She stood a short distance away, near his house. Her figure was framed in the dim glow of the setting sun, her long black hair glinting with streaks of gold. But her eyes—her eyes were fixed on him, wide and unreadable as they took in the sight of him speaking fondly with Aunt Bella.
Leon blinked, caught off guard. "Amelia…"
Leon froze when he noticed Amelia standing a short distance away, her obsidian eyes fixed on him like daggers. A faint shiver crawled down his spine. He'd seen her angry before, but this glare… this glare was different.
"Oh my, it's little Amelia," Aunt Bella said warmly, her beautiful smile softening the tension as she turned toward her. She had no idea what was truly brewing in the air.
Leon snapped out of his daze, clearing his throat. "Aunt, it's getting late now. I should go—otherwise Mother will eat me alive."
Bella giggled, covering her lips with delicate fingers. "Hehe, then don't keep her waiting, Leon dear. Be a good boy. And give big sister Emma my regards."
With that, Leon offered her a polite nod and bolted—not quite toward his house, but toward Amelia, who stood rooted in place.
Amelia's arms were crossed, her gaze cool as she spoke. "You sure were having a nice time there, weren't you?" Her tone was casual, but the sharp edge beneath it was unmistakable.
Leon forced an innocent smile. "O-Oh no, big sis, I was just saying hello to Aunt Bella. That's all."
Amelia tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Mm. Funny, I didn't realize 'hello' included smiling and laughing like you were at a festival."
Leon scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly. "Hah… I was just being polite. You know Aunt Bella—she's always been kind to us."
"Kind, hm?" Amelia's lips curved faintly, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Careful, Leon. Some kinds of 'kindness' are dangerous if you don't know how to handle them."
Leon blinked, surprised by her words. "Big sis… you're making it sound like I was flirting."
Amelia's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she looked away with a faint huff. "I didn't say that. But if you weren't, then you have nothing to be nervous about… right?"
Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning.
Leon pushed the door open, stepping into the soft lamplight of his home. The warmth inside was a sharp contrast to the chill of the evening.
Emma stood near the table, her arms folded, her eyes narrowed in a glare only a mother could give. "Where were you, Leon? You've been gone since morning. Not a word, not even food with you."
"Oh, Mother… I left a note, didn't I? I just went to the fields to look for some herbs. Nothing dangerous." he said with a innocent face.
Emma's brows furrowed as she stepped closer, studying his face. "Fields? Don't lie to me, Leon. You've been out too long for that."
Leon kept his expression calm, his obsidian eyes steady. "Really, that's all it was. I thought I might find something useful. You know… herbs for strength, or maybe something to help with the ceremony tomorrow."
Emma sighed, her sharpness softening just a little. "Herbs…" She shook her head. "You're too much like your father sometimes. Always chasing after things, never thinking how it makes me worry."
Leon's heart softened at her words. He reached out and gently rested a hand on her shoulder. "I didn't mean to make you worry, Mother. I'll be more careful."
Emma gave him a long look, then exhaled. "You've grown… but don't think I won't still scold you. No matter how tall you get, you're still my son."
Leon chuckled lightly, his smile faint but warm. "Heh… I'd be worried if you didn't scold me."
Emma smacked his arm lightly, though her lips curved into a smile. "Go wash up. Dinner's waiting. And tomorrow—" her eyes softened with pride, "—make sure you show everyone what you're capable of."
Leon nodded, his obsidian eyes glinting faintly. "Don't worry, Mother. Tomorrow… they'll see."
After washing up, Leon shared a quiet dinner with Emma. Alfred's chair remained empty — he was still out, busy strengthening the security for the upcoming ceremony.
When the meal was done, Leon excused himself and retreated to his room. The familiar silence wrapped around him as he sat cross-legged on his bed, sinking into the lotus position. His breath steadied, spirit energy humming faintly in his core.
Then, with a flash of crimson light, Veile materialized. Her small body shimmered into being at the foot of his bed — arms folded, crimson eyes sharp, her pale little face set with uncharacteristic seriousness.
"Stupid master," she said flatly, "are you planning to show up tomorrow with your cultivation level hanging out for the whole world to see?"
Leon blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
Veile stomped her tiny foot on the bed, cheeks puffing. "Don't 'what' me! Tomorrow is the ceremony. Someone could be there who can see through your cultivation. If they catch even a whiff of your real strength, it'll be a disaster."
