🌅 Monday Morning
The school gates stood open.
Students walked in.
Normal.
Routine.
"…Aren't you tired of waiting for me here?"
Leo's voice broke the calm.
Lily stood by the entrance.
Watching him.
Her gaze didn't change.
"What did you do?"
Leo blinked.
"…Wow."
He stretched slightly.
"Let's see…"
"I woke up."
"I brushed my teeth."
"I ate."
"I even took a bath."
He looked at her.
Deadpan.
"…Then I came here."
A pause.
"…What else do you want to hear?"
"Enough."
Her tone sharpened.
"Leviathan has called a meeting."
"With the Government."
"And the Guilds."
Silence.
Leo tilted his head.
"…And that's my problem… how?"
"They're meeting because of you."
A pause.
"…What did you do?"
Leo shrugged.
"…I fought someone."
Lily's eyes narrowed.
"…Who?"
Leo thought for a second.
"…Something like…"
"The king of slugs?"
Silence.
Then—
"…Speed."
Her voice dropped.
"…Orion."
A step forward.
"How did you beat him?"
"…Without using it."
Leo looked at her.
"…Careful."
"You're breaking your own rule."
A pause.
"As long as you don't interfere…"
"…I won't use mine."
"…Right?"
Lily clenched her fist slightly.
"…Because of you…"
"…an alliance that shouldn't exist…"
"…is now being formed."
A pause.
"And if it goes through…"
Her voice lowered.
"…you might not survive this."
Leo smiled faintly.
"…So what do you want me to do?"
A beat.
"…Take the bounty down?"
"…Yes."
No hesitation.
"If you can—do it."
"And do it quickly."
Leo exhaled.
"…You make it sound so urgent."
Then—
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Don't pretend."
A pause.
"…You weren't sent to watch me."
"…To find my weaknesses."
Lily didn't look away.
"…I was."
A beat.
"But I was also sent…"
"…to convince you."
"…Because right now…"
"…you are the safest one to hold that power."
Silence.
Then—
Leo turned.
"…I'm not taking it down."
Calm.
Certain.
"So get that out of your head."
A step forward.
"If anyone thinks they can take it…"
"…they're free to try."
A glance back.
"I won't stop them."
Then—
"…Class is about to start."
"…Let's go."
He walked past her.
Like nothing mattered.
🏫 School
Derek watched from a distance.
As Leo approached—
"…You two again?"
He smirked.
"You just met recently."
"…Mind telling me what's going on?"
Leo shrugged.
"…Didn't she tell you?"
"…We're working on a project."
Derek raised an eyebrow.
"…Funny."
"You say it like it's an excuse."
Leo smiled faintly.
"…Maybe it is."
Derek laughed.
"…Man, you're weird."
🌆 After School
A quiet office.
Lily stood still.
"…He has no intention of backing down."
Silence.
Then—
A man turned his chair slowly.
Sharp eyes.
Calm presence.
Authority.
Director Kael Viremont.
Head of Government Operations.
Lily's father.
"…I see."
He folded his hands.
"…Even after hearing about the meeting."
Lily nodded.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…He doesn't see it as a threat."
Kael exhaled quietly.
"…That makes him more dangerous."
Silence.
Then—
"…You've done enough."
Lily blinked slightly.
"…What?"
He stood.
"…Go out."
"…Enjoy your day."
A pause.
"I'll handle the rest."
Lily hesitated.
"…Are you sure—"
"Lily."
His voice was calm.
But firm.
"…Trust me."
A moment.
Then—
"…Yes, Father."
She turned.
And left.
🕶️ Behind the Scenes
The door closed.
Silence filled the room.
Then—
"…Prepare the car."
A man stepped forward.
"Yes, sir."
Kael adjusted his coat.
"…It's time."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"…We have a meeting to attend."
🍃 Outside
Lily walked alone.
The city moved normally.
But her thoughts didn't.
"…Why…"
A pause.
"…does it feel like…"
"…everything is about to change?"