’s voice thundered, causing the man to flinch.


    “F-Fifty silver,” the landlord stammered, his smug attitude replaced by fear.


    Leo pulled out five ten-silver coins, holding them up for the small man to see. The moment the landlord''s eyes locked onto the money, his fear melted away, replaced by greedy anticipation. He reached out, but before his fingers could touch the coins, Leo grabbed his wrist tightly.


    Suddenly, the man’s world shifted. Everything around him—Leo’s mother, Belgilia, the street—vanished in an instant. Darkness closed in from all sides, leaving only him and Leo, who now towered over him with a twisted, monstrous face. Leo’s eyes glowed red, and sharp, menacing teeth appeared where his mouth had been.


    “If I see you anywhere near my family again,” Leo''s voice echoed inside the man’s head, cold and threatening, “I will kill you. Do you understand?”


    The landlord’s terror was palpable. His entire body trembled as he nodded frantically, his mind overwhelmed by the fear of the otherworldly figure in front of him.


    And just as suddenly as it had started, it was over. Reality snapped back into place. The familiar surroundings returned, the street was once again normal, and Leo stood before him, calm and human. The small man’s eyes darted around wildly, then he turned and bolted without a second glance. The two larger men scrambled after him, their tough demeanor forgotten.


    Leo watched them flee before turning to his mother and Belgilia. Both of them stood frozen in shock, still processing what had just happened.


    “Are you alright?” Leo asked, his tone much gentler now.


    “Yes,” his mother answered, still a bit shaken.


    “I had that under control,” Belgilia added, folding her arms defiantly.


    Leo smiled. “I’m sure you did. But if anything happens to you while I’m around, how can I face my master?” He glanced around, then asked, “Where’s Rosie?”


    “She’s inside,” his mother said with a nod, some of the tension leaving her face.


    Belgilia let out a short laugh, and a smile finally broke through on his mother’s face as well. The air felt lighter now that the danger had passed. Belgilia stayed with them for the rest of the day, chatting and sharing a few more laughs. When Rorin returned home, they heard his booming voice echoing through the neighborhood as Belgilia likely told him about the confrontation.


    “Looks like Belgilia told the story,” Leo commented, smirking.


    His mother chuckled softly. “Yes.”


    After some time, the shouting died down, and it seemed Belgilia had managed to calm Rorin’s temper. Leo stood up from his seat, stretching his arms.


    “I’m heading to bed. Goodnight, Mom.”


    “Goodnight, sweetie.”


    Leo went to his room and collapsed onto his bed, his mind wandering. Compared to the events he was preparing for tomorrow, today’s altercation seemed small, almost trivial. As thoughts of the secret meeting filled his mind, exhaustion took over, and soon he drifted off to sleep.