Vol. 6 Ch. 81

This afternoon, Leon's task was to go to the market with Rosvisser to buy groceries.

Originally, another child from the orphanage was supposed to go, since Leon’s wounds from the wild dog attack hadn’t fully healed.But a little injury like that wasn’t a big deal.

All the way from the orphanage to the market, little Leon kept chattering non-stop.

And his topics jumped all over the place.For example, right now:One second, he was talking about how he would become a hero who would shock the entire Samael Continent.The next second, he was suddenly asking Rosvisser how to pursue a girl he liked.

Rosvisser had long since given up on whether he could become a great hero.But...

You're only five years old, and you're asking me how to chase after a girl?

"You… already have someone you like?"

Rosvisser asked cautiously.

Leon had always claimed that Rosvisser was his first love.But "first love" referred to feelings that had been confirmed in a romantic relationship.What about those unrequited crushes?

For example, the tragic genius youth secretly in love with someone he could never have?Leon had never mentioned anything like that before.So Rosvisser was also a little curious and decided to interrogate him a bit.

And then, depending on how serious the situation was, she would decide how to torture him when they returned to the real world.

Leon, carrying a large vegetable basket, walked beside her at a slow pace and said,

"Not right now, but that doesn't mean I won’t in the future."

"Wow, well done, brat. Luckily, you don’t have one yet—your innocence just saved your little ass, and your life," the queen thought to herself.

"So, do you like someone now?" Rosvisser asked with a smile.

Leon wrinkled his little nose. "Since I’ll be traveling all over the place with my friends in the future, I have to hurry and find a girl I really like. If I don’t even start pursuing her, won’t it be too late?"

This brat isn't even that old, but he already understands the concept of "childhood friends vs. fated encounter."

But to be fair, he and Rosvisser were indeed each other's destined encounter—

Who said that meeting in a dungeon doesn’t count as fate?

"You might not succeed…"

Rosvisser thought about it and answered,

"Everyone's situation is different, so there's no specific way to pursue someone."

"Besides, even though you're worried about not knowing how to go after a girl when the time comes, once that day arrives, it'll come naturally to you."

Leon stopped walking, blinked, and stared at Rosvisser with a serious look.

"Teacher, that answer is as good as saying nothing."

"You little brat, how are you talking to me?"

This felt so familiar—

Rosvisser would say something, and he would immediately have a comeback.Wasn't this exactly how she and Leon used to interact?

It’s all coming back now—it's all coming back!

Who said that couples married for ten years can't find their old spark?Rosvisser just found it with no effort at all!

He made a face at her and then turned around, running toward the market.

"Slow down, you still have injuries!"

Rosvisser quickly followed.

By the time she entered the market, she soon spotted Leon’s small figure in the bustling crowd.

He was holding up the large vegetable basket, standing there alone, staring intently at something.

Rosvisser walked over, stood beside him, and followed his gaze.

She found that he was looking at a vegetable stall not far away.

At the stall, a husband and wife were selling produce, while their child sat nearby doing homework.

The couple was busy, but their faces were full of content smiles.Even in their busiest moments, they still found time to say a few words to their child.

"Teacher." Leon suddenly spoke.

At that moment, his tone was much lower than it had been a few minutes ago.

"Hm?"

"…Never mind. It’s nothing. Let’s go buy groceries, teacher."

"…"

Rosvisser remained silent.

Even though Leon swallowed back the words he was about to say, she still knew what he was thinking.

Children who grew up in orphanages usually longed for family affection.

So when Leon saw such a warm and happy family, it was only natural for him to feel envious.

But that envy would eventually turn into a deep sense of loss.

Because in Leon's mind, that was something he could never have.

Rosvisser wanted to comfort him—soon, he would be taken in by a retired legendary black dragon, and his life would change completely.

But since this was Leon's childhood memory, Rosvisser didn't want to interfere too much.

She took a deep breath and stepped forward to follow him.

…

"Hey? Did you hear? A dog meat restaurant in the central district was smashed up a few days ago, and a bunch of rabid dogs escaped."

