Max was restless that evening, his mind constantly replaying the conversation with Leo. There was something about the boy's casual attitude, his confidence, and most of all—his lack of fear— that made Max feel both cautious and intrigued.
He walked the campus grounds under the fading light, a thick cloak of dusk beginning to settle over the academy. The courtyard was quieter now, and students were mostly inside studying or practicing their combat techniques. It was the perfect time for solitude—or, in Max's case, for strategizing.
His mind kept wandering back to the contract he'd made with Julius Frost. He still wasn't sure what Julius truly wanted from him or how far he could trust him. The Board was full of people with their own agendas, and Max had no intention of falling into their traps.
[SYSTEM STATUS: LEVEL 8]
[EXP: 45%]
[Skills Available: "Mana Veil (Lv. 2)"]
[Side Quest – "Unseen Allies" Progress: 1/2]
Max paused, standing at the edge of the training grounds, staring at the shadows between the buildings.
I can't trust anyone completely, he thought. Not Julius. Not Leo. Not even the system.
But he could use them. All of them.
"Lost in thought?"
Max whipped around to see Leo standing a few steps behind him. His hands were casually shoved in his pockets, a playful grin spreading across his face.
"I didn't hear you," Max said, his tone cool but wary.
"Yeah, I'm good at that," Leo replied with a shrug. "I've been watching you for a while now. Noticed your little training session this afternoon. Clean technique, if I say so myself. But you've got more than skill. You've got potential."
Max didn't respond immediately. He wasn't sure what Leo was implying. Was he playing him? Or was he actually interested in being part of Max's inner circle?
"I've been thinking," Leo continued, taking a step forward. "You're not just hiding your abilities because you're weak or trying to fly under the radar. You're hiding them because you're smarter than the others. You see the bigger picture. And if I'm being honest, I think you and I could help each other."
Max raised an eyebrow, his hand instinctively reaching for the dagger hidden beneath his cloak. His eyes flicked to the boy's expression, searching for any sign of deception.
"I'm listening," Max said, his voice low.
Leo stepped closer, his expression shifting to one of seriousness. "I've got a family that's as good as dead if things keep going the way they are. I don't want to be just another pawn in the noble game. You? You're not a pawn. You're someone with a chance to change things. You just need the right allies."
Max remained silent, considering the weight of Leo's words. Could he trust him? Did Leo understand what kind of danger he was in? Or was he simply looking for an advantage, the same as everyone else?
"I'm not asking for much," Leo continued. "I just want to make sure I'm on the winning side. I know you're working with Julius Frost, but I don't think his ambitions match yours. He'll use you if you let him."
Max's heart skipped a beat. How did Leo know about Julius? Did he already know more than Max had let on?
"Do you have a problem with that?" Max asked, his voice colder now.
Leo gave a dry laugh. "No. Not if it serves my purposes. But I'm not the type to blindly follow orders. That's why I came to you. You've got the power to take control of your destiny, but you can't do it alone. If you'll have me, I'll be your ally."
Max studied Leo for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "We'll see what happens. For now, let's just keep things quiet."
Leo flashed a grin. "Agreed. Just remember, Max, when you need someone who's got your back, I'm your guy."
[QUEST UPDATED: "Unseen Allies" – Progress: 2/2]
[New Reward: Increased Trust Level with Leo Granger]
Max watched as Leo disappeared back into the shadows, the sound of his footsteps gradually fading into the night. There was something unsettlingly calm about the way Leo operated. He was confident, almost too confident, in the way he offered his loyalty.
Max turned back to the courtyard, his thoughts heavy. He had a lot to think about—and a lot to plan for.
As he moved into the darkness, a small but significant change began to ripple within him. Allies were necessary, but they came with risks. However, in the end, they could be the difference between victory and defeat.
And Max was determined to survive this game, no matter the cost.