The sun had barely risen over the training grounds when Sylren was already sprinting through the dirt paths, her breath visible in the morning chill. Sweat clung to her forehead as she passed another checkpoint.
At the edge of the field, Jack stood with his arms folded.
"Listen, kid," he called out. "You're good at healing. But healing drains stamina. The stronger your body, the longer you'll last in battle. Keep running."
Sylren nearly stumbled but nodded. "Y-Yes!"
After another lap, she finally sank into a wooden chair near the outpost tent. Her chest rose and fell rapidly.
Not long after, Leo appeared from the forest path, equally exhausted. He collapsed beside her, wordlessly gripping his knees.
Sylren noticed his dry lips and cracked voice.
Without hesitation, she offered him her water bottle, despite her own thirst.
Leo looked at her. "You're not drinking?"
Sylren smiled, pushing it into his hands. "Master, please. You first."
He drank slowly, then handed it back.
But Sylren just stared at the bottle.
If I drink this… that's like… sharing a drink with Master… Her cheeks flushed. That's… like an indirect kiss…
Before she could raise it to her lips, Leo returned and placed a fresh bottle in her lap.
"You're not drinking that. I got you a new one."
"…Oh," Sylren murmured. She forced a smile, her tiny fantasy dissolving into mist. All my expectations… gone just like that.
The months passed quickly. Mission after mission brought Leo and Sylren closer—but also reminded Sylren how impossible Leo's walls were.
- On a wilderness recon mission, Sylren tried to share a tent with him due to rain. He offered her his dry cloak… and slept under a tree.
- During a mountain outpost raid, she fell on him during a skirmish and blushed terribly—only for Leo to pull her up and ask if her leg was sprained.
- While in disguise during a noble infiltration, she wore a gorgeous gown and twirled toward Leo. "How do I look, Master?" Leo glanced at her. "…We need to blend in. Don't trip on the stairs."
And every time—every time—Sylren would get close, Leo would simply blink and continue walking.
Still… she never gave up.
Their latest mission brought them to a snow-covered fortress atop the northern highlands. The blizzard was so intense they were forced to take shelter inside an abandoned watchtower near the cliffs.
Leo had wiped out the enemy quietly—swift, deadly, and without a sound.
Sylren was patching up a wound on his side, her healing magic glowing faintly beneath her fingertips. "You're stronger than ever, Master. You cleared that place… alone."
Leo didn't respond.
On their way back, the snow thickened. Visibility dropped to inches. The wind howled like wolves. Sylren began to shiver violently.
Without a word, Leo removed his hanfu cloak and draped it over her shoulders. Then, pulling her closer to share warmth, he wrapped his arms around her.
Her breath hitched. "M-Master…?"
"You'll freeze without it."
Sylren blushed furiously, her heart hammering.
Is he… holding me? Is this real? This is it! A romantic moment! If he kissed me now, I could become the mother of his—
Leo exhaled and lit a small fire using elemental magic. He started cooking a simple stew over it.
"Eat before it gets cold."
Sylren, still flustered, sat beside him and watched the flames dance.
After they ate, Sylren, emboldened by the moment, sat softly on Leo's lap.
Leo looked up from the fire. "Sylren, what are you doing?"
She raised a finger to his lips. "Master, please. Keep quiet… Let me take care of you, just this once."
She leaned forward, brushing his collar aside. A gentle press on his neck—just enough to leave a light mark.
Leo's eyes narrowed. "Sylren… stop."
She froze.
"Put my coat back on. What are you trying to do?"
"…I'm sorry," she whispered. "But Lord Necros told me… if I want a boy to fall for me, I need to be… seductive."
Leo pinched the bridge of his nose. Necros… what are you teaching this girl…
He groaned. "So… your plan was…?"
Sylren's face reddened. "I wanted to become the mother of your child."
Leo blinked.
"…What."
She lowered her voice. "If a boy and girl kiss, the girl gets pregnant, right?"
For the first time since Eno's death, Leo… laughed.
A real, unguarded laugh.
He placed a hand gently on Sylren's head, petting her hair.
"You're… you're cute. But you're also incredibly misinformed."
Sylren giggled, though her face was still flushed red. She settled back on his lap, now calmer. Leo wrapped his hanfu around them both again.
She quickly drifted to sleep, her breath soft against his chest.
Leo looked down at her peaceful face.
Then he looked up at the dark sky, stars barely visible through the drifting snow.
"God… please," he whispered. "Don't take this new world from me…"
His voice trembled.
"I already lost once. I don't know if I could bear it again."
The fire crackled quietly.
And for that moment—just that one fragile, fleeting moment—Leo let himself hope.