Several species have walked this land ever since life first took shape.

Some were meant to sow, some were meant to hunt, some were meant to create, and some to destroy. Every race carried a purpose, whether they acknowledged it or not. Roles are predefined.

But among them, there was one race that never changed.

They were called Elves.

The rulers of purity.

Their mana existed closest to the origin itself. Not strong in the sense of brute force, but it was clear and absolute.

A single fragment of an elven mana could refine any magic spell. Even the weakest of spells, when guided with elven mana, could become something precise and unblemished.

That was why their kind never needed to prove themselves.

Their existence alone was enough.

Leon gripping on his index finger, looked at the two emblems inside the black wooden box.

Thorny crown with a golden eye on top, that's the sigil of House Valentine. But in the golden eye, there was a small nail sized white diamond attached.

The mana it's releasing was absurdly insane. It was so pure that the Ice Spirit ring on his finger was reacting to it even from this distance.

"An Elven White Core…"

Darius's mouth hung open as Veronica explained what this is. Surely he had seen the Valentine's emblem before, but this time it was different.

Without hiding his curiosity, he asked the duke.

"Brother, is it fine for you to use such precious treasure on this emblem?"

Orion with his heavy vocal answered casually, "I have never given the twins anything before, so consider it as my token of gift for what they have done for the Valentine house."

As one of the Valentine, they have indeed proved themselves at such a young age.

Leon glanced at his father's face for a moment, trying to read something in it but finding nothing.

'Token of appreciation for what they have done? Heh… isn't it a little too much.'

Leon's gaze returned to the emblem.

'Would he have given something similar to old Leon as well?'

Maybe he would have. Maybe not. Well, It did not matter to him now.

From the reaction of the spirit ring alone, Leon could already guess. If the spirit consumed this core, it could regain its original strength. And who knows, it might even evolve.

The Ice spirit that Leon has was rare enough. An evolved one such entity was on the level of a miracle.

Leon leaned back against the couch. His hand rose to support his jaw, and his gaze narrowed at the emblem in quiet thought.

'Fascinating.'

The emblem was meant for the ceremony. It was meant to be worn and displayed with honor, pride, lineage, and legacy by the twins.

And Leon..?

'I want this emblem.'

He wants that for himself.

After the discussion, Veronica informs the others about timing.

Veronica's presence would be needed tomorrow because she was the one who's overlooking the ceremony in the Cathedral of Silvermoon, as one of the highest ranking members.

Once the meeting adjourned, Leon quietly excused himself and stepped outside.

The garden air was warm. The clouds drifted lazily across the sky above, shading the sun just enough to make the weather feel gentle.

It was past eleven in the morning, the perfect time and perfect weather for a walk.

As Leon walked, the servants and gardeners bowed their heads when he passed.

Leon did not react to any of them. He walked with the same, steady and relaxed pace.

'If I remember correctly, the Valentine estate had its own private lake.'

He had never visited it before.

In his past life he always searched for quiet places to think, but he never got any chance to visit any.

He always longed for mental peace for once in a while, and this body was no different either.

Silence was something he needed.

"Which turn was it…?"

He looked left and right. Then he followed a stone path along the garden.

Rows of white lilies lined the walkway, and he could hear the distant sound of horses from the stables.

The Valentine estate was enormous, self-sustaining in every possible way.

Soon, he reached a small wooden bridge leading deeper into the estate's private forest.

The structure was old and worn but it was well kept. The place stood over a narrow stream.

Leon stopped for a moment.

'They even have their own small forest.'

It almost amused him.

In his previous life, he had owned penthouse suites, skyscrapers, properties across continents. Wealth came to him through effort and precision. Yet even that could not match the absurd level of resources noble houses had in this world. From mines to forests and lakes, they simply inherited entire ecosystems.

'I wonder how much I would earn if I started a business here.'

The thought intrigued him.

Nobles had it easy here. Funding, resources, connections, all provided and spoon fed without struggle.

In his last life, every step of progress required clawing through obstacles. Here, it seemed handing out capital was just a daily habit.

He continued walking, adjusting his pace. Small squirrels ran across branches above him.

