"What?"
Leon looked at us with eyes that could pierce through bone. "I want you two to be my students," he said, his voice calm but heavy. The kind of calm that made it clear—if we refused, we wouldn't be leaving this room alive.
"Mr. Leon, if you say it like that, they won't understand your intentions," Evelyn said, her voice tight with worry.
Leon cleared his throat. "Ah-hem! Please… be my students."
I couldn't help but gasp. Was this really happening? The infamous Leon Everlance—Star Tier Slayer, feared across continents—being told off by his secretary and then actually listening?
What was unfolding before my eyes was unbelievable. The man was told to speak politely… and yet, somehow, he still managed to sound like a dictator.
"Sir," I chimed in, trying to sound as respectful as possible. "We hear you… but we'd like to know why a person as amazing as you wants to take us in."
Leon's golden eyes flicked toward me, sharp and unreadable. The air felt heavier.
"And," I continued, forcing my voice to stay steady, "I'm sure we all have different sponsors. So how could your training benefit us in any way?"
Theo shot me a quick look—half proud, half terrified—like he couldn't decide whether to clap for my bravery or pray for my survival.
"How about I tell you instead," Evelyn said, stepping forward before Leon could answer.
"Please, sir," she added quickly, gesturing toward two chairs that faced a massive screen mounted on the wall. The thing was huge—covering almost the entire side of the room.
Leon gave a small nod and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as if to say go ahead, explain it to them.
Evelyn smiled politely, the kind of smile that looked professional on the surface but had exhaustion hiding behind it. "You two are probably wondering why someone like Mr. Leon would take an interest in first-year academy students."
Theo and I exchanged a look. Obviously.
She continued, her tone calm and measured. "The Titans Wrath guild has recently begun a project called the 'Genesis Protocol.' It's a mentorship system where select Star tier slayers train promising young individuals with potential far above average. Mr. Everlance personally chose the both of you after reviewing your records."
I blinked. Records? I hadn't even submitted mine.
Evelyn noticed my reaction. "Yes, Mr. Kade. Your profile, as well as your parents' achievements, were... quite compelling."
Leon's lips curled into a faint smirk. "And besides," he said, his voice low but confident, "I don't train talent. I train monsters who can survive in a world full of gods."
Theo swallowed hard. I wasn't sure if that was supposed to be comforting or terrifying.
"But that doesn't mean we should just join because you told us we have potential," I said, meeting Leon's gaze. "And honestly, I doubt you chose me because of potential. If you checked my records, you probably know I was unawakened just a few days ago."
The room went silent for a moment. Theo shifted uncomfortably beside me, while Evelyn's polite smile faltered ever so slightly.
Leon leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk, eyes sharp like a predator watching prey. "Unawakened, huh?" he said slowly, almost amused. "Then tell me, how does someone unawakened release an aura that bends mana around him?"
My heart froze.
He was talking about that day—the day I accidentally shattered the mana gauge during the aptitude test. No one was supposed to know about that.
Evelyn crossed her arms and sighed softly. "Mr. Leon, I told you he wouldn't understand yet."
Leon ignored her, his gaze never leaving mine. "You see, Adrian Kade… I don't care what your records say. Paper can't measure chaos. And that's what I see in you."
Theo muttered under his breath, "What kind of recruitment speech is this…?"
I didn't respond. For some reason, I couldn't. My throat was dry, and my pulse quickened. The way Leon said "chaos" felt like he knew something about me that even I didn't.
They were all focused on me, their gazes locked like predators sizing up prey—but in that moment, they'd completely forgotten about Theo.
I glanced at him, his usual smugness replaced by unease, though he still tried to keep his composure.
"Then what about my friend here?" I said, shifting the attention. "His sponsor is no joke."
Leon's eyebrow twitched, his interest clearly piqued. "Sponsor?" he echoed, leaning back slightly in his chair.
I gave a small grin. "But we won't tell you who he is… not just yet."
The tension in the air shifted. Evelyn's eyes narrowed, analyzing every flicker of expression between me and Theo. Leon, however, smirked.
"Keeping secrets from a Star tier slayer," he said. "You've got guts, kid."
Theo shrugged, finally finding his voice. "Or maybe we've got something worth hiding."
For a brief moment, Leon's smirk widened into something genuine—almost proud. "Good," he said simply. "Then let's see if you can keep your secrets once training begins."
"Oi! We haven't even accepted yet," I said, cutting in sharply. "Tell us your conditions. We won—"
"No questions asked!!" Leon's voice thundered through the room before I could finish.
The grin on his face said it all—he was enjoying this.
Theo and I froze, exchanging a look that screamed we're screwed. The air around Leon felt heavy, almost pressing us into the floor. His aura wasn't something you could see—it was something your body felt.
He leaned forward, that same grin never leaving his face. "From now on, you two belong to me. You'll train until your bodies break, and then you'll keep training."
Theo let out a nervous laugh. "Heh… maniac," he whispered under his breath.
And all I could think was—'yep, we're definitely students of this lunatic now.'
*
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Prime begs you!! For those power stones you hold captive, he needs them urgently!!
That collection button, it needs to be pressed aswell!!
Prime Out!!