Klaus saw an affinity emanating from the boy — in the Kingdom of Ognia, the land of fire, red was its prideful color, and to Mister Feuillâtre it was a good sign that Leon has decent potential for animancing.
Everyone possesses the potential to develop an affinity, yet this boy is still far too young, he hasn't gained enough experience on his own. Even so, I can't help but wonder what kind of affinity he will eventually awaken.
With the color red — he might be able to bond with ilfrits, salamander, fire birds, and… with the rare chance of a dragon…
Klaus thought inwardly, while being stared at by Leon himself with passionate eyes, he noticed that the crowd was being too loud, all the while Icarus was pecking his head.
Peck, peck, peck.
"Please, everyone, calm down; he's just a child, and he didn't mean any harm! Let's focus on the joy of the harvest festival!" Klaus Feuillâtre addressed the crowd, and they heeded his words and even admired him more for the way he handled the situation.
But within the crowd were fanatics, fangirls who cherish Mister Klaus Feuillâtre; one of them was Kasia Wiśniewska, who shoved through the crowd, stepped forward, and presented her book. "Mister Feuillâtre, may I receive your autograph?!"
But to her utter shock, Klaus Feuillâtre held up a hand gesture — it was a signal to keep her mouth shut, as he was more interested in the boy.
"Tch—" Kasia glared, lips pressed tight, but she could only grit her teeth and step back.
She will remember this…
Meanwhile, Klaus Feuillâtre knelt down with one knee, regarding Leon Krwicz.
"Are you interested in animancers?"
"Yes! Mister Feuillâtre! It's my dream! Though I don't have the means for the enrollment, I'll find a way!" Leon said in such a joyous tone; it showed a childlike innocence beneath his boldness.
Klaus Feuillâtre smiled… seeing someone interested in his profession was always a welcomed notion, considering most youths would prefer becoming sorcerers and other things that didn't require the responsibility of taking care of a familiar.
Animancing is an expensive profession, and the Więźni Exam fee hasn't gotten any kinder. I wonder what would happen if I gave this boy a chance to reach his dreams.
"I'm glad you're working hard for it." Klaus stood up again and pulled out his pouch and handed Leon 20 Złoty; the boy's eyes widened in disbelief.
Some of the people in the crowd held shocked expressions — had Mister Feuillâtre always been this generous?
"Mister Feuillâtre, this is too much… I can't repay this." Even if Leon was entertaining the idea of robbing someone just recently, this act of sudden kindness was not something he expected.
"Consider this my investment in your potential, and if you're smart enough, you can even turn that 20 Złoty into much, much more. And I believe you can pull it off since you're so bold and reckless."
"I… I understand! But why do this? Mister Feuillâtre?" Such kindness was dangerous, especially if you don't see the strings behind them!
Klaus didn't respond right away, he was still in the middle of weighing his decision.
Meanwhile, the crowd couldn't believe what they were witnessing, but they respected Klaus Feuillâtre enough to not interrupt this conversation between him and Leon, and seeing such a figure support the youth with their dreams inspired such admiration within the masses.
"To think he would personally acknowledge the boy… what a man!"
"Only someone of his stature could inspire such courage!"
"Not every animancer is as kind, with the sole exception of Klaus Feuillâtre, of course!"
The sheer extent of his glorification was nothing short of ridiculous.
Klaus Feuillâtre's eyes wandered throughout the atmosphere of the harvest festival, admiring the yellow banners and the scent of fall, while Icarus remained skeptical of the boy.
I could guide the boy and take him in as a student, but that would hinder the natural affinity that's shaping in front of my eyes. If the boy's words are true, he'll do everything to get into next year's Więźni exam. I would rather let him naturally grow on his own.
Klaus's gaze, magnified by the monocle, locked onto the boy's eyes: "I have my reasons, and all I ask is that I see you at next year's Więźni exam…"
Leon hid the money in his brown pouch; he was at a loss for words, but he wasn't going to back down.
"Mister Feuillâtre, you won't regret this decision…"
Klaus smirked at the boy's confidence, but it was rather admirable. He gathered his composure and, with a nod to Leon, said, "I expect nothing less…"
Leon bowed respectfully and apologized properly this time to the phoenix! However, the bird was still feisty about the whole thing.
Icarus wouldn't stop squawking like a grumpy Phoenix, tossing in slurs in between the bird noises.
"I just realized how rude I was, Mister Feuillâtre. I apologize!" Leon remarked.
"Took you long enough to realize that. Oh, and Icarus will forgive you in time; she's a stubborn one, you see."
"Hehe! I'll step back down, Mister Feuillâtre; her feathers are starting to smoke." Before Leon could step back, Klaus Feuillâtre had one more thing to say:
"Boy, what's your name?"
"My name is Leon Krwicz, Mister Feuillâtre."
"Leon Krwicz?" Klaus Feuillâtre muttered, "I see, well then, Leon, don't miss Icarus's show tonight."
Leon's curiosity grows; the event at night was usually fireworks and the feast of numerous bountiful harvests.
"What's it about, Mister Feuillâtre?"
"Glad you asked…" Klaus Feuillâtre stepped forward; the gathered crowd was patient, as they awaited him finally addressing them.
"Everyone, I ask you all to gather here tonight! I have a magnificent performance prepared for the town, it's my gift to such wonderful people!"
Icarus's wings fluttered while perched from Mister Klaus Feuillâtre's arm, and tiny smoke and embers were released from her wings, dancing through the chilly air of fall, and everyone was mesmerized, including Leon.
What a majestic chicken… I wonder what she tastes like…
"Tonight! The phoenix will dance!"
Chapter End.