Ex-Rank Awakening: My Attacks Make Me Stronger - Chapter 326

Chapter 326: EX 326. Motivation
Eden watched helplessly as his bond twisted in pain, her body trembling and her wings flickering erratically. He reached out, but there was nothing he could do but stand there and watch her suffer. The agony wasn’t physical; he could feel that much through their link. It was deeper and emotional.

Then, just as suddenly as it began, it stopped.

Blessing’s body went limp on the table, her small form soaked in sweat. Eden steadied her, checking for injuries, but there were none. Her heartbeat was steady, her breathing normal. Whatever had happened, it was internal.

“Blessing,” he said softly, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. “What was that just now?”

She tried to sit up, gasping between words. “It’s… the ancestor… something’s happened to him.”

Eden froze. The ancestor? His heart skipped. “Leon?”

Blessing nodded weakly, her expression grim. “We have to head to the him immediately. He needs us.”

Eden didn’t argue. He packed the books and the map back into their original positions with practiced care. He had already memorized the routes. His plan had been to rest in Shantel for another cycle before moving on, but the urgency in Blessing’s eyes left no room for hesitation.

When they left the library, the sunlight outside felt heavier, almost pressing. He went straight to the city lord’s mansion and found James waiting at the entrance.

“You’re off already?” James asked, his brow furrowed.

“Yeah,” Eden replied. “It seems Leon’s in trouble.”

“The Lord is—” James started, but Eden cut him off.

“I’m sure he’s going to be fine,” he said, forcing a small smile. “And don’t forget—you’ve got a city to run.”

James paused, then exhaled. “You’re right. Please… help our lord in whatever way you can.”

Eden nodded. “Of course.” ‘It’s strange,’ he thought, ‘being asked to help someone like Leon.’ ‘But if there’s anything I can do, I’ll do it.’

He hesitated for a moment, then added, “By the way, can I borrow a flying vessel?”

James blinked, his expression flat. “Sir Eden… was the vessel the real reason you came here? If not, you would’ve left without informing anyone.”

Eden let out a nervous laugh. “What makes you think that?”

James shook his head with a sigh. “Never mind. I’ll have one prepared.”

A short while later, as the hum of the vessel filled the air, Eden climbed aboard. Blessing perched on his shoulder, her eyes fixed toward the horizon.

“Hold on,” he said, gripping the controls.

The vessel lifted off, cutting through the forest toward the capital, where Leon awaited,

****

In the imperial palace, Rachel stood silently in front of Leon’s room.

Her hand rested over her chest, feeling her heart hammer beneath her palm. Ever since Leon had tricked her earlier to get away, she’d been furious, hurt even but that anger had faded the moment he returned. Because when he did… he wasn’t the same.

‘That gaze…’ she thought, swallowing hard. ‘He’s never had that look before.’

There had been something chilling in his eyes when he came back from the Dragon Mountains. Something hollow. Something that frightened her more than any battle ever could.

After his return, Leon had gone straight to the Emperor to report what had happened. Rachel, Adrian, and Lancelot had been there to hear it. Even though Lancelot didn’t know Elizabeth personally, the expression Leon wore as he explained everything made it clear, she had been precious to him.

Adrian’s fists had clenched so tightly his knuckles had turned white, as his aura flared unconsciously. Rachel had noticed all of it, the tension, the grief, but more than that, she noticed her own helplessness.

She had stood there, useless, while Leon’s voice broke just slightly as he spoke of Elizabeth’s condition.

After the healers were summoned and finished tending to Elizabeth, Leon had locked himself in the room with her. No one was allowed to disturb him.

Adrian had gone to the training grounds with Lancelot. That left only Rachel… standing outside this door, trapped in her own thoughts.

‘I’m so useless,’ she thought bitterly, lowering her gaze. ‘I couldn’t even comfort him.’

Before she could take another breath, her vision blurred and suddenly, she wasn’t in the corridor anymore.

She blinked and realized she now stood before the Emperor himself.

Alexander sat on his throne, his tired gaze fixed on her. “Do you want to get stronger?” he asked.

The question hit her like a blade to the chest. Rachel froze, her lips parting in surprise. Then, without hesitation, she nodded. “Yes.”

Alexander studied her for a moment, then said, “Good. I’ll be sending you to meet a colleague. She might seem tough, but she’s actually a sweet soul.”

Rachel didn’t know who the Emperor meant, but right now it didn’t matter. If there was even a chance she could grow stronger, strong enough to be of use to Leon she would take it.

She bowed her head slightly, her determination hardening.

‘Don’t worry,’ Leon, she thought, as a faint light began to gather around her. ‘I’ll become someone you can rely on. I’ll be useful to you… I swear it.’

****

“Why did you want to talk here?” lancelot’s question hung in the cool morning air of the training ground.

But Adrian met the lieutenant’s eyes without flinching.

“I want you to train me.”

Lancelot blinked. The request shouldn’t have surprised him. Still, the look in Adrian’s face told him this wasn’t a whim. It was serious.

“Is this because of your colleague?” Lancelot asked.

Adrian said nothing. His fists curled until the knuckles whitened.

Lancelot sighed. “Even if I train you, there’s no way you’ll—” He searched for gentleness and failed. “—be able to avenge her. Not everyone is as monstrous as Leon.”

That was the fuse as Adrian’s finally spoke.

“Nobody knows how monstrous the captain is better than me. I know I can’t catch him. I know I’m weaker. But that doesn’t mean I stop trying.”

“My squadmate came back half-dead today,” he went on. “and I did nothing. I want to stop being that man. I want to at least be able to put a fist on that bastard responsible and walk away and I need you to teach me how.”

The conviction in his voice tightened the air. Lancelot watched the set of Adrian’s jaw, the flare of pain behind the words. He’d trained men before. He’d seen resolve. But this was different it was raw and edged.

“But if you won’t train me,” Adrian suddenly added, “give me your art so I can learn it myself”