"I need to beat Sir Leonard at least once."
Raiden didn't mean to say it out loud. It slipped free before his brain could stop it — just a weary mumble after another long, punishing day.
Unfortunately, the person he didn't want to hear it… did.
Sir Leonard paused mid-step. The sunlight caught the faint scar on his cheek as he slowly turned back, his shadow stretching across the dirt until it reached Raiden's boots.
"Really? You want to beat me?" he repeated, tone perfectly calm — and perfectly terrifying.
Raiden blinked up at him. "Uhm… I said that out loud, didn't I?"
"You did."
"Right. Then I'd like to formally retract that statement."
"Denied."
Raiden sighed. "Figures."
Sir Leonard folded his arms, studying the exhausted boy who was still trying to look dignified while half-slumped against his sword.
Then, unexpectedly, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
