Extra's Perfect Ending

Chapter 131: Leon

Leon came from the northern part of the Eyre continent, where the influence of the empire was much weaker than in Tumidus. In the north, most tribesmen still lived in their villages, clinging to their traditions. People from there weren’t as cunning as those from the city, and they held honesty in high regard. Reeva had the advantage of knowing this from The Book of the Divine Twig.

They arrived back at the hotel with Leon following closely behind Reeva the entire way. It was late, and Reeva immediately collapsed onto the bed. Right then, the effects of the [experimental] wore off, and his body returned to normal.

It was like lifting a boulder off his chest. Reeva could finally breathe without pain; the air no longer felt like shards in his lungs, and the night was no longer as blindingly bright as before. He couldn’t imagine how unbearable it would have been during the day. Relieved, he turned to Leon.

"Hey, do you still have the black-and-white vision?" Reeva asked.

"That curse no longer affects me. You sucked most of it out during… whatever that was," Leon replied. "I don’t know what you did, but it sure used a lot of mystic power."

"...."

Reeva hesitated. How could he explain to Leon what had happened? Leon had no real concept of mysticism; after all, he’d become a mystic by accident.

"By the way, what circle are you?" Reeva asked.

"I’ve got two circles. What about you?"

"None."

"You don’t have to lie to me," Leon replied, unconvinced. Reeva couldn’t blame him. Who would believe that someone without a mystic circle could drain power from Leon and battle a mystic painting?

They rested for a bit until they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Master, are you home?" Hilda’s voice came from outside. Reeva checked through the peephole to ensure it was Hilda before letting her in. The first thing she noticed was another man lying on the sofa.

"Master, who’s that?" she asked.

Reeva introduced the northern man to Hilda and explained that he could be of great help. Having an insider’s knowledge would be valuable in taking down the cult. Hilda then recounted her side of the story, detailing how she had snuck in and encountered Tula again.

"There’s more mystics in this city?" Leon asked, surprised.

"There’s more than you could imagine," Hilda replied. "People just don’t know how to find them." To identify a mystic, one had to make contact and spread their own mystic coldness to sense them, a process that was both tedious and immediately noticeable to the person being checked.

"But that’s not the main point. Tula’s still alive, and his power isn’t just controlling blood?" Reeva added. He was certain that Tula’s power had something to do with blood — both to fuel his abilities and to form new circles. Every time they encountered Tula, he seemed to be in a different body.

Body-swapping mystic... Reeva thought. Plutus had warned him about this guy. It seemed Tula didn’t merely control blood; he swapped bodies. But that still didn’t explain everything. Tula could control others using his mystic power.

There had to be something more.

Reeva could only settle on a rough idea of what Tula’s abilities might be. And the fact that Tula was wearing a priest’s uniform and had been hiding in the church for quite some time now only deepened the mystery.

His aim was unknown. They only knew he was involved somehow, but not how or why. Tula didn’t seem like the type to pretend to be a priest for fun.

Reeva put that matter aside; they needed to focus on their plan to attack the cult tomorrow.

"See you tomorrow Leon"

after Leon sees that Reeva really has two mystics with him, the plan to overturn a cult becomes more possible with the right execution. He wouldn’t let this chance slide. However, continuing the plan at midnight is madness, especially when Theia is out of commission and Hilda is exhausted from running.

They need to ret for the day, and so does Leon. However, when Reeva was sending him off, Leon made a weird expression.

"What’s the matter?" Reeva asks, catching Leon’s face

"...." Laeon struggled a bit before he opened his mouth "Could I sleep here for the night? I don’t have anywhere else, I usually sleep in the cult but, you know..." Leon asked.

"There’s no space left," Reeva replied. Looking at the couch that Theia leep and on his bed that can’t fit two people.

"I could sleep on the floor."

"....." Reeva looked around the cramped room and sighed. "Suit yourself."

----------------

The day began quickly for Reeva, Theia, and Hilda as they arrived at Holen’s office early in the morning, armed with new intel about the cult. The faster they worked, the sooner they could rid the city of its influence.

Holen’s office, usually a quiet place, was now filled with four other people, all looking to discuss the plan. Holen himself was half-hidden behind his desk, peeking over the top like he was dodging a bullet.

"So you’re telling me this guy is a cult deserter? Are you fucking kidding me?" Holen snapped. "Do I look like I came from the north?"

"Ahem," Leon interjected, "not all northern people are dumb."

"Sure, I could believe that," Holen replied, still eyeing Leon skeptically. "But the last people who deserted from the cult ended up turning into demons. Why is this one different?"

"I can guarantee he won’t turn into a demon," Reeva said calmly. "Besides, he’ll be with me most of the time."

Holen finally sat up straight, shaking off some of his fear, but he still looked wary. He would rather be safe than sorry. He still hatches an escape plan despite being the furthest away from Leon.

Seeing Holebn back to his usual self Reeva smiled.

"Then let’s talk plans, we’ll take down the cult before they ruin this place."

The whole room tightne up their expectation since this is what they have been working on for a long time.