Tyrant Emperor

"It's fine, Leon. You need to rest," his mother said gently, her eyes fixed on him. "It's okay if you can't do it right now, but don't push yourself too hard. Rest is just as important."

"Thank you, Mother." Leon nodded with a peaceful expression, his tense brows slowly softening. Closing his eyes, he drifted into a calm sleep.

Zara leaned in, kissed his forehead, and then turned her amused gaze toward a small patch of golden hair peeking out from behind the curtains.

"It's late. You should head back now," she said with a knowing smile.

"Hehe." A little head popped out from the curtains, wearing a cheeky grin. "Thank you, Aunty Zara."

"You and Leon would make a wonderful pair if you two got married," Zara teased.

"Eh?" Tina froze, her cheeks flushing a faint pink. "Umm… I…"

"Haha, Leon has been a lone wolf since he was born," Zara said with a soft chuckle. "As he's grown, he often seems so withdrawn. I've tried to encourage him, but nothing seems to make a difference. Yet, somehow, you always bring a smile to his face. So, thank you for that."

"It's nothing like that, Aunty." Tina rubbed the back of her head, her cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment.

Zara gave her a meaningful look, her gaze warm and knowing. "You should head home now. I assume you don't need any guards, do you?"

"Yeah." Tina nodded.

She turned and walked out of the house, her steps light but unhurried.

The moment she stepped outside, a shadowed figure stood waiting for her.

"Why are you out so late?" the figure asked in a deep, steady voice.

"I was meeting with my friend, Father."

"I see, let's go then."

The two figures vanished into the night, dissolving into the shadows as if they were made of dust.

"This girl is a little special," Zara murmured, her sharp eyes narrowing as she gazed through the window at the spot where they had disappeared. "She must be the daughter of a hidden expert. His energy is concealed within his body, but there's an unmistakable sense of danger surrounding him."

At that moment, Alex entered the room and approached her.

"Do you have any idea who he might be, Alex?" Zara asked.

"He's definitely someone significant," Alex replied, his gaze fixed in the same direction. "Even from a distance, I can sense a formidable presence. He must be at least a Thousand-strong warrior, like us."

"So he truly is a hidden expert," She narrowed her eyes.

"Things are growing stormy in the palace, and these kinds of hidden experts are emerging everywhere," he said in a rough voice laced with apology. 

"Sigh," Zara shook her head. "Is there no way to save my big brother?"

Alex fell silent, but his silence was the clearest answer to everything that could have been said. 

She bit her lip, already knowing the outcome: 

"I'm just scared for my baby, that's all."

"He should be alright," Alex began, patting her shoulder. "Like the eight trials the Primordial Anthropos endured, all of us must face trials in our lives. No one can escape them. He is a strong and brave warrior; he won't back down."

"I hope so." Zara leaned against Alex's brawny chest and silently gazed at the full, bright moon.

"Beneath the moon's unwavering glow, 

I ponder paths I dare not know. 

A storm brews wild within my chest, 

Yet for my child, I'll give my best." 

She looked at Leon with a loving gaze. 

"So small, so pure, his world so bright, 

Untouched by shadows, free from fright. 

I dream he walks where peace resides, 

His laughter shall soar through the tides." 

"My arms will guard, my love will guide, 

Through every wave, through every tide. 

And though the moon sees trials unfold, 

For Leon, I'll weave dreams of gold." 

She gently kissed his forehead and quietly left his room with Alex, leaving Leon to rest peacefully. 

…

The next day, Leon woke up with a clear mind as the morning sun cast its warm glow on his face. 

Slowly opening his eyes, he stretched his body with a sigh before leaping out of bed. Without delay, he jumped through the window and began his morning routine. 

Once finished, he dressed neatly, ready to head to school. 

"Mother, I'm going!" he shouted before leaving the house. 

Fatty, as always, was running late. Leon strolled leisurely down the path, knowing exactly what to expect. Sure enough, Fatty came barreling toward him, almost frantic. 

Low panting noises escaped Fatty as his chest heaved with each breath, constricting and expanding rapidly. 

Leon continued walking without slowing down or glancing back. 

"Hey, wait for me!" Fatty called out, picking up his pace. 

By the time they arrived at school, the duo had already grown into a trio.

"Hehe, Leon, how did the night go for you?" Tina asked with a playful smile. 

Leon glanced at her from the corner of his eye and spoke lightly. "When did you leave?" 

"After you were exhausted for the night." 

"I see," Leon nodded and looked ahead, showing no further interest in the conversation. 

"Were you at Leon's home?" Fatty asked curiously, his face full of confusion. 

"Yeah," Tina replied casually, not sparing another word for Fatty. 

"Hey, don't ignore me just because Leon ignored you!" Marcus protested, his tone filled with righteous frustration. 

As they reached the entrance of the academy, the trio suddenly found their path blocked by a group of people. 

"Edwin, what are you doing here?" 

Marcus asked with a frown.

"I'm not here for you," Edwin retorted, brushing off Marcus's question as he fixed his gaze on Leon. 

Slowly, Edwin walked up to Leon, and the group behind him followed suit, their movements synchronised like a pack under their leader's command. 

"What are you guys planning?" Tina demanded, stepping forward to stand in front of Leon. Her stance was firm, arms at her sides, ready to shield him if needed. Marcus quickly followed her lead, positioning himself beside her. 

"You two..." Leon shook his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. He didn't need anyone to defend him. 

Even if all of them attacked at once, he was confident he could knock out a few teeth and send them running home to cry for their mommy.