Chapter 30: Forming an Alliance
Third Person’s POV
Valra groaned softly, her brows furrowing as her heavy eyelids fluttered open. A dull ache pounded behind her eyes, and the scent of dust mixed with the night air filled her senses. As her vision cleared, the first thing she saw was Leo... sitting calmly beside her, wearing a gentle, almost awkward smile on his face.
"YMMFFF...??" Her muffled cry came out instinctively as she tried to speak—but her voice was caught, restrained. She blinked rapidly, trying to understand what was happening.
Her mouth was stuffed with cotton, taped shut so tightly she couldn’t even push her tongue forward. Her arms were pinned behind her back, bound tightly with thick silver tape. Her legs were wrapped up as well, knees bent and ankles pressed together like a prisoner.
She was on the ground. Not a bed, not a floor... a cold, empty stretch of road under the night sky, with no lights, no cover—just her and him. Leo sat cross-legged nearby, looking far too casual for someone who had just gagged and restrained a powerful mage.
Before she could even think about activating her magic to break free, Leo raised a hand slightly and said in a calm, clear tone, "I’ll knock you out before you get the chance to do anything. Just listen to me for a moment. Please. I’m not here to fight."
Valra growled into the gag, her eyes narrowing in fury. Her expression darkened with rage and insult. If anyone—anyone—were to see her like this, helpless, bound and silenced by a mere human, she would be a disgrace to her lineage.
A mage from a noble mage clan, caught and tied up like some low-tier street thief? The thought alone burned in her chest.
Leo noticed the sheer fury in her glare, but he didn’t flinch. He didn’t look away. His voice stayed soft, steady. "I know it looks bad. I know you’re angry. I didn’t want to gag you, but I had to make sure you wouldn’t call your Champion the moment you woke up. That’s the only reason."
Valra’s eyes narrowed further, but something in her gaze shifted. She blinked again, this time with a hint of realisation. ’Foolish novice,’ she thought with a quiet smirk behind the gag. ’He doesn’t even know that Masters and Champions can speak telepathically.’ Her mind reached out, just beginning to summon her Champion when—
"I really need your help, Valra," Leo said suddenly, his voice lower now, more serious. The raw emotion in his tone made her pause mid-thought.