Leo stared at the girl in front of him. She was barely older than Aira and Rina, dressed in a plain black cloak, and clutching a crooked wooden staff.
"I want to be trained," she repeated, voice almost a whisper.
Leo blinked. "You sure you got the right guy? Because I mostly teach things like… stick waving and emotional trauma."
She nodded. "I've watched you. You're real. That's what I want."
SYSTEM NOTICE: Potential Disciple AcceptedName: LiraFuture Title: Archmage of RealmsElement: Illusion and Mind DomainAffinity: Extreme. Growth: Unmeasured.
Leo exhaled. "That sounds… terrifying."
Aira and Rina arrived from the side, squinting at the new arrival.
"She's been spying on us," Aira said flatly.
"She's been in the trees for two days," Rina added. "Creepy."
Lira blinked slowly. "I was studying your patterns."
Leo cleared his throat. "Alright, alright—enough threats. She's one of us now. And since I'm your wise, powerful master—ahem—I say she stays."
SYSTEM: Would you like to receive a special weapon for your newest disciple?
Leo perked up. "Wait, what?"
Weapon: Illusion Staff of the Unseen.Status: Temporary until true power is unlocked. Syncing now…
A ripple of light shimmered before them. A black-and-silver staff materialized in midair and hovered toward Lira. The staff pulsed like a heartbeat.
Aira and Rina stepped back.
Lira caught the staff with both hands, eyes wide. She didn't speak—but she smiled.
SYSTEM: Disciple's future potential increased. Bond rising.
Leo whispered, "System… are you seriously making me look good again?"
You're welcome, Fraudmaster.
That night, the girls trained side by side.
Aira practiced her icy footwork.
Rina spun her new spear-shaped branch.
Lira simply stood still… as a dozen illusions of herself danced around the trees.
Leo sat on the porch, drinking wild herb tea and pretending he had planned all of this.
"I'm starting to look like a real master," he muttered proudly.
SYSTEM: You still have no idea what you're doing.
"Shut up."