In a prestigious academy like this one that trained people on how to use their Bond to fight and survive in the world beyond the veil, it made no sense that they admitted someone without a Bond. It was only natural, then, that every cadet hated Cedric. While some bullied him, others simply didn't interfere because they agreed with the sentiment.
That was precisely why Leon's actions right now stunned everyone in the cafeteria. They were probably wondering why one of the strongest first years would stoop to help a Bondless Cedric.
However, Leon did not seem to care about what the others thought, and simply pocketed his hands and walked out of the cafeteria towards the dorms, ignoring the murmuring and stares of the other cadets.
Though after a moment, he paused mid-step and tilted his head to glance at the beautiful white cat perched on his shoulder. Then he asked in a concerned voice: "Are you going to tell me what it is that's bothering you?"
The cat turned its head to look at him. After a brief pause, it jumped down from his shoulder. But before its paws could touch the ground, a bright light engulfed it, and its form shimmered and changed into a beautiful young woman with dazzling silver hair and ivory skin.
She wore an elegant white garment that was a cascade of soft white fabric, and in one hand, she held what looked like a small white cloth.
She offered the cloth to Leon. When he took it, she turned, presenting the back of her head. Leon then gently wrapped the cloth over her pale eye and began tying it behind her head.
"You've been awfully quiet and tense ever since we ran into Cedric," he said as he finished the knot. "You even used All-Seeing Eye on him. Why is that? Is there something wrong?"
Uriel turned to him and finally spoke in a soft tone. "Are we really sure that Cedric has no bond?"
"Huh?" Leon arched a brow at the question, then chuckled at how ridiculous it was. "Of course he doesn't have a Bond. I mean… the whole reason we decided to befriend him was to protect him from all our classmates who take pleasure in bullying him for being bondless. Right?"
Uriel's ear twitched. She leaned in, pointing an accusing finger at him. "You, not we. You! You decided to get close to him out of pity. I couldn't care less what happens to him."
Leon chuckled, raising both hands in mock surrender. "Now now. Surely you feel some sympathy for him too? The guy has suffered a lot, and it hasn't even been three weeks since the academy session began."
He crossed his arms, his eyes drifting off for a moment as if in thought. "I can't even imagine what he's been through. I wonder what I would do without a Bond."
He turned back to Uriel, smiling flirtatiously. "I wonder what I'd do if I didn't have you."
Uriel's cheeks flushed red. She scowled and immediately turned away and began walking briskly. "T-then be more grateful that you have me, dumbass. Tsk."
Leon chuckled and quickly kept pace with her.
"Anyway." Uriel continued in a more serious tone. "When we got close to Cedric earlier, I could feel an aura. It was faint, but it was definitely there."
Leon frowned. "Aura? Are you sure?"
Uriel nodded. "Yes. The aura felt dark, evil even. It was like the aura of a darkness element user."
Leon's confusion deepened. He began rubbing his chin in thought. "That's impossible. Only Dominants emit auras."
"I know. That's why I tried to use All-Seeing Eye on him."
"And?"
"It didn't work."
Leon couldn't help but pause, halting mid-step. "What? It didn't work?"
Uriel nodded again. She shivered slightly, then spoke in a faltering manner. "When I tried to use it, I couldn't see him at all. It was like... he doesn't exist. There was no presence, no past, no future, nothing."
Leon swallowed and his expression turned grave. "How is that possible?"
"I don't know." Uriel lifted her gaze to meet his. "However, what I do know is that something is definitely amiss. We need to keep an eye out on him, not just to protect him, as you insisted on before, but to figure out why our bonded ability didn't work on him, and to see if there is actually more to him than he lets on."
***
Elsewhere…
A beautiful girl with short, vibrant red hair and striking blue eyes strode briskly down the hallway leading to one of the indoor training centers of the academy. She seemed to be in a very irritated mood, and just like every-time she was irritated, she couldn't stop scratching her forearm.
When she finally arrived at the training center, she frantically scanned the large chamber until her gaze settled on a figure who shared her vibrant red hair and striking blue eyes. He was currently sparring with a fellow cadet, using dummy swords.
The irritated girl hurried toward the boy. When she was a few meters away, she called out: "Brother, can I have a word with you?"
At that moment, the boy, who was already engaging in the duel, lunged at his opponent with ruthless focus, striking the dummy sword and causing the cadet to stagger off guard. He followed up with a kick to the stomach, dropping the opponent to the ground, and then pointed his sword at the fallen cadet, signaling his victory.
He then cocked his head, looking at the irritated girl. "What is it, Celeste?" he asked in a disturbed tone. "Can't you see I'm busy?"
Celeste, still rubbing her forearm, tilted her head to the side twice, giving him a silent, urgent signal that she needed him to step closer to speak privately.
The boy frowned and sighed. He looked away from her to the cadet on the ground, reached out his hand, and helped him up. Then said, "Give me a few minutes…"
The cadet tapped his shoulder. "No problem. Take it easy, Levi. I'll be waiting for you at the weapons section."
Then he strode off.
Levi turned back to his sister and walked toward her. "Your reason for bothering me better be good, or else—"
He didn't finish, because Celeste cut him off frantically. "Haven't you heard?"
Levi arched a brow.
Celeste voice grew more irritated. "I do not know how it's possible, but right now, big brother is in the academy.
"What?!" Levi's stoic expression cracked, replaced instantly by disbelief. "What drivel are you rambling on about, sister? Wait… don't tell me… are you on drugs again?"
"No!" Celeste retorted immediately. "No, I'm not. You know I haven't used in a while! I'm sober goddamnit."
Levi frowned. The way she replied, coupled with the frantic scratching of her forearm, said otherwise. He simply couldn't bring himself to believe her.
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You remember Father sold him to the arena, right? He should be long dead by now. Honestly, I don't know why I even bother—"
Celeste cut him off again. "I said he is in the academy! Go ahead, ask my Bond if you don't believe me."
Levi went quiet for a moment. His gaze then shifted to Celeste's shoulder, where a ferret, her Bond, hung timidly.
When Levi arched a brow at the small creature, it flinched violently. It then spoke in a timid, stuttering voice, "Y-yes. He's... he's here."
At that confirmation, Levi's face twisted into a mask of pure anger and confusion. "How… how is that possible? Why is that bondless bastard here? Shouldn't he be dead?!"
"What do we do? Just let him walk around here and keep humiliating us?"
Levi gritted his teeth. "That bastard doesn't belong here. He's a disgrace, and he doesn't even deserve to live! I'll send a message to Father letting him know that Cedric somehow managed to escape the merchants and make his way back here. In the meantime, I'm going to make sure that every day he stays here is a living hell that makes him wish he never got back."