After much fussing on Leon's part, Richard finally got into the taxi as they waved their final goodbyes and the taxi left.
Truthfully he didn't have to worry much, Richard was annoyingly street smart and had a comfortable amount of money sitting in his account so he could safely navigate his way through society without ending up on the streets
Rather than worry about Richard, Leon knew it was better to worry about his promised painting.
The first painting, he would make that would be his but made to showcase to the world.
Edward had spared no effort in reminding him about the space left for him in his gallery nearly each week and Leon had always accepted but truthfully had no idea what to paint.
With the effect that his paintings and drawings had, any of his paintings would be iconic but he wanted something unique that would hold value to all who saw it.
His plan wasn't just to showcase his talent to the world. It was to create something that he could eventually sell for a really high price.
For artists, their work usually only gain some value after their death or if they were supported by a lot of well known art enthusiasts… he didn't want either path.
He just began this life so how could he choose death, he also enjoyed his current anonymity so he didn't want to compromise it until he was ready and besides such level of fame would be bad considering he was a mutant and Mutants were persecuted in some parts of the world.
Hence it needed to be something that people would see and like, at the same time, the effect would be something they would never forget in their lives.
After the taxi was out of sight, everyone returned back to their various rooms or duties.
Leon on the other hand returned to the art room which he had slowly redecorated… only to find out in a painful manner than even such things have effects as well.
The room had a weird calming effect to it as though one had entered the ultimate Zen garden.
"Two more years" Leon muttered under his breath as he sat down to look at what he was working on.
There were four separate paintings just sitting and looking at him, as he started at them, he felt a weird sense of clarity as he felt his mind clear up.
He felt as though there was once some sort of mental cloud covering his mind but now it had being lifted… Leon could swear that he had never had an effect this powerful before.
Looking at the four paintings, he realized another aspect of his abilities, if he painted several paintings that were all focused on the same theme, the effects granted amplifies if you viewed it all at once.
"You're too good to be on some random display" Leon said aloud as he immediately turned away.
However unlike his other paintings, the effect didn't disappear in the least. He could still feel a mysterious force, shaping his thoughts into a well organized machine.
"Ah shit, Grace!" Leon shouted as he stood up and immediately grabbed a jacket and ran out of the room.
Apologizing and weaving through the vast number of people he met as he ran, Leon made his way to the Orphanage before eventually getting a taxi heading to his destination.
As the taxi came to a stop, Leon found himself standing before a really fancy gate, he had seen the gate multiple times in the past so he had gotten used to it but still, he imagined what it would be like attending a school like this.
"Leon!" He heard a voice call out
Turning to the source, he saw an nearly-Elderly Security guard calling for him by the gate.
"Mr. Daniel, Good afternoon" Leon greeted in reply as he quickly ran to join the man
Yes, he had being here so many times, he had gotten to know the parents and even the security crew of the place.
Ravensworth School for Girls was an elite school that Leon believed he would never be able to afford… at least for now, he would be unable to do so.
From what he heard from parents, the tuition alone cost over $100,000. That as well beyond his means for now.
Well not like he could attend anyway, it was an all girls school though the staff weren't all female.
"You're here again" Mr. Daniel asked
"Of course sir, I do have to pick her up from school everyday"
"And what about you, don't you attend school, kids your age should be in school not doing a job like this" Mr. Daniel replied as Leon sighed
He didn't know how else to explain his situation other just to nod along to the man's assumptions
Soon he heard the bell ring as students began to rush out of the grand door, some got into cars of their own before leaving while some just began to loitering around as they waited for their drivers or otherwise
"I'll get going sir" Leon said when he saw her running down the stairs with a bright smile on her face
Her ponytail bouncing around behind her, Leon stood and watched her, in his opinion, change her uniform and Grace could easily pass up for some model somewhere.
She was that beautiful.
"Leon!!" She shouted as she jumped into his arms, all giddy and excited for some reason.
Leon catch her from the air, thanking the gods that this body had its absurd level of strength despite his small frame.
After a brief spin, Leon finally let her down as she quickly removed her backpack and handed it over.