A Saintess Meets a Wall
He raised his eyes and asked, "What's the matter with you?"
The words fell plainly.
No warmth.
No curiosity.
No interest.
Just… a question.
Hina's smile froze.
For a brief second, everything around her seemed to dull—the chatter of the street, the shifting crowd, even the sunlight reflecting off the golden towers of Soulforge City.
As the saintess of the Soulforge Citadel, she had always stood above others.
Unreachable.
Untouched.
Men didn't speak to her like this.
They didn't look at her like this.
They either admired her… or feared her.
Never ignored her.
Yet today—
She had taken the initiative.
When she came out to wander the city, she didn't expect anything unusual. But the moment she saw Leon walking through the crowd, something inside her shifted.
It wasn't just his face.
It wasn't just his presence.
It was the way he walked through her world… like it didn't matter.
And without realizing it—
She followed.
Step by step.
Until she stood in front of him.
But now—
Hina—felt something unfamiliar.
Confusion.
"…Why is he like this?" she thought.
There were countless handsome men in the Soulforge Citadel. Talented ones. Powerful ones. Men who would willingly kneel just to gain her favor.
But compared to the man in front of her—
They felt… empty.
Like noise.
And yet—
This man didn't even care to look twice.
Originally, Hina was confident.
Her beauty.
Her charm.
Her presence.
She knew exactly what effect she had on people.
Even within the Citadel, she stood second only to her teacher, the Supreme Empress Evelyn.
So when she stepped forward—
She expected at least a reaction.
A smile.
A pause.
Something.
Instead—
She got this.
Cold.
Direct.
Indifferent.
Hina subconsciously touched her cheek.
Smooth.
Flawless.
Nothing wrong.
Then why—
"Why is he ignoring me?"
Before she could think further—
Leon had already moved.
He stepped past her.
Just like that.
Like she wasn't even there.
"Hey, stop!"
Hina reacted instantly, her long legs carrying her forward as she caught up with him.
Leon stopped again, turning slightly, his brows faintly knitting.
"What's the matter?"
This time—
There was a trace of impatience.
Hina inhaled sharply.
Her beautiful eyes widened just a little.
It was the first time.
The first time in her life—
A man spoke to her like this.
In the Soulforge Citadel, even high-ranking elders treated her with care and respect.
No one dared—
No one would—
But here?
This stranger?
Didn't even try to hide it.
"Hmph…"
Hina pouted slightly, her lips pressing together as a faint flush crept onto her cheeks.
"You man… you're a bit confusing."
Leon looked at her.
Then blinked once.
"That… listen, girl. I don't think I know you."
Hina froze.
Her expression stiffened.
"Girl?"
That word hit harder than anything else.
She straightened unconsciously.
"Hey… you man, are you pretending to be tough?"
Her tone softened slightly at the end, almost unconsciously carrying a trace of coquettishness.
Around them—
The men watching nearly lost their minds.
"Did you hear that…?"
"The saintess… acting like that…?"
"What the hell is happening…"
Hina didn't notice.
Or maybe—
She didn't care.
At this moment, all she saw was Leon. Her attention stayed fixed on him without shift.
"I came to talk to you…" she thought, a little frustrated. "You just need to respond normally, and I can carry the conversation from there…"
Most times, things unfolded just like that.
Just like that - simple, done. How things ought to be.
But this man -
That moment, he drifted from the written words. The lines on paper meant nothing now.
A small wrinkle appeared between her eyebrows.
Her words came a second time, quieter than before - yet edged with disappointment. She spoke as if he'd turned against her.
A flicker moved through Leon's gaze.
A trace of edge passed across their senses. Then it was gone.
"Girl, you blocked my path for no reason. If you're going to talk like that… then I have to respond."
That tone -
Still calm.
Yet now active instead.
Hina's mouth quivered, just a little.
A soft blush of red touched her eyes.
Out of nowhere, a bitter feeling rose up inside her. It settled heavily behind her ribs, sharp and unfamiliar.
"I just wanted to get to know you…"
Her voice dropped.
"…Why are you being like this?"
Her eyes locked on his, a flicker of anger breaking through.
"You're really a bully!"
"Smelly man, I hate your attitude!"
A soft thud rose as her foot tapped the earth.
Then came a moment so quick it barely had time to arrive
Her aura surged.
A hush fell as warmth spilled through the air. Light bloomed at her feet like honey poured slow.
A pair of soft fox ears popped up above her head, shifting now and then. Behind her, a pale gold tail drifted through space, moving like smoke caught in wind.
Out of nowhere, she changed. Stillness gave way to motion.
From noble…
To dangerously charming.
Fists tight, her jaw set, eyes locked on him with a quiet burn. Teeth showed, just enough to warn.
A hush fell over the people nearby. Then a sharp intake of breath rippled through them.
"This… this is the strength of a high-level Practitioner - no… even higher!"
"That's the saintess of the Soulforge Citadel!"
"That guy's finished…"
"Who told him to act cool in front of her…"
Some whispered.
Some stepped back.
Some stood still, their gaze fixed, pupils blown with thrill.
"I've never seen her like this before…"
"That guy… he's either insane or incredibly bold."
A figure in the group tightened his hands, rage glowing behind his stare.
"Just because he's a little more handsome…"
Low came his voice, sharp with bitterness.
"Why does he get her attention…"
Meanwhile—
Leon stood there.
Still.
Calm.
Unmoved.
The Silver Rabbit in his arms remained steady, its blue eyes quietly observing everything.
"Want to fight?" Leon asked casually.
No tension.
No pressure.
Just… a question.
Hina blinked.
Caught off guard.
"You're… not afraid of me?"
Leon tilted his head slightly.
"Why should I be?"
That answer—
Simple.
Direct.
And devastating.
Hina's expression changed completely.
Her pride.
Her confidence.
All of it took a hit at once.
"You bastard… you're going too far!"
Boom!
Four Spirit Hallows rose around her.
Two yellow.
Two purple.
They spun slowly, radiating powerful energy.
The air thickened instantly.
The crowd staggered.
Some struggled to breathe, their faces turning pale as the pressure bore down on them like an invisible weight.
Even the ground beneath her feet seemed to tremble slightly.
And yet—
Leon still stood there.
Unshaken.
Watching her quietly.
As if all of this…
Wasn't enough to move him at all.