As Leon entered, Alric looked up from a stack of docunts and adjusted his reading glasses. His deep-set eyes glead with recognition, followed by a warm smile.
"Leon… It's been a long ti."
Leon nodded, stepping forward. "It has, Director."
Alric gestured toward the wooden chair in front of his desk. "Sit. I assu this isn't just a casual visit?"
Leon smirked. "You always were sharp." He took a seat, resting his hands on his knees. "I want to give back to the orphanage—donate supplies, credits, anything you need."
Alric's eyes flickered with interest, but he remained composed. "A generous offer, but why now?"
Leon leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. "Because I can. And because this place gave my start. Without it, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Alric studied him for a mont before nodding. "I see. Well, we always need more funding. The number of orphans hasn't decreased, and the resources from the city are limited. If you're serious about helping, I won't refuse."
Leon smiled. "Good. I'll transfer funds and supplies soon."
Alric exhaled lightly, leaning back in his chair. "You've changed. I can see it in your eyes. The Tower does that."
"What do you an?" Leon asked as Alric gestured for him to sit. Leon nodded and took a seat.
Alric sighed. "I rember all the kids in this orphanage. After all, I see myself as their father, even if they don't see that way."
"That's why I carefully watched each of them, and you were the most peculiar among them. Most children just played, studied lightly, or trained without much thought. But you… you always seed to know what was needed for the future."
"You were a hard worker, and perhaps that's the reason you never made many friends. While others played, you often refused them, choosing instead to train or lead them when necessary. So even ca to you for guidance."
Alric's gaze softened slightly. "You might not have noticed it back then, but there was always a lonely look in your eyes, as if no one truly understood you. But now... now I see sothing different. You seem more at ease, no longer lonely. It looks like you've made so real friends in the Tower."
Leon smiled faintly and nodded. "Yes, Director, I have."
Alric nodded in satisfaction before changing the topic. "Since you're already here, how about participating in the Battle Arena?"
Leon raised an eyebrow. "What is the Battle Arena?" he asked, intrigued.
Alric chuckled at Leon's curiosity. "The Battle Arena is a city-wide competition for Ascenders below the age of 20 and under level 300. It's an annual event where young Ascenders test their skills, battle each other, and gain recognition. Many influential figures, guilds, and sponsors watch the tournant to scout promising talents."
Leon listened attentively as Alric continued.
"It's not just about fighting, though. The competition has multiple events—duels, survival rounds, and even team battles. The winners get valuable rewards, and the top participants often receive invitations from elite factions, organizations, or even nobility."
Leon leaned forward, intrigued. "So, it's more than just a tournant—it's a chance to gain status and opportunities."
Alric nodded. "Exactly. For orphaned or low-status Ascenders, it's a way to rise above their circumstances. The top ten contenders always get great offers. So even receive rare skills, artifacts, or sponsorships from powerful figures."
Leon's mind raced with possibilities. 'If I participate, I can earn recognition and resources while testing my abilities against other talented Ascenders.'
He looked at Alric. "Where do I sign up?"
Alric nodded. "That's the spirit. I'll handle the registration for you. The competition starts in three days, so use this ti to prepare."
Leon nodded, his mind already formulating a plan. "Three days, huh? That should be enough ti to assess the competition and make necessary preparations."
Alric leaned back in his chair, watching Leon with a knowing smile. "You seem confident. But don't underestimate this tournant, Leon. So of these kids might not have your experience, but they've been training their entire lives, and a few even have noble backing."
Leon smirked. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Alric chuckled. "That's the spirit. The tournant is divided into different brackets based on level. Since you're under level 300, you'll be in the Silver Bracket. The first rounds will be elimination matches—one-on-one duels. After that, the top contenders move on to the Survival Stage, where multiple fighters battle at once. The final stage is the Championship Round, where the best eight fight for the top spot."
Leon processed the information. "Do we get to see the list of participants beforehand?"
Alric shook his head. "No, the matchups are revealed on the day of the tournant. But I can tell you that there will be a few rising stars—young prodigies already making nas for themselves."
