The Elven Academy had changed.
The silver branches that once shone with untouched elegance now bore scars of battle.
Entire districts remained under reconstruction as students and instructors worked alongside royal guards to restore what had been lost.
Yet life continued.
It always did.
Leo stood alone upon one of the academy's highest platforms.
The morning breeze carried the scent of fresh blossoms through the air.
Below him, students moved about the grounds.
Some laughed.
Some trained.
Others mourned.
The events of the past few days had left their mark on everyone.
"...Quite a view."
Leo glanced sideways.
Evangeline approached quietly.
Her soft golden hair swayed gently behind her.
"The academy looks different," Leo said.
Evangeline stopped beside him.
"It does... Aelion is using this as an excuse to change up somethings."
A pause.
"But perhaps it always needed to change."
Leo remained silent.
He understood what she meant.
The corruption within the council.
Prince Sol's fall.
The suffering hidden beneath the kingdom's elegance.
The academy had survived.
But innocence hadn't.
*****************************
Later that day, a memorial ceremony was held.
Students and teachers gathered beneath the massive ancient tree in the middle of Elavein.
Silver lanterns floated into the sky.
Names were spoken.
Lives remembered.
The truth regarding Prince Sol had been concealed from the public.
Officially...
He had fallen protecting the academy.
Only a select few knew otherwise.
Evangeline's expression never wavered during the ceremony.
But Leo noticed how tightly her hands clenched.
After the memorial concluded.
The Crowned Prince approached.
Aelion stood before Leo.
As regal and composed as ever.
"...You performed adequately."
"'Adequately?!'"
Aelion sighed.
"I was trying to compliment you."
Both shared the silence for a moment.
Aelion's silver eyes shifted toward Leo.
"...Your growth is troublesome."
Leo smirked slightly.
"I'll take that as praise."
"...Don't".
Leo nodded.
"...Nevertheless."
A pause.
"You have my gratitude."
Silence.
Leo blinked twice.
Even Evangeline looked surprised.
Aelion turned immediately.
"This conversation never occurred."
Then walked away.
He stopped after a few steps.
"I'll be seeing you in the tournament leo ."
Leo smirked " Not if I see you first".
Evangeline burst into laughter.
"I knew he liked you!"
"I do not!" Aelion spat as he continued walking.
"...He's still within hearing distance," Leo noted.
"I know"Evangeline said with a smile.
*****************************
Preparations for departure began the following morning.
Leo gathered his belongings calmly.
His heart beat with excitement.
As incredible as the Elven Kingdom had been...
He was were ready to return home.
"You've been thinking a lot lately."
Leo glanced toward Evangeline.
She had been sticking with him for a while now.
"...A lot happened."
"That's an understatement."
A brief silence followed.
Then Evangeline smiled softly.
"...You'll figure it out ...
Or we'll do it together."
Leo paused.
Then nodded.
"...Thanks."
*****************************
That evening
Leo found himself returning to the moonlit garden.
The place where he had first truly spoken with Evangeline.
Silver blossoms swayed gently beneath the evening sky.
"...I thought I'd find you here."
Evangeline stepped from the shadows.
Leo leaned lightly against the railing.
". Are you following me ... Or do you know me that well."
"Perhaps."
"I figured you have something to tell me"
They stood in comfortable silence.
Watching moonlight dance across the garden.
Finally.
Evangeline spoke.
"...Thank you."
Leo blinked.
"For what?"
"For saving our home."
Her voice softened.
"For saving me."
Leo looked away slightly.
"...I was doing my job.."
"No..
Evangeline smiled faintly.
...But you still chose to fight."
A pause.
"You could have left.. the humans would have helped you."
Leo thought about that.
Then shook his head.
"...I couldn't."
"Why?"
Images flashed through his mind.
His old friends.
His family.
Skycrest.
People laughing.
Training.
Dreaming.
"...Because people were counting on me."
Evangeline studied him quietly.
Then nodded.
"...I understand."
After another long silence.
Leo spoke again.
"...I still don't understand what's happening to me."
The words came easier than expected.
"The purple flames...
..The voice...
