Leo returned to his throne room, his steps echoing softly across the polished stone floor. He approached the Mirror of Truth—an ancient, arcane artifact, humming faintly with dormant power. Through it, he could locate those worthy of attending his private meeting, selecting them by merit rather than status or reputation. But today was not the time for that. Before such measures could be taken, Leo needed to deepen his understanding of domains.
Setting that task aside for the future, he stepped beyond the boundaries of his own domain. With the secret conclave drawing near, he allowed himself a brief respite. He reclined on his bed, letting his body relax while his mind drifted.
It didn't take long before reality thinned and his consciousness was pulled into the shadowy space of the meeting chamber.
As he opened his eyes in the dreamlike darkness, he surveyed the familiar room. Hooded figures surrounded a round, obsidian table, but his gaze settled on one in particular—Mr. Sage. The shadows beneath Mr. Sage's hood were unusually dark, as if absorbing light itself. And that void sparked something in Leo's memory.
He had felt this presence before and not long ago. At the banquet—when that cold, unseen gaze crept over him like a predator in the dark. Leo didn't let his attention linger. He looked down at the table in front of him, his thoughts racing.
'Don't tell me it was him.'
If Mr. Sage had been the one watching him then, it meant he had recognized Leo wasn't Mr. Clone the moment he entered this place. And if that was true, then Sage had permitted his presence—knowingly.
Before Leo could think further, Mr. Sage's voice resonated through the chamber, smooth and commanding.
"Welcome, my friends, to another conclave of our order. As is our custom, let us commence with the fulfillment of promises made at our last gathering."
Silent exchanges followed as various members passed small objects, scrolls, or enchanted items across the table. When the ritual was complete, Mr. King cleared his throat.
"I've heard there was an attack in the Kingdom of Magic," he said, his voice carrying across the room. "Ms. Shadow, do you know anything about it?"
'News travels fast,' Leo thought.
Ms. Shadow gave a small nod and recounted the event, though her summary lacked the finer details Leo was privy to. Still, he kept silent, letting her version stand uncontested.
When she finished, Mr. Crow rubbed his face with a tired sigh. "Seems the Kingdom of Magic has no time to rest."
Leo leaned forward. "Has anyone discovered what the vampires are looking for?"
Mr. King responded with a slow shake of his head. "One thing is clear—they're searching for something. What that is, or why now, remains a mystery."
"Whatever it is," Mr. Immortal added grimly, "it can't be anything good."
Ms. eye shifted, drawing the room's attention. "Aside from the vampires… I've heard rumors. They say the Pope is ill."
At the mention of the Pope, Leo glanced sideways at Mr. Light. The man remained still, but Leo watched carefully.
"I've heard that too," Mr. Immortal said. "Perhaps it's the toll of recent years? Or simply age?"
"He's the strongest S-rank in the world," Mr. King scoffed. "He doesn't just get old."
"But he does," Leo said quietly, and every gaze turned to him.
Mr. King raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"All the Kingdom of Light's leaders meet strange ends. The most peculiar of them all was Elbridge. He died of old age."
"So?"
"Elbridge was immensely powerful—an S-rank without a doubt. And yet, he simply aged and died?"
Ms. Shadow's voice was cool. "Rank can extend life, yes—but the effect varies by magical path. You know that already, don't you, Mr. Clone?"
Leo did. He had read about it in the books of Alexia's tower. He had uncovered far more than most. The truth about the Kingdom of Light, about the God of Light—the traitor. And the secret decay afflicting the kingdom's rulers… it was all connected.
He exhaled slowly, then spoke again. "Then explain Maverick's disappearance. Has anyone ever asked what happened to him, Ms. Shadow?"
She shook her head, frowning.
Leo's voice dropped into a cold, measured tone. "Because you don't pry into the affairs of gods."
He turned his gaze deliberately to Mr. Light—and caught it: the slightest twitch. A barely perceptible shift in posture. The kind only someone trying too hard to remain still would make.
There it is. Mr. Light knew something. He was connected to the Kingdom of Light—too connected. A man from the sea called Mr. Light… and a vanished leader from the Kingdom of Light who sailed away, never to return. Leo allowed himself a smile.
'Found you, Arthur Caelum.'
A heavy silence followed. None of them dared continue the line of conversation. Speaking openly about a god—accusing one—was not something done lightly.
After a tense minute, Mr. Crow broke the stillness.
"Mr. Light, how stands the situation at sea?"
Mr. Light answered evenly. "After our last battle, the beast retreated, wounded. Since then, there's been no sign of it."
"Seems having the sea to hide in makes things more difficult," Mr. Crow muttered.
"Unfortunately, yes. We have no way of reaching the ocean's depths. Not yet."
The rest of the meeting drifted into less important matters, but Leo had already gotten what he came for. He was now more than ninety percent certain that the pirate Arthur, Mr. Light, and Arthur—the son of the Pope—were all the same person.
…
The next morning, Leo walked through the quiet corridors of the tower toward Alexia's office. Sunlight streamed through the high arched windows, casting long patterns on the polished stone floors. His boots echoed softly with each step, and his magic bag rested securely at his side. He was dressed for travel—prepared and ready to leave.
