*Click*
*Swishhh*
The window creaked open under Leon’s hand, and a sharp burst of cold air swept into the room, cutting through the stillness.
*Cawww*
Without hesitation, the raven darted inside, its wings brushing the air sharply. It gave a single shake to its jet-black feathers, dislodging a small letter from its plumage before wheeling around and vanishing back into the night sky.
*Catch*
Leon’s hand shot out instinctively, snatching the letter midair. His brow furrowed the moment his eyes caught sight of the wax seal—glinting gold, embossed with a single, ‘V’ Mark.
“Velthorne…” he murmured under his breath, his expression hardening. He closed the window with a sharp snap and quickly broke the seal open with his thumb.
Inside was a single, stiff card. Leon slid it between his fingers slowly, his gaze narrowing as he read the golden script etched across its surface.
Leon Luster (House Virellis) V/S Veronica Reynal (House Zevrath).
Date: 22/01/2878, Monday, 8:30 AM.
“House Zevrath… what do they specialize in again?” Leon asked, glancing over at Dusk.
“They’re the Summoners, Master,” Dusk replied evenly, his gaze steady.
Leon exhaled through his nose, his lips pulling into a thin line. “An Alchemist versus a Summoner… That’s not exactly a balanced match. She can just summon some huge beast at me and I won’t be able to do anything.”
“You can use me as your beast, Master,” Dusk offered, his voice calm but laced with a small, confident smile.
Leon’s fingers drummed against the edge of the card as he thought. “You’re one of my hidden cards, Dusk. I don’t lay those on the table until I’ve seen my opponent’s hand.”
Dusk nodded slightly. “But, You can also use the sword, Master.”
Leon’s lips twitched upward, the corner of his mouth curling. “No… I have a better idea. I have this in my mind since the day I heard about the monthly duels and since my opponent is a girl, this will work perfectly.”
Dusk tilted his head, his ears flicking. “What idea, Master?”
“If I’m going to win this duel, I will win it with potions. After all, I am an Alchemist.
We’re going to the Helix Library. Shift into your true form. I’m riding you to the kingdom. You won’t have trouble in carrying me right ?” Leon asked with a confused expression.
Dusk’s tail flicked once, his blue eyes glinting. “Carrying you will be no trouble, Master.”
“Good, Let’s move.” Leon spoke, stepping back and opening the window once again.
“As you command, Master.” Dusk leapt from the windowsill, his body expanding midair.
Muscles stretched and bones reshaped, shadows wrapping around him as he assumed his original form. Within seconds, a massive feline beast landed gracefully on the snow-dusted ground.
“Adaptive Body,” Leon muttered as He grabbed his coat, vaulted through the window and landed with ease atop Dusk’s broad back.
<Adaptive Body>
[Adjusting to Cold Resistance.]
[Protective layer on eyes applied successfully.]
A thin, glassy film slid over Leon’s eyes, shielding them from the harsh wind that whipped through the winter air.
“Let’s go,” Leon commanded, gripping a handful of Dusk’s thick, dark fur.
“Hang tight, Master,” Dusk replied with a grin. His powerful legs coiled and then unleashed in a single motion, launching them onto a neighboring rooftop.
*Hup*
Leon glanced over his shoulder, smirking slightly. “You’ve got some serious spring in those legs.”
Dusk’s voice drifted back to him, steady and focused. “Master, I recommend crossing over the rooftops and jumping over the village boundary quickly.
Shall I choose that route or would you like me to follow another route ?”
“I don’t really give a fuck about route Dusk, take any route that can get us there faster,” Leon answered.
“As you command, Master.”
Without wasting another breath, Dusk accelerated, bounding from rooftop to rooftop. His movements were smooth and controlled, each leap perfectly calculated. With a final surge, he vaulted clean over the village’s outer wall and landed in the open expanse beyond.
*Thud*
As soon as his paws touched open ground, his speed exploded. The snowy plains blurred beneath them, the freezing wind biting at Leon’s face—but the Adaptive Body kept the chill at bay. The sky above was a sheet of darkness, snowflakes swirling madly, but neither of them slowed.
….
Within four minutes, the towering gates of the kingdom loomed ahead.
“Master, we’ve arrived. Shall I carry you straight to the Helix Library as well?” Dusk asked, slowing as they approached.
Leon shook his head and swung down from Dusk’s back. His boots crunched into the snow. “The guards won’t let a beast like you through the gates.”
The moment his feet hit the ground, Dusk’s form shimmered. His large frame compressed, fur rippling as he shrank swiftly back into his smaller, cat form.
