CHAPTER 172: 172. ELARA VALCOURT

The dim Academy gym smelled strongly of sweat and charred cloth. The only sound was the steady thud of fists hitting leather. Leo stood in front of an old punching bag, its surface torn and worn, ragged cloth covering his knuckles.

As he delivered a barrage of blows, the ring necklace around his neck gleamed with every one, swinging like a clock.

Rin’s tear-streaked face and her heated argument with Elara Valcourt were haunting him, and his mind was a mess. Leo intervened, his voice cold, as he pushed Rin away, an attempt to shield her from Ashtera’s wrath.

It ripped free, flying across the gym to crash against the stone wall, embers falling like fading stars as the cloth on his hand burned to ash.

"Still tearing yourself up over it?" Erin’s soft, playful voice pierced through. When Leo turned, he saw her sitting on a bench with Nimbus stretched out on her lap, his black fur gleaming as she stroked him.

Her silver hair hair caught the dim lamplight of the gym as her violet eyes met his with a mixture of understanding and humor.

Leo approached, sagging tiredly onto the bench next to her. He remarked, "You are no longer on the council to complain about damaged property."

Erin’s grin deepened as she ruffled Nimbus’s fur with her fingers, eliciting a soft purr. "You know, I’m still a responsible student. You need to be held accountable by someone."

Leo’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at her. "How long?"

She pretended to think as she tilted her head. "Well, haven’t I been a part at this Academy for seven months now?"

His voice was low and raw with frustration as he shook his head. "Erin, that’s not what I meant. How much longer must I continue to push her away?"

Erin’s lighthearted grin vanished as she fixed her eyes on his, recognizing the subdued suffering in his voice. Her voice was soft but uncertain as she leaned back. "It’s difficult to say. Perhaps until we finally deal with Ashtera. Days, perhaps. Months or more....." She looked at his fists, which were so tightly balled up that his knuckles were white.

Leo’s voice was a low whisper as his eyes fell to the ground. "Why me? Why am I unable to simply be with the person I desire? Why am I always pulled into messes that I didn’t ask for? I lost my chi—" His voice broke as he stopped, choking on the memory of his unborn child with Chloe, a wound still raw. "I’ve already lost everything once."

Erin’s hand lightly touched his shoulder, yanking him away from his gloomy thoughts. Her voice was gentle yet firm, like a lifeline, as she said, "Hey, don’t go drowning in that. About the timeline, I was half-joking. We’ll end this—Ashtera, Sooner than you think."

Leo’s red eyes met hers and he gave a hollow laugh. "You seem so sure."

Erin’s lips curled, but he couldn’t read the depth in her violet eyes, which seemed to be hiding more serious secrets.

He studied her, trying to figure out Erin Dranemount. Why was she so involved in his conflict? The duty of a legend? Something personal? She was just as informed about his past as Celestia, but she kept her motivations a secret.

He spoke in a low, questioning tone. "Why are you involved in all of this? According to Celestia, I hold the key to averting a catastrophic event. claimed to have seen it in her visions. But what’s motivating you? Is it the same cosmic nonsense or something else?"

Erin laughed lightly, but her eyes flickered, perhaps with guilt. "That old Hag goddess couldn’t possibly entice me with her "destiny" spiel."

Leo’s eyebrows shot up, clearly bewildered. "Old Hag Goddess?"

She waved a hand, dodging with a sly grin. "Forget that. Point is, I’m not like you, Leo. You got pulled into this mess against your will. I chose it. I’m looking for someone—someone I need to find. And I can’t do that unless your mission succeeds." She stood, brushing off setting Nimbus aside.

The panther stretched, his purple eyes glinting as he yawned. "It’s late," Erin said, her tone practical. "There’s test tomorrow. Get some rest—you’ll need it."

She moved toward the gym’s exit, her steps soft on the stone floor, her cloak swaying. Leo’s gaze followed, his crimson eyes narrowing, questions unanswered. He glanced at Nimbus, who meowed softly, tail flicking, as if sensing his unease.

Leo sighed, running a hand through his crimson hair.

He stood, his knuckles cracking as he stretched his fists, the heat from his gym outburst still pulsing through him. Nimbus trailed behind, purple eyes glowing faintly.

The Academy’s hallways lay empty, the late-night silence broken only by the soft buzz of mana-lamps casting warm golden light over smooth stone floors.

Leo’s boots tapped quietly as he headed toward the dorms. But as he passed an open garden corridor, a figure glowing in moonlight stopped him cold.

A girl stood staring at the full moon, its silver light wrapping her in a ghostly glow. Her pale skin shimmered, auburn hair falling in soft waves, and her emerald-green eyes sparkled with quiet intensity.

Leo narrowed his crimson eyes as he recognized her—Elara Valcourt, the gold-class noble whose rumors had completely upended his life—despite the fact that she was stunning, almost unreal.

He slowed in the hopes of slipping by undetected, but her sharp, playful voice broke the silence. "You mean it, Leonhardt? passing silently while I’m right here?

Leo tensed his body and stopped a few paces away. With a deep sigh, he spoke in a low, wary tone. "Elara, what do you want?"

Elara slowly turned, tilting her head and looking innocent as her green eyes met his, a cunning smile on her lips. "Why so cold? You weren’t always this way. Do you remember? You used to follow me around and be in awe of every smile I had."

Leo’s jaw tightened, anger flaring as memories of the old Leonhardt—desperate, lovesick, and foolish—rushed back. He cursed Leonhardt. How had he ever fallen for her?

He exhaled sharply, his voice sharp as a knife. "Is that why you spread those lies? Made me out to be some obsessive loser?"

Elara’s smile wavered, a brief crack in her calm, but her green eyes flashed with something tougher—defiance, or maybe a calculated challenge.

She stepped closer, her auburn hair swaying in the moonlight, her delicate face almost glowing, but Leo stood firm. His crimson eyes stayed steady, cold and unyielding.

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