"Really…? That sounds terrifying. Those dogs won’t bite people, right?"

"Sigh, yesterday, my neighbor's kid got bitten. He was crying so badly—it was awful. You guys better keep an eye on your children."

"O-okay…"

People were gossiping nearby.

Leon walked past them, carrying a basket full of groceries, not paying any attention.

After all, news like that wasn’t unusual in the central district.

But Rosvisser took notice.

She recalled one of the most famous stories about Leon—

Something about smashing rocks on his chest, something about a genius student graduating early.And one of them was about how, at five and a half years old, he provoked a dog, got bitten, and was then taken in by a master.

Which meant… the day Leon would be adopted wasn’t far off.

Rosvisser’s eyes lit up, and she suddenly felt a lot better.That little brat… soon, he wouldn’t have to envy other people’s families anymore.

When they returned to the orphanage, they brought the groceries to the kitchen.But before Rosvisser could turn around, Leon had already run off.

She didn’t chase after him.He had been quiet on the way back, clearly still feeling down.So instead of bothering him, she decided to wait until he felt like talking.

In the meantime, Rosvisser went to the orphanage’s backyard, where all the children were playing.

She found Sharon sitting alone in a corner on a swing.

Rosvisser walked over.

"Teacher Rosvisser? Good afternoon." Sharon greeted her politely.

Rosvisser nodded and stood beside her. "Why are you playing alone?"

"Big brother Leon went back to his room to rest."

"And the others?"

"I don’t like playing with them."

"I see…"

"Mm-hm!"

Sharon sat on the swing, holding the ropes in her small hands. After a brief pause, she turned to Rosvisser.

"Teacher, did Miss Caroline tell you?"

Her tone was filled with excitement.

Rosvisser had a feeling it was good news, so she asked,

"Hm? What is it?"

"Someone is coming to adopt big brother Leon tomorrow."

Hearing that, Rosvisser felt a surge of joy.

Rosvisser hadn’t expected Taggar and Charlotte to come for Leon’s adoption so soon.It was truly wonderful.

"This is a secret we secretly overheard. You mustn’t tell anyone," Sharon whispered conspiratorially.

Rosvisser smiled and nodded. "Alright, I got it. Thank you, Sharon. We’ll keep this secret together."

"Okay~"

Rosvisser ruffled Sharon’s small head, then moved behind her and gently pushed her on the swing.

…

The next day.

When the two unfamiliar faces arrived at the orphanage’s reception room,Rosvisser was momentarily stunned.

"We promise, once we adopt Leon, we will take good care of him."

The man speaking was polite and refined, wearing gold-rimmed glasses.He looked like an intellectual.

His wife, who carried an air of elegance and nobility, followed up,

"You can rest assured if you entrust Leon to our family. He will be able to live an upper-district life."

Miss Caroline sat at the desk with a stack of adoption documents in front of her.

"The three of you have submitted all the necessary documents and household information. If Leon can live with your family, it would truly be a blessing for him."

"Would you like to meet Leon first?"

The man with glasses nodded. "Yes."

A few minutes later, a female staff member brought Leon into the reception room.

The boy, like Rosvisser, was momentarily dazed. But when he learned that these two strangers were here to adopt him,a long-absent light of hope and excitement flickered in his eyes.

"A child with a bright future, no doubt about it."

"I believe so, Miss Caroline. If we take Leon in and nurture him, he will definitely become an outstanding scholar in the future."

Miss Caroline nodded with satisfaction, then handed the adoption papers to the couple.

"If you two have no other concerns, you and Leon can sign these documents."

"Alright."

"Ahem—Miss Caroline—" Standing behind Caroline, Rosvisser finally couldn’t hold back.

How was this happening completely differently from how Leon had told her?

Where was Taggar? Where was Charlotte?Why weren’t they here?

"Is something wrong, little Ros?"

"I…"

Caroline and Rosvisser’s conversation didn’t seem to catch the glasses-wearing man’s attention.He calmly completed the paperwork and handed it to Leon.

