The next day, Leon and Brandon were gathered in their father's office, early in the morning. It was rare for their father to call anyone to his office, let alone them. It definitely caught them off-guard.

  Were they in trouble? Or was it something deeper— a secret Sylvester couldn't discuss at the family dinner, something his other children or wife weren't supposed to hear.

  Sylvester sat at his table, his attention caught up with the pile of papers stocked neatly on his table. He lifted his head, his gaze sending shavers down their spines.

  "Good morning, Boys. How was your night?" Sylvester greeted Leon and Brandon, his voice stern but relaxed.

  From how their father greeted them, they could tell their father was up to no good... Brandon couldn't help but be curious.

  "Not to be rude or anything, father. But I just want to know why did you summon us this early in the morning?" Brandon asked their father, his voice tinged with confusion.

  "Uh-hmm, you never sent for us before! What's the problem, father?" Leon chimed in, agreeing with his older brother Brandon.

  'Why did Father sent for us this early in the morning? Curiosity is killing me. What could he want?' (Brandon)

  'Father never sent for anybody, especially in his private study. For the month that I'd been reincarnated, he'd never sent for me... so there gotta be something wrong!' (Leon)

  Brandon and Leon's minds raced, searching for an answer for the reason their father summoned them, Leon playing with the buttons on his short while Brandon stood there. A wave of silence washed over the office, the morning sun beaming through the window, masking Sylvester's expression.

  Sylvester's eyes narrowed into a sharp gaze, his gaze sweeping between Leon and Brandon. A gesture he perfected to gain an upper hand in the Imperial court.

  "Well, what's the reason for me to hide it from you guys? The true reason I called you guys here, is for you, Brandon to duel with Leon."

  "Huh? I have... what?"

  "A duel with Brandon?.... I can't possibly defeat him!" Leon suddenly spoke up, his voice rising slightly.

  Sylvester's gaze landed on him, "You were training, weren't you?" He asked, his voice cutting through the air. "Plus, how can I see the results of your training without any tests?"

  "Yeah, but..." Leon tried to give his father an answer, but no words escaped his mouth.

  'This is wrong. I bet — no I know that this is some sort of crime or Felony on earth, or at least carries a heavy charge. Well, enough of that, I have to try my best!' (Leon)

  Leon's fists clenched, his teeth gritted. "This is unfair, father," he said, his voice barely audible.

  "This can't be..."

  Brandon glanced over at Leon, their gaze met for a moment. He couldn't believe that he had to face off against his younger brother who was years younger than him. If it was James, he wouldn't have any problems, but his opponent was his seven years old brother.

  "Wouldn't it make more sense for Leon duel James or someone closer to his age?" Brandon suggested, his face lighting up. "I'm way older than him, and I've trained with the sword since childhood."

  Sylvester paused, resting his pen on the desk. His gaze met Brandon’s. "And so did Leon. All of your siblings—though magicians now—had their fair share of sword practice."

  Sylvester leaned back slightly. “Leon will not always fight opponents his age. In the real world, he will face those stronger, more experienced. I would rather he struggle now than be unprepared later.”

  Both Leon and Brandon stood in front of their father, unable to raise any counter to Sylvester's arguments. It seemed like time crept by slower than expected. The brothers glanced at each other, knowing that they'll have to do what their father wanted them to do.

  "Since there's nothing else to discuss, you may return to your rooms," Sylvester said, dismissing them from his office. "Prepare, this afternoon you will duel each other."

  "Yes, father."

  "Yeah..."

  Leon and Brandon nodded and left their father's office. Brandon immediately went to train, his skills with the sword polished and elegant. On the other hand, Leon went to get some proper sleep.

  Sophie and Daniella had woken up some minutes later and immediately heard of the news about Leon and Brandon's duel. They ignored it and headed down to the dining room.

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  "I just can't believe that Leon and Brandon are dueling each other," Sophie said, her voice quiet.

  "You must not know whose side to choose, Sophie?" Daniella asked. "Please don't worry yourself about it. I'm sure it's just a quick spar."

  "I guess you're right," Sophie said softly, bringing her spoon to her lips.

  Sophie and Daniella ate their breakfast talking about random stuff and laughing with each other.

  "Did you guys hear the news?" (Maid 1.)

  "Oh that? I know since early in the morning!" (Maid 2)

  "Me too!"

  Even the maids and servants were notified about the duel taking place in the afternoon. They were placing bets. Who would win? Most of the bets were on Brandon. Everyone was underestimating Leon based on Brandon's experience with the sword.

  afternoon.

  it was afternoon, around three o'clock in the afternoon. And everyone was gathered in the training grounds of the Blaze family mansion. It was located at the far corner of the compound. But Sarah was absent, she was away for the afternoon.

  Leon and Brandon were at the center of a makeshift fighting arena, surrounded by all the servants and everyone else in the mansion. Sophie and Daniella had prepared snacks for both fighters. As the sun shone down on both of them, they stared at each other. Brandon was thinking about holding back against Leon.

  "You better not go easy on me, Brandon," Leon said to his older brother, his eyes burning with determination.

