Chapter 7: The Tournament of Hearts
The Heart Family Arena was an architectural marvel of white marble and reinforced barriers, designed to withstand the accidental discharge of S-Rank spells. Today, it was packed.
The tournament wasn't just a family tradition; it was a showcase of power. The city's top officials, Guild Leaders, and scouts from the Royal Universities were all in attendance. High above the arena floor, in the VIP balcony, sat Adam and Patricia Heart. Beside them sat Arthur Heart, Leo's eldest brother, looking regal in his Paladin armor.
"I heard Leo contracted a snail," Arthur said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Is it true, Dad? Or is this just a prank to lower everyone's guard?"
Adam grunted, his arms crossed over his chest. "Watch the arena, Arthur. Your brother is... full of surprises lately."
Leo stood in the tunnel, the cool air smelling of dust and anticipation. Jud was there, fidgeting with his Stone-Toad.
"Okay, Leo, the bracket is out," Jud whispered, showing his tablet. "You've got a couple of easy rounds against distant cousins, but Marcus is on the other side. He's been bragging that his Flame-Mane Lion underwent 'Force-Awakening' to reach Level 20. He's out for blood."
"Let him come," Leo said. He reached into his soul-space, feeling the bond with Grim. After the battle in the Grotto, Grim was pulsing with newfound energy. The cracked shell had healed, now reinforced with veins of obsidian.
[Pet: Grim] [Level: 18 (Peak Bronze)] [Evolution Progress: 85%] [New Passive: Shadow-Veil (Derived from Shadow-Stalker essence) – Blurs the beast's location when moving fast.]
The announcer's voice boomed: "First Match: Leo Heart vs. Julian Heart!"
Leo walked out into the blinding sunlight. The crowd erupted, though many were whispering and pointing at the small, dark snail sliding along beside him. Julian, a distant cousin, summoned a Wind-Falcon.
"A snail, Leo? Really?" Julian laughed. "Falcon, use Aerial Shred!"
The bird dived, its wings turning into blades of compressed air.
"Grim, don't even move," Leo commanded.
The Falcon struck. CLANG! The sound was like a hammer hitting an anvil. The bird shrieked as its own force was reflected back through Kinetic Redirection.
"Now, Shadow-Veil."
In a blink, Grim vanished. A trail of violet sparks was the only warning before the snail appeared above the Falcon, dropping like a lead weight.
THUD. The Falcon was pinned to the marble floor, unconscious. The match lasted exactly twelve seconds.
The crowd went silent. One by one, Leo dismantled his opponents. He didn't use flashy spells; he used efficiency. He used his Eye of Truth to see the mana flow of every beast, striking exactly when their defense was at its weakest.
Finally, it was time. The final match.
Leo Heart vs. Marcus Valerius.
Marcus walked into the arena, his Flame-Mane Lion now significantly larger, its mane burning with a dark, forced crimson flame. Marcus's eyes were bloodshot; he had clearly used illegal "Stim-Potions" on his pet to ensure victory.
"You embarrassed me in the training yard, Leo," Marcus hissed, his voice trembling with rage. "But that was a fluke. Today, I'm going to kill that snail and show everyone that the Heart family's youngest is a fraud!"
Leo stood his ground. He looked up at the VIP balcony, meeting his father's eyes. Adam was leaning forward, his hands gripping the railing.
"Grim," Leo said, his voice cold and clear. "Unleash."
[DING!] [System Alert: Integrating 'Obsidian Heart-Core'...] [Temporary State: Half-Step Silver Rank.]
Grim's shell expanded. The obsidian veins turned into jagged spikes. The ground beneath the snail began to crack as its weight increased ten-fold.
"Begin!" the referee shouted.
"Lion! Inferno Pounce!" Marcus roared.
The Lion turned into a streak of fire, launching itself with terrifying speed. But Leo didn't command a dodge. Instead, he used Skill Mimicry. He had spent the previous matches watching his brother Arthur's Paladin-guardians.
[Skill Mimicry: Aegis Shield (Rank B)]
A golden barrier flickered into existence in front of Leo, but it was tinted with Grim's violet lightning. The Lion slammed into it, and for a moment, the two forces clashed in a spray of sparks and fire.
"Now, Grim! Void-Storm!"
The snail opened its shell, and instead of a physical attack, it released a pulse of pure gravitational pressure mixed with Shadow-Essence. The Lion's flames were sucked inward, extinguished by the "Void."
The Lion panicked, its instincts screaming. It tried to retreat, but the ground had become a magnetic trap.
"Finish it. Thunder-Burst: Max Output!"
A pillar of violet lightning erupted from the arena floor, shooting straight into the sky. When the light faded, Marcus was on his knees, sobbing. His Lion was fainted, its mane shorn and its ego broken.
Leo stood in the center of the scorched marble, Grim resting calmly at his feet.
The silence in the arena was broken by a single pair of clapping hands. It was Arthur Heart. He stood up, a grin on his face. "Well, well. It seems we have a real Breeder in the family."
Adam Heart stood as well, his expression unreadable. He looked at the wreckage of the arena, then at the "useless" snail.
[DING!] [Fame Achievement: 'Prodigy of the Hearts' Unlocked!] [Reward: 1,000 Evolution Points & 'Ancestor's Spark' detected in the Family Vault.]
After the ceremony, as Leo was heading back to his room, he was intercepted by a woman in a dark cloak. She bore the crest of the Global Breeder's Association.
"Leo Heart," she said, her voice like silk. "That wasn't just a mutation. You've discovered an Evolution Path that shouldn't exist. The Association wants to buy the recipe. Name your price."
Leo looked at her, his Eye of Truth flickering. [Target: High-Level Assassin / Scout] [Affiliation: Dark-Pet Syndicate (Hidden)]
"The recipe isn't for sale," Leo said, stepping back. "And tell your masters that if they want my secrets, they'll have to come and take them in a Portal."
The woman vanished into the shadows, leaving a chilling warning. "You have talent, boy. But talent without a Guild is just a target. See you in the Great Expedition."