The World Is Mine For The Taking

Leon's POV

Two participants were declared winners and would move on to the Quarter Finals. Zeruel, however, had been disqualified for using her ability, which left me as one of the victors alongside another participant.

The crowd's murmur of surprise still lingered in the air as I left the arena, my body buzzing from the fight against Zeruel.

When I returned to my girlfriends, who had eagerly watched the match from the stands, their faces lit up with excitement.

"That was incredible, Leon! The way you blocked all of Zeruel's attacks—it was amazing! And seeing her ability? I didn't expect that at all! You both fought so well!" Titania exclaimed, practically bouncing on her heels. Her eyes gleamed, wide with admiration.

"Nia's totally right! I've never seen you look so serious before, Leon!" Trill chimed in, her voice softening as she leaned closer. "You're making me fall in love with you all over again… seriously!" Her tone dripped with affection, a sly grin tugging at her lips.

"It was good..." Yr muttered, her usually sleepy eyes unusually focused. Somehow, she was awake and standing beside the others, her presence as quiet yet grounding as always.

I shrugged, trying to keep my voice steady despite their praises. "Well, she wanted me to fight her at full strength, so I did. Honestly, though, I was surprised she'd even agree to use her ability."

The fight replayed in my mind as I spoke—Zeruel's unflinching stance, the crackling intensity of her ability, and the sharp, jarring impact of each exchange. I still couldn't make sense of why she'd join the tournament if winning wasn't her goal. Was she just testing herself? Or testing me? Either way, I doubted I'd ever get the answer.

"Well, that wraps up the third day," I said, shaking off the thought. "Time to head home."

"Yes," my three girlfriends replied in unison. With that, the four of us made our way back to the academy, the golden light of the setting sun stretching our shadows across the cobblestone path.

***

Back at my dorm room, Yr collapsed onto my bed almost instantly, her small frame curled up as sleep took her over. Her steady breathing was the only sound in the quiet room.

I stood over her for a moment, watching her peaceful face. Strands of her pale hair fell across her cheeks, and her soft lips parted slightly as she exhaled. She looked so at ease, as if the world outside didn't exist.

Not wanting her to wake up hungry, I cooked some food and left it waiting for her. After a short rest, I decided to step out for some fresh air, leaving Yr still sound asleep.

It had been far too long since I'd wandered the academy grounds at this hour. The campus was bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, the fading light stretching across the walls of the buildings. The fountain in the courtyard sparkled as its water shot into the air, catching the sun's warm glow and creating small rainbows in its mist.

As I walked, I felt the sun's rays caress my skin, its warmth sinking into me like a soft embrace. Yet, despite the serenity around me, the unsettling weight of a gaze bore down on me.

I slowed my steps, letting my senses sharpen. The weight of their stare wasn't unfamiliar. No, I'd felt it before. A cold, crawling sensation pricked at the back of my neck, just like it had after I defeated the Great Darkness.

Turning slightly, I spoke to the unseen figure. "Why don't you come out already and show yourself? It's rude to just stare from a distance without saying a word." My voice was calm, but the tension in my body betrayed the subtle irritation simmering beneath the surface.

The silence stretched for a moment, but I could feel them there, their presence as distinct as the pounding of my own heartbeat. Whoever this was, they had been watching me not just today, but long before.

After a while, they finally stepped out from the shadows and revealed themselves. A woman appeared before me, her presence commanding yet undeniably lewd. Her figure was undeniably voluptuous, every curve accentuated by her choice of attire.

She wore a dress that hung loosely from her shoulders, the fabric barely clinging to her body. The neckline plunged deep, parting wide to expose the valley between her massive breasts, the smooth skin of her cleavage drawing the eye like a magnet. A daring slit ran up the length of the dress, snaking high enough to reveal one of her thighs in all its tempting glory. Her outfit left little to the imagination, radiating an unapologetic sex appeal that was impossible to ignore.