  Brandon smiled at him before he spoke. "I will see what I can do about that"

  The training grounds buzzed with the cheers of people watching the duel. The air was thick with an unspoken tension.

  "Ready to fight? Let's not waste time and get straight to the duel! Ready, fight!"

  After Sylvester gave the signal to fight, Brandon got into his fighting stance and waited for Leon to attack first.

  'Okay, Leon. Let's do this. Let's see what you can do...'

  Leon dashed toward Brandon and swung his wooden sword, but he blocked Leon's attack. And counter strike, by using his full strength to push Leon back and go on the offensive. He was pushing him back.

  Brandon was going easy on Leon because he didn't want to hurt him. If it was someone else, then he would be forced to use his full strength. Leon knew that for a fact.

  'This is so hard! But I have to endure it !' (Leon)

  Leon Tried dodging Brandon's swings, but he was slow and he ended up getting hit by Brandon's wooden sword and was thrown across the area.

  "Ugh..."

  Leon slowly got up to his feet, his breathing heavy. He gripped tightly onto his sword, his Knuckles turning white– was he about to surrender without giving it his best? He slowly began to walk toward Brandon, picking up his pace, into a sprint.

  Brandon raised his sword, as Leon dashed toward him. When Leon swung his wooden sword, Brandon effortlessly stepped to the side, swinging his sword vertically knocking out Leon.

  'Okay, Brandon I give you the win.... I don't want to show my strength, at least not yet.' (Leon)

  'Thanks, Leon for the win. I know you were just playing with me... Because no way in hell is anyone from the Blaze family has such a weakling like that." (Brandon)

  (Brandon Breathing heavily)

  "The winner is Brandon Blaze!" The entire crowd cheered for Brandon, as he exited the arena carrying Leon on his shoulders. He couldn't believe that he had to fight his younger brother.

  As Leon opened his eyes to see Daniella and Sophie sitting beside him. He sat up on the bed and looked around the familiar room. It was the first fight he was in since he reincarnated into this world.

  "Oh, Leon you're awake!"

  "Good to have you back."

  Both Sophie and Daniella greeted upon noticing that he had awoken.

  "Ah, what happened...? Oh..."

  At first, he was confused, but the memories of the duel flashed in his mind. All of the memories about the first day when he was reincarnated into this body, the memories about the duel all of them rushed into his mind. Daniella and Sophie were observing the strange behavior of him.

  It was late in the afternoon when Leon regained consciousness. And the sun cast a golden-orange light into the room, the sky reminiscent of the photo of a sunset he saved in his phone, back in his previous life. He left the room, walking down the hallway, his footsteps were quiet as he made his downstairs.

  Meanwhile, Sophie and Daniella were sitting on the balcony of the mansion having a conversation. The atmosphere between them was sad and depressing, as they looked at the sunset. Daniella had a sad expression on his face, and her heart was heavy with sadness.

  "Sophie, I want to talk to you, " Daniella said in a sad tone. Sophie turned to face her, no longer focusing on the beautiful sunset.

  "I will be leaving this city very soon. Today is my last day living in his city. So, please take care."

  "Huh? B, but why do you have to leave?" Sophie asked, about to cry. "Are you leaving for good?"

  "I don't know that for sure, but I know that I will always remember you."

  "Me too."

  The two girls hugged compassionately And sobbed in each other's arms. Leon was watching the scene feeling emotional. Sophie and Daniella hugged compassionately for a couple of seconds before Daniella left the mansion with her parents, both of them in tears.

  Leon stroked Sophie's head, and she hugged him crying in his arms. They both entered the mansion after a while of Sophie crying and Leon feeling bad about the situation, talking about Daniella.

  "I'll miss her very much!"

  "Yeah. Me too, me too. Maybe we should've been close friends just like you guys." Leon comforted her as they made their way into the mansion.

  Sitting in her parent's car and driving away from her friend's mansion, Daniella waved at the house and drove off into the sunset.

  'I'll miss you, Sophie and Leon. Please don't forget about me!' (Daniella)

  Her eyes welled up with tears, as her parent's car drove farther away from her friend's mansion.

  "Daniella, ready for a new adventure? " Daniella's mother asked her. She nodded shyly.

  That night when the Blaze family was eating dinner, the dining room was filled with silence and everyone was eating.

  As they continued to eat, Sarah couldn't take the silence from her children anymore.

  "So, how was everyone's day? I hope you guys enjoyed your afternoon!" Sarah asked her family.

  Everyone remained quiet and didn't answer her question.

  "Uh, what's going on with you guys? Especially Sophie. She seems sad..." Sarah questioned her family.

  "Everything is fine, honey. It's just that Sophie's best friend Daniella suddenly moved away from the territory. " Sylvester answered his wife, assuring her that everything would be alright...

  "Yeah, stepmother, everything is just fine! You don't have to worry yourself." Brandon joined in.

  "Aww, that's awful! You guys were very close, it's such a shame..." Sarah didn't know what to say to her daughter, either to comfort her or to stay quiet.

  The Blaze family continued eating their dinner as the moonlight shone down on the family mansion.

  'I hope Daniella's is safe on her trip..' (Leon)