(IX) An Unwelcome Visitor

The days turned into weeks and the weeks into months until, at last, a year had passed. Leon was forced to endure the daunting lectures from the various instructors and grueling training while completing as many daily quests as possible.

He woke up on a brisk winter morning, smiling as he jumped out of bed. He quickly bathed and got dressed before a maid entered to wake him.

At long last, it was time for Alec to leave Othniel, and he was beyond ready for him to leave. He had attempted multiple times to request the inventors create luxuries from his past, but he declined each one.

Unable to see the genius of providing more for the peasants, Leon lamented his situation, constantly reminding himself he was a twenty-eight-year-old in the body of a thirteen-year-old.

This was the exact reason he cleansed the entire cabinet in Othniel when he was presented with the four dozen prospects for administrators.

He replaced them with the brightest and most talented from each field, except for one: his own advisor, who would handle everything for the next four years.

Leon wanted the least confident pushover he could control and manipulate into doing his bidding on his behalf, so Edgar was hired for the role.

Alec had done a commendable job building the border city into an impenetrable fortress, but he gave far too much power to the military, and corruption was running rampant.

The people were losing faith in the nobles to protect them and do what was best, so they were growing restless. Leon had to make changes quickly.

He rode atop a horse with his mother beside the departing carriage with Alec and his entourage through the city. Many of the citizens lined the streets, waving goodbye and cheering.

They reached the gates leading south to warmer climates when Alec opened the carriage doors and stepped out, waving back to the city and smiling at his younger brother.

"You're grown leaps and bounds since you first awoke. I look forward to seeing you in a few months when you come south for the Coming of Age Ceremony and enter the academy." He said, patting his younger brother on the shoulder.

"Thank you, Crown Prince. You honor me with your words." Leon said, bowing from his position on the horse. His etiquette training was already paying dividends.

"Farewell, Lord Alec." Mikaru said, stepping out from behind the horse and kneeling.

The year had been exceptionally difficult for the Parthrak, but he came out with a significant glow-up, the maids constantly gushing over his handsome face and chiseled body.

"Aha! Mikaru, my boy!" He exclaimed, leaning into the carriage. Then, pulling out a massive, intricately detailed scabbard with a sword inside, he handed it to him, "A farewell gift from Master to Apprentice."

"Wait…" Leon said as Alec handed the sword to Mikaru, "That isn't…"

"It is!" Alec laughed in a booming voice, smacking the rear of the horse-drawn carriage before Leon could protest. Leaning out of the carriage, he waved goodbye as he shouted, "Take care of my precious baby brother!"

Mikaru tied the scabbard to his waist, unsheathing the sword as a loud metallic ringing echoed around him, his eyes widening in shock at the holy sword in his hand.

It was a massive blade of shimmering silver steel that emitted a faint glow, sparkling against the sunlight, "He gave me Arondight…"

"I can't believe him…" Leon sighed, shaking his head, "Father is going to lose his mind when he learns of this…"

"Milord, should we return it..?" Mikaru asked, turning to him, but Leon shook his head.

"No. You should have it. It's your badge as the Successor to the Sword Saint." He replied, staring at the departing carriage, "It's just going to be a major pain in the…"

"Leon!" Sasha exclaimed, smacking him in the back of his head, "Watch your language!"

Suddenly, a magic source flashed nearby, catching Leon's attention. He looked around, concerned.

"What is it?" Mikaru asked before Leon jumped off the horse and dashed into the city on foot.

"Return to the manor, immediately!" Mikaru ordered the escort, cursing under his breath as he rushed after the young lord.

A shadow streaked as it leaped onto the rooftops, Leon slowly closing the distance as he strained to get a clear image of the intruder.

He leaped atop the clay tile rooftops, chasing after the fleeing shadow; moments later, Mikaru jumped up, following them, quickly closing the gap before overtaking Leon.

"Leave it to me!" He shouted, leaping through the air as he drew Arondight. He unleashed a blinding light, spinning horizontally as he swung the sword.

"No!" Leon shouted, too late to stop the attack. A wave of white light launched from the sword, leaving a deep gash on the rooftop and stopping the shadow.

Mikaru jumped over to the rooftop, immediately flipping over the intruder as he pointed the faintly glowing sword at them.

Leon quickly appeared behind the intruder as the shadow turned to face him, but he could not determine who or what it was.

"Let's see who dares to infiltrate my Lord's land." Mikaru said, releasing the light from Arondight as it enveloped the shadow. A high-pitched squeal followed.

A cloud of smoke exploded from the shadow as a figure blurred away from the duo and rushed away faster than before.

"Good job!" Leon sarcastically said, chasing after the intruder beside Mikaru, "Don't go destroying the city just to fail to catch them!"

"I'm sorry, Milord! I won't fail this time!" He shouted. The faint aura enveloping the sword expanded as it wrapped around Mikaru, emboldening his abilities as he moved faster.

He launched himself from the rooftop, crushing some clay tiles beneath his feet as he soared through the air, passing the intruder.

The creature jumped in the air and released a powerful shockwave at Mikaru as he pulled Arondight in front of him, blocking the attack and being flung away.

Leon caught a glimpse of a small quadrupedal creature as it landed, the smoke reappearing around it and dashing toward him, slipping between his legs.

He dug his heels into the tiles, skidding to a halt on the rooftop as he pivoted backward, resuming the chase of the intruder as Leon activated one of the few Beast Master abilities he had access to.

[Magical Beast Communication]

"Wait!"