With the mysterious bracelet in his possession, Leon felt as though he were carrying a lump of hot charcoal—thrilled, yet uneasy. His feet nearly flew, but he forced himself to keep a normal pace as he walked through the increasingly quiet streets of the Imperial Capital. Every slight jostle let him clearly feel the faint yet unmistakable warmth of the metal ring resonating from the pocket against his body.
By the time he returned to Count Strauss's Mansion, night had completely fallen. The soft glow of the magic lamps illuminated the silent corridors, where a puppet occasionally glided past without a sound. Leon had no appetite for dinner in the dining hall, and for the moment he set his fatigue aside and went straight to his room.
He locked the door behind him and carefully checked that the windows were shut tight. Only then did he let out a long breath, as if a crushing weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He went to his desk, lit the magic lamp, and under its bright, steady glow carefully took out the ashen bracelet and placed it on the dark velvet desk cloth.
Away from direct contact with his body, the bracelet's dull surface seemed even more pronounced, and it looked somewhat rough under the light. It lay there quietly, utterly inconspicuous, no different from the cheap jewelry sold at roadside stalls. Anyone who saw it would have found it hard to imagine that it might contain a secret capable of resonating with Leon's strange magic.
Leon held his breath and focused once more, slowly reaching toward the bracelet with his faint Spiritual Power, like a feeler.
This time, without the clamor of the market or the interference of physical contact, his perception was much clearer. It wasn't a strong fluctuation of energy, but an extremely restrained, profound "presence." Inside the bracelet, specks of silver light finer than dust really were drifting slowly, tracing a complex and enigmatic pattern, as if following some ancient rhythm. His magic resonated with them; instead of growing restless, it felt like a drifting boat finding a faint lighthouse, and a strange sense of "belonging" and "peace" arose within him.
"This definitely isn't an ordinary magic item..." Leon was more certain than ever. It seemed more like a... vessel? Or perhaps some kind of key? Its true purpose and power were probably far beyond what he could understand or reach right now.
His excitement gradually gave way to deep caution. The item's value might far exceed his imagination. He understood better than anyone that possessing a treasure could invite disaster. Given his current status as the "Imperial Capital's Young Scion" and a "Magic Trash," and his lack of strength, if the bracelet's secret got out, he would face not opportunity but utter ruin. The forces lurking in the shadows, greedy collectors, and even the Empire's officials wouldn't leave him alone.
"I have to hide it!" The thought was clear and resolute.
He couldn't ask Aunt Margaret for help or seek out a craftsman; he couldn't even let the bracelet out of his sight. At least until he had enough power to protect himself, or had fully uncovered its origins and purpose, its existence had to remain an absolute secret.
So how could he hide it?
Hide it in his room? Count Strauss's Mansion was safe, but Aunt Margaret was unfathomable; she might have some special means of detection. Besides, puppets cleaned the place regularly, so it wasn't secure enough.
Carry it with him? That seemed the safest choice, after all, the most dangerous place was often the safest. But his Coming-of-Age Ceremony was fast approaching, and he would need to meet people and attend banquets. An accident was always possible. If he got into a conflict or had his body examined by a powerful expert—say, a knight on Victor's level or a particularly perceptive mage—there was still a risk of discovery.
He needed a more ingenious solution.
Leon scanned the room, his gaze finally falling on a small rosewood box in one corner of his desk. The former owner had used it to store various odds and ends, such as fancy seals, an old watch chain, and a few antique gold coins in good condition. The box was small, finely crafted, and fitted with a simple clasp.
An idea struck him. Perhaps mixing the bracelet in with a pile of "junk" would make a good disguise. The most inconspicuous places were often the easiest to overlook.
He opened the box, which did indeed contain a haphazard assortment of small items. Leon picked up the bracelet and hesitated. Simply putting it inside didn't seem secure enough. After a moment's thought, he fetched a soft piece of flannel from the wardrobe, the kind used to polish armor. He carefully wrapped the bracelet in several layers until its shape was completely hidden, then tucked it into the very bottom of the box and covered it with the odds and ends.
He closed the box and fastened the clasp. Leon tried sensing the bracelet with his Spiritual Power again. Sure enough, separated by the wooden box and flannel, the strange resonance grew so faint that it was almost imperceptible, like a pebble dropped into a deep pool whose ripples quickly faded. Unless someone deliberately scanned the box inch by inch with powerful Spiritual Power, it would be difficult to notice anything unusual.
"For now... this will have to do." Leon returned the box to its place on the desk, among the books and scrolls, where it looked utterly ordinary.
Though the bracelet was hidden, Leon couldn't completely relax. This unexpected discovery was like a boulder dropped into the lake of his heart, and the ripples it had stirred were far from settled. Along with opportunity, it had brought enormous pressure and a sense of urgency.
He needed power—he needed to grow stronger, and fast! Not only to face possible dangers, but also so that one day he could truly earn the right to explore the bracelet's secrets.
He had to seize the opportunity offered by the Magic Academy's Training Class! He would study magic systematically, learning not only how to meditate but also how to identify and enchant magic items, and even how they were made. Only then might he be able to unveil the bracelet's secrets on his own.
And then there was Elisa's gift... He couldn't give her the bracelet yet; he had to prepare something "proper" and conventional to give her openly. Purple, calming, useful. Images of the items he'd seen at Starlight Plaza that day flashed through his mind. A high-quality amethyst imbued with calming magic? Or a purple magic accessory with a subtle protective or focusing effect? They were ordinary, but at least safe and reliable. He should have enough of his remaining budget.
With that in mind, Leon spread out some paper and began drafting a short list of possible gifts, noting their approximate price ranges. He decided to visit a few reputable, large jewelry shops and magic-item stores the next day to make his final comparisons and choice.
By the time he had finished, it was late. His fatigue surged back like a tide, heavier than before. Yet his mind was in a strangely heightened state. He went to the window and opened it, letting the cold night air brush his face.
Because of the Magic Tower and the lights scattered throughout the Imperial Capital, few stars could be seen in the night sky. But Leon instinctively looked up, searching for them. Was the bracelet truly connected to distant stars? Was its arrival a coincidence, or had some force of destiny drawn it to him?
He didn't know the answer. But he knew that from the moment he found the bracelet, the course of his life might have quietly strayed from its appointed path. The road ahead was filled with unknown dangers, but it also held boundless possibilities.
He drew in a lungful of icy air and closed the window. For now, he needed rest and a chance to recover his strength. Then he would continue his secret training, waiting for the Magic Academy's Training Class to begin, waiting... for his moment to come.
The bracelet lay hidden in its case, like a seed buried in the earth. Silence was only a prelude to a stronger sprouting. Leon blew out the lamp, and the room fell into darkness. Yet in the dark, his eyes shone with unusual brightness.
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