[If you say so, I suppose. Just make sure you don't get yourself in any trouble if you're still having memory issues though.]
With a smile, I patted Sylveon's head and said, "I promise I won't."
His ears perked up as I patted his head, then he leaned into my touch, relishing the attention, [You'd better keep that promise! I don't want you to get hurt or get into trouble.]
"I will."
He suddenly scooted closer to me and climbed up into my lap, snuggling against me. [Can I ask you something, Leon?]
"I don't see why not."
He looks up at me with his big innocent eyes, tilting his head curiously. [How old are you? You seem quite young…]
"That's because I'm fifteen," I answered, brushing his head. "Now my turn. Just a few questions. You said you don't trust humans, so why are you with Elijah? And is he nearby?"
He leaned into my touch as I brushed his head. [It's true, I don't trust the majority of humans. They've caused a lot of pain for Magical Beasts like me, and I've had to defend myself many times against humans who wanted to harm me. But... Elijah is different. He was the one who found me when I was injured, and he took me in and nursed me back to health.]
With a pause, he sniffed the air and his ears quickly perked up, [...speaking of Elijah, I can't seem to sense his presence right now. He must be out doing something at the moment. We don't engage in conversation or interact with each other much, and I generally behave like a normal dog around him.]
"Thanks for the answer," I said, then gently set Sylveon down and lay back on the bed. Sylveon padded over immediately, hopped up, and settled silently beside me.
Pondering, I wondered what had caused my unconsciousness.
Was it the memories of this body slamming into me all at once?
Or the mana domain I used?
Either way, the picture was clear enough. Humans can't touch mana without a soul awakening. Most Haldrins can't either. But tucked inside those memories was a small detail about a rare few—the ones born with the purest of soul essence. They could nudge mana a little, even without awakening. Just enough to do some simple magic.
It was easy to say I... No, this body was at least one of the 'special' Haldrins. That should be the only reason I was able to interact with mana to form my Domain.
And with my inertial precept ability, I already understood my domain to its fullest comprehension. Every rule. Every action. But I couldn't use it freely. Not until I awakened, otherwise I'd probably tear myself apart.
I needed that awakening.
The problem? I had no idea of the process.
The memories are still hazy at best, and yet I'm unsure if they hold any lessons about the awakening process.
And something else kept gnawing at me.
Time.
I didn't know how long I drifted in that void. I didn't know what changed while I was gone. And one name kept dragging heat up my chest every time it surfaced.
Marcella Luminaries.
Just thinking about her pulled something tight inside me. I needed answers. I needed to see if she was still alive. And if she was, she needed to die by my hand. No one else's.
That's why I need to awaken.
Without being able to use my biggest trump card—my Domain—I don't see how I can possibly kill her.
And then there was Valoria.
Something about them felt off. Wrong. Out of place. When did they become an empire? They were strong in the chapters I read, sure, but nowhere near imperial. Not even close.
If that changed, then everything else might have changed with it.
Raising my fist up, then looking at it, I couldn't help but wonder, is everything still possible?
Can I really kill her?
Can I really understand it?
Love.
What brought me here in the first place.
What drove every action I took at the very beginning of this.
Then Sylveon pulled me out of my thoughts with a question, [May I ask you something, Leon? It's about your goals in life...]
With a nod, I agreed to his question.
[You're young, only fifteen, like you said earlier. Have you thought about what you want to do with your life? Do you have any dreams or aspirations?]
"Goals," I began. "See Sylveon, I believe everyone has a goal, and I'm not an exception."
Tapping his head, I continued. "Mine is straightforward some may say."
.
.
"There's something I wish to understand."
"There's someone I intend to kill."
"And there are people I hope to rebuild."
Sylveon ears droop slightly at my words, and he lifted his head, staring at me with a mix of concern and curiosity, as the air began to feel heavy.
[Kill...?]
[Most people seek peace, or power... but yours is heavier than that. Why the need to take a life? And who are these people you want to rebuild?]
[You carry something dark in your heart... I can feel it. But even broken things can grow anew. Are you sure blood is the path forward?]
"I don't know if blood is the right path, but the truth is someone already forced this road on me. The first blood wasn't mine to choose, and I'm certain more has been spilled because of what they set in motion. If I turn back now, then what was the purpose of that first wound? If they began this cycle, why should I be the only one who pretends it never happened?"
[It seems like you were forced to walk a path you never wanted. I can sense the anger, the pain... and the deep sense of responsibility you feel. But revenge... it can eat away at your soul.]
[Is there truly no other way?]
With a sigh I answered, "I've turned that question over in my mind more times than I can count. Maybe there could have been another way, once. But the moment blood was spilled, the path changed. Not because I wanted it, but because they carved it under my feet. And if more lives have already been lost because of their choices, then pretending I can step aside feels like a lie."
"So is there another way? Maybe in some gentler world. But in this one, the first cut already decided too much."
Sylveon was motionless for a long moment, the depth of his silence confirming that my words had reached him.
[The people you want to rebuild... who are they?]
Standing from the bed, I strode toward the only window. My gaze immediately fell upon the endless grassland surrounding everywhere, the fresh morning air confronting me.
"The Haldrins," I answered.
"My clan. They tried to wipe us out, but I don't believe we're gone. Scattered, hiding, surviving in whatever corners they could find. I'll grow strong enough to reach them, gather whoever's left, and build something worthy of what we lost."
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[A/N:] Now things are progressing very well, as Leon has stated his goals, and his not your typical webnovel protagonist, as he has depth and purpose that drives him to do thr things he does.
Any confusion you have, please comment them and if you enjoy the story, leave a review.