Leo could see the frustration growing in the eyes of Principal Alric and Ladina Horizon, but he didn't care.
Unlike what they thought of him, he wasn't a fool.
He understood perfectly as to what risks he was taking by leaving Rodova, the opportunities he was walking away from, and the comfortable future he was deliberately choosing to abandon— yet none of it was enough to make him waver.
In truth, he had no intention of engaging Alric and Ladina on their terms.
He knew very well that if he gave them logical explanations, they would only counter him with sharper logic and try to trap him in endless arguments, where they would try and paint visions of success and fame too vivid for him to ignore.
But by framing his decision around something as intangible and stubborn as honor, he left them no ground to stand on.
Honor wasn't a transaction. It wasn't a career move. It was a private vow— one that no amount of persuasion could touch.
And so he remained steady and calm in his worldview, giving the duo nothing to grasp on.
For a few seconds, the room was heavy with unsaid words.
Then—
Ladina, unwilling to admit defeat so easily, straightened her blazer and leaned forward slightly, her voice turning brisk but still laced with persuasive charm.
"Alright, how about we do this instead?" she offered, her tone measured.
As Leo tilted his head slightly, curious but silent.
"You use the money you've earned by signing with Horizon to hire two or three Transcendent-level warriors to aid in the search for Darnell," she proposed smoothly. "This way, you'll not only be making a real difference— mobilizing people powerful enough to make a difference should they actually be successful in finding him— but you'll also be able to sleep easier with your conscience, knowing that you did your best trying to save him and even going as far as becoming bankrupt for his sake."
She smiled, sensing a glimmer of hope.
"And as an added bonus," she continued, "Horizon Dominion will match whatever amount you contribute. We'll hire two or three additional warriors under our banner, which should make this offer a no-brainer."
She proposed, as Leo's eyes widened at her words, but before he could respond, Alric immediately sprang up, slamming a hand on his desk in support.
"That's a brilliant offer!" he exclaimed, his face lighting up. "Even the Rodova Military Academy will match it. For something as noble as rescuing a missing child, we will contribute the same amount as Horizon."
He leaned forward, eyes gleaming.
"That means you'll be tripling the resources at your disposal, Skyshard. Six elite warriors instead of two. Think about it— the chances of success would be exponentially higher!"
The room was buzzing now, with Alric and Ladina practically vibrating with the satisfaction of what they believed was a perfect solution.
And if evaluated objectively, it was indeed perfect.
But that was only if Leo's true goal had really been to save Darnell Nuna.
Which, it wasn't, as the truth was far more complicated.
Leo had invoked Darnell's name as a shield, a convenient excuse to justify the path he had already chosen.
As the real reason behind his departure from Rodova had nothing to do with honor or debts— but rather about reclaiming the missing memories of his family, memories that Muiyan Faye had promised to return once he joined the Black Serpents Guild.
And to Leo, those memories mattered more than his career, his fame, or even his personal growth.
His decision was not something they could bargain away with promises of protection or success.
Moreover, once he recovered the truth about his past and about the so-called 'mission' he had undertaken for the Evil Cult, Leo wanted the freedom to act without institutional shackles binding his hands.
He knew that if he stayed at Rodova, he would be chained.
The institute did not allow its students to enter or leave at will, which meant that he would be unable to seek out or live alongside his family even if he managed to find them, for at least another year.
He would be trapped in the endless cycle of training drills, academic classes, and mandatory Circuit preparations, day after day.
When what he needed... was the freedom to walk whichever bloody, broken, or uncertain road he chose— whether it led back to his family or toward completing the unfinished mission he had once sworn to.
Thus, even if Muiyan Faye somehow relented and gave him his memories without demanding that he join the Black Serpent guild, staying another year in Rodova was simply not an option for Leo, who had already made his mind to leave.
Hence, after carefully weighing his words, Leo finally smiled— and said, "I will indeed spend all the money I own, and I will hire the best help I can. Your suggestion is indeed brilliant, and I thank you for it."
He began, as listening to his words, both Ladina and Alric straightened slightly, sensing a victory within reach—
But then his tone shifted.
"But even then," he said, voice dropping lower, "I'll still go myself."
The room froze.
Leo's voice didn't waver. His eyes didn't flinch. His posture didn't shift even a fraction.
"Darnell didn't send others to save me, he came himself, he moved without regard for his own life, almost on instinct, and I have to do the same for the sake of my conscience—" Leo concluded, as he stared into the eyes of Ladina without apology or hesitation.
'A truly foolish boy, and the worst kind of fool at that—' Ladina thought, as her composure visibly cracked now, her expression turning sour, as she dug her own nails into her palms in frustration.
Meanwhile, Principal Alric simply slumped back into his chair, exhaling long and slow, like a man finally accepting the inevitable.
He had accepted that there was no winning against this stupid argument.
Not against someone who had already decided what kind of man he wanted to be— and what kind he refused to become.
And although it was idiotic, there was nothing they could do to stop him.