"But above the Saint Rank… there's something else."
A faint shiver went down Eden's arms. Adrian leaned forward unconsciously. Even Nikko's ears tilted, instinct sharpening. Racheal felt her heart beat once, hard, as if her soul recognized what was coming before her mind did.
Leon exhaled.
"A talent's final rank," he said,
"A Lord Talent."
****
A Lord talent.
Leon watched their reactions quietly. Awe. Shock.
A hunger they couldn't hide. He let them feel it without saying a word.
Because he understood exactly why they reacted that way.
A talent was intertwined with the soul.
To evolve one wasn't just evolution, it was transcendence. And the strength that came from it… no amount of training could compare.
Leon lifted a hand, gathering their attention.
"Before anything else," he said, "you need to understand why I'm able to do this."
His gaze swept across his squadmates, his companions, his burdens, his responsibility.
"As you know I have two talents."