.. The way chaos energy reacts to me."
He looked down at his hands.
"...It's like something inside me is changing."
Evangeline stepped closer.
"...Are you afraid?"
Leo hesitated.
He didn't know why he always felt so free with Evangeline.
He also felt this way with Sandra... though that was more complicated.
Then he answered honestly.
"...A little."
The elven princess reached into her robes.
Removing a small silver chain, shaped like a flower.
Moonlight shimmered across its surface.
She offered it to him.
"...keep this."
Leo accepted it carefully.
"...What's this?"
"A Moonbranch blessing.. it gives luck and a calm mind."
Evangeline smiled.
"When you don't understand yourself..."
Her golden eyes met his.
"...remember there are people willing to help you...
And remember me.."
With that Evangeline turned and left .
Leo stared at the charm.
Then smiled faintly.
"...Thanks."
*****************************
The following morning
The elves prepared a delegation escort leo on his departure.
Aelion approached Leo one final time.
"...Don't die."
Leo blinked.
"...What?"
The Crowned Prince crossed his arms.
"...If anyone is going to defeat you."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"It will be me."
Leo smirked.
"...Wouldn't dream of denying you."
"...Good."
Then Aelion turned away.
"...Travel safely."
The journey home began shortly afterward.
After a while Leo left the elven delegation behind .
He needed time to think .
So he decided to travel to Amazon,the capital of the Elven empire on his own.
The forest paths beyond the Elven Kingdom were quiet.
Peaceful.
For the first time in days.
Leo was alone.
Birdsong echoed softly overhead.
The moonlit charm Evangeline gave him rested securely within his pocket.
His thoughts drifted.
Toward Skycrest.
Toward the future.
Toward the war he knew was coming.
The voice inside him remained unusually silent.
Until.
"...Interesting."
Leo stopped.
The forest had gone still.
Too still.
His instincts screamed louder than ever.
Danger.
Slowly.
He turned around.
A human stood upon the path behind him.
Simple black clothing.
No insignias.
No visible weapon.
Average appearance.
Completely ordinary.
Yet...
Every fiber of Leo's being tensed instantly.
His heart raced.
The air itself felt heavier.
The stranger studied him calmly.
"...So."
His voice remained quiet.
"Your the kid ruffling so many feathers hu."
Leo's expression hardened.
"...Who are you?"
The man tilted his head slightly.
"...Names hold little meaning."
Then.
He stepped forward.
The pressure exploded outward.
Leo's eyes widened.
The stranger wasn't releasing world energy.
Wasn't using Chaos.
Yet his presence alone surpassed anything Leo had faced before.
Even the Zodiac member.
Even the Primodial Guardian.
"...I have a question."
The man reached toward his waist.
Drawing a simple black dagger.
"...Will you survive what lies ahead?"
Leo's spatial energy flared instantly.
Purple flames ignited across his hands.
"...Do you know who I am?"
The man nodded once.
"...Yes the son of the space sovereign ..
But I don't see him here ..
And in case you haven't noticed all communication, tracking and teleportation formations have been severed..
Even a sovereign couldn't find us break in here.. courtesy of the Zodiac ..
They really want you read but don't want their hands dirty."
The man raised his blade towards Leo.
Leo's two katanas materialized in his hands.
There was no more hesitation.
This guy was definitely stronger than him.
Probably a world king.
Yet .
There was no fear.
No emotion.
No one was coming to save him.
Only his own power could help him here.
The only thing in his eyes were focus.
BOOOOOOM!
The ground exploded.
The man vanished.
Leo barely reacted.
His instincts screamed.
Too late.
SHHHKKK!
Pain erupted across Leo's chest.
Blood splattered.
His eyes widened in shock.
The stranger stood behind him.
Calm.
Unmoved.
"...Too slow."
Leo staggered.
Purple flames surged violently around him.
Spatial distortions cracked through the forest.
His expression hardened.
For the first time since coming to this world.
Fear touched his heart.
Because he understood one thing immediately.
This man...
Was hunting him.
Yet a smile spread on his face.
His battle will exploded.
His aura raged around him then condensed around him.
"Let's do this"