Chapter 40: Change and Surprised Seraphine.

Chapter 40 – Change and Surprised Seraphine.

Leon stepped in front of Seraphine’s office door.

Polished oak. Reinforced hinges. The same place where most of his major life changes had begun with a single knock.

But before he could reach for the handle, the guard standing outside straightened.

Kaela_

The woman’s gaze flicked over him—once, sharply—and for a brief second, her eyes widened in disbelief.

Just for a second.

Then her expression reset, face turning crisp and neutral again. A trained soldier’s mask.

Still, Leon noticed the faint stiffness in her shoulders.

She nodded politely and stepped aside. "The commander is expecting you."

He inclined his head, saying nothing, and moved to enter.

But behind those calm words, Kaela’s mind was racing.

That hair. Those eyes are different but... That walk. There’s no mistake.

She’d been one of the first to meet him—back when Seraphine returned from Grayridge with a malnourished, sarcastic slum rat wrapped in a cloak and smirking like he owned the world. She remembered the file: orphan, no family, no records, just sharp eyes and sharper words.

So who the hell was this tall, handsome boy with the same silver-white hair and that exact aura?

It’s Leon. It has to be.

He looked different—no, transformed—but she didn’t need proof. She’d spent months watching the commander obsess over his training, treating the boy like her own blood.

And now here he was. Alive.

Changed.

And clearly... not dead.

Which meant the commander hadn’t lost him.

This meant Kaela could stop bracing for grief, for fury, for silence that stretched for weeks.

She exhaled quietly as the door clicked behind him.

Good. She still has him.

That was enough.

Leon stepped into the office, his posture relaxed but alert. Across the room, Seraphine looked up from a document, her amethyst eyes locking onto his the moment the door closed.

She had clearly just bathed and changed—her usual formal attire was crisp, her hair pulled back in her usual elegant style. Professional. Composed. But there was a softness in her gaze that hadn’t been there months ago.

Leon took the seat in front of her like it was second nature.

No tension. No hesitation.

Just a quiet understanding between master and disciple.

"You look good," Seraphine said softly, studying him.

"You too," he replied with a small smirk, letting himself relax a little. "Beautiful and dangerous. Your usual."

She allowed a faint smile.

He didn’t wait for her to say it.

"You wanted to know about the dungeon?" he offered, breaking the silence first.

Seraphine rested her chin against her hand and shook her head gently.

"I’m not curious about the details," she said. "If something important happens, you’ll tell me when you’re ready."

Leon blinked once.

She’s giving me space...? That’s new.

He nodded. "Alright."

"But—" she continued, "what I

am

curious about... is your class in more detail. And your elemental affinities."

Leon folded his arms across his chest, but not defensively—more in thought.

Seraphine leaned forward slightly, expression calm. "I already know you’re the only A-rank class holder in the entire kingdom. I’ve never seen it before—at least, not from anyone native to Lower Domain."

Lower Domain!!!

She knows about the Lower Domain.

He wanted to ask more about it but he knew now was not the right time, though he still cluelessly mentioned:

"What’s Lower Domain?"

Seraphine, hearing his question, responded with a serious expression.

"I’ll tell you everything when the time is right, Leon. But right now, you’re too weak to know about it. And don’t talk about this to anyone."

Leon nodded at her firm tone.

He let that sink in.

She changed the subject flawlessly.

"I also want to explain something I never told you before," she said. "Children born from nobles or awakened individuals can use mana from birth."

He tilted his head slightly. That was news.

"But," she added, "the amount they can access is so small, it rarely grants them any real advantage. Only a few ever make something of it. I didn’t mention it back then, because... well, I didn’t want to discourage you."

Leon stayed quiet. Listening. Processing.

"I thought you were just an exceptionally determined kid," she said with a smile. "I didn’t expect you to become

this.

"

Then her tone shifted, just slightly—more personal.

"I wasn’t born a noble either, Leon. You know that."

He nodded.

"I climbed to the top by force, sweat, and stubbornness. The kingdom didn’t hand me anything. So believe me when I say—I know what it takes. And I know

you

can do the same."

For a moment, Leon didn’t reply.

Then he looked at her—not as a commander. Not as a noble. But as

his

mater Seraphine.

"I’ll do more than that," he said quietly. "I’ll go further than anyone expects."

Seraphine’s smile returned—warmer this time.

And though neither of them said it aloud, something passed between them in that moment.

Pride. Trust. And something deeper.

A bond that had long since stopped being just about training.

Leon leaned back slightly in the chair, resting his arms on the sides with a casual grace. "Like I said earlier, it’s A-rank," he repeated innocently. "But I’m keeping the class itself a secret for now."

Seraphine didn’t argue. She only raised an eyebrow and let it go.

Good,

Leon thought, keeping his expression light.

I don’t want to lie more than necessary. But she already knows about the rank... better to just keep it vague now.

"However," he continued, "I can tell you about my affinities."

That got her attention. Her eyes sharpened instantly.

Leon looked straight at her, relaxed but measured. "Space, lightning, and ice."

There was a beat of silence.

Then Seraphine blinked, slowly. "Three?" she asked, voice calm—but he could see the faint surprise ripple in her composure.

Leon nodded. "Yeah. I felt a natural pull toward those elements."

Honestly, I felt a pull toward all elements.

Space... because of what I saw. That portal. That movement. That instinct to blink between places—it stayed with me. And besides... teleportation, pocket dimensions, and all that cool stuff I used to read about in novels—it always came from space magic.

It’s versatile. Rare. Dangerous. And it feels... right.

As for lightning, I figured I could use something fast and destructive. Plus, Master also had the same affinity. She would be happy to know this.

Seraphine’s lips curved slightly and Leon felt good seeing her like that.

That wasn’t a lie either... not really. I just thought it’d be nice if she saw a little bit of herself in me. Something to make her happy.

And ice... Crowd control. Shields. Traps. It’s flexible. Doesn’t rely on brute strength, and it’s effective against a lot of enemies.

Also helps that I’ve already used it.

Seraphine leaned back in her chair now, truly studying him. She wasn’t smiling—she was stunned.

"You’re sure?" she asked. "Three affinities?"

He nodded again, confidently.

No need to lie about this part. It’s not a secret anymore, and she’s already sensed some of it.

"Space," she murmured. "I’ve only heard of one person with that affinity in my life—and it wasn’t from Lower Domain. That’s considered... legendary."

Leon didn’t speak. He simply met her gaze.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, but there was no suspicion in them. Only curiosity. And something else.

Pride.

"You really are something," she said softly.

He looked away for a second, hiding the way her words made his chest feel strangely warm.

Don’t get soft now.

But even as he told himself that... a small, genuine smile tugged at his lips.

Because coming from her?

It meant everything.