Chapter 107: The Road to the Heavenly Hunting Ground

The Road to the Heavenly Hunting Ground

Rias’s red eyes sparkled with unmistakable excitement.

Her smile brightened, warm and radiant.

"I promise you, Leon. You won’t regret this decision."

Leon smiled back.

On the surface, his expression was calm and sincere.

But inside, his thoughts were anything but innocent.

President Rias... I didn’t choose Bellemont Martial University.

I chose you.

His gaze lingered on her for a moment.

You’ve remained unawakened despite reaching your age. That must have been lonely, hasn’t it?

Once we become closer, I can help you awaken.

Quid pro quo.

Leon pushed himself to his feet.

Rias stood as well.

He walked with her toward the door.

Neither of them spoke for a moment.

The room gradually fell behind them as they approached the exit. Soft evening light spilled in from the hallway, painting the floor in a warm orange glow.

Rias stopped at the doorway.

She turned around and looked at Leon.

"I believe you’ll take first place in the hunting grounds," she said warmly.

Her smile widened slightly.

"At the very least, you’ll become the provincial champion."

Leon nodded without hesitation.

His expression was confident.

President, don’t worry.

If I want to evolve you into the Crimson Dragon Empress...

Then I’ll make sure I obtain the highest rank possible.

I’ll make you mine.

Just wait.

Rias gave him one last smile.

Then she turned toward the hallway.

Knock, knock.

Before she could take another step, the door suddenly opened.

Well...

"Opened" was probably a better way to describe it than "burst."

Two men were standing in the doorway.

They looked at each other.

Neither said a word.

Yet the hostility between them was almost impossible to miss.

One wore the badge of Spark University.

The other represented Heavenly Star University.

Their eyes met.

Neither seemed particularly happy about the other’s presence.

Leon raised an eyebrow.

"Two more recruiters?"

His voice carried a hint of amusement.

Outside the room, a small crowd had already gathered.

The commotion had attracted quite a few curious students.

Everyone wanted to know what was happening.

After all, this wasn’t an ordinary recruitment visit.

A Supreme Heaven University recruiter had already left with a bruised face.

Then Bellemont Martial University’s president had personally arrived.

And now two more prestigious universities had shown up.

The crowd immediately erupted into whispers.

"Holy shit! Look at this lineup!"

"A Supreme Heaven recruiter got beaten up, and now Spark and Heavenly Star are here?"

"Leon is seriously popular!"

"Wait a second..."

Someone suddenly noticed the woman standing beside the doorway.

Their voice rose several levels.

"Look! Isn’t that President Rias from Bellemont Martial University?"

The crowd went silent for half a second.

Then the whispers became even louder.

"No way! Bellemont’s president came here herself?"

"Seriously?"

"Bellemont is my dream school!"

"It’s insanely difficult to get accepted there!"

"Obviously. They’re ranked twelfth among the top martial universities."

"You’d better be extremely talented if you want a chance of getting in."

"And Leon is getting personally recruited by the president herself..."

"Damn."

"Only Leon could get this kind of treatment."

"A university president actually came in person!"

The two recruiters standing at the door naturally heard the commotion.

Then their attention shifted toward Rias.

The moment they recognized her, both men froze.

Their expressions changed immediately.

"President Rias?"

"You came here personally?"

Rias smiled.

"Had to."

She glanced at the two recruiters, her smile growing a little more playful.

"How else was I supposed to steal your students?"

Her tone was light.

Almost teasing.

But the confidence behind her words was impossible to miss.

The two recruiters exchanged a quick look.

Neither of them had expected her to show up herself.

One of them suddenly seemed to realize what she meant.

"Wait... you mean Leon already signed with Bellemont?!"

Rias’s smile turned smug.

She folded her arms casually.

"Sorry, gentlemen."

She tilted her head.

"He’s taken."

The announcement immediately caused a stir among the surrounding students.

Leon had actually chosen Bellemont.

And President Rias had personally come to claim him.

The Heavenly Star recruiter stared at Leon in disbelief.

"Leon... you actually signed with her?"

Leon simply nodded.

"Yeah."

That single word was enough to make the recruiter’s expression stiffen.

But the Spark recruiter wasn’t willing to give up that easily.

He stepped forward at once.

"You signed too fast!"

His voice carried through the crowd.

"If you come to Spark University, we can offer you an A-grade contract!"

The moment those words left his mouth, the entire area went silent.

Then—

"What?! An A-grade contract?!"

The crowd erupted.

People started whispering among themselves.

Some looked at Leon.

Others looked at the recruiter as if he had completely lost his mind.

"An A-grade contract?"

"Seriously?"

"Spark only offered Steffan a B-grade contract!"

"And Steffan has an SS-rank beast-girl!"

A student near the back shook his head in disbelief.

"Madness..."

Another person laughed bitterly.

"This world is insane."

The recruiters could feel the atmosphere changing around them.

An A-grade contract was already an extremely generous offer.

Offering it publicly to someone who had already signed with another university was even more outrageous.

Yet Rias didn’t look surprised.

Not even slightly.

She simply stepped forward.

Her expression remained calm.

She didn’t give the recruiters another chance to continue their pitch.

"I’m sorry, ladies and gentlemen..."

Her smile returned.

But this time, there was something almost victorious about it.

Her voice cut through the noise.

"—but my school has already signed Leon to a Star-Grade Contract."

Dead silence.

Nobody spoke.

Star-Grade?

The people gathered outside stared at Rias as if she had just announced something impossible.

Bellemont Martial University had actually used a Star-Grade Contract?

"Leon is worth it."

Rias said it simply.

She turned and walked away.

Her head was held high.

Her long crimson hair swayed behind her with every step.

The golden sash around her waist moved gently with her stride.

Her mature figure disappeared down the corridor, leaving the stunned crowd behind.

Leon watched her go.

A smile played on his lips.

Then he turned toward the lingering recruiters and curious onlookers.

"Tch."

The Spark recruiter scowled.

"The Heavenly-tier hunting ground isn’t going to be easy."

The Heavenly Star recruiter added coldly,

"Neither is being provincial champion."

"Don’t get cocky."

They turned and walked away.

Leon watched them go.

His smile slowly sharpened.

"Heavenly-tier hunting ground?"

He cracked his knuckles.

"I’ll just have to take first place, then."

Selena slipped her hand into his.

Her white-silver hair brushed against his shoulder.

Her golden eyes were soft.

"My love—you know we’ll be right beside you."

Evelyn stepped closer.

Her green hair cascading over her shoulders.

Her purple eyes were determined.

"Leon... I’ll do my best too."

Leon squeezed both their hands.

"Together—we’ll show them what we’re made of."

Selena smiled.

"Together."

Evelyn nodded.

"Together."

And in that moment, standing in the small room with the crowd outside and the recruiters walking away—

Leon knew.

This was just the beginning.