Right after removing the folded pristine white sheet, Leon began reading it bit by bit.
The style of writing was superb—clear, shimmering words slanted in curves no human hand could replicate.
After reading the headline, he saw his very name embroidered, not with ink but with thread.
It looked as though it had been sewn directly into the paper, yet when he turned it over, the stitching was only visible where the other words appeared.
After reading the first three sentences, he saw the date.
"Just two days until the exams?" Leon shouted, then quickly quieted himself—remembering where he was, where he sat, and who sat in the front seat.
The black-hooded man laughed. "Are you scared?" He paused, stifling his amusement.
"Don't worry, it's just a small test. You seem more prepared than I was."
He turned towards Mr. Lee and smiled; that faded into a grin.
"Did he say he took the exams? And why is he still wearing a hoodie in a moving car?"
Leon froze. "…Wait. Is he who I think he is?"
Unable to see the man's full face, Leon stole glances through the rearview mirror.
After several failed attempts, he finally caught a glimpse—a clue: colored eyes.
Their glow was intense. Tiny lightning-like flickers danced even when the eyes weren't fully alight.
"Does he know I'm watching? What color will my eyes be after passing the exams? I can't wait to see my family's reaction."
Leon kept smiling as his thoughts raced.
As he lowered the street, the car stopped.
"Wait—did we miss the junction, or are we not there yet?" Mr. Lee leaned out, scanning their surroundings.
"Sir, this is the place," Leon said softly.
"Here?!" Mr. Lee and the hooded man spoke in unison, whipping their heads towards Leon.
Sweat beaded on Leon's face. He couldn't meet both their gazes at once.
"I thought you…" Mr. Lee hesitated. "I assumed you lived at the last junction. I didn't realize you meant… this." His voice was uncharacteristically slow.
"I didn't want it to seem pitiful, so I lied. I'm sorry, sir." Leon bowed his head.
His apology died as he spotted an old woman hobbling towards them with a basket.
"I'll take my leave. Thank you for the ride." Leon stepped out and took the basket from her.
"This is the exact place the city dumps the weak and wretched," Mr. Lee muttered to the hooded man.
"And where the elite steal their strength most of the time."
"Then let's hope Leon has something left to fight with," the hooded man replied.
"Now I understand why he shut down when I mentioned the elite steal power from the poor." Mr. Lee murmured.
He waited until Leon vanished into the shadows before driving off.
As they discussed Leon's fate, the hooded man kept doubting he'd survive the first trial—which was just two days away.
"Thank you, son."
When the old woman reached her door, Leon returned her basket. But before he turned to leave, she left him with a chilling whisper:
"Don't be too generous; people aren't what they seem. Remember."
With a smirk, she slipped inside without looking back.
"Hmm. Why does this feel so threatening?"
Leon rubbed his arms, uneasy as tension coiled up in his chest.
Just as he passed a trash bin, voices rose from where he was heading.
At first it sounded like a mere quarrel, but as he moved closer, he recognized the sound of a fight.
Since this wasn't the first time he had heard such sounds on his way home, Leon hid behind a huge collapsed wall.
The distance between the wall and the fighters wasn't great, allowing him to see every move.
As he watched, Mr. Lee's words echoed in his mind while his eyes fixed on the one wearing a shiny, expensive outfit.
He wanted to intervene immediately, but just as he prepared to stand, the other opponent fell to the ground from a strong blast.
Then, the well-dressed man slammed a metal object—almost like an iron rod—straight into his opponent's head.
Seeing his victim slightly unconscious, he pulled out a ring-like object from his pocket, fixed it on his middle finger, and placed that finger on the man's forehead.
"Please no—no…" The weak man tried to speak, but it was almost as if his soul was being wiped away. Then he screamed, causing birds to burst from nearby buildings.
"Is that how they steal abilities?" Leon froze as his body began to shake violently.
"This power will serve a better master," the wealthy man uttered as the power swirled into the ring, then laughed.
"You should be grateful I let you live." As soon as the light died out, he turned and spat on his collapsed opponent.
As he walked away, he whispered again, "How I love this job."
Leon became furious; his eyes began to glow. But his body hadn't stopped shaking, forcing him to stay hidden.
After regaining his composure, Leon ran towards the crawling man.
As soon as the man saw Leon, he stumbled back momentarily, then began to cry when he saw Leon's boots.
"End me… end me. I won't be able to live without that power." As Leon knelt beside him, the man spoke through obvious pain.
Leon stood frozen by the weight of the man's words, then rose up with a clenched fist.
His breath came out sharp as steel while the wind blew his hair into waves.
"You can't do anything," the man said, seeing Leon's fury. He shook his head and warned Leon to go straight home.
"Go. Don't think about me; don't talk about me. I'd be glad if I died before the news spread."
The man shouted as Leon still stared in the direction the wealthy man had gone.
Leon kept turning back until he reached his house.
"Mom! Dad! Lily! Is anybody home?" He pounded on the door, calling their names.
On the third knock, a sob answered him.
"Mom?" His voice tightened. "What happened?" Leon pressed himself against the door, fingers digging into the wood.
He nearly kicked it in right then.
As he braced to break it down, the door swung open—revealing what he was never prepared to see.