"Oh, a squirrel ..."

He looked at it for a moment, and then moved past it.

Finally, he crossed the branches, and the trees opened a path, and the lake came into view.

The lake's surface shimmered like polished crystal, reflecting the scattered sunlight. Leon even saw fishes hopping on the water bed.

Leon stepped closer.

"Hm?"

He slowed down.

Someone else was already there.

"Layla?" He muttered looking at her back.

She was crouched near the water, dressed casually in a white shirt and a black knee-length skirt. Her hair was tied loosely, as her loose strands danced with the wind.

She held a thin wooden stick, and she was tapping it lightly at something near the shore.

'What is she up to?''

As Leon walked closer, he saw it clearly.

There was a small black kitten.

The kitten pawed at the stick, occasionally running in small circles. Layla giggled softly as she played with it.

"Hey, lil kitty stop~"

Crunch.

Leon stepped on a dried leaf.

Layla's head turned.

"...?!"

Her eyes widened, she looked surprised at first, then they brightened instantly when she recognized him.

"Leon!"

She stood quickly, almost hopping up on her feet, and walked over to him.

A warm smile formed naturally on her face.

"What?"

Leon blinked once, unsure why she was smiling like that, but he answered simply.

Layla tilted her head slightly.

"Are you taking a walk?"

"Yes."

She nodded lightly, then pointed at the kitten with her stick.

"I found him here... he was all alone." She crouched again, the kitten following the movement and bumping its head against her hand, lightly stroking her.

Leon watched her quietly.

Layla didn't look at him. She kept petting the kitten, her tone remained soft.

"It's peaceful here…"

Leon looked at the lake again.

"Yes. It is."

'There goes my lone time.'

Leon wants to just go and lay still inside his room now.

But before he excused himself, Layla smiled again and spoke.

"Sit with me for a while?"

"..."

Leon let out a quiet breath.

"I was just going to head back."

Layla didn't look at him, she just picked up the kitten with both hands and lifted it toward him.

"Then sit for a moment. Relax here, you can play with Mister Kitty."

Leon stared at the small black furball.

"Mister Kitty?" he repeated slowly. "Is that this thing's name?"

Layla puffed her cheeks. "He is not a thing. He has a life too."

Leon lowered his gaze slightly, annoyed at the way she scolded him over a cat.

'Yeah well, I never really cared for animals. Even in games.'

Still… the kitten was kind of decent looking.

"Meow~"

The kitten blinked once, then hopped out of Layla's hands and ran straight to Leon.

It rubbed against his shoes, its tiny tail swaying.

Leon watched it.

"What is it doing?"

Layla laughed.

"Oh, he likes you."

"Is that so…" Leon nudged the kitten lightly with his foot.

The kitten paused, then came right back and rubbed his leg again.

Layla covered her mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly.

"Once someone decides to like you, it becomes difficult to stop them."

Leon looked up at her.

She stood and dusted her skirt with a small smile. The breeze moved her hair gently. She didn't look at him while she spoke.

"Even if you push them away, no matter how many times," she added. "they will always keep coming back. That is just how some bonds work."

Leon stared at Layla, then at the kitten circling his foot.

"I think cats don't know what love really is," Leon said slowly. "They just stick to whoever feels comfortable. Nothing deep about it. What do you think?"

Layla blinked, then looked at him.

"So you think that is how bonds work?"

Leon shrugged lightly. "Isn't it?"

Layla lowered her gaze to the kitten.

"Maybe for some," she said. "But not for everyone."

Leon raised a brow. "Oh? And what about you?"

Layla's eyes widened, she smiled a little and averted her gaze before fixing at Leon again..

"For me… if I like someone, I don't ever leave them. Even if they don't understand it. That is my way."

Leon paused.

"…I see."

Leon walked to the riverbank and stretched his arms behind his head.

'This girl is naive…' He thought, 'people like her are always the ones who get hurt first.'

"By the way Leon?" She suddenly asked.

Leon looked back at her, "Yes?"

She opened her mouth, and said with rather quivering smile, "...would you be willing to take me to the town today?"

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