Chapter 43: Class Ability

Chapter 43: Class Ability

After a few minutes, the hug finally ended.

Seraphine stepped back with perfect composure as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. Her arms folded behind her, her posture calm, her voice measured. But the faint smile tugged at her lips refused to disappear—like it had made a home there.

Leon cleared his throat and looked away. His cheeks were just a bit too warm from the hug earlier.

’Why am I blushing? It was just a hug. A strong, spine-crushing hug... from my master. Who is kind of... overwhelmingly affectionate sometimes.’

He had been hugged many times but this was the first time he blussed due to it.

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. That smile was still there. She was pretending it wasn’t, but it clearly was.

She caught the look and tilted her head, amused. "Don’t be embarrassed," she said gently. "I’m your master. It’s my job to check if my disciple is emotionally functioning."

Leon blinked.

’Is that a real rule or did she just make it up?’

"...I’m functioning," he muttered, crossing his arms. "Just... not used to this."

Seraphine nodded sagely, still smiling. "Then consider it training in emotional resilience."

’She’s not going to let this go, is she?’

He looked down at the floor for a moment, then back at her smile—and despite himself, the corner of his mouth twitched up too.

This... wasn’t bad. Weird, sure. But not bad.

Seraphine turned with that familiar, sly smile tugging at her lips. "I was just making sure you won’t embarrass me when you get a girlfriend."

Leon blinked. ’Where did that come from?’

He straightened, brushing his bangs back with mock dignity. "Well, I do ’look’ older than ten. You might want to prepare yourself."

Seraphine arched an eyebrow.

He smirked faintly. "Who knows? I might introduce her to you someday. Hope you’re ready for that."

That got a soft, amused scoff out of her.

But before she could reply, Leon added quickly, "...Not that I’m in a rush or anything. Just—statistically speaking."

She leaned in slightly, hands on her hips. "You’ve been spending too much time calculating dungeon survival rates. Not everything is strategy."

Then, with a light flick to his forehead: "And you’re still ten. So keep those ’girlfriends’ hypothetical for at least a few more years."

Leon rubbed the spot she flicked, a slight blush on his cheeks despite his teasing tone.

Seraphine’s smile lingered, but something in her gaze shifted—subtle, thoughtful. She looked him over again.

The silver-white hair. The calm, sharp eyes. The quiet confidence in his posture.

’He really doesn’t look ten anymore... more like a fifteen to sixteen-year-old’

Her expression sobered. "Still, don’t rush. And if you ever do... bring someone into your life like that—"

She met his gaze directly.

"—I expect to be consulted."

Leon blinked. Then smirked. "Permission to date, granted by Knight-Commander Seraphine Vael?"

She didn’t answer. Just folded her arms, the faintest crease forming between her brows.

’Is she... actually serious?’

Leon exhaled softly, adjusting the collar of his new tunic. "Alright, alright. If it ever happens, I’ll run background checks, and then maybe schedule a meeting with you."

He turned toward the door, waving lazily over his shoulder.

"But you better start preparing now... because eventually, you ’are’ going to meet her."

He didn’t turn back to see her reaction.

If he had, he would’ve caught the sudden twitch in her jaw. The narrowed eyes. And the words, half-muttered under her breath:

"...Not if I meet her first."

The conversation was over.

But her mind? Still very much spinning.

’’’’’’

Leon still hadn’t checked what abilities came with his class.

He hadn’t absorbed any of the mana cores either—the ones he’d risked his life to collect.

’I really should’ve asked Seraphine for a demonstration...’

But instead of magic training, he got a full-body hug and a crushing dose of emotional whiplash.

’Yeah. Not the time.’

He followed the maid through the hall in silence, arms tucked neatly behind his back. But if she thought ’he’ was quiet, she clearly hadn’t heard the whispering storm behind her.

"His hair... it’s actually silver-white—"

"And those eyes—did you see the glow?"

"He looks like a little prince... or... no—doesn’t he remind you of the young master Leon?"

Leon blinked, inwardly wincing.

’Guess I was more memorable than I thought.’

The murmurs only grew louder as more maids appeared around corners like butterflies drawn to sugar.

"He’s adorable—no, handsome—wait, both!"

"I’ve never seen anyone that pretty walk through these halls without an escort."

"Do you think he’s from a noble house? Maybe one of those secret heirs—"

Leon said nothing.

Not a word.

He just let his blank expression do the talking and followed the first maid until they reached a tall, double-door chamber at the end of the west wing.

She opened it with a slight bow.

And Leon paused.

For a breath.

Then he stepped inside.

The room looked like it belonged to a noble heir who’d already inherited a fortune.

Soft white carpet stretched across the floor, muffling each footstep. Golden-trimmed curtains hung from tall windows that let sunlight spill like honey across everything it touched. A crystal chandelier hovered from the ceiling, its frame shaped like twisted vines and ice.

The bed—gods, the bed—looked like it could erase trauma. Four posts, carved with delicate art, held a sheer silk canopy. The sheets were cloud-pale, and the pillows were stacked in layers that threatened to consume whoever lay down.

There was a sitting area with a velvet couch, a mahogany desk near the far wall, and a shelf stocked with thick-bound books. A tray of fruit and honey pastries waited on a silver stand.

And the bath?

It was sunk into the floor and lined with marble, faint steam curling into the air.

"...this is too much," Leon muttered even more luxurious than his previous room.

But he could understand why she had changed his room suddenly.

The maid behind him smiled brightly. "The Commander insisted you receive a room equal to your contribution, young master."

He turned slightly.

"Alright, you can go now."

Maid hearing his command quietly left.

He stepped into the room, letting the doors close behind him.

Silence returned.

He moved to the center and sat cross-legged on the soft carpet.

The mana cores waited.

And his class—Elemental Paragon—remained untouched, unread, unrealized.

He breathed in slowly.

Then out.

’Alright. Let’s finally see what I’ve become.’

Leon thought system in his mind once again as the transparent golden screen appeared in front of him.

[Character Information]

[Name: Leon]

[Level: 1]

[Class: Elemental Paragon(SSS)]

[Age: 10 ( Soul Age: 19)]

[Race: Human]

[Cultivation: Apprentice Rank]

[Affinity: All (Rank 5)]

[Strength: 8]

[Agility: 9]

[Stamina: 9]

[Mana: 1000]

[Intelligence: 100]

[Skills: None]

[Technique: Mana Body Enhancement(Adept Rank)]

He focused a bit more on his class a new window popped up in front of him.

[Class: Elemental Paragon(SSS)]

[Abilities]

[Passive Ability: Elemental Crown]

—> Effect: When used All elemental affinities are increased by +2 ranks, regardless of their original tier.

Leon read the passive ability of his class there was only one ability, but he didn’t feel the least bit disappointed after knowing its overpowered effect of increasing all his elemental affinity by two ranks.