Spar [LEON]

Uncle with a sword. Triplets with Warhammer, twin-headed axe, and a spear.

The clash begins. Three versus one. In a heartbeat, the triplets surged forward like a tidal wave of brute force and relentless precision. Three weapons. Three styles. One shared wall.

Uncle swiftly dodges it. He counters their move very precisely. He also guides them relentlessly amidst the battle.

“You’re swinging too wide. Compact your rotation.”

“Your left foot drags when you thrust.”

“Come at me with your best. Come at me with the intent to kill”

The triplets hesitate but Uncle understanding their hesitation assures them, “Do it!”

The triplets nod and release their killing intent.

Leon's eye widens.

The spar moves on to another level.

There was violent clashing. The triplets were in a state similar to berserk yet controlled. Leon or the others never saw this side of the triplets during their adventure.

The movements, the action, and the weapon itself are filled with bloodlust.

Yet, Uncle is unfazed as he swiftly parries them all. Even with the triplets' coordinated attack, Uncle is unfazed.

Uncle reflects and parries every single one of their attack.

Leon is in awe. He is surprised by the triplet's attack and his uncle’s strength.

“That man. How can he remain unfazed? Just how much strong is he? Is the strongest one in this world?”

Noel who arrives at the back surprises Leon with an answer, “I don’t know about the world but you can say he is one of the strongest in the entire kingdom. In the past, Many even compared him to the great hero of the past.”

Leon, “Seriously? He is that powerful?”

Noel, “In the past, Uncle pursued strength more than anything else.”

Leon asked her, “But what’s this about the great hero thing?”

Noel, “Ah, the great hero appeared during the second demonic war, leading humanity and this kingdom to victory”

Leon's brow furrowed, “Wow. So if he appeared in the past, There should surely be a descendant of his still alive. Maybe they could match your uncle.”

Noel's expression softened, “Sadly the great hero didn’t have any descendants. He simply disappeared after the war. But who knows if there were a descendant they could surely make uncle serious”

Leon, “Hoh…”

Uncle and triplets continue to clash. The battle is almost over.

After a swift movement, Uncle makes every triplet fall to the ground.

“That’s enough! For now, let's stop at that”

The spar is over. The triplets are heavily panting. Uncle is unfazed, unscratched, and composed.

Uncle looks at Leon, “Now it's your turn. Get ready”

After resting for a minute, the triplets compose themselves and get ready to spar with Leon.

The spar between Leon and the triplets begins.

Even though the uncle made it look easy, it was only for the uncle.

The triplets lunge toward Leon he parries the youngest one only to be attacked by the other two. The triplets were not to be underestimated.

Their coordinated attacks were far too great for Leon. It was like the triplets were letting out their frustration about their previous spar. Leon was beaten down to a pulp.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Finally, the uncle raised his hand. “Enough.”

“From now on. You shall spar with the triplets every day until you have perfectly countered their coordinated attack”

Leon with heavy breathing, “Seriously? Oh, come on…”

The days went by. Leon and Noel would spend their time with quests and magic. In the evening was the spar with the triplets. The night was also the same as usual. The mystery of red-eyed shadow still remained.

Even though Leon was advancing and leveling up in a monstrous state, it was like never enough to counter the red-eyed shadow. Every time he countered it, the red-eyed shadow was yet one step ahead of him.

His day in his world also went on with a mundane nature.

A month and a half passed.

Leon and triplets spar continued. On a certain day, there was visible progress.

Eldest bashes with Warhammer, and Leon changes its direction with his sword against it.

The middle one with an axe lunges towards but Leon parries that.

Youngest plunges with his spear only for Leon to dodge.

He had become stronger.

The coordinated attack, barely it was yet he countered it.

Uncle with a smile murmured to himself, “Scary potential as always”

Leon noticing their uncle’s satisfaction, “Did you see that? I finally did it”

Uncle with a smirk, “Don’t get ahead of yourself”

With triplets launching another coordinated attack and time Leon couldn’t counter it. He is beaten down to a pulp.

Uncle gives a hand to the fallen Leon.

Leon takes his hand with a smile.

As Leon is about to about to head to his room, Uncle interrupts him, “Leon”

Leon blinked, “Did you need anything else?”

Uncle's tone shifted to warm and rare, “Freshen up and come to the marquis’s balcony”

Leon was surprised, “Huh?”

Uncle with a smile, “Let's have a drink together. Or perhaps you don’t drink?”

Leon still surprised, “Ah-No-Gratefully”

“Then don’t be late”

Leon is happy. The strict uncle is opening up to him

After he freshens up, he goes to the place Uncle mentions.

“Pardon my intrusion…”

There sat Marquis and his brother.

“Hohoho, Come on. Boy, sit down” the marquis chuckled, gesturing to the vacant seat beside them.

Uncle nods in agreement.

Leon settled cautiously, his posture still half-alert, half-honored. The setting was simple. Just three glasses and a bottle of aged wine.

The marquis raised a brow. “So, boy, how old are you? You best be able to hold your drink.”

Leon chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m twenty.”

They poured him a glass, and the conversation drifted between sips, laughter, and brief silences. Then, after a while, Uncle leaned forward, eyes serious.

“Leon…”

Leon, “Yes…”

“Why do you fight?” His voice was quieter now, carrying weight. “Why do you seek strength?”

The atmosphere becomes a little serious.

Leon hesitated, “I suppose… I don’t want to be a burden.”

“A burden?” Uncle’s gaze sharpened. “To whom?”

He swallowed. “To myself. And… to Noel. I want to be strong enough to stand beside her. Not behind.”

The marquis laughed a low amused chuckle. “Hohoho… Youth.”

Uncle sighed deeply. “I see. Then I hope you never betray that reason. Hold onto it. Let it anchor you.”

Leon nodded solemnly.

The glass was raised to his lips once more, but Uncle’s voice halted him.

“Let me tell you a story,” he said quietly. “A story about a man… a miserable man. A man who chased strength with everything he had. A man whose desire remained… incomplete.”

The marquis’s smile faded. His eyes narrowed.

“Are you sure?” he asked his brother softly.

Uncle replied, “Sometimes, I might just relieve this weight from my chest.”

Leon sat still. He didn’t speak. The atmosphere was thick with something unspoken, something raw and vulnerable.

And with that, Uncle began to speak.