The Calm That Breaks Pride
"It's terrible, it's terrible, the saintess of the Soulforge Citadel really lives up to her reputation, she has such strength at such a young age, it's too scary!"
The crowd stirred like a disturbed lake.
Voices rose one after another, carrying shock, admiration… and a hint of fear.
"The young man on the opposite side is useless! Haha, what's the use of being handsome, it depends on strength!"
"That's right! In Soulforge City, power decides everything!"
"Face can't save you when pressure crushes your bones!"
The man who had been jealous earlier couldn't hold back anymore. His lips curled into a sneer, eyes dark with resentment.
"Handsome? Hah… that kind of face is only good for being a pretty boy. When it comes to strength—he's nothing."
He crossed his arms, waiting eagerly, almost greedily, for Leon to fall.
At this moment, everyone thought that the aura of the four Spirit Hallows was enough to overwhelm Leon.
After all, he looked young.
Too young.
There was no visible fluctuation of Spirit Force around him, no oppressive aura, nothing that suggested power.
Even Hina thought so.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"…Did I overdo it?"
Her Spirit Force surged naturally, overwhelming to ordinary people—but against someone like him…
For the first time—
She hesitated.
No one in her generation within the Soulforge Citadel could match her.
This man?
Impossible.
Hina intended to take back a little strength.
After all—
She only wanted to scare him.
Not hurt him.
But the next second—
Her pupils shrank.
The man in front of her stood there… completely unaffected.
No strain.
No resistance.
No effort.
Just—
A faint smile.
Calm.
Almost amused.
The pressure that made others struggle to breathe…
Didn't even ruffle his clothes.
"Demon Fox Inner Spirit… no… Alluring Golden Fox Inner Spirit."
Leon tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes glinting faintly.
"You are… Hina?"
Silence.
Then—
Explosion.
The entire crowd erupted.
"What—?!"
"How is he fine?!"
"He's not even reacting!"
"Under the pressure of four Spirit Hallows… he's smiling?!"
Shock spread like wildfire.
"So calm under the oppression of a four-ring Practitioner… then what level is he?!"
"Don't tell me… he's stronger than her?"
"With that face… and that temperament… his strength is also terrifying?"
Someone swallowed hard.
"This guy… is he bluffing? A four-ring Practitioner is already the peak for someone his age! I don't believe anyone can just stand there like that!"
But the reality—
Was right in front of them.
Unshakable.
Unexplainable.
At this moment, all the onlookers were dumbfounded.
Eyes wide.
Minds blank.
A single question echoed in every heart—
Who is he?
Hina herself stood still.
For the first time since she awakened her Inner Spirit—
She felt uncertain.
Her beautiful sapphire eyes locked onto Leon, searching, probing.
"…This guy…"
He wasn't resisting her aura.
He was ignoring it.
Like it didn't exist.
That realization sent a strange chill down her spine.
She stepped forward slightly.
"Who are you… and how do you know me?"
Leon smiled faintly.
Relaxed.
Unbothered.
"It's nothing. I've heard about you before… besides, everyone's talking about you."
His tone was casual.
Like he was stating something obvious.
Hina frowned slightly.
"If you've heard about me… then why have I never heard of you?"
She searched her memory again.
Nothing.
Someone like this—
If she had met him before, she would never forget.
Leon shrugged lightly.
"That's your problem, not mine."
Then he glanced at her Spirit Hallows, still spinning around her.
"You should put that away. There's no killing intent in it… it won't even scare the rabbit in my arms."
Hina froze.
Then—
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
"Hmph!"
She turned her head slightly, clearly embarrassed at being seen through.
"Don't look down on people! I'm a four-ring Practitioner—why would I try to scare a poor rabbit? That's ridiculous!"
Leon's expression turned… a little strange.
He looked down at the Silver Rabbit in his arms.
Then back at her.
"…If I tell you the truth, you might get scared."
A pause.
"The rabbit in my arms… could probably defeat you more than ten times over."
For a second—
Silence.
Then—
Hina burst out laughing.
"Giggle—"
Her shoulders trembled slightly as she covered her mouth.
"You really don't know how to lie, do you?"
She shook her head, eyes full of disbelief.
"Ask anyone here—who would believe something like that?"
Leon gently stroked the rabbit's soft fur, his fingers moving slowly, naturally.
Selena's small body relaxed instantly.
"If others don't believe it… doesn't mean it isn't true."
His voice was calm.
Certain.
Hina watched him for a moment.
Then shook her head again.
"…You're interesting."
Her tone softened slightly.
"Sharp eyes. Strange strength. And that attitude…"
She narrowed her eyes.
"I don't know what kind of Inner Spirit you have… but you're definitely not simple."
Leon thought for a moment.
Then answered honestly.
"My Inner Spirit hasn't awakened yet. My Spirit Force is zero."
Hina stared at him.
Blank.
Then—
Her lips pressed together.
Her eyes narrowed.
"…You're joking."
"It's too much. You think I'm stupid?"
She crossed her arms, clearly annoyed now.
"You don't have the strength… and you can stand there like that? Impossible."
Leon sighed.
"I'm telling the truth. Why don't you believe me?"
Hina lifted her chin slightly, her expression turning proud again.
"If you can stand under my aura without changing your expression… then you're at least level 30."
She pointed at him.
"Maybe even the same level as me."
Her voice became firm.
"My judgment is never wrong."
A slight pause.
"As for not awakening your Inner Spirit?"
She scoffed.
"Even if you beat me to death, I wouldn't believe that."
Leon rolled his eyes.
"Then there's nothing I can do."
"Believe it or not."
Hina stomped her foot lightly, frustration rising again.
"Aren't people in Coreland awakened at twelve? You're at least eighteen!"
Leon spread his hands.
"Maybe I'm just special."
Then his eyes flickered slightly.
"How about this—let's make a bet."
Hina blinked.
"A bet?"
Leon nodded.
"If what I said is true… what will you do?"
Without thinking—
Hina blurted out:
"If you really haven't awakened your Inner Spirit… then I'll call you Darling every time I see you!"
The moment the words left her mouth—
The crowd gasped.
Leon paused.
Then thought for a second.
Then shook his head seriously.
"But… I don't really want that."
"…What?"
Hina froze.
Then—
Her face exploded red.
"AH?!"
She stomped the ground hard, her whole body trembling with anger.
"You—you bastard!"
Her Spirit Force surged again.
The first Spirit Hallow lit up instantly, radiating dazzling light.
Around them—
The crowd went wild.
"It's over—it's over! He's dead!"
"He really pushed her too far this time!"
"Who can save him now?!"
"That guy asked for it!"
The jealous man grinned viciously, eyes filled with excitement.
"Serves him right…"
"Let's see how he acts cool now."
"Shua!"
A flash of golden light.
Hina moved.
Fast.
Too fast for most to see clearly.
In that instant—
Everyone held their breath.
They could already imagine it—
Leon getting thrown back.
Crashing.
Humiliated.
Broken.
Some felt pity.
Some felt satisfaction.
Some simply watched.
And then—
"BOOM!!!"