Before Leonar, floating in the air, were the sacred tools that Celestia had summoned: the Lance of Leonidas and Wukong’s Traveler Cloud.

  The lance was… small. Too small for something bearing the name of a legendary warrior. Its golden handle looked more like that of a long knife than a war weapon, and its tip, though sharp, didn’t have the size or heft one would expect from a lance designed to pierce enemies in battle.

  Leonar frowned and reached out, taking the lance cautiously. Its weight was light—lighter than he had expected, almost as if he were holding nothing at all.

  "How can something like this be called a lance?" asked Leonar, turning it in his hand with an incredulous gesture.

  Celestia laughed softly inside his mind, her voice laced with an almost mocking confidence.

  "Don't underestimate that weapon because of its size. It's fast and precise, capable of piercing any enemy before they can even react. I suggest you treat it with the respect it deserves."

  Leonar snorted but said nothing more on the matter. He still had to see the blasted ‘precision’ of the lance in action before he would believe her words.

  It was then that his gaze shifted to the other sacred tool. The cloud floated a few meters high, its spongy golden form shimmering with a slight ethereal light.

  It didn’t have a defined shape; instead, it shifted subtly as if it were alive, undulating in the air in a way he found… unsettling.

  Leonar looked at it skeptically.

  "And... how on earth am I supposed to get on that?"

  Celestia laughed again, this time in a more amused tone.

  "Oh, the Traveler Cloud is an intelligent entity. It’s not like a simple magic carpet that you just sit on. But don't worry—just ask it nicely to lower its altitude so you can mount it."

  Leonar raised an eyebrow.

  "Nicely?"

  "Yes. Just ask it. I’m sure it’ll cooperate."

  With a snort, Leonar folded his arms and looked at the cloud with a rather unconvinced expression.

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  "Hey, lower yourself a bit so I can ride you."

  …

  The cloud didn’t budge an inch.

  Leonar stared at it. Then, with a sigh, he moved a little closer and stretched out his hand as if trying to pet an unfamiliar animal.

  "Come on, lower a bit."

  Nothing.

  Leonar frowned. Perhaps he needed to be more authoritative.

  "I told you to lower yourself!"

  Suddenly, the cloud did react… but not as he expected. Instead of obeying, it ascended a bit more, drifting away as if it were playing.

  Leonar almost lost his balance from frustration.

  "This damned thing is crazy!" Leonar exclaimed, turning around in exasperation.

  Celestia was laughing—this time without holding back.

  "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Her voice clearly amused, as if she were enjoying the show. "You see, Wukong’s Cloud is a bit… reluctant at first. It usually doesn’t obey orders from anyone other than Wukong."

  Leonar gritted his teeth.

  "Another damn fine print? Does everything you give me come with a hidden catch?"

  "Well, some things are better learned through experience rather than someone explaining them to you." Celestia’s tone sounded like she was giving a life lesson.

  Leonar closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

  "From now on, I want you to explain every detail of what you offer me before I accept it."

  "But if I do that, then you won’t learn the important lessons of being a hero..."

  Leonar let out a dry laugh.

  "We can save the stupid lessons for later, because right now all I want is to get out of here, return to my world, and sleep for an entire week."

  Celestia sighed softly within her mind.

  "But... if you leave now, won’t you miss the chance to hunt some monsters and try out your new skills?"

  Leonar squinted and let out a sarcastic laugh.

  "Yeah, sure. Because I’m sure the lance also has some nasty surprise hidden in it. Don’t take me for a fool."

  "First of all, it's called the Lance of Leonidas," Celestia corrected in a reproachful tone. "And secondly, don’t worry. If at any moment you find yourself in real danger, I can take control of your body and keep you safe."

  Leonar dropped his head back, gazing at the cave ceiling with resignation.

  "God, what peace of mind. I feel completely safe now."

  "You should," Celestia replied proudly.

  Shaking his head, Leonar twirled the lance in his hand and examined it again.

  If the cloud wasn’t going to cooperate, he might as well try the weapon.

  "Alright, I’ll give the lance a chance, but..." Leonar suddenly fell silent.

  Celestia sensed the change in his tone and asked curiously,

  "But what?"

  Leonar sighed, the discomfort evident in his voice.

  "The truth is... it’s the first time in my life that I’ve held a lance. How the hell is this supposed to be used?"

  …

  Silence.

  For a moment, both Celestia and Leonar were quiet.

  Celestia was completely shocked.

  "...This is a joke, right?"

  Leonar shook his head.

  "No."

  There was an even longer pause this time. Then, Celestia’s voice came through with a mixture of incredulity and resignation.

  "Well... it seems I have a lot of work to do with you."

  Leonar shrugged, twirling the lance in his hand.

  "I suppose so. But please, tell me I don't have to say another damn prayer just to learn how to use this."

  Celestia laughed softly.

  "No, relax. You’ll learn this through practice."

  Leonar sighed with relief.

  "Thank goodness..."

  Celestia smiled within her mind.

  "Literally."

  Leonar rolled his eyes and assumed a firm stance.

  "Alright, let's begin."