The palace did not stay quiet for long.
By the next morning, Leon's name had already spread across the Royal District.
Servants whispered.
Guards exchanged looks.
And most importantly—
The princes and princesses had taken notice.
Leon walked through the courtyard, stretching his arms lazily.
"…I can feel it."
Aether walked beside him.
"Feel what?"
Leon smirked slightly.
"Trouble."
Aether gave a small nod.
"Yes."
The training courtyard was massive.
Stone arenas lined the open space, each one designed for combat between high-level warriors.
Some were empty.
Others were already occupied by sparring nobles.
The moment Leon stepped in—
The atmosphere shifted.
Eyes turned toward him instantly.
"…Here we go," Leon muttered.
A group of young nobles stood at the center arena.
Among them was a familiar face.
The silver-haired prince from the Hall of Assembly.
He stepped forward slowly, a faint smile on his lips.
"I was wondering when you'd show up."
Leon sighed.
"…You again."
The prince shrugged.
"You've become quite popular overnight."
Leon crossed his arms.
"Yeah, I noticed."
The prince's eyes gleamed with amusement.
"But popularity without strength…"
"…is meaningless here."
Leon smirked slightly.
"Then it's a good thing I have some strength."
A few nobles laughed quietly.
The prince's smile widened.
"Let's test that."
The courtyard fell silent.
A challenge had been issued.
No one intervened.
Because this was normal.
This was how things worked in the royal palace.
Leon stepped forward into the arena.
"…Guess I don't get a break."
Aether remained outside.
Watching.
The silver-haired prince followed him into the arena.
His presence alone felt different from the guard Leon had fought.
Sharper.
More dangerous.
"My name is Prince Vael."
Leon nodded.
"Leon."
Vael tilted his head slightly.
"No title?"
Leon shrugged.
"Not yet."
Vael chuckled.
"I like that."
The two stood opposite each other.
No weapons drawn yet.
Just presence.
Just pressure.
Leon felt it immediately.
He's stronger than the guard…
Much stronger.
"Begin."
The moment the signal was given—
Vael vanished.
Leon's eyes widened.
"Fast—!"
A fist appeared in front of his face.
Leon barely tilted his head.
The punch brushed past him.
He stepped back instantly.
Vael didn't stop.
His movements flowed like water.
One strike into another.
Each attack precise.
Controlled.
Leon blocked and dodged as best he could.
But the pressure was overwhelming.
"This guy is insane…"
Vael smiled as he attacked.
"You're keeping up better than I expected."
Leon gritted his teeth.
"Thanks…"
"Doesn't feel like it."
Another strike came—
Faster.
Stronger.
Leon was forced back again.
His arms stung from blocking.
His breathing grew heavier.
I can't keep this up…
Then—
That feeling returned.
The world slowed.
Vael's movements became clearer.
Predictable.
Leon's eyes sharpened.
Now.
Vael lunged forward.
But this time—
Leon stepped in.
Not back.
Their movements collided.
Leon twisted his body and struck.
THUD.
His fist hit Vael's side.
The prince slid back slightly.
The courtyard erupted.
"He hit him?!"
"Impossible!"
Vael looked down at his side.
Then smiled.
"…Interesting."
The pressure changed.
Completely.
Vael's aura sharpened.
The air around him seemed to distort.
Leon felt it immediately.
"…You weren't serious before."
Vael chuckled.
"Of course not."
For the first time—
Vael drew his weapon.
A slender blade, glowing faintly with mana.
Leon's expression tightened.
"…That's not fair."
Vael smiled.
"This isn't a game."
Leon tightened his grip on his wooden sword.
Mana flowed through his body.
Unstable.
Wild.
But present.
"Alright then…"
Vael moved again.
Faster than before.
Leon barely reacted.
The blade grazed his shoulder.
A thin line of blood appeared.
Leon jumped back.
"…That was close."
Vael tilted his head.
"Dodge again."
He vanished.
Leon focused.
Everything slowed.
He saw it.
The angle.
The speed.
The intent.
Leon moved.
Perfectly.
He stepped aside at the last second.
Then countered.
His wooden sword clashed against Vael's blade.
CLACK.
For a moment—
They stood locked.
Eye to eye.
Vael's smile widened.
"Yes…"
"That's it."
Then—
Vael released more power.
The force pushed Leon back violently.
He slid across the arena floor.
Barely maintaining balance.
Leon exhaled heavily.
"…You're strong."
Vael nodded.
"I know."
The fight wasn't over.
But something had changed.
The nobles were no longer laughing.
They were watching.
Seriously.
Because Leon wasn't losing instantly.
He was adapting.
Growing.
Fighting.
Vael lowered his blade slightly.
"…We'll stop here."
Leon blinked.
"…What?"
Vael turned away.
"If we continue…"
"…I might accidentally kill you."
Leon frowned.
"…That's reassuring."
Vael glanced back.
"But you passed."
Leon tilted his head.
"Passed what?"
Vael smirked.
"My test."
The tension in the courtyard slowly faded.
The nobles began whispering again.
But now—
Their tone was different.
Respect.
Curiosity.
Interest.
Leon exhaled.
"…I hate this place."
Aether stepped beside him.
"You did well."
Leon smiled faintly.
"Yeah…"
"…I think I did."
From a distance—
Several figures watched silently.
Among them—
Caelus Aurelion.
His gaze remained calm.
But there was something else beneath it.
Expectation.
"The storm grows," he murmured.
And in the palace of monsters—
A new one had just begun to rise.