Chapter 39: Training
"So... he’s a Dark Summoner?"
Leon narrowed his eyes slightly, keeping his thoughts to himself.
"That explains how he could steal beasts. That eerie power—it wasn’t just an oddity. It was Darkness."
Beside him, Marina stood stiffly, arms folded, eyes locked on the retreating back of Igaris. Her expression was tense.
"So what do you think?" she asked, her voice low. "Did I do the right thing?"
Leon glanced at her. "What do you mean?"
Marina bit her lip, her proud façade cracking just slightly. "After all that talk, I’m starting to doubt myself. What if your recruit ends up harming our own? What if... what if I was wrong? If something happens to the other Freedom Fighters under my watch, I won’t be able to show my face before the Five Supremes."
She looked away, eyes shadowed by worry.
Leon stepped forward and gently pulled her into an embrace. "You did the right thing," he whispered close to her ear. "Don’t let fear cloud your judgment now. I’ll talk to him. That kid isn’t lost. He’s just walking a path no one else dares to tread."
Marina closed her eyes, leaning into his warmth. "You really think he’ll understand?"
"I do."