Leon took the pen, about to write his name—

"Leon! Leon!!"

The reception room door burst open as a boy rushed in.

Leon immediately turned his head. "What’s wrong?"

"Sharon—Sharon is in danger!"

In the next moment, Leon didn’t hesitate for even a second.He tossed aside the adoption papers and sprinted out of the reception room.

"Eh—Leon! Leon!"

Miss Caroline reacted quickly and followed immediately.

Rosvisser was right behind her.

The glasses-wearing man and his wife exchanged a glance, then decided to follow as well.

When they reached the backyard, Rosvisser saw the children huddled in the corners,even a few of the nun caretakers were trembling in fear.

In the corner of the yard, near the swing, Sharon was curled up.

And in front of her—

A black dog, twice her size.

Its mouth dripped with saliva, bared fangs glinting viciously.Its blood-red eyes were locked onto Sharon as it inched closer to her, step by step.

Rosvisser instinctively tried to channel her magic, but before she could lift her hand,a small, black figure suddenly dashed out from the side.

Leon.

He threw himself between Sharon and the black dog,shielding her completely.

"Leon! It's dangerous!" Miss Caroline shouted in panic. "Quick, someone get help from the kitchen and the orphanage!"

"Y-Yes…!"

The black dog kept advancing on Leon and Sharon, a terrifying growl rising from its throat.

"Leon…" Sharon’s voice trembled, thick with sobs.

Leon stood in front of her, slowly raising his arms to shield her behind him.

His hands were visibly shaking from fear, but he didn’t take a single step back.

Rosvisser stared at the scene, unable to put her emotions into words.

Some people… were simply born to be in the spotlight.

The black dog let out a furious bark and lunged straight at Leon.

"Ah!"

The children and nuns couldn’t bear to watch and covered their eyes.

"Leon!"

"Leon!"

The next second—

A pained howl rang out.

Everyone opened their eyes just in time to see—

Leon, still just a half-grown boy, swinging his fist.

It smashed straight into the black dog’s face.

The dog staggered back, its sharp claws raking across Leon’s arm, leaving deep gashes.Fresh blood spilled immediately.

But he didn’t stop.

Leon knew—he couldn’t give this beast a single moment to recover, or he would be the one torn apart.

—

One punch.

Another punch.

And another.

Blood stained the boy’s hands.

The vicious dog beneath him gradually stopped struggling.

Only when he was sure the creature had taken its last breath did Leon, breathing heavily, slowly get up.His legs wobbled, and he stumbled backward.

"Leon…"

Sharon held onto him for support.

But Leon’s gaze had already turned—toward the couple that was supposed to adopt him.

The man with glasses looked utterly horrified.

He grabbed his wife’s hand and hurriedly fled.

"A child like that… he’s a monster! He could never be a scholar in his life!"

"No one would ever want to adopt such a violent child! Never!"

They left those words behind and disappeared from Leon’s sight.

Miss Caroline and Rosvisser didn’t even bother chasing after them.

Instead, they rushed to check Leon’s injuries.

"Quick, get the medical kit!"

"Yes!"

Leon stood there like a lost soul.

The pain from his wounds kept stinging, Sharon and the teachers were all calling out to him.

But in his mind, those two people’s words kept repeating—

"That child is a monster."

"No one will ever adopt him."

Rosvisser crouched down and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Leon…"

Drip. Drip.

The boy’s hot tears fell, one after another, onto the bloodstained grass.

Then he pushed away from Sharon’s grip, broke free from the people around him,and ran.

"Leon! Where are you going?!" Sharon shouted after him.

But he didn’t stop.

Until—

It felt like he crashed into someone.

Leon stumbled and fell to the ground.

He looked up.

A middle-aged man, tall and imposing, with sharp, piercing eyes.

"Kid," the man said, staring down at him. "What’s your name?"

Leon swallowed, his voice hoarse.

"Leon… Leon Casmod."

The man lowered himself slightly, extending a hand toward him.

"I’m Mag Lawrence."

Then he asked.

"Do you want to be my disciple?"