What is a reincarnator's most valuable asset?
Some would say a system, a hidden cheat, or the advantage of knowing the future. Those things were certainly powerful—but in Leon's opinion, they weren't the most important.
The true asset was methodology.
The way a person observed the world, analyzed problems, and made decisions determined whether they would succeed anywhere, regardless of starting conditions. Systems and advantages only accelerated the process. Without the right mindset—and the discipline to act on it—even the greatest opportunities could be wasted.
Leon had long followed a few simple rules.
First: never act purely on emotion.Second: never place all your bets on a single path.Third: when planning for victory, prepare for failure first.Fourth: learn to endure loneliness and temptation.
These principles had shaped every decision he made since leaving the Kamo clan.
His mother knew he earned his first income through writing light novels, but she didn't know about the dozens of long-term financial plans he had quietly prepared—investment strategies, overseas market plays, and other projects designed to secure stability regardless of how his sorcerer path developed.
After all, sorcerers were not the mainstream of the world. Most people lived their entire lives without encountering a curse or a sorcerer at all. Money, influence, and practical preparation still mattered immensely.
Even after the Trainer System awakened and he gained Gardevoir, Leon never allowed himself to grow complacent. There were only so many cursed spirits to hunt, and constant battle alone couldn't define his future. While others might have spent their quiet years drifting, he used them to sharpen every skill he could—training Gardevoir's control, writing, studying markets, and preparing for the moment he would finally step into a larger stage.
Now, that time had come.
Seeing the confidence in her son's eyes, Mayumi sighed softly. "Suddenly I feel a little useless."
Knowing your child was exceptional was one thing. Realizing how far ahead they had already run was another.
Leon shook his head immediately. "That's not true. Every successful person has someone supporting them behind the scenes. Without you, I wouldn't be here."
It was the truth. Choosing to leave the clan alongside Mayumi had been a risk. Technically, he had once belonged to the side of the family that stood in opposition to her own position—resentment would have been understandable. Instead, she accepted him without hesitation, giving him the stable environment he needed to prepare for the future. That alone had been worth more than any system reward.
"So, Mom," Leon said with a grin, "you don't need to worry about being a burden. I'll take care of things."
"That's exactly the problem," Mayumi replied dryly. "I'm the parent here."
Leon laughed, then opened a digital map of Tokyo on his laptop. "Actually, I wanted to ask something. Do you know which areas around here tend to have higher curse activity?"
Mayumi narrowed her eyes slightly. "Planning to start exorcising spirits already?"
"Partly. Gardevoir still needs real combat experience to grow stronger. And… I'd also like to try expanding my team."
"Isn't Xiaosha enough?"
Gardevoir immediately looked at Leon with a faintly anxious expression. "Sha…?"
Leon quickly waved his hands. "Of course she's enough. Xiaosha is irreplaceable. I just mean that having additional partners would give us more flexibility in different situations. No one's replacing her."
Gardevoir relaxed at once, leaning slightly closer to him.
Mayumi studied her son for a moment, then nodded. "There is a place nearby—Yoshihara Shrine. Curse activity tends to appear around that area from time to time. I'll take you there after dinner."
Leon blinked. "You're coming too?"
"Why wouldn't I? I'm still a sorcerer," she replied, sitting up straighter with quiet dignity.
"Well… fair enough."
Tokyo in the present era was relatively stable. As long as they avoided top-tier threats, a simple evening patrol wouldn't be dangerous. More importantly, Leon wanted his mother to feel involved rather than left behind.
He turned slightly toward Gardevoir. "Stay close to Mom tonight."
"Sha." She nodded seriously.
"Protect yourself first," Mayumi said. "No matter what you think, you're still officially ranked below me as a sorcerer."
Leon only smiled, accepting the statement without argument—though the brief glance he exchanged with Gardevoir told a different story.
He might not possess an inherited cursed technique, but that didn't mean he lacked combat power.
After all, a trainer capable of commanding psychic-type Pokémon was never truly helpless.
And tonight, he intended to begin testing just how sharp the blade he had spent years sharpening had become.