What truly stood out, however, was her striking appearance—long black hair cascading over her shoulders and deep red eyes that seemed to burn with an otherworldly intensity. Her features were eerily familiar, almost too much so. It was like looking into a mirror twisted by femininity. The resemblance wasn't a coincidence. She had to be connected to me. It was highly likely she was one of the fragments of Lilith.

"Who are you? Why were you watching me?" I demanded, my voice sharp and steady.

Her lips curled into a playful smirk as she answered, "I'm Leonora," she said. "Leonora Eclaire. I'm guessing you share the same surname as me. That makes you my brother. Twin brother, I'd wager?"

She didn't bother beating around the bush, her words landing with blunt certainty. But her revelation didn't shock me. I'd already pieced it together the moment I saw her. The resemblance wasn't just striking—it was deliberate. She looked like Elise, but with just enough masculine features to mirror my own. If I were a woman, I had no doubt I'd look exactly like her.

That meant one thing: Elise, myself, Veronica, and now Leonora made up four of the five parts of Lilith. That left one more, the final piece, unaccounted for. The one who had nearly killed Titania didn't feel the same as us. Their aura was entirely different, disconnected from the familiar energy that linked the rest of us. Whoever the last piece was, they remained a mystery to me.

"Why were you watching me?" I repeated, my tone cold and unwavering.

"Can't I watch over my little brother's match?" she teased, her smirk widening. "As your big sister, it's only natural."

"There's no proof that you're my big sister," I shot back. "So stop calling yourself that." I paused, narrowing my eyes at her. "I felt your gaze before—back in the capital. That was you, wasn't it?"

"That's right," she admitted without hesitation, her tone casual, as if it were no big deal. She made no effort to sugarcoat it or deny the accusation.

"Why?"

"Didn't I already say?" she replied with a sly smile. "I was watching because I wanted to see my brother fight. Isn't that reason enough?"

"That reason feels inadequate." I crossed my arms, eyeing her critically. "I'm guessing you found me that time by accident." My eyes flicked to her attire. "And that clothing… the silk and the design. There's no doubt that's from the Empire. Which means you ventured into the Kingdom of Milham and spied for the Empire. Am I wrong?"

Her smirk widened, her red eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're sharper than you look," she teased. "I can't believe my clothing gave it away, but you're spot on. That's exactly it. Not that I'm a spy or anything," she added, her voice dripping with mock innocence. "Besides, could someone as beautiful as me really be accused of espionage?"

Her confidence was infuriating, but I brushed it off. Maybe I had jumped the gun calling her a spy, but the connection to the Empire couldn't be ignored.

"So, I'm guessing the real reason you're here now is because the Emperor is here too," I said, watching her reaction closely.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't deny it. "Oh? You figured that out too?"

"I have plenty of information about him," I replied, my voice steady. "I didn't think he'd stoop so low as to sign up for the Sword Festival and then kill a man in the process. I never imagined the Emperor of Rodonia could be that savage."

Gabrielle and the information department of my company had done their job well. I knew more than enough about the Emperor—his appearance, his movements, his ambitions. The thin man who killed someone during the tournament? That was no ordinary competitor. That was Carl Fredrick Rodonia, the Emperor of Rodonia himself.

Leonora chuckled, clearly entertained by my assessment. "Oh, so you do know a lot. But then again, you are the owner of the largest company in the world. I suppose that's to be expected."

I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't even tell you anything about myself, and yet you seem to know so much. I take it you've done your research too." Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire

Her smirk remained, unshaken.@@novelbin@@

"What exactly is the Emperor doing here in the Milham Kingdom?" I asked, cutting straight to the point.

"You already know this, don't you?" she said, leaning forward slightly, her tone playful yet edged with seriousness. "He's planning to form an alliance with the Milham Kingdom, so he can gain a foothold in his goal to conquer the entire world. And to seal the deal, he's aiming to marry the princess of Milham."