Game Of Patience

Leo returned to the classroom, only to see a familiar figure standing next to the board. Madam Brown was an elderly figure well-known across the town as a friendly, kind, and accommodating person—loved by humans, vampires, werewolves, and members of the cult of Yaka alike.

She lost her husband a year ago and their entire town attended his funeral. That was the only uniting moment in the town since the discovery of the supernatural.

Madam Brown was in her late fifties, worked as a high school math teacher, and also owned a shop run by her youngest son. The family was deeply rooted in the history of this town and built a reputation of love and care.

If there was anyone that could unite everyone in this town, it was this woman.

"Good afternoon ma'am. It's nice to see you are doing well."

Leo walked up to the seated elderly woman who looked up, and a bright smile bloomed on her wrinkled face. Time may have washed away her beauty, but the innocence in her eyes remained. 

"Aah, little star." She called Leo by a name she had always called him since he was a toddler. "It was only a year ago when I last saw you, and you are all grown up now." 

Madam Brown rose to her feet, her shaking hands pressing his biceps and triceps.

"You are growing up strong like your father. I'm sure he would be proud to see the man you have become." Madam Brown praised him in front of the class.

Leo felt embarrassed, but he was too proud to show it. He maintained a warm smile and a calm demeanor as he thanked Madam Brown and went straight to his desk—he noticed Felix waving at him from the corner of his eyes but didn't wave back. 

Once seated, Azakar appeared with a fiery pop, but Dami didn't seem to notice him. He scuttled over to his right hand and focused his gaze on the ring on Leo's index finger.

"I know you were given this ring by your father but have you ever wondered where it's from and how it protects you?" Azakar asked and Leo shrugged. 

The thought had never crossed his mind and he never bothered to find out more about it. Since it was from his dad, he wore it without question.

"Conviction without knowledge. You are truly dumber than you look." Azakar sighed heavily. "But then again, that's how the sin of pride operates. He is more than enough, there is no need for smaller details. I guess stupidity is one of the criteria for gaining this power."

Leo wasn't sure why Azakar was annoyed, but he wasn't reading to trade insults with a baby-sized lion, especially when he was in Madam Brown's class. 

He ignored the spirit beast's rants and focused on Madam Brown. Math was one of Leo's favorite subjects, so it felt like time moved too fast. He was annoyed when the bell rang, signalling the end of school for the day.

As usual, Felix and Susan joined him. By the time he walked out of the main building, Mr. Anderson was already waiting with a warm smile.

Throughout the journey back home, Leo considered Azakar's complaints and found it reasonable. Why hadn't he asked about the ring after finding out its true purpose?

Was it because he was too focused on the system that he forgot about it?

Or did the power of the system make the ring insignificant?

Sometimes he even wondered why he still bothered wearing it. If it weren't for sentimental reasons, he wouldn't bother wearing it—he didn't need protection anymore.

The car fell silent after Felix and Susan were dropped off at their places. Leo played with the ring a bit—he felt Anderson's wary gaze from the rearview mirror.

"That morning Isaiah went missing, you came looking for me with this ring. Why?"

Leo looked up to meet his gaze in the rearview mirror, but Anderson suspiciously avoided his eyes.

"I only did that because you always had it on… I just thought you would freak out if you found out you left it at home." Anderson lied terribly.

"He's lying." Azakar shook his head and Leo nodded.

Anderson was a kind-hearted, simple-minded elderly man—of course, he sucked at lying.

"Sure. Well, you don't have to do that." Leo said with a mischievous gleam. "Because I won't be wearing this anymore."

Skrrrrrrr!

The car skidded with a loud screech as Andrew abruptly hit the brakes before looking up to meet Leo's gaze in the rearview mirror.

"Young Master…"

"If you think I'm too young to know then, I am also too young to make use of it," Leo said before dropping the ring to the front seat cupholder in front.

He leaned back and shut his eyes tight, enjoying the silence. A few seconds later, Anderson continued driving without a response, but Leo wasn't worried.

It didn't matter if the old man acted stubborn now. His resolve was bound to crumble by tomorrow when he had to head back to school. There was no way Anderson would let him go to school without the protection of the ring.

This was a fight he was certain he would come out on top. 

For now, all he needed to do was stay calm and wait.

{Name: Leo Morningstar}

{Race: Human}

{Status: Cambion}

{Level: 1}

{Demonic Force: 20/20}

{Strength: 1.0}

{Agility: 1.0}

{Vitality: 1.0}

{Intelligence: 1.0}

{Charisma:1.0}

{Demon Lord's Armory locked} {Requirement: Level 10}

{Requirement for next level: 39/100 FP}

{Devotees:35}

"I'll be leveling up in two days. I wonder what new ability I'll get this time. I hope it's worth all the hassle." Leo mumbled after giving his stats one last glance.