Leo was just finishing up a half-burnt breakfast of grilled roots and leftover lizard meat when it happened.
KNOCK!
No door. Just an aggressive punch to the wooden wall, which cracked on impact.
Leo nearly choked on his food. Aira reached for her wooden sword in reflex.
Standing outside the hut was a girl about the same age as Aira—fierce red hair tied in a rough braid, fists clenched, and barefoot like she'd walked through a volcano.
In her hand?
A stick.
Just a stick.
She pointed it at Leo.
"You're the master?"
Leo coughed. "I mean… that depends. Are you here to sell something?"
She ignored him.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Potential Disciple Detected]Name: RinaFuture Title: Fire Empress – Spear MasteryFate Trigger: Seeking a master who can tame her wrath]Warning: High volatility. Mood swings likely.
Leo blinked. "System, I thought one child was enough."
[Correction: You need five. Good luck, Host.]
Aira stood beside Leo now, silent, staring at Rina.
The air felt charged.
"Why do you want to train under me?" Leo asked cautiously.
Rina crossed her arms. "Because they said you're the one who saved a child from a bear and made her stronger. I want that."
Leo scratched his head. "You don't even have a weapon."
She raised her stick. "This is my weapon."
"…That's a stick."
"It's about what you do with it, old man."
Leo muttered, "I'm thirty-five, dammit."
Aira stepped forward. "We don't need more people."
"I didn't ask you, ice cube."
"Say that again."
"Gladly, fridge face."
Leo blinked. "Oh no."
[WARNING: Combat Imminent]
Just before the air could ignite, a blue screen blinked before Leo's eyes.
[System Intervention Activated – Illusion Trigger: "Master Form" Engaged.]Temporary presence enhancement initiated.
Suddenly, Leo's voice boomed unnaturally deep:"ENOUGH."
Both girls froze.
His ragged clothes shimmered. A faint illusion wrapped around him—his figure tall, radiant, calm. Like a true master.
Aira stepped back. Rina's eyes widened.
Leo blinked. "Holy crap. That actually worked?"
[System: You're welcome. Illusions last 30 seconds. Make it count.]
He cleared his throat. "Both of you… you want strength? Then you'll both train under me. No fighting. Only growth."
The illusion faded.
Rina looked away, cheeks red. "Tch. Fine."
Aira sighed. "Fine."
Leo exhaled in relief and sat down on the log bench again.
Then muttered:
"…I need a vacation already."