The sun was just beginning to rise, casting long shadows across the estate as Leon made his way to the Viscount's office. The familiar stone walls of the estate seemed both comforting and confining. He had spent enough time here—time filled with moments that shaped him, challenged him, and deepened his resolve. But now, it was time to move forward.Leon pushed open the door to the Viscount's study, his presence announced by the soft creak of wood against the stone floor. The Viscount, seated at his large oak desk, looked up as Leon entered. There was no surprise in his eyes, only a calm understanding.
"You're here to tell me you're leaving, aren't you?" the Viscount asked, his voice steady. It wasn't a question; it was a statement of fact.
Leon nodded, stepping further into the room. "Yes," he replied. "I plan to journey to the joint sect exams. It's time for me to find my own path."
The Viscount studied him for a moment, then leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in front of him. "I figured as much after Amelia left," he said with a sigh. "I knew this day would come sooner rather than later. You've always had that restless look in your eyes."
Leon remained silent, allowing the Viscount's words to sink in. There had been many things left unsaid between them, but he knew that the Viscount understood his decision. This was something that had been coming for a long time.
Before Leon could respond, the Viscount opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a rolled-up piece of parchment. He held it out to Leon, who took it with a raised eyebrow. Sёarch* The ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
"Here," the Viscount said. "This map will guide you to the location of the joint sect exams. It's in a remote part of the empire, far from here. You'll need to be careful on the journey—there are dangers on the roads, and the closer you get to the exam site, the more competitors and challenges you'll face."
Leon unrolled the map, studying the detailed markings. The location of the exam was deep within the mountains, surrounded by treacherous terrain. It would be a long journey, but one he was ready to undertake.
The Viscount continued, his tone carrying a note of concern beneath the calm exterior. "The world outside these walls is unpredictable. Dangerous, even. You'll need to stay vigilant."
Leon's lips curved into a small smile. "I'm aware. But that's exactly why I need to go. There's more for me to learn out there than I could ever find here."
The Viscount nodded, his gaze softening as he regarded Leon. "You've made your choice, and I respect it. Just know that this place will always be here, should you ever need it."
With that, the conversation was over. Leon offered a respectful nod and left the study, the map rolled up in his hand as his thoughts already turned to the journey ahead.
As he made his way through the estate, the weight of nostalgia pressed down on him. His mind wandered back to the memories he had made here—the quiet moments shared with Amelia, Seraphina's icy guidance, and the many challenges that had shaped him into the man he was now. The estate held those memories, but it no longer held him.
He stepped out of the front gates, the grand entrance to the estate looming behind him as he ventured forward. For a moment, Leon paused, his hand resting on the gate. The familiar weight of his katana was at his side, and the path ahead stretched out before him, filled with uncertainty.
Despite the tension that clung to him, Leon allowed himself a brief moment of reflection. His time here had been valuable, but he had never been one to grow attached to people who hadn't earned their place in his heart. Amelia, Seraphina, and Lily—they had left their marks on him. But Felicia and Elara? They were fleeting encounters, nothing more.
With a quiet sigh, Leon pushed open the gates and stepped out into the unknown. The vastness of the world stretched before him—unexplored, unpredictable, and filled with possibilities. He was leaving behind the safety of the estate, venturing into a world where nothing was certain, and every step could lead to danger or opportunity.
As the gates closed behind him with a soft thud, Leon felt a sense of finality. The chapter of his life spent within these walls was over, and now, the world outside awaited him. It was a world of chaos and power, of hidden dangers and untapped potential.
With one final glance back at the estate, Leon squared his shoulders and began to walk. The path ahead was unknown, but it was his to conquer.
Leon walked along the road, his silver hair fluttering in the wind as he ventured deeper into the unknown. The sky above was a brilliant blue, contrasting with the untamed wilderness surrounding him. As he moved forward, his thoughts drifted back to Amelia, Seraphina, and Lily. The people he had left behind, each with their own stories intertwined with his.
He sighed, shaking his head as if to clear his mind of those memories. There was no room for sentimentality now; his journey into the wider world had only just begun, and he needed to stay focused.
Suddenly, familiar howls and chattering echoed overhead, breaking the tranquility of the moment. Leon's senses sharpened instantly. He didn't need to see them to know what was approaching.
"Damn," he cursed under his breath. "How could I forget those goddamn bandit monkeys?"
Without hesitation, he reached for his katana, the cold steel materializing in his hand as he readied himself for the inevitable encounter. Nostalgia had briefly distracted him, though he wasn't thesame as before and isn't clueless of them, just like before he doesn't plan to waste his time with them.
His body, now enhanced by his recent experiences, was more than prepared for what was to come.
The treetops rustled violently as several bandit monkeys leaped down from the branches, their shrieks and howls filling the air.
Their eyes gleamed with greed and malice, eager to snatch away whatever valuables Leon carried. These wild monkeys, with their familiar chestnut fur and muscular bodies, that where glistening slightly, were just as vicious as before.
Their entire being was brimming with energy and vitality as they pounced at him, though still looking healthy and well fed, their attacks where even more crazier than last time,it seems their craving for loot this time has risen to a whole new level.
But Leon was faster this time—much faster.
With a single fluid motion, his katana swept through the air, the blade cutting through the first wave of monkeys with surgical precision. Blood sprayed as the bodies of the wild bandit monkeys hit the ground, lifeless before they even knew what had happened.
Leon's expression remained cold and focused as he moved through the remaining monkeys, dispatching them with ruthless efficiency.
Unlike before, he didn't hesitate. There was no room for hesitation.
Just as he believed the fight was drawing to a close, something shifted in the air. The howls became more coordinated, and the trees rustled ominously.
Leon paused, sensing something different—a presence far stronger than the wild bandit monkeys he had just slaughtered.
From the shadows of the trees emerged a group of feral bandit monkey generals. They were distinct from their wild counterparts, larger and more intimidating. Their fur was darker, with streaks of red running down their backs like war paint. Their eyes gleamed with a fiercer intelligence, and their claws were sharper, more dangerous.
Leon's gaze narrowed. These weren't the same monkeys he had faced before. They were tougher, smarter, and far more dangerous. Still, his confidence didn't waver. He gripped his katana tightly, preparing himself for the challenge ahead.
The feral bandit monkey generals moved swiftly, coordinating their attacks with a level of precision that the wild monkeys lacked. Leon danced between them, parrying their strikes and countering with swift, deadly blows. Each clash of blades and claws sent sparks flying, but despite their strength, Leon had the upper hand.
His enhanced abilities allowed him to move with a speed and power that left the generals struggling to keep up.
One by one, they fell, their blood mixing with the earth beneath Leon's feet. But even as he dispatched the last of the feral monkeys, a sudden, bone-chilling howl cut through the air, freezing everything in place.
Leon's face paled as he turned towards the source of the sound. This was no ordinary howl; it was filled with authority, a commanding presence that demanded attention. The air grew still, and even the remaining bandit monkeys fell silent, their eyes wide with fear.
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A/N:
What do you think of this chapter, we are out of the ecchi scenes and moving forward with the plot...