The question hung in the air of the private training room, but beneath the quiet intensity, the weight of Nikko's words from the medical room that day echoed in Leon's mind.
"We suspect a skirmish will break out soon… and Leon, you'll be one of their primary targets."
She hadn't sugar-coated it.
Originally, Nikko had pleaded with her father, for permission to send Leon back to the capital where he'd be safe, at least for now. But his response was as cold as it was decisive:
"If he cannot survive this, he is not worthy of my protection."
Nikko had been furious. But Leon? Leon had merely nodded. He wasn't one to run from a challenge, especially one he was sure he could conquer.
That's why they were here.
Leon wasn't training just to stay sharp, he was preparing to break past his current limit. His goal? Rank up.
