Alpha Instinct

Now it was his friend's turn.

His physique was the opposite of the big guy's. Lean and agile, he appeared to be a person of such unpredictability.

He maintained a relaxed posture as he twirled the daggers between his fingers. He was probably a rogue or assassin class.

"Ready, Fairy?" he taunted. "Let's see if fairies bleed."

"What's your name again?" Leo asked.

"It's Ethan, so you can remember your defeat," the man gave a smile.

Leonard just nodded, concentrating.

For a brief moment, they stared at each other, then Ethan launched the first attack, a blur of motion.

His daggers flashed straightly, a stab ready to strike. But Leonard, with his attentive eyes and advanced cognition, anticipated the attack. He dodged the blade and countered with a precise thrust.

Ethan was agile and dodged the sword, responding with a well-aimed kick to Leonard's chest. He staggered.

"No, it wasn't like that. The concentration must be on my spirit. Be one with the blade," Leonard thought.

Ethan didn't give him time to breathe. He advanced furiously, his daggers slicing horizontally through the air.

Leonard defended himself, but his movements were slow. Leo backed away from Ethan a little.

He closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, seeking that unique feeling he had felt, and then activated his ELEV.

His eyes opened, and again small electric flickers in his eyes showed the activation of his advanced cognition.

The world was transformed.

Time slowed down. Ethan's movements became slow and predictable. Leonard could see every detail, every muscle contracting, every intention, like last time.

"That's it!" He thought.

With supernatural precision, Leonard dodged the next attack and countered. His sword struck Ethan's arm, causing him to drop his daggers.

Leonard delivered a series of lunge blows, forcing Ethan to retreat, all movements calculated with terrifying accuracy.

Leonard's blades passed within millimeters of Ethan's neck several times, demonstrating control over his movements. Some small scratches could be seen on his neck, with a little fresh blood trickling down.

Cornered, Ethan fell to his knees and surrendered. His eyes were wide as if he had seen a ghost, and unfortunately, his pants were wet.

Leonard took a deep breath. The fight was over.

"By the way, my name is Leonard; don't forget... oh, and... and don't provoke someone you don't know. Someone could kill you for much less."

The Neumonds, injured and ashamed, thanked him for the help and left the training ground.

Leonard's hands were shaking; he felt exhausted, his knees almost gave way, and he was putting on a tremendous act to maintain his victorious appearance.

"Apparently, using this power drains even my soul," he thought as he wiped the sweat from his face.

Despite the victory, the fight against the two Neumonds left a bitter taste in Leonard's mouth.

He had felt pressured, cornered, and, for a moment in the first fight, rage had taken over him.

The memory of Liam's death and the frustration of not being able to save him still haunted him, and he feared these feelings would consume him.

That moment of lack of control, however, brought him a revelation. He had used his advanced cognition consciously, not instinctively, as he had in previous times.

He had finally understood that this was his psychic Neumond ability, a power he could control and improve.

With this new awareness, Leonard felt a wave of confidence wash over him.

He was no longer a helpless boy at the mercy of fate. He was a Neumond, with unique powers and a purpose to fulfill.

Leaving the training ground, he headed to the Guild House, determination shining in his eyes. Finding Silica, he requested a reservation on the next caravan to Besen.

"I need to go back there, face the past, and move on," he said, his voice firm and resolute.

Silica, with a look of understanding, nodded. "I'll do my best to secure your spot, Mr. Leonard," she replied with an encouraging smile. "I know you'll find what you're looking for."

Leaving the Guild House, Leonard looked up at the sky, now tinged with the colors of dusk.

The promise of revenge still throbbed in his heart, but now it was accompanied by a new flame: the hope of a future where he could protect those he loved and honor the memory of those he had lost.

The journey would be long and arduous, but he was ready to face it and would not surrender until his wishes were fulfilled.

As he walked towards the exit, Silica called out to him, her soft voice breaking the silence of his thoughts.

"Leonard, wait a moment."

He turned, facing the young attendant with a questioning look.

"This arrived for you," Silica said, handing him a small scroll sealed with a wax seal. "It was delivered by a carrier pigeon from the capital, addressed to Leonard Winston."

Leo frowned, confused. "Who would send me a letter from the capital?"

Looking at the tiny papyrus more closely, he recognized the Silver bear symbol engraved on the wax seal.

His heart skipped a beat. Was it a message from the king? But why?

"Thank you, Silica," he thanked her, taking the letter hesitantly.

"It looks important," Silica commented with a curious smile. "Who knows, maybe it's an invitation to meet the king?"

Leonard shrugged, unsure what to think. Carefully tucking the letter into his pocket.

"Goodbye Silica" he waved to her and left the Guild House.

He needed some time alone, in a quiet place, to read that mysterious message.

A shiver ran down Leonard's spine again. The feeling of being watched returned in full force, like a pair of invisible eyes fixed on his back.

He tried to ignore the discomfort, attributing it to the natural nervousness of someone walking alone through the dark streets of Gothia.

But the feeling persisted, intensifying with each step.

He quickened his pace, seeking the safety of the crowd in the central square, but the feeling of being watched did not leave him.

Hidden in the shadows of the alleys, camouflaged among the passersby, he could glimpse some spies using his advanced cognition.

They followed Leonard's every move.

"Who the hell are they?" Leo thought, furrowing his brows.

Trained eyes recorded every gesture, every glance, every stop. They noted details that would be delivered to someone.

The surveillance became constant, an invisible web woven around Leonard, who, oblivious to the true situation, continued on his way through the city.

Upon reaching the Gothia slums, Leo managed to lose sight of them. He knew the alleys of that place like no one else, and after a few corners, he ran to his boarding house to rest.

"Could it be that by defeating those men, someone felt offended?" he wondered.

Leonard needed to be more careful from now on; he saw himself in a situation that could become very dangerous soon.