The big eting room filled with the quiet whispers of twenty-five bronze-class students, their bronze brooches shining softly on their uniforms. They stood in tight groups, their voices low, discussing why their section leader called only them to this imdiate eting.
Rin was standing close to the edge, beside Mori, her uniform tidy, her pink eyes gleaming with anticipation, her wounds completely healed and free of bandages.
Mori gave her a gentle prod, his tone lighthearted. "I bet Leonhardt has another crazy plan."
With a creak, the wooden door opened, and Leo entered. His red eyes looked around the room, but most people were too busy talking to notice him. He moved stealthily, his boots barely making contact with the stone floor and stood in front of them.
He remained still for a mont, exhaling slowly. Then, with a loud CLAP of his hands, the room erupted in sound, bringing all the voices to a halt. With stunned eyes, everyone turned to face him.
Leo’s voice was strong and clear, and his gaze remained steady. "Good evening, bronze-class. I appreciate you taking my call in such a hurry."
He took a mont to compose his words, using a firm yet friendly tone. "I’m Leonhardt Caulem, your section leader."
Awkward, the students moved away from authority figure. Due to Leonhardt’s reputation as a forr weakling who is now a powerhouse, they were wary and displayed doubt on their faces.
He saw their uncertainty. "You’re wondering why I picked just you guys for this eting. There’s a reason, and it’s a big one. I’m choosing fighters from this group for the election tournant."
A wave of uneasiness crippled through the room, shoulders stiffening, eyes glancing around. After a mont, a shaky hand rose from the crowd. Leo nodded. "Go ahead."
A boy with glasses, his brooch glinting nervously, cleared his throat. "Why us, sir? We’re just bronze."
Leo’s smile grew. "Because you aren’t ’just’ anything. You all did well on your tests, even though the Academy has a practice of shortchanging bronze students. You are here for that reason."
Doubt was intensifying as the room buzzed. Not even two students advanced to the main tournant, and the majority of bronze students never perford well in the tournant.
A girl near the front spoke up, her voice small but courageous. "Why not choose randomly? Willn’t we lose anyhow?"
The air felt alive as Leo raised his brow and spoke in a light yet demanding tone. "Lose? Who said that? His crimson eyes flashed defiantly as he leaned forward. "I don’t co here to lose. My goal is to make this bronze section the tournant champion."
Doubt grew as the room stirred. As bronze students, winning the tournant was an almost impossible dream. Their doubt was dispelled by Leo’s voice. "I’m willing to train anyone who enters this tournant for three months, beginning right now."
With a doubtful voice, a tall boy in the back raised his hand. "Three months? What can we even do in that ti?"
Leo’s eyes blazed with silent fire, and his smirk expanded. "What did I do in four months?"
The room went still, his words hitting like a spark. Four months ago, Leo was the weakest bronze student, a laughingstock. Now, he was their leader, his rise a story whispered in the halls. Murmurs started, their doubt breaking under his truth.
Leo knew his system gave him an advantage, but in his past life, he was one of the deadliest fighter. Hard work, determination, and intelligence were the sources of true strength.
"If you wish to join in making history, step forward. If you would prefer to watch us do it, stay back." After pausing, he yelled. "Rin Valarune—second spot fighter."
As Rin took a step forward, her eyes widened and her heart leaped. Since she was the only bronze student to co close to defeating a gold-class fighter, everyone’s eyes were fixed on her, and the room was filled with awe. She is obviously now a celebrity. With determined pink eyes, she stood next to Leo.
With his crimson eyes scanning the crowd, Leo spoke calmly. "Who will be next?"
Few monts later, the big eting room now felt still, where only five people stood. Leo was at the front, facing four students who’d stepped up: Rin, Mori, and two others.
The two students are Joel Kaplan, a thin boy with short black hair and sharp green eyes behind round glasses. Annalena Kress, tall and confident, had a long green braid that moved as she stood, her light red eyes shining with excitent.
Leo’s crimson eyes looked over them. "Thank you for stepping up. Introduce yourselves—let’s start as a team."
Rin stepped forward, her voice clear and happy, a smile on her face. "I’m Rin Valarune, Class 2A."
Mori nodded casually, his tone easy but strong. "Mori Strauss, Class 2A."
Joel stood straighter, fixing his glasses, his voice clear but a bit shaky. "I’m Joel Kaplan, Class 3B."
Annalena tossed her braid back, her smile big and eager. "I’m Annalena Kress, Class 1A. And, Sir Leonhardt, I’m a huge fan of yours." Her eyes sparkled with admiration, her energy catching.
Rin’s smile faded, a small pout showing as she glanced at Annalena, her fingers tightening on her sleeve.
Leo’s lips curved into a small, amused smirk. "I’m Leonhardt Caulem. Call Leonhardt, just call Leonhardt. This is the start of sothing big, and you’re in it." He turned to Mori, his tone practical. "Mori, get the tournant applications ready for everyone. Hand them to by tomorrow."
Mori gave a playful salute, his grin growing. "Ok Leonhardt.."
Leo looked at the group again, his voice calm but heavy. "That’s all for now. Go rest—you’ll need it."
The four nodded, heading to the heavy wooden door, their steps echoing in the big room. Joel and Annalena talked quietly, while Mori followed, grumbling about paperwork with a light groan. Leo breathed out, running a hand through his crimson hair.
He started to leave, then stopped, seeing Rin staying behind, her hands clasped, pink eyes fixed on him with a nervous, hopeful look.
"What is it, Rin?" he asked, his tone straight, one brow raised.
Rin’s fingers twisted together, her cheeks turned a gentle pink, and she spoke in a shy but honest tone. "Leonhardt, huh Tonight, are you free? Perhaps we could have dinner together?
For a mont, Leo’s red eyes went blank and his face beca still. Then he spoke. "I am sorry Rin. I have plans." With a soft click of his boots on the stone floor, he turned and left, the door thumping quietly behind him.
Rin’s face flashed with shock and pain as she stood motionless, her mouth slightly open. The silence of the room enveloped her, her pink eyes dimming with embarrassnt and sorrow, her heart sinking as she gripped her hands more tightly. Her voice was a low whisper as she took a trembling breath. "All right, perhaps next ti."
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