Chapter 39: (XXXIX) A Chance Encounter
After 'History of Gran Terra' ended, Leon attended his following two classes, 'Magical Beast Handling' and 'Ethical Dungeoneering,' before heading to lunch.
He sat down with a full plate of delicious food reserved for the nobles when Cao came crashing against the table, slamming their commoner meal down, "Hello, milord!"
"Uh… Hi, Cao." Leon replied, staring at the effeminate man, "How's your first day going so far?"
"It's rough!" He exclaimed, shaking his head, "There's soooo much information; I'm having a hard time keeping up with my notes!"
"It's all just the basics right now; I wouldn't stress it too much." The young man replied, shrugging as he took a bite of his food and fed it to Bella, "I'm so bored out of my mind I could fall asleep."
"Woah…" Cao blurted, his eyes sparkling with admiration, "Are you some sort of genius, milord?"
He snorted and rolled his eyes, thinking that to the NPCs, he might just seem like a genius, but it was all essential information for the average player. They continued to chat as they ate before heading their separate ways for different classes.
Leon exited his next afternoon class after it ended with Bella in his arms, quickly navigating the sea of students on his way to his next class.
The young man was dreading most of the courses he would be forced to take this year as he was already well-versed in all the courses due to his past life, but he tried to remain open and receptive to the presented information.
However, his last two classes of the day, 'Basics of Aura and Mana Manipulation' and 'Fundamentals of Combatant Warfare.'
'Finally!' He grinned internally as his step increased, and he almost skipped through the hallways.
"What, Master?" Bella mewed, looking up at him from his arms, her tail flicking back and forth rapidly.
"Practical training!" Leon proclaimed happily, "All this sitting in a stuffy classroom has been draining my sanity!"
"Why don't we just leave and go hunting then?" She meowed inquisitively.
"While I might have the knowledge to take advantage of many things, right now, I don't have the power to turn it into a reality." He explained telepathically, stroking her softly, "So, I will be growing stronger while biding my time within these safe walls."
"I see…" Bella nodded, "Master is so smart…"
Leon rolled his eyes and ruffled the top of her head as he turned a corner and bumped into a young woman with dark skin and long black braided hair.
"EEK!" She exclaimed, falling backward, but the young man threw his hand out as Bella leaped to his shoulders.
Leon caught her by the wrist and pulled her toward him as the two stared into each other's eyes, bewildered.
"Are… are you okay?" He asked, regaining his composure as he stepped back and cleared his throat.
"Ah, yes, milord!" She replied, straightening her skirt and curtsying, "I apologize for my negligence and crashing into you."
"Nonsense!" Leon scoffed, shaking his head and holding his hand out, "I apologize for running into you. I was the one at fault. I am Leon Astrahart, Duke of Othniel, and you are?"
"Oh, where are my manners!" She gasped, innocently covering her mouth with her hands before extending a hand outward, a wicked smile spreading across her face, "I am Annamarie Brutus, Queen Regent of the Akashik Kingdom."
Leon's eyes widened as he stared into her bright cinnamon eyes, quickly kneeling as he gently took her hand, "Please, accept my sincerest apology, milady."
"Think nothing of it." She replied, releasing a faint aura as she attempted to overwhelm him with her gaze.
"Master!" Bella mewed, concerned for his safety, but was quickly relieved when Leon stood, unfazed.
"I thank you for your generosity, milady." He said, returning the smile and briefly releasing his own aura.
Annamarie's face betrayed her shock, her eyes widening as she stared at the massive aura before her, rapidly sucking the air from the hallway. The beast-like aura intimidated her, forcing her to step back, "I-"
"Is everything okay, milady?" Leon asked, stepping forward and reaching out toward her, "You're starting to look a little pale. Maybe we should head to the nurse's office."
She returned to normal as he released his aura, and now she stared at him bewildered, wondering, 'What did this young man have to go through to achieve this level of mastery..?'
'Maybe that will make you think next time before attempting to dominate someone you think beneath you…' Leon smirked, his eyes glowing softly as he inspected her.
[Name: Annamarie Brutus]
[Age: 14]
[Class: Corsair Admiral]
[Potential: SSS]
[Trait: Daughter of Poseidon]
'Well, damn!' He thought as he admired her beautiful face after dismissing the window. He was already enamored by her appearance, but now that he knew her talents, he had to sway her to his side.
"Milady, which class are you headed to?" Leon asked, quickly stepping beside her as he placed his hand on the small of her back and gently led her by her wrist.
"I have 'Basics of Aura and Mana Manipulation' this period, you?" Annamarie replied, and the young man couldn't contain his excitement.
'FINALLY!' He silently exclaimed, grinning wide as he led her down the hallways, "Aha! Same here! Maybe we can be partners!"
"I doubt they would let a Duke and a Queen pair up together, but we shall see…" she replied coldly, turning as she walked away from him down the hallway he had come from.
"Um… Excuse me, milady!" Leon shouted, holding his finger in the air behind her.
She stopped and turned around, staring at him as if annoyed, placing her hand on her hip, "Yes?"
"You're going the wrong way…" He explained, turning as he pointed down the hallway she was traveling from, "That's the way you need to go."
Despite her chocolate skin, a bright red blush flushed across her cheeks, and she put her head down, power-walking past him as she swung her arms.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone