Leonardo remained engrossed in the pile of weapons, exactly where Kaelan had pointed earlier, filled with barrels of various weapons. Some appeared worn out, their surfaces marked with the scars of countless training sessions. Others hung on the vines on the walls,

  What truly caught Leonardo's eye, however, were the vines that had wrapped themselves around some of the barrels.

  These weren't ordinary plants, but a species known as elloros.

  They had evolved to thrive in areas of high Rasvian energy concentration, often found in training grounds and other locations where Rasvian powers were frequently used.

  elloros served a dual purpose.

  Their delicate, iridescent flowers not only produced a pleasant scent that helped neutralize odors.

  This energy was then stored in their stems and leaves, causing them to glow softly in low light conditions.

  The vibrant colors of the flowers and their sweet fragrance created a pleasant contrast to the otherwise utilitarian environment of the weapon storage.

  Leonardo dug through the barrels, his fingers brushing against hilts of various materials – some cool to the touch, others seeming to vibrate with residual Rasvian energy. "They seem to be sparring weapons," he remarked, pulling out a rusty sword and inspecting it closely.

  The blade was pitted and worn, but Leonardo could see the faint traces of intricate patterns etched into its surface. "Why do they even use weapons again? They could just blast things from their hands like how their mom did."

  Anna, who had been following Leonardo's movements with a mix of annoyance and concern, rolled her eyes.

  Her patience was wearing thin, but she recognized the genuine curiosity in Leonardo's voice. "To make it easier," she explained, trying to keep the exasperation out of her tone. "It's better to navigate Rasvian energy using a weapon.

  Think of it like an artist with a paintbrush.

  Sure, you can draw with your hands, but a paintbrush makes the process much easier and more precise."

  Leonardo looked up from the barrel, his curiosity piqued. "So, using a weapon helps with controlling Rasvian energy?"

  "Exactly," Anna replied, a hint of relief in her voice that Leonardo seemed to be grasping the concept. "When you use a weapon, it's like you're channeling and focusing your Rasvian energy more effectively.

  It's not just about power; it's about precision and control."

  Leonardo raised an eyebrow, still skeptical. "But wouldn't using your hands give you more direct control? I mean, if you can handle the energy yourself, why rely on a weapon?"

  Anna's face contorted into a mix of irritation and exasperation. She took a deep breath, "You don't understand yet. It's not just about direct control; it's about the efficiency and the way energy flows through the weapon.

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  It allows for more complex and refined use of Rasvian energy. Weapons aren't just tools; they're extensions of your will and skill."

  Leonardo furrowed his brow,

  As Leonardo continued to rummage through the barrels, his hand suddenly closed around something that felt different.

  "Wait, this is nice!" he exclaimed, brushing aside Anna's attempt to pull him away. From the third barrel in the dozen that were there, Leonardo pulled out a sword that immediately caught his eye. "This will do for now..."

  The weapon Leonardo had chosen was unlike any conventional sword. It was an experimental sparring weapon, a fusion of different sword styles designed specifically for sparring.

  The blade was slender and flexible, reminiscent of a rapier, but with the broader base of a longsword.

  The hilt was equally unusual, featuring a complex arrangement of finger guards and a counterweight that could be adjusted to suit the wielder's preference.

  This sword was a perfect match for Leonardo's butler attire, which itself was more than mere clothing.

  "No, it's not. Drop it," Anna demanded, her patience finally snapping. She reached out and grabbed a fistful of Leonardo's hair, causing him to yelp in pain.

  "Ow, ow, ow! Elara!" Leonardo called out, seeking assistance from Elara, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to attention. She looked between Anna and Leonardo, weighing her options. "Anna," she began cautiously, "how about we leave him for a while? Please? He seems really, uh, needy."

  Anna's grip on Leonardo's hair loosened slightly as she considered Elara's words. "He can't even use a sword," she said with a sigh, but there was a hint of resignation in her voice.

  Meanwhile, back in the mansion, Kaelan and Astraea had made their way to the second floor, moving at a brisk pace. Kaelan's face was flushed with embarrassment, and a hint of worry creased his brow.

  "Do you think Elara smelt that? Am I really that stinky?" Kaelan asked Astraea, his voice tinged with genuine concern.

  Astraea, ever the voice of reason, replied with a hint of exasperation, "Maybe. You know I told you to change first. You're stubborn." She paused, then added, "You also made me smell a bit." As she spoke, she removed her veil, allowing the fresh air to cool her face as they opened the door to the second floor of the mansion.

  As they stepped onto the second floor, Kaelan's pace slowed, and his voice dropped to a whisper. "Elara's mother is here... I'm scared," he admitted, his earlier bravado evaporating in the face of this new challenge.

  Outside the mansion, Leonardo found himself standing before a training dummy. This was no ordinary practice target, but a marvel of Rasvian technology.

  The dummy stood upright, its surface a perfect mimicry of human skin stretched over a framework that combined robotics and Rasvian energy manipulation.

  The dummy was designed to react to attacks with perfect counters, its movements guided by complex algorithms and energy fields that could predict and respond to a wide range of combat techniques. It was an invaluable tool for training,

  Leonardo eyed the dummy warily, the experimental sword still clutched in his hand. "The sword doesn't even fit in my sheet. was it a bad choice" he muttered to himself, doubt creeping into his voice.

  Before he could even think of a way to strike, a commotion from the mansion caught his attention. Leonardo turned his gaze towards the building, his eyes widening at the sight before him.

  Through every visible window, he could see Kaelan and his guide Astraea running at full tilt. Their faces were masks of panic and exertion as they desperately tried to navigate the mansion's corridors.

  "Fuck, fuck!" Kaelan's voice carried across the grounds, filled with a mix of fear and frustration. The reason for their flight soon became apparent as Anna's mother came into view, her fingers crackling with barely contained Rasvian energy.

  She moved with a grace that belied her deadly intent, her movements fluid and precise as she fired blast after blast of Rasvian energy. Each shot was a streak of brilliant light, moving at speeds that seemed to defy physics. Her accuracy was terrifying, the blasts missing Kaelan and Astraea by mere centimeters as they ducked and weaved through the mansion.

  The air itself seemed to vibrate with the intensity of the Rasvian energy being unleashed. Windows rattled in their frames

  Leonardo stood transfixed, the training dummy forgotten as he watched the chase unfold. The experimental sword in his hand suddenly felt heavy.