CHAPTER 21: LEON LIONHEART

Chapter 21 – Leon Lionheart

—15 Minutes Earlier

The grasslands echoed with the harsh shrieks of goblins. Their green bodies lunged from the tall weeds, crude blades raised, yellow eyes glowing with malice.

"Haaah!"

Leon Lionheart swung his sword in a fiery arc. Crimson flames roared along the steel, cleaving through the goblins with a burning slash.

[Flame Slash] (Blue).

The impact scattered the monsters like leaves in a storm, fire eating into their ragged bodies until they collapsed into shimmering motes of light.

Ding!

+50 Points.

+50 Points.

Leon exhaled, wiping sweat from his brow. His crimson eyes burned with determination, though his uniform bore cuts and stains from battle.

"Not bad... that puts me just over 6,500." He muttered, sheathing his blade. "Still... Michael’s already far ahead. If I waste time—"

Ding!

A new notification suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Event Quest: Save Selena Veylan from Elimination]

Time Limit: 16 minutes.

Target Location: 3 km North.

Reward: [E-Rank Dungeon Entry Pass].

Leon blinked. "An... event quest?"

His heartbeat quickened as he read the reward again.

"An E-rank dungeon pass...!" His lips curved into a rare smile. "If I clear that, I’ll gain far more points than just wandering around here. And more importantly—" his grip tightened on his sword, his crimson eyes sharpening— "I can’t let someone like Selena Veylan, a royal of Denmard, fall in a mere trial."

Narrator’s Voice:

Leon’s system differed from Michael’s. His was far more straightforward to hunt monsters, earn system points (SP), then use them in the store to buy skills, potions, and upgrades. While Michael’s path was filled with complex choices and hidden functions, Leon’s was designed to nurture a hero who grew stronger through battle.

And today, fate had given him a quest with meaning.

With a deep breath, Leon’s aura flared. His body shone with a golden glow as he activated

[Overdrive] (Gold).

A surge of fiery mana exploded from him, his strength jumping two minor levels, pushing him to D-Rank temporary power. The earth cracked beneath his feet as he sprinted north, grass bending violently in his wake.

---

Present—

(We already saw Selena’s desperate fall and near-elimination in Chapter 20.)

As the boy’s sword came crashing toward Selena’s exposed neck—

CLANG!

Sparks scattered like fireworks.

Leon Lionheart stood between her and death, his blade locking the strike effortlessly. His golden aura radiated like a sun, the very air trembling around him.

"If you want a fight," Leon’s voice was steady, commanding, "then fight me. But you will not touch her."

The boy staggered back, wide-eyed. The other candidates raised their weapons, expressions wavering as the pressure of Leon’s presence bore down on them.

Selena’s violet eyes widened. Through her pain and exhaustion, her heart thudded violently in her chest.

"...Leon..." she whispered, almost inaudible.

---

The moment Leon stepped in front of Selena, the six candidates froze. His golden aura radiated like a miniature sun, his crimson eyes sharp, commanding, and filled with unwavering resolve.

"Six against one... and still, you quiver," Leon said calmly, lowering his stance. The ground beneath his boots cracked under the pressure of his Overdrive. "Come."

Rero Cassin, face twisted in frustration, barked at his allies.

"Don’t just stand there! Attack him together!"

---

Two candidates — both swordsmen — rushed first. Their blades glinted in the fading light as they came from opposite sides.

Clang!

Clang!

Leon parried both in a blur. His sword deflected the left attacker, while his footwork angled his body just out of reach of the right.

Spark! The sound of steel grinding sent sparks flying.

"Fast—too fast!" one of them hissed, sweat dripping as his arms shook under the pressure.

Leon exhaled, his aura flaring. "Lionheart Swordstyle—First Form: Crescent Fang."

In a single sweeping arc, his flaming blade curved wide like a crescent moon. The sheer momentum blasted both swordsmen back, fire licking across their uniforms. They rolled in the dirt, coughing and groaning, eliminated in spirit if not yet in system.

