CHAPTER 28: EX 28. BACK TO GRINDING

Leon turned reflexively, brows lifting, only for his shoulders to drop in resignation when he saw who it was.

Behind him, his father chuckled softly as he stepped into the car. His sister followed, eyes sparkling with amusement. Selena gave her son a knowing smile and gently patted his back before sliding into her seat.

Leon watched them enter the limo and muttered internally,

’Why do they always act so strange when it comes to Elizabeth...?:

He didn’t have long to wonder.

Elizabeth Queen walked up to him, her Raven hair cascading over her shoulder like midnight as her Ebony eyes scanned him intently.

"Are you okay?" she asked, voice soft, laced with concern as she examined him from head to toe.

Leon blinked, then smirked.

"Don’t worry. I’m fine."

Elizabeth exhaled a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing.

"Good... I knew you were going to win," she said with a gentle smile. "But I thought you’d come out with a few injuries. I’m glad you didn’t."

Leon’s gaze softened as he thought:

’She didn’t mention my talent... Mom must have talked to her about it So she’s being careful not to bring it up.’

He smiled at her thoughtfulness.

"Well, I’m tougher than I look."

Elizabeth giggled, nudging his arm.

"But you already look tough."

Leon smirked back.

"My point exactly."

They laughed together for a moment, the tension of the night melting into warmth. Then, without a word, Elizabeth suddenly kissed Leon which he kindly reciprocated in return his arm holding her at the waist as their tongues exchanged saliva. Before finally separating.

"Good night Leon." Elizabeth said with a smile as she stepped away and returned to her own car.

Leon just smiled as he watched her go before he climbed into the limo. And immediately he noticed the teasing looks pointed his way.

"What?" he asked suspiciously.

Selena leaned her head against her hand, lips curling into a mischievous grin.

"When am I expecting a grandchild?"

Leon’s face flushed red instantly.

"Mom! I’m just 19!"

Selena just giggled, clearly enjoying his reaction far more than she should’ve.

The engine hummed to life, and the Kael family limousine rolled forward, a convoy of sleek black vehicles trailing behind it as they departed from the Feran estate.

The house they left behind was one of shattered pride and silent resentment.

But for the Kaels, the night had ended in triumph.

And as they drove through the moonlit streets toward their own domain, Leon leaned back into the seat, eyes closed and a small smile tugging at his lips.

****

Night had fallen over the Kael estate, quiet and heavy like the curtain call after a long, chaotic performance.

Leon pushed open the door to his room, the soft click echoing louder than it should in the silence. His shoulders relaxed for the first time all night. The chaos of the duel, the pressure his mother unleashed, and the awkward tension of the Feran family’s collapse, it was all behind him now.

Finally.

He shut the door, kicked off his boots, and let his body sink into the edge of the bed. A tired exhale escaped his lips as he reached out mentally, calling forth his system window.

[Status Panel]

Name: Leon Kael

Race: Human

Age: 19

Class: Warrior

Rank: F-Rank

Talent: {Attack} — EX Rank

Status: Normal

Health: 100%

[STATS]

Strength: 572

Speed: 533

Vitality: 515

Stamina: 511

Senses: 478

Aura: 544

[Skills]

[Echolocation]

[Mirror Split]

[Phantom Edge – Form 1: Flicker Fang]

He slid over to the Talent page, eyes narrowing slightly.

[Attack Points: 9980 / 10,000]

"Tch," he clicked his tongue. "I’m not even getting a full stat gain today because of that pig."

His fingers raked through his snow-white hair in frustration, memories of Dayton Feran’s smug voice flashing through his mind.

"I used up 20 points on that bastard... and it doesn’t even feel worth it."

He let out a breath. "It doesn’t matter now anyway. Points wasted were still experience gained. And tomorrow... tomorrow is another day to grind."

After some mental calculations, Leon started distributing the points among his stats.

A series of soft pulses moved through his limbs—like warm threads weaving under his skin, reshaping him.

[STATS Updated]

Strength: 572595 (+23)

Speed: 533548 (+15)

Vitality: 515530 (+15)

Stamina: 511525 (+14)

Senses: 478490 (+12)

Aura: 544563 (+19)

He grinned.

"Steady progress. At this rate... I might be Iron Captain-level before I even get deployed."

His voice was soft but confident. No arrogance. Just certainty.

He stood up, walked to the bathroom, and watched off the day’s grime. The hot water hit his skin like a reset button. Twenty minutes later, clean and comfortable in a black tank top and soft pants, he lay across the bed, tablet in hand.

Elizabeth’s name blinked on the screen. He opened the chat.

Elizabeth: You good?

Leon: Fine. You?

Elizabeth: Mhm. Just thinking how it’s so nice that you didn’t get hurt today.

Leon: You shouldn’t worry too much you know I’m not that fragile.

Elizabeth: That doesn’t stop me from worrying.

He smiled. Even after the chaos of tonight, some things made it worth it.

They chatted for a while. Light banter, soft teasing. Eventually, her goodnight text came.

As Leon dropped the tablet beside him and turned off the bedside lamp.

And as the room darkened, he stared at the ceiling, eyelids growing heavy.

Iron Captain, huh?

A grin crept onto his lips.

Let’s see how far I can push it before then.

And with that thought, Leon finally drifted to sleep.

****

The sky was still dark when Leon’s eyes opened.

The soft hum of silence filled the room, broken only by the faint ticking of the digital clock: 04:00 A.M.

Like clockwork.

He sat up, muscles responding with ease after last night’s rest and moved to the bathroom. Cold water splashed against his face as he leaned over the sink, watching the drops run down into the basin. His silver-white hair clung to his forehead as he stared into the mirror.

No dreams. No noise. Just calm.

By 4:10, he was already gone—vanishing silently from the house and making his way to his favorite training ground within the estate.

The chamber lit up the moment his presence was registered, the glossy floor adjusting for combat mode. Before him stood a sleek, humanoid training bot clad in reinforced alloy plating—programmed to simulate C-rank combatants.

"Let’s make it quick," Leon muttered, summoning his sword from his inventory.

The moment it activated, Leon dashed forward.

Strike. Dodge. Counter. Strike again.

Each hit came with weight and precision, the echoes of metal clashing against steel-and-force resonating across the chamber.

And with each strike:

[+1 Attack Point]

[+1 Attack Point]

[+1 Attack Point]

He didn’t need to go all out. Just enough to earn the daily quota.

Finally, with one clean arc of his foot and a shattering impact to the bot’s neck joint, the machine crumpled.

[Attack Points: 10,000 / 10,000]

Leon exhaled.

"Good that’s enough for today."

He rolled his shoulders and made his way back to the mansion. By 6:00 A.M., he was already under the sheets again, body clean, muscles relaxed, the grind complete.

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A/N: Please send power stones and leave reviews.

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