Leon tilted his head, his obsidian eyes narrowing. "Hmm… you're right. But how am I supposed to hide it?"
With a smug little smirk, Veile extended her tiny hands. Resting in her pale palms was a simple-looking silver ring. Its surface was unmarked, plain, yet a faint ripple of power stirred in the air around it.
Leon reached out carefully, lifting it from her palm. The metal was cool against his fingers. "What is this?"
"That," Veile said, planting her fists on her tiny waist, "is a Spirit Concealment Ring. Put it on, and it will completely hide your cultivation. You can mask yourself at any realm you've already reached. To others, you'll look no stronger than a fresh beginner."
Leon's obsidian eyes widened slightly. "There's a treasure like that…?"
Veile rolled her eyes, tossing her head with a little huff. "Of course there is. Don't act like you've never seen real treasures before. Hmph. That puny little ring is nothing compared to me."
Leon chuckled softly, but his gaze lingered on the ring, a flicker of worry crossing his face. "Are you sure, Veile? This looks… valuable. I can't just take something so expensive."
Her cheeks puffed again, and she jabbed her tiny finger against his chest. "Idiot master! It's not for you — it's for me! If you walk around glowing like a torch, I'll be dragged into trouble too. I'm under your care now. If people start sniffing around, they'll find me. And that's not happening."
Leon smirked faintly, shaking his head. "So, you're giving me this for yourself, not for me, huh?"
Veile crossed her arms and turned her nose up proudly. "Hmph! Exactly. Don't misunderstand — I'm not spoiling you. It's just a puny Spirit Ring anyway. Nothing special."
Leon slipped the ring onto his finger. At once, a faint pulse spread through his body, and the oppressive aura of his cultivation melted away, vanishing into nothingness. He exhaled softly, flexing his fingers. "Incredible… it really works. I feel lighter already."
Veile smirked smugly, swaying her little hips as she strutted a step closer. "Of course it works. I don't hand out useless junk."
Leon eyed her carefully, then smiled. "Still, thank you, Veile."
Her cheeks colored faintly. "H-Hemp! Don't thank me. Just make sure you don't embarrass me tomorrow, stupid master."
Leon chuckled quietly, his eyes drifting toward the window where the moonlight spilled in. "Tomorrow's going to be… interesting."
Veile crossed her arms and nodded firmly. "Hmph. Interesting, yes. Dangerous, definitely. So don't get careless."
Veile hopped onto the edge of his bed, her tiny legs dangling as she tapped her chin with a thoughtful finger. "Oh, and one more thing, stupid master."
Leon raised a brow. "What now?"
She lifted her small palm again, crimson eyes gleaming faintly. "That ring isn't just for concealment. It also works as a storage ring. You can keep your valuables inside — like those beast cores you've been lugging around like a pack mule."
Leon blinked, surprise flashing across his face. "Storage… ring?"
He had heard and read about storage rings before, so their existence didn't surprise him—only their cost. They were rare treasures, far too expensive for someone like him. And now that he actually possessed one, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed
Veile smirked, her cheeks dimpling with childlike arrogance. "Of course. Honestly, I'm amazed you didn't already figure that out. Hmph!"
Her crimson eyes flicked toward the pouch tied across his back. "Nobody paid much attention to your beast cores today, because they were small and weak. Most people probably thought you were just hauling junk. But don't fool yourself, stupid master — there are always eyes watching. Even if Stoneford looks simple, all it takes is one person stronger than you to sniff out your treasures, and…" She trailed off, her little hand slicing across her throat in a dramatic gesture.
Leon's lips pressed into a thin line. "Understood."
His obsidian eyes grew cold, the weight of her words sinking deep into his chest. He knew she was right. Even though he wasn't strong enough to stand at the peak yet, people would still notice the changes in him. If someone truly powerful caught the faintest whiff of what he carried… death wouldn't come with a warning. Not even his body would remain.
Veile crossed her arms, her little nose tilting up proudly. "Hmph. At least you're not completely hopeless. Remember this, master — strength isn't just about fighting. It's about surviving. Don't flash what you can't protect."
Leon gave a small smile, though his obsidian eyes burned faintly with resolve. "Don't worry, Veile. I've learned that lesson before."
For a moment, silence filled the room, broken only by the faint hum of the ring now glowing faintly around his finger.