Chapter 216: I'll Give You a Name—Stella - Part 2 (Last)

"It seems there's no other option but the straightforward approach..."

To deal with this little girl, Leon actually had two methods: direct and indirect.

The indirect approach he had just employed involved gently and casually persuading her, whereas the direct approach required forging a deeper emotional connection with her.

Initially, he thought the indirect method would work, but her continued refusal made him realize it wasn't effective.

Given her young age and the hardships she had endured, she naturally had low self-confidence, and Leon understood this very well.

Therefore, an emotional approach was indeed the only appropriate way to persuade her.

With a small breath, Leon's expression softened as he slowly rose to his feet and walked toward the little girl, stopping right beside her.

Crouching down slowly, Leon gazed at her gently as he reached out and lovingly rubbed her slightly dry hair without saying a word.

The little girl was naturally surprised by Leon's sudden approach but did not resist. Instead, she subconsciously closed her eyes and enjoyed the soothing touch of Leon's hand on her head.

After a while, Leon stopped stroking her head, taking a small breath before saying in a gentle tone, "Little girl, I understand that your rejection of my offer stems from an inferiority complex. But do you really want to remain in your current situation forever? Don't you want to move forward and have a bright future?"

Upon hearing Leon's words, the little girl was stunned, her expression becoming stiff.

However, before she could respond, Leon continued with a small sigh.

"Even though you didn't answer, I know that deep down, you don't want to return to your previous situation, right? A life where you had to scavenge through garbage for leftovers and endure abuse from other demons because of your unique appearance is not one you want to return to.

I'm sure of it." Leon paused, giving her an empathetic look before continuing: "To be honest, little girl, when I heard about your past, I couldn't help but remember my own. My story isn't much different from yours."

As the little girl heard Leon's words, her eyes widened, and she stared at him in disbelief.

"Sir... What did you just say? Did my story remind you of your own past? Does that mean..." The little girl's astonished words trailed off as she covered her small mouth with both hands, unable to believe what she was about to say next.

Leon nodded slightly, smiling wryly as he replied, "You're not wrong, little girl. When I was young, I was just like you."

Pausing for a moment, Leon continued with a small sigh, "Back then, I was born in a small town called Regan near the northern border, the coldest region among all Demon race territories. At the age of four, I was abandoned by my parents, who saw me as a useless burden."

"I had to scavenge for food alone in the garbage to survive, which was the toughest challenge I faced. Each day, I endured bullying, beatings, and worse from the demons in my neighborhood who perceived me as a vulnerable target."

Leon paused again, shaking his head with regret. "Thinking back to those days still saddens me."

"Sir..." Tears welled up in the little girl's eyes again as she listened to Leon's poignant story, feeling the weight of his past hardships.

In her mind, Leon was a handsome and exceptionally strong man without any apparent weaknesses.

Not only had he rescued her from the pursuit of two burly demons earlier, but he had also forgiven and assisted her on multiple occasions, leaving her deeply impressed and in awe of him.

His handsome appearance, formidable strength, and gentle mannerisms painted the picture of a hero she often dreamed of during lonely nights.

Yet she never imagined this seemingly flawless figure had such a troubled past, one that mirrored her own in striking ways. This revelation filled her with such sadness that tears welled up uncontrollably in her eyes.

Meanwhile, as Leon witnessed her anguished cries, he maintained a helpless expression, though inwardly feeling deeply embarrassed and guilty.

'Damn it! I knew this plan would be embarrassing!' Leon exclaimed to himself, clenching his fists tightly.

What he had told the little girl was a complete fabrication—a fanciful tale with no basis in reality!

The Regan town he described existed only in his imagination; he couldn't confirm its actual existence.

From a young age, he had never experienced bullying or oppression. He was born in a sparsely populated village where such hardships were nonexistent.

Moreover, when he was around four or five years old, he had been promptly taken to Holy Orthodoxy for training as a future hero. This meant that his life was far from the hardship or difficulty he described to the little girl.

In fact, with his status as the future sword hero of mankind at that time, he had lived luxuriously, akin to a prince in a grand kingdom.

Reflecting on this, Leon could only release a small sigh while silently cursing himself: 'I truly am the worst for deceiving this little girl.'

Despite feeling vexed at his own deception, he understood it was the only way to persuade her.

For individuals with low self-esteem, the most effective method to uplift them is to relate to their struggles.

This approach is akin to how someone born into poverty who achieves success inspires and motivates others in similar circumstances.

Though it may seem cliché and ordinary, its impact on motivated individuals can be profound, and Leon was confident it would resonate with this little girl.

Letting out a small sigh, Leon ran a hand through her hair, gently wiping away the tears streaming down her cheeks. He spoke softly, "Nevertheless, I never gave up despite the many tough obstacles I faced. I seized every opportunity I could to become who I am now, where I no longer have to fear starvation or oppression from other demons."

Leon paused, a gentle smile lingering on his lips as he continued, "So, I hope you can accept my offer, so you won't have to endure the hardships I did in the past."

Upon hearing Leon's words, the tears flowing down the little girl's cheeks intensified, and she suddenly hugged Leon's neck tightly.

"Wuuuu~ I'll accept it, sir!" Her cries broke out once again as she hugged Leon tightly.

His words acted like a key that unlocked her doubts and inferiority complex. Previously, she had always felt unworthy and hesitant to accept Leon's kindness.

However, upon hearing his story, she realized she couldn't pass up this opportunity to rise up and improve her life, just as he had done!

Seeing her finally agree, Leon breathed a sigh of relief and hugged her back, gently patting her on the back.

'Phew! Finally pulled it off!' Leon muttered to himself, relief flooding his heart.

It had been a while since he had resorted to such trickery and acting, causing him to feel a little weary.

*Geezzz*

Just as Leon felt relieved that he had finally persuaded the little girl, he suddenly sensed a sharp, jealous gaze from Fiona, which snapped him back to reality, prompting a slight cough.

"Ahem! Since you've agreed to my offer, it's time to give you a name," Leon said gently, releasing the little girl from his embrace.

"Give me a name?" The little girl asked in surprise, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.

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Leon nodded with a gentle smile and calmly explained, "Since you don't have a name, isn't it time you had one? Calling you 'little girl' all the time is a bit awkward, don't you think?"

The little girl was taken aback by Leon's explanation before finally nodding vigorously.

"Then, please give me a name, sir!" The little girl said it excitedly, looking at Leon with anticipation.

Since childhood, she had never had a name; people always called her "cursed girl," "shabby girl," and similar names, which often made her feel very sad.

Leon nodded slightly as he rose and rubbed his chin thoughtfully, pondering a suitable name for her.

After a moment, a faint smile lit up his face as he gazed into her unique and beautiful eyes.

"I'll give you a name—Stella."

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