It took some time to introduce Leon to the twins properly. We were bombarded with questions, which led to more questions, that spiraled into misunderstandings, that took more time to explain, and then some more stuff. Children are really curious things, aren't they?
"...And that's the whole story. Is there anything else you two would like to ask?" [Solace]
"So Master has a Master?" [Tyrnius]
"Call him your Grandmaster." [Solace]
"And Leon's Master is Grandmaster's rival?" [Tyrnius]
"Yes." [Leon]
Was that part true? I don't remember whether or not Master actually said it. What if Jukhan thought they were rivals and Master didn't actually care? That would be embarrassing.
"Is that it?" [Solace]
"When will we meet our Grandmaster?" [Tyrnius]
"Uh… Can't say. One day he might just show up." [Solace]
We've been at the questions for so long that it had already gotten late and I didn't even get to finish the chores I was going to do today.
"I'll allow one last question then we're going to move on." [Solace]
Misa raised her hand.
"Yes, Misa." [Solace]
"...Can you repeat all that? I wasn't listening." [Misa]
I paused for a moment.
"...Okay, time for bed. Go to sleep you two, we'll continue in the morning." [Solace]
I ushered them to their rooms, leaving the living room to just me and Leon. I waved Leon to join me by the fireplace, where I had refreshments and a few snacks set aside. As we sat down, Leon faced me.
"...Why have you taken in disciples?" [Leon]
"On a whim." [Solace]
Now was the time to ask the questions I really wanted answered.
"Leon, you used to be like a brick wall. No offense." [Solace]
Leon stared at me blankly.
"I wanted to ask, were you really crying after our fight?" [Solace]
Leon's expression made no change.
"Yes, that is true." [Leon]
"I… didn't expect you to answer that directly." [Solace]
"It's a training Master has given me. I was told to learn to feel more, so he placed a spell that increased my emotions by a thousandfold." [Leon]
"Oh…" [Solace]
A thousandfold and she still has a blank expression most of the time.
"So that must be what the tattoos do." [Solace]
Leon tilted her head in confusion.
"The tattoos don't do that." [Leon]
"Huh? Then what do they do?" [Solace]
"Master said something about ancestry and heritage." [Leon]
I raised a brow.
"So… it does nothing?" [Solace]
I'd assume it did more than that considering it started glowing during our battle.
"Master said it makes me stronger." [Leon]
"...Anything else?" [Solace]
"I forgot." [Leon]
I feel like she can't do anything unless food is in the equation. Speaking of which, maybe that's the play.
"I'll make you something better to eat if you can remember." [Solace]
"...I suddenly remembered." [Leon]
No way that worked.
"Master told me that to inherit his powers, he would draw the Kaygrin people's ancestral rites on my body. The ink is mixed with… um… triple crowned lightning dragon, golden eel, fairyleaf juice, and Master's blood." [Leon]
"Hm…" [Solace]
Running it through my mind, I came to the conclusion that Jukhan put his power into the tattoo so that Leon was able to enter that lightning charged state.
("Damn, that's kinda cool.") [Solace]
"So what's this about Jukhan making your emotions stronger?" [Solace]
"Master said I won't grow stronger unless I harness my emotions." [Leon]
"I dunno, you seem to be harnessing it pretty well." [Solace]
She doesn't get mad easily, or sad, or anything really. Is that not what it means to fully harness your emotions?
"I asked Master that too. My father trained me to be like this, saying that I've mastered controlling myself." [Leon]
"Your father?" [Solace]
"Yes, I used to train with him until Master killed him." [Leon]
"Oh." [Solace]
I didn't expect that.
"...Are you aiming to take revenge on Jukhan?" [Solace]
Leon tilted her head again to show her puzzlement.
"Why would I do that?" [Leon]
"Cause… He killed your dad?" [Solace]
Leon's expression told me she was still lost.
"...And?" [Leon]
"Nevermind." [Solace]
I can now see what Jukhan meant. It's not that Leon has mastered her emotions, she's just devoid of it. You can't control what you don't have.
"Let's… Let's move on. Leon, can you um… tell me what happened after everyone left?" [Solace]
"Everyone left?" [Leon]
"I mean, Wilharrow, Raon, and Fina. How are they?" [Solace]
I can't lie, it's been nagging me about how things turned out for them.
"The lord was unhappy and Wilharrow was punished." [Leon]
"He was punished?!" [Solace]
"The reason was that he didn't control you from killing another hero, and harming a |Divine| beast." [Leon]
I let out an exasperated sigh.
("It's my fault… again?!") [Solace]
How am I still making a mess when I'm not even there.
"What about the others?" [Solace]
"Raon returned to his residence and is under house arrest." [Leon]
"And Fina?" [Solace]
"Fina is still taking classes under heavy restrictions." [Leon]
Heavy restrictions? What kind of restrictions can be placed on a student?
"Elaborate." [Solace]
"She is assigned guards to watch her, she cannot participate in most activities, and later she will be put on trial. She doesn't look well and there are rumors she can't summon her spirit anymore." [Leon]
Now that she mentions it, I haven't felt the tug of being summoned in a while.
"...Wait wait wait, put on trial?" [Solace]
Leon nodded.
"They say if not for her, you wouldn't have joined the hero's party. So, it's her fault that you did anything too." [Leon]
This logic is ridiculous.
"Do you know what will happen at the trial and when?" [Solace]
Leon shrugged.
("Cool, more problems. I think I'm going to have to change my lifestyle now.") [Solace]
No more lazing around. My next destination is Metus.
"...Well?" [Leon]
Snapping back to reality, I stared at Leon.
"Huh? Well what?" [Solace]
"Well, where's my food?" [Leon]
"Ah…" [Solace]
I almost forgot about that sudden promise.
"I'll make you something right now." [Solace]