Leon's eyes glead with interest. "Anyone worth noting from our orphanage?"
Alric nodded. "Three nas stand out. First, there's Ragnar Stormfist. He has the Might ability and is known for overwhelming his opponents with brute strength. Then there's Aeron Vale, an Illusion user—he's unpredictable and highly skilled in ntal combat. Lastly, Venessa Frostbane, who wields Frost Magic. She's fast, precise, and relentless."
Leon smirked. "Sounds like fun. I look forward to facing them."
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Alric chuckled. "Good. Now go prepare. You'll need every advantage you can get."
Leon stood up, nodding. "I appreciate the information, Alric. I won't waste this opportunity."
As he left the office, Leon's mind was already racing with strategies. 'This tournant is the perfect way to test my abilities, gain recognition, and earn so charity experience at the sa ti. I need to make sure I'm ready for whatever cos my way.'
His first stop was the orphanage's training ground. It was a simple open space behind the main building, equipped with basic dummies, weighted weapons, and a reinforced dueling ring. A few younger kids were practicing under the supervision of Selestia's holographic projection.
Leon activated his Charity System and checked his current experience points. "Not enough to make a significant leap," he muttered, rubbing his chin. He needed a plan to maximize his gains before the tournant.
"Selestia, I need access to the orphanage's archive. I want to review past tournant footage."
Selestia's screen flickered before responding. "Access granted. Transferring data to your terminal."
Monts later, Leon's holographic interface displayed multiple video files. He skimd through them, analyzing past matches, noting common strategies, and identifying weaknesses in previous participants.
As he reviewed the footage, he noticed a pattern—many competitors relied heavily on their abilities, often neglecting fundantals like positioning, stamina control, and counterattacks. "That's sothing I can exploit," he thought with a smirk.
He continued to donate so of his tems to getting back better as rebates.
And so, the three days passed quickly, and the day of the tournant arrived.
Leon, along with the other participants, boarded the tournant-bound bus. Alric was leading them to the event, ensuring everything was in order.
The tournant was set to take place in the City Arena, under the guidance of the City Lord. All the city's academies, as well as other orphanages, would be present, making it a highly anticipated competition.
As the bus moved through the city's bustling streets, the atmosphere inside was filled with excitent and nervous anticipation. So participants were chatting eagerly about their strategies, while others sat quietly, focused on their thoughts.
Leon, however, remained calm, gazing out the window at the towering structures and the distant arena. The City Arena was an enormous coliseum-like structure, capable of holding tens of thousands of spectators. Flags bearing the emblem of the Ascender Council fluttered atop its massive stone walls, symbolizing the authority overseeing the competition.
Upon arriving, the participants were directed to a waiting area where they would register and receive their match schedules. Alric patted Leon on the shoulder.
"Do your best out there," he said with a small smile. "This tournant is more than just a competition—it's a chance to make a na for yourself."
Leon simply nodded, his expression unreadable. He wasn't here to impress anyone—he was here to gain experience and test his abilities against other young Ascenders.
Nearby, Venessa, Ragnar, and Aeron stood together, sizing up the competition. Their eyes t Leon's, and for a brief mont, an unspoken challenge passed between them.
Leon, however, walked toward them as they looked at him.
"Hello," he said.
Venessa nodded back in acknowledgnt.
"Finally got the ti to et us?" Ragnar remarked, crossing his arms.
Leon simply shrugged. "I have sothing for you," he said, bringing out the Mystic Eye Orb, Frost Moon Staff, and Titan Knuckles.
"All for you," he added, handing each item according to their respective affinities.
"Why?" Venessa asked, frowning slightly, while Aeron simply took his gift without hesitation.
"We're from the sa orphanage, besides... I'm a rchant now, so you guys can pay back later," Leon said with a smirk.
"What's the cost?" Venessa asked again, narrowing her eyes, already wary of any hidden conditions.
"By staying alive," Leon simply replied, offering a small smile before turning and walking away.
The three of them stared at him, stunned by his words.
"That bastard always wants to play the big brother," Ragnar snorted, but there was an undeniable smile on his face.
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