etween the Stoneveil Mountains
The road to Stoneveil City was never gentle.
Leo learned this quickly.
The carriage moved slowly along the mountain path, wooden wheels creaking as they climbed higher and higher. Jagged cliffs rose on both sides, their peaks hidden by drifting clouds. Cold wind swept through the pass, carrying the scent of stone and wild grass.
Mountain after mountain passed.
Leo sat inside the carriage, alert.
He did not cultivate.
He did not meditate.
He observed.
Every sound.
Every shadow.
Every shift of wind.
This place was dangerous.
By noon, the road narrowed.
The carriage slowed naturally as the horses grew cautious. Tall pines crowded the slopes, their branches blocking sunlight and casting long, sharp shadows.
Then—
BOOM!
A deafening sound echoed through the mountains.
The horses neighed in panic.
Leo's eyes snapped open.
"What was that…?"
Another sound followed.
Metal clashing.
Then a roar—deep, violent, and filled with rage.
A monster.
Leo's heart pounded.
I should avoid this…
I'm not strong enough…
His instincts screamed at him to stay away.
But—
The sound came again.
Weaker this time.
Pain-filled.
Leo clenched his fists.
"…If I turn away," he whispered, "someone will die."
He pulled the reins.
"Whoa."
The carriage stopped.
Leo climbed down slowly, moving with care, every step light. He followed the sound deeper into the mountain forest, using rocks and trees for cover.
His breath slowed.
His senses sharpened.
He reached a clearing.
And froze.
A massive monster lay on the ground—its body torn open, dark blood soaking the earth. Its head was severed cleanly, rolled several meters away.
It was dead.
But not long dead.
Near it—
A girl knelt on one knee.
Her sword—bright white, glowing faintly even now—was stabbed into the ground to support her body. Blood stained her clothes. Her breathing was shallow, uneven.
She was barely conscious.
Leo swallowed.
She killed that thing…?
The monster's aura told him everything.
This was no ordinary beast.
She had fought far above what her condition allowed.
And paid the price.
The girl coughed violently.
Blood spilled from her lips.
Her sword trembled.
She was in a life-and-death state.
Leo didn't hesitate.
He ran to her.
"Hey—don't move," he said urgently.
Her head lifted weakly.
Bright eyes met his.
Sharp.
Yet unfocused.
"…Go…" she whispered. "It's… not safe…"
"I know," Leo replied, steady despite his racing heart. "But you're worse off."
She tried to stand.
Her legs gave out.
Leo caught her instinctively.
She was lighter than he expected.
Too light.
"Let go…" she muttered weakly.
"If I do," Leo said, "you'll die."
She froze.
Then her consciousness began to slip.
"No… energy left…" she whispered.
Leo gritted his teeth.
Third Realm cultivator…
I'm only Body Refinement…
Saving her completely was impossible.
But—
Keeping her alive…
That, he could try.
He carried her back to the carriage.
Laid her down carefully.
Her breathing was dangerously weak.
Leo sat beside her and placed his palm against her back.
"I can't heal you fully," he said quietly, "but I'll stabilize you."
He closed his eyes.
Spiritual energy flowed out—thin, controlled.
Then—
He adjusted.
And released wave energy.
Not sound.
Not vibration.
But frequency.
The energy wrapped gently around her meridians, calming the violent backlash inside her body. Her breathing eased slightly.
The bleeding slowed.
But Leo felt the strain immediately.
His face paled.
"…That's all I can do," he whispered.
She stirred faintly.
"…You…" she murmured.
Leo didn't answer.
He snapped the reins.
"Hyah!"
The horses surged forward.
The carriage raced down the mountain path toward Stoneveil City.
By the time the city walls came into view, Leo's clothes were soaked in sweat.
The massive gates of Stoneveil City loomed ahead, guarded by heavily armored soldiers.
"Stop!" a guard shouted. "State your purpose!"
Leo jumped down.
"There's an injured cultivator inside!" he said urgently. "She needs a physician—now!"
The guards frowned.
"Open the carriage," one demanded.
Leo clenched his fists.
They pulled the curtain back.
The moment they saw the girl—
They stiffened.
"She's badly injured…"
"This could be a trap."
"Where did you find her?"
Leo's patience snapped.
"Move!" he said sharply. "If she dies, that blood is on your hands!"
The guards bristled.
"How dare you—"
Suddenly—
A deeper voice cut in.
"That's enough."
A man in higher armor stepped forward.
His aura was calm.
Heavy.
A Seventh Realm expert.
He looked into the carriage—
And froze.
"…This is impossible," he muttered.
He stepped closer.
"…Miss…?"
The girl's eyelids fluttered.
"…Captain…?" she whispered faintly.
The man's expression changed instantly.
"All guards, clear the way!" he roared. "Now!"
He placed his palm over the girl's chest and released a powerful surge of spiritual energy.
Her breathing stabilized further.
"Physician!" he barked. "Prepare everything!"
The gates opened at once.
The carriage rushed inside.
Inside the city, healers swarmed.
The girl was taken away immediately.
Leo stepped back, exhausted.
The officer turned to him.
"Young man," he said seriously, "thank you."
Leo shook his head.
"I only did what I should."
"I will report this to the City Lord," the officer continued. "You saved someone very important."
Leo stiffened.
"…There's no need."
The officer frowned. "At least tell me your name."
Leo hesitated.
Then turned away.
"I still have somewhere to go," he said quietly.
The officer opened his mouth—
But Leo was already walking away.
Blending into the crowd.
Like a shadow.
I shouldn't draw attention, Leo thought.
I need to reach the academy.
He didn't notice—
But from the physician's chamber—
The girl slowly opened her eyes.
Her vision blurred.
Then cleared.
She remembered—
The mountain.
The pain.
And a boy's face.
Calm.
Focused.
Determined.
"…I saw you," she whispered.
Her fingers clenched the blanket.
"I won't forget."
Outside the city walls—
Leo walked onward.
Toward the road.
Toward the Imperial Academy.
Unaware—
That fate had just taken notice of him.