Seraphine's smile widened at Leon's praise, the simple acknowledgment warming her more than any flowery compliment could have. The weight of her past fear had lifted, replaced by a growing confidence that made her hungry for more action.
"You can't have all the fun," she said, gesturing at the dissolving remains of several creatures Leon had dispatched while she fought her personal battle. "I want to take part too. These things might not leave cores or stones, but the combat experience is invaluable."
Leon agreed without hesitation. His confidence in his ability to protect her was absolute – nothing in this mist had shown itself capable of truly threatening them, and his spatial awareness gave them such an advantage that ambushes were impossible. If Seraphine wanted to fight, to grow stronger through combat, he saw no reason to deny her.
