CHAPTER 282: TIME FOR THE NEW WORLD

The Kirin’s voice exploded in Leon’s mind, shock bleeding through every syllable. How did you do that?! Mental communication is a spirit beast ability! Humans can’t—

Leon’s mental reply was honest and nonchalant. I felt like I could do it, so I tried. And it happened. There you go.

That’s... that’s not... The Kirin’s thoughts stuttered, trying desperately to apply logic to what had just occurred. No matter how she approached it, the explanation made no sense. Humans didn’t just "try" telepathy and succeed. It required specific spiritual pathways, innate abilities that—

"Elowyn," Leon said aloud, turning his attention to the girl.

She straightened on the wolf’s back, eyes attentive.

"I’m very pleased by how you performed inside the dungeon. Saving so many lives—that’s impressive."

Elowyn’s face flushed red. She laughed foolishly like a child, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment. "I-I just did what I could! Really, it was all because of Kirin—I summoned her by mistake when I was about to die, and she—"

"I’m going to reward you," Leon interrupted.

The words caught in Elowyn’s throat. Her eyes flashed with excitement, and she immediately stopped her humble deflection. Of course I deserve it, she thought fiercely. I’m the one who summoned the Kirin! That’s got to count for something!

Leon reached into his inventory and withdrew two skill stones. But these weren’t ordinary skill stones—they were non-elemental, unrestricted by affinity requirements. He’d already checked her status and knew she possessed rank 5 spirit affinity. These common-rank stones were valuable precisely because anyone could use them.

But he didn’t stop there.

Two scrolls materialized, along with a brush. Leon’s hand moved with practiced efficiency, transcribing two techniques onto the parchment. The first was Sky Breaker Draw, the same technique he’d given the others. The second was a movement technique—non-elemental, versatile, practical up to master rank, since that was as far as he’d personally practiced it.

The items floated in the air, suspended by his mana.

Leon’s gaze swept over Elowyn and noticed something conspicuously absent—she had no weapons at all.

With another thought, his inventory opened wider. Weapons materialized in the air around the floating skill stones and scrolls. Not the basic gear he’d left in the dimensional realm for general use, but uncommon-ranked equipment he’d collected from various treasuries.

A bow. A club. Several swords. And finally, a massive white blade he’d taken from one of the fog monsters—he had multiples of these, trophies from battles against those ethereal creatures.

Elowyn’s mouth literally dropped open. Her eyes went wide as dinner plates, drinking in the sight of treasures beyond anything she’d ever imagined possessing. She was practically drooling.

"Pick any weapon," Leon said simply.

Elowyn’s gaze darted between the options, her mind racing. The swords looked elegant. The club was practical. But her eyes kept returning to one item—a white bow, enormous and elegant, crafted from materials harvested from a giant fog monster.

The bow was nearly as tall as she was.

"That one," she said, pointing with barely contained excitement.

Leon raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? It’s almost your size."

"I’m sure! I like it!" Her voice was firm, brooking no argument.

Well, if she’s confident, Leon thought with a mental shrug. He wouldn’t question her choice despite the comical size disparity.

"Skill stones are simple," Leon explained, his tone shifting to instructional. "Just crush them with your hand, and the knowledge transfers directly to your mind. The techniques require practice—read them, understand the principles, then train until the movements become instinct."

Elowyn accepted everything with reverence, her hands trembling slightly as she took hold of her new treasures. Still seated on the wolf’s back, she bowed as deeply as she could manage.

Then she froze, a look of embarrassment crossing her face. "Um... I don’t actually know how to get down..."

The red wolf was massive, and she’d been sitting up there for so long her legs felt stiff.

Leon waved a hand dismissively. "It’s nothing. Now go inside and rest. You’ve earned it."

"Doggy, go!" Elowyn commanded, patting the wolf’s head.

The Inferno Wolf obeyed immediately, its contracted bond compelling it to follow her orders despite its lovesick fixation on the Kirin. It padded toward the portal with reluctant steps.

Surprisingly, the Frostveil Kirin followed without complaint. No glaring, no hostile posture—just silent compliance as it walked behind the wolf.

Still in shock, Leon noted, watching the beast’s dazed movements. Otherwise, it would have stayed to interrogate me more about the telepathy.

The trio disappeared through the silver portal. With a pulse of Leon’s will, the gateway collapsed and vanished.

Silence settled over the area.

"Were those gifts too early?" Seraphine’s voice cut through the quiet, her tone carrying a note of concern. "It feels like favoritism. Max and Rudy also saved lives. They’re strong, talented boys who also performed well."

Her mind worked through possibilities, and a new thought emerged. Her voice took on an edge of annoyance—not anger, but clear irritation. "Are you interested in her?"

Leon flicked her forehead lightly.

"Ow!"

"I have no interest in the girl," he said flatly. "And even if I did have someone I liked, you’d be the first to know."

Seraphine rubbed her forehead, mollified by his directness.

"The gifts aren’t favoritism," Leon continued. "They’re investment. That girl—Elowyn—and her beast are impressive. Did you see the beautiful blue beast beside her?"

"The deer-like creature with crystalline antlers?"

"It’s called a Frostveil Kirin. Mythic Spirit Beast. A-rank with S-rank potential." Leon’s voice carried genuine respect. "And it has 3,700 mana."

Seraphine’s eyes widened. "That’s..."

"Nearly double mine," Leon finished. "Yes."

She processed that information, her analytical mind turning over the implications. After a moment, she nodded slowly. "Then you did the right thing. Investing in exceptional talent early pays dividends later."

But curiosity got the better of her. Her tone turned serious. "Leon, if you fought that Kirin—who would win?"

Leon’s response came with a joking tone. "Me, of course."

It was the truth, delivered lightly.

Seraphine couldn’t help the surge of pride that filled her chest. My Leon really is something special. Even faced with a mythic beast possessing nearly double his mana reserves, he remained confident—not arrogant, but genuinely certain of his capabilities.

Leon turned toward the horizon, where distant mountains marked the edge of the known world. Beyond them lay the Forbidden Mist—the barrier separating the Lower Domain from the Middle Domain.

"Now that this is over," Leon said, his voice carrying anticipation and determination, "it’s time to cross the Forbidden Mist and enter a new, bigger world."

Seraphine stepped beside him, her hand finding his. Her amethyst eyes—now flecked with white and purple lightning—gleamed with matching excitement.

Both smiled as they looked toward their next great challenge, ready to leave the limitations of the Lower Domain behind and step into realms where true power dwelled.