Leon walked toward the kingdom gates, his boots crunching over the packed snow. Just as he approached the entrance, both guards standing watch snapped to attention, crossing their spears in front of him in a sharp motion that blocked his path.
*Swish-Swish*
“Who are you, and what’s your business here so late at night, kid ?” one of the guards demanded, narrowing his eyes with suspicion.
“I’m here to visit the Helix Library. Personal reasons,” Leon replied calmly, his tone neutral as his gaze met the guard’s without wavering.
“Do you have a citizen card ?” the guard pressed.
‘Shit… I left that at home,’ Leon thought, his face remaining impassive as he patted his pockets deliberately.
“Ummm… Seems like I may have forgotten it at home,” he admitted, his voice steady.
“Then go home and—”
Leon cut him off smoothly. “But I have this.”
He flipped a silver coin into view between his fingers.
Both guards’ eyes locked onto the glint of the coin, their stern expressions instantly softening into greedy smiles.
“Ahh… silver coin…” one of them muttered under his breath, his gaze lingering at the shiny coin.
“Uh… do you at least have your library card?” the other guard asked, clearly hoping for an excuse to let him pass.
“I do. Here.” Leon pulled the card out and handed it over.
Both guards stiffened the moment they saw it.
“Holy shit…”
“He’s from V-Velthorne Academy.”
Their faces shifted from greed to a mix of awe and unease as they exchanged a glance.
“You can go,” the first guard said quickly, handing the card back. “We don’t want anything. Just don’t mention we stopped you.”
‘Damn, this is one good Academy.’ Leon mused with a small smile. He tucked the silver coin and library card safely back into his pocket and headed into the city without another word.
As he made his way through the empty marketplace, the silence settled around him thickly. Only a few faintly glowing lamps swayed by shuttered shops, their light flickering in the cold winds.
“It’s dead silent tonight,” Leon muttered.
“It is, Master,” Dusk’s voice replied softly from beside him.
…
Within five minutes, Leon reached in front of the Helix Library. Its gates were closed, but a warm golden glow still seeped out through the semi-transparent windows.
Leon walked to the heavy wooden doors and rapped twice with his knuckles.
*Knock-Knock*
He waited patiently. Ten long seconds passed in silence.
Frowning slightly, Leon knocked again—harder this time.
*Knock-Knock*
“Wh-who’s there?” A nervous female’s voice called from within, quivering slightly.
“Rita… it’s me. Leon,” Leon replied in a loud voice.
There was a brief pause, then hurried footsteps approached. The door creaked open, revealing Rita standing in the entryway. She was wrapped in a thin red nightgown, her long hairs loose around her shoulders and her boobs looked bigger.
‘Huh… I never realized they were that big. Must’ve been that book hiding them that she always hugs to her chest,’ Leon thought casually, his expression unreadable as he met her gaze again.
“Come in—quickly,” Rita urged, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him inside before shutting the doors behind him.
“What are you doing here so late, Mr. Leon?” she asked, tilting her head with a faintly puzzled smile.
“I need to read some potion cooking books,” Leon answered immediately.
“Why at this hour?” she asked, moving behind the counter as she adjusted her gown slightly.
“Monthly duels tomorrow. I’ve got a match,” Leon explained. His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he asked casually, “If you don’t mind me asking… why the nightgown ? Do you sleep here ?”
“I’m a librarian,” Rita replied with a short laugh. “What do you expect? This is my home. I sleep here, eat here, and do everything else here. Hope you don’t mind seeing me like this.”
“Not at all,” Leon said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“Rita… I’m missing some of the books up here!”
A loud voice echoed from the third floor, breaking the quiet.
Leon glanced upward, spotting a student in a red uniform leaning over the railing.
“There are students here at this time ?” Leon asked, his brow furrowing slightly.
“Told you—many of them are preparing for their final exams,” Rita replied as she looked at
him with a smile.
“Come on. The books you’re after are on the third floor as well.” Rita replied as she grabbed a pair of keys from behind the counter and started walking up the stairs.
Leon followed, his eyes drawn almost unconsciously to the sway of her hips and the flash of red panties barely visible beneath the nightgown’s hem.
“I hope you’re enjoying the view down there,” Rita teased suddenly, glancing back with a playful, sultry smile.
‘Well… isn’t she one dirty librarian?’ Leon thought with a crooked grin.
…
Outside the library,
“Hmm… I wonder when Master will come out,” Dusk mused softly, his tail flicking as he sat waiting under the dim light.