He reached her door and knocked once. There was no answer, but he pushed it open gently and stepped inside. Alexia sat behind her desk, surrounded by stacks of books and softly glowing scrolls. She didn't look up.
Leo bowed respectfully. "Master."
Without turning, she spoke in her usual calm tone. "You're leaving."
"Yes," Leo said. "I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me. I won't forget it."
Alexia waved her hand slightly, as though brushing off his gratitude. "That's just what any teacher should do after accepting a student."
A book rose from the table beside her, suspended by a gentle spell. It floated across the room toward Leo.
He reached out and took it from the air. The cover was old but well-kept, the title engraved in silver letters: Domains: A Path to Godhood.
"Read it when you feel ready," she said, her tone neutral—but he could sense the weight behind her words.
Leo smiled faintly. She knew. Somehow, without asking, she already understood that he was nearing A-rank.
"I will. Thank you," he said, bowing again. "Then, if you'll excuse me…"
"Leo."
He stopped mid-turn and looked back, a little surprised. It was the first time she had called him by his real name. She met his eyes for a brief moment, and there was warmth in her expression.
"You'll always have a place here," she said. "If you're ever in danger, contact me. I'll come to your aid."
It caught him off guard. The words, simple as they were, hit deeper than he expected. Leo bowed lower—deeper than before—because that was all he could do. No words would be enough.
When he stepped out of her office, he found himself in the central hall that led to the teleportation chamber. The grand space was filled with soft morning light, and waiting there in silence were the tower's maids. Lined up neatly, they stood at attention, eyes on him. At the front stood Klaus, arms crossed, his usual faint smirk in place.
Leo approached him.
"I'll walk you to the gate," Klaus said casually.
Leo nodded. As they began to walk, all the maids bowed in unison.
He smiled, a warm and genuine expression. "Thank you, everyone."
"Be safe, young master," one of the maids said, speaking for the rest.
He gave a small nod, then continued on with Klaus at his side. Together, they entered the teleportation room, activated the circle and vanished in a pulse of blue light.
With Estelle absent—as always—they began walking toward the massive outer gate, the sounds of the waking world around them growing louder with each step. The sunlight was warm, the breeze carrying the scent of the open world beyond the city's bounds.
"Do you have any regrets about leaving?" Klaus asked as they made their way down the path.
Leo thought for a moment. "I actually have two."
"Oh?" Klaus arched an eyebrow.
"First, I never got to see the outside of the floating city," Leo said with a small laugh. "Even though I was here for almost a year."
Klaus chuckled. "Don't worry. If you went out there without being at least A-rank, even breathing would've been difficult. But the city's still floating. You've got time."
Leo nodded. That made sense.
"And the second?" Klaus prompted.
Leo smiled. "I never made it to the second floor of the tower."
Klaus let out a laugh—louder this time. "You really were the first student to miss that chance."
"I was planning to go the day before I leave," Leo admitted. "But Master's domain was damaged after the fight… and I didn't want to be a pain in the ass."
"You still have a chance for that too," Klaus said, grinning.
They chatted lightly as they approached the gate. The guards nodded respectfully as they passed. At the threshold, they stopped.
Leo and Klaus shook hands.
"Then see you later, Victor," Klaus said.
"See you, Mr. Klaus."
With a final nod, Leo turned and stepped out through the gate. The path ahead was long, stretching south toward distant lands—toward the one he sought.
High above, from the walls of the city, a figure watched him go.
A girl leaned over the edge, her gaze locked on his retreating form. She licked her lips slowly, a sly smile curving at the corners.
…
It didn't take long for Leo to reach one of the teleportation towers. With a brief incantation and a flash of arcane light, he transported to another near the edge of a forest. He didn't know the name of the forest—nor did he care. What mattered was that crossing it was the quickest way to reach the Merchant City of Arestin, a bustling port city to the south.
The moment he stepped into the treeline, a strange unease settled in his chest. The feeling had been there ever since he left the capital, faint and distant. But now, deep among the trees, the sensation sharpened. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. Someone was watching him—and this time, he was certain.
Without changing his pace, Leo quietly swapped himself with a phantom double. His real body slipped into the shadows, moving silently toward a patch of dense cover near a large tree.
He activated his enhanced vision, narrowing his focus. If his pursuer was a vampire, conventional detection wouldn't be enough. Channeling a layer of mana, he cloaked even his life force using Real Illusion, masking his presence from those who could sense more than just sound and sight.
From the darkness behind, a small figure moved silently between the trees. They were careful, staying low, their steps light and calculated. But Leo was already in position.
He drew Thorn from his palm, the sword's surface rippling faintly with contained power. As the figure stepped into view—right in front of him—he struck.
With a swift, controlled slash, a wave of blood-red energy erupted from the blade, tearing through trees and rocks in its path. The forest exploded in debris and dust.
Then, from the haze, a figure leapt free. Leo stepped forward, Thorn still in hand, his mana radiating in pulses from his body like a low hum. His expression was cold, controlled.
"Who are you?" he asked, voice sharp. "Why are you following me?"
The figure landed and took a step back. Slowly, she pushed back the hood of her cloak.
Underneath was a face he recognized instantly. The same girl he had danced with at the banquet.
"You…" he muttered, narrowing his eyes.
She smiled, unfazed. "Hello, Mr. Black," she said smoothly. "My name is Luciana Dimont."