Leon dismissed the skeleton after that, and they spoke further, about the academy mostly. She thought he should return soon after staying at home a little longer, given the fact that he was now fully healed, and he would miss out of important things since school was still in session.
Even though she gave that suggestion, Leon could tell that was not entirely what she wanted. He could also sense some tension, though barely noticeable, around her. He figured she wanted to talk about why he left and what he had been up to, but there just was no way to bring it up naturally, and he made sure of that when possible.
Leon disagreed calmly. The academy's curriculum was heavy on practical over theory which they were expected to have learned enough of before the academy. The first year was focused on getting students through the fundamentals of dungeon raids and familiarity with their summons, alongside other little but important things. Right now, he had basically speed-ran the entire curriculum, at least the bulk of it, raiding an entire dungeon alone. With such an achievement, he was ok to stay home for a while longer, perhaps for the full length of the break he was allowed on medical basis.
Hearing such a strong reason, his stepmother didn't take long considering before agreeing, in the end it was in line with her own personal wish.
With nothing left to discuss, Leon left the study, leaving his stepmother alone to work on whatever she had to do.
He spent the rest of the afternoon exploring around the estate properly for the first time since arrival. He just moved through it without any particular destination, lost most of the time, but he found his memory opening up as he progressed, finding himself remembering and knowing things he didn't before.
By the time the sun had moved considerably lower, the place had started to feel less like a building he was visiting and more like something that belonged to him.
Not long after, Alyssa found him while he was returning towards the side where his room was located. "The raid tomorrow. Still interested?"
"Yeah." Leon answered simply, not caring to stretch the conversion, since she wasn't exactly the chatty type.
"Good." She said, studying him briefly. "We'll be leaving early, so be ready." Leon gave her a nod, and just like that, she was gone.
He watched her leave with some curiosity. 'She really is something else,' he thought to himself as he went on him way.
. . .
That night Leon locked his door and summoned the door through.
It appeared with the usual theatre, death energy spreading across the room, the ancient carvings catching the light. He watched it open with the patience he had been developing over the past several days, the patient expectation of someone who had made peace with receiving one skeleton warrior at a time and was simply waiting to see how long that continued.
Once the doors opened fully, an undead skeleton walked through it. Once again, it was another skeleton warrior, Leon was not surprised this time.
However, this one seemed a little different, primarily in the way it carried itself. While it still appeared sluggish at first like the rest, it didn't look as lazy, and stood more upright.
'That's certainly new.'
Leon, without beating around the bush, checked its information to confirm his suspicion.
…
Summon: Skeleton Warrior
Description: An undead skeleton warrior, wielding a great sword.
Grade: 2 (Entry)
Potential: 2 (Entry)
…
Leon read it twice.
Grade 2 entry level, the very bottom of the next tier, nothing that would cause anyone who knew what they were looking at to revise their opinion significantly, but Grade 2 nonetheless. It didn't look like much, but the gap between each grades was not a small matter at all, it was massive! Though with a potential of Grade 2 entry, it meant the skeleton had already reached the ceiling of its growth.
Studying the skeleton in more detail again, it actually felt even more different, especially the energy that came from it. He could feel it was richer than the others. This was definitely something!
He stored the new skeleton in his summoner's space alongside the others, and the door dissolved as it always did, leaving the atmosphere ordinary again.
With this, he was actually looking forward to the dungeon raid that was the next day. He had to test the strength of this new summon.
…
Early the next morning, Leon who didn't have to prepare much, was ready to go. He had taken his bath and had something to eat though it was a bit early. He didn't make plans for food, but apparently, Alyssa had done so.
As soon as he was done eating, almost as though she could see him, Alyssa entered into his room after a brief knock on his door, without waiting for a response.
"Ready?" She asked plainly.
"Yeah."
Leon looked at her, noting that she was wearing a black suit that hugged her body all through, showing her fine figure and moderate assets. Her hair was braided into a single braid, and with her somewhat sharper features, she really had an almost wild beauty of a warrior.
"What are you staring at? Let's go." She said, walking directly towards his window, opening it, and jumping down from the first floor unceremonially.
Leon was taken aback a little. He had to check to make sure she was ok, and she was. 'I need to make a mental note what Rank she is.' He thought to himself.
"Well?!" She called from below, but Leon just made a gesture, signaling he would be using the conventional method. Slow, but efficient.
By the time he was down, a luxury looking black sedan was waiting, with Alyssa already inside in the back seat.
Once he got in, the car moved.