Chapter 5: The Hunt That Sharpens Steel

The morning wind was sharp and cold as Leonidas ventured deeper into the forest. The last hunt had tested him, and today, he wanted more. Not because of pride — but because he knew what lay ahead.

"If I can't handle this now, how will I protect them when the real monsters come?"

Snow crunched beneath his boots as he gripped the hilt of his longsword, the dark blade glinting faintly beneath the thin sunlight. His body felt stronger than days ago, muscles moving smoother, as though something inside was slowly waking up — as if Solomon's wisdom and Kratos' might were finding balance within him.

Hours passed, and with every step, he tracked, eyes sharp like a wolf's, every sound and trail telling him a story of the forest.

Soon, he found his first prey: a large boar, thicker and meaner than the others he had seen before. Its tusks were cracked and sharp like knives, and its red eyes glared at him, ready to charge.

Leonidas drew his sword slowly, exhaling as he centered himself, remembering his father's lessons on focus — but also feeling the faint hum of magic in his veins, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat.

The boar charged.

Leonidas stood his ground, waiting until the last moment before sidestepping with perfect timing, his sword slicing clean across its side.

The boar shrieked but turned fast, faster than he expected, and this time Leonidas had to roll to avoid its tusks.

"Adapt. Control."

As the beast charged again, Leonidas focused inward, and for a split second, a faint golden barrier flickered around him, dulling the force of the impact when he parried the boar's tusk with his sword's flat.

Magic. Unstable but responding.

With a sharp cry, Leonidas brought his blade down hard, splitting the beast's back open. It collapsed with a final groan.

Leonidas stood panting, watching the steam rise from its body.

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A small smirk tugged at his lips.

"Little by little."

Later that day, as he ventured deeper, he found himself facing another challenge — a wolf pack.

Three of them, gaunt and hungry, eyes glowing faintly as they circled him.

Leonidas readied his sword, watching them closely.

"Father told me... wolves are never alone."

The first lunged.

Leonidas sidestepped smoothly, driving his blade up through its chest — but even as he killed it, the second one lunged at his side.

Instinct took over.

His left hand shot out, and a burst of golden force pushed the wolf back, a small barrier knocking it midair.

Eyes widening slightly, Leonidas gritted his teeth.

"It's getting easier to call on it now..."

As the third wolf came for his throat, Leonidas spun with a low sweep of his sword, cleaving into its legs and finishing it with a quick thrust.

Panting, he turned to see the second wolf — the one he'd blasted back — limping toward him, growling weakly.

He stepped forward, sword raised.

"For the safety of my family," he whispered — and with a clean swing, ended its suffering.

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As night began to fall, Leonidas set up a small camp, resting by a fire, the wolves' bodies left for scavengers.

He stared into the flames, opening his palm to let a faint golden glyph dance over his skin, like a living sigil pulsing with quiet power.

"Still weak... but growing."

"Master, at this pace, you'll soon be able to command lesser demons with ease."

"Just say the word..."

Leonidas smirked, whispering back internally:

"Not yet. My family comes first."

He tightened his fist, extinguishing the light.

By morning, he resumed hunting, taking down another deer with precise sword strikes, avoiding the use of magic — training both his body and discipline.

The deer fell cleanly, and Leonidas hoisted it over his shoulder, carrying it back to the cabin with silent pride.

As he approached the house, Atreus spotted him first, running out with wide eyes.

"You got a deer! By yourself?!"

Leonidas chuckled, ruffling Atreus' hair as he set the deer down.

"Of course. It wasn't too hard."

Atreus grinned. "You gotta show me how you do that!"

Kratos stepped out from the shadows of the house, arms crossed, watching the two of them.

Leonidas stood tall, not boasting, just meeting his father's gaze with quiet strength.

Kratos nodded, a faint glimmer of approval in his eyes.

"Good."

Leonidas smiled slightly and followed Atreus inside.

That night, as the fire burned low and his family sat close, Leonidas looked over at his mother and father, then at Atreus — laughing about something childish.

"For them, I'll grow stronger. Always."

As he lay in bed, the system flickered in his mind again:

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Physical Reinforcement: Increasing (Strength and speed nearing adult human peak). Magical Circuits: Active (Low-tier spells possible, including basic barrier formation). Command Authority over Ars Goetia: Minor (No summoning yet, but presence acknowledged).

Leonidas smirked faintly in the dark.

"Step by step. One day, when they need me, I'll be ready."

And with that final thought, he closed his eyes, listening to the quiet crackle of the fire — and the heartbeat of his family safe and sound.