"Don’t falter!" Rero snarled, thrusting his palm forward.

[Vine Warp] (Gray).

Thick vines erupted from the soil, wrapping toward Leon’s ankles. At the same moment, another candidate — an archer — loosed three arrows, one aimed at Leon’s head, the other two at his chest.

"Smart," Leon muttered. His sword ignited again.

[Flame Slash] (Blue).

The fiery arc tore through the vines instantly, leaving ash drifting in the breeze. Without breaking stride, Leon angled his blade and sliced upward—

Clang! Clang! Clang!

All three arrows split apart mid-air, bursting into burning fragments that rained harmlessly around him.

The archer’s eyes went wide. "He cut them?!"

The two remaining melee fighters took their chance, flanking him with brutal swings. One’s sword shimmered faintly with earth reinforcement; the other’s fists were coated in hardened stone.

"Got him!"

Clang!

Leon caught the sword with his own, sparks dancing. The other’s stone fist came barreling toward his side—

Leon twisted his body just enough, letting the strike brush past his ribs. Then, with his free hand, he slammed his palm into the stone-coated arm.

CRACK!

"Gahhh!" The candidate howled as pain surged through his forearm, bones shattering beneath Leon’s enhanced strength. He tumbled to the ground, clutching his arm as the system began glowing faintly — elimination imminent.

With four already downed or crippled, Leon’s aura flared brighter. His stance shifted, blade gleaming with concentrated intent.

"Lionheart Swordstyle—Second Form: Twin Fang."

FWOOOSH!

He blurred forward, his sword slashing in two consecutive strikes so fast they left fiery afterimages in the air.

The first cut disarmed the swordsman in front of him, sending his weapon spinning high into the grasslands. The second strike traced across his chest, burning the uniform without cutting flesh — the system flared red, marking him out.

The boy collapsed, coughing, eyes wide in disbelief.

"One move... and..." He couldn’t finish. His consciousness faded as he was forcibly teleported out.

---

Only Rero remained, his face pale, eyes wide. Sweat trickled down his temple as Leon slowly advanced, his sword still glowing red with fire.

"I— I am the son of Viscount Cassin!" he stammered, backpedaling. "If you touch me, my father—"

Leon’s crimson eyes sharpened. His voice was like steel.

"In the Academy, there are no fathers. No titles. Only strength."

Rero screamed and threw his hands out desperately, conjuring the last of his mana. Dozens of vines shot up at once, writhing like serpents, wrapping to bind Leon completely.

But Leon only stepped forward, his aura bursting violently.

[Overdrive: Burst Step].

BOOOOM!

The vines incinerated instantly as Leon flashed forward, his sword stopping just a hair’s breadth from Rero’s neck. The pressure of the flame singed his hair, sweat pouring down his face.

Rero froze. His knees buckled.

"...I... surrender..." he croaked.

The system flared, marking him out.

The golden aura faded as Leon sheathed his sword. The six candidates were eliminated, their bodies whisked away in streams of light.

The only sound remaining was Selena’s ragged breath.

Leon turned back to her, extending his hand.

"It’s over."

Selena stared at him, stunned not just by his strength but by the sheer majesty of his fighting style. Every strike was controlled, decisive, burning with justice.

"...Are you hurt?" His tone was gentle now, almost tender.

Selena looked up at him. Her chest tightened, her pride warring with the warmth that blossomed inside her. She slowly took his hand, his grip firm yet careful as he helped her stand.

"I... I owe you my life," she whispered

Her cheeks flushed faintly as she placed her trembling hand in his.

"...Leon... thank you."

For the first time, Selena Veylan — the proud princess of Denmard — felt her heart stir for someone.

---

High above, hidden within the shadows of the trees, a figure watched. Michael, arms crossed, leaned silently against the trunk. His eyes gleamed with quiet amusement.

So the event triggered, just like in the game... Selena’s first bond with Leon.

He exhaled softly, turning his gaze away.

No need to interfere. This was meant for him. My path... lies elsewhere.

And with that, Michael vanished into the shadows once more.

---

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