Leona and Kalim

Leona discusses Kalim with Jamil during Book 6, describing him as someone who is, “not very bright or that adept with magic, but he points out that Kalim has something that Jamil does not: charisma, in the form of money:

“Money’s more tangible than magic. It commands a lot of power and has no uncertain or ambiguous factors. And Kalim is learning how to wield that immense power. It’s hard to predict how impulsive guys like Kalim will grow…for better or for worse.”

Leona and Kalim overlap over New Year’s (Leona: “At least the little rich boy’s having fun pretendin’ to work”), where Kalim recommends that Leona buy a kumade that Leona refuses on the basis of it being a “plain, boring thing” that would collect dust in the corner of his room.

This seems to inspire Kalim, who makes it “bright and sparkly” and then tries to give it to Leona for free. Leona refuses it again, but Kalim insists until Leona relents. 

Ruggie purchases a mystery bag for Leona that includes a tablet, and a rumor starts at the shop that buying one of the kumade that Kalim has made sparkly will help you get something expensive in a mystery bag, resulting in a sudden demand for them.

Leona reflects, “There’s no way sunshine-for-brains set it up on purpose…”

When the Cloudcalling group arrives in Sunset Savanna and Kalim says he should give Leona’s brother his regards and “tell him about all of the fun times (he’s) shared with his younger brother,” Leona responds, “What fun times?”

When Kalim coincidentally appears in the hall of mirrors before they set out Vil asks if Leona invited Kalim along with them.

Leona responds that of course he didn’t, as the tournament is an “unforgiving test of wit and strength” and “Kalim was practically raised in bubble wrap. He’d be no use at all,” but when Jack collapses from heat stroke these plans change to Leona telling Kalim that he will be joining after all.

(Vil: “But is Kalim our best choice?” – Leona: “It’s better than forfeiting. If we knew where Jamil was, that’d be one thing. But we don’t. Kalim is our only option.”)

When they arrive at the palace Kalim says that he should go inside and say hello Leona’s family (Leona: “Don’t.”).

When Kalim declares that he will be sitting next to Leona on their car ride through the savanna Leona tells him that he will be sitting in the back as he is so talkative that he will be too much of a distraction.

When Vil asks Leona if he thinks that Kalim “can actually get a draw” according to plan during the tournament Leona says, “He’s weak, and he’s got no instincts when it comes to fighting,” and that Kalim is the least suited to the tournament, “But he also took practice more serious than any of you. He really improved. I have to give him that.”

Leona teaches Kalim everything he knows about defense and nothing about offense due to a lack of time, explaining that Kalim’s role will largely be to draw the match out until he earns a draw in order to give Vil and Lilia the opportunity to see what a real match is like before they need to compete.

Kalim’s opponent successfully goads him into abandoning Leona’s strategy, however, and he loses the moment he goes on the offensive, without Vil and Lilia getting much time to spectate.

Vil says,“If you’d stuck to Leona’s plan I imagine you could have gotten the draw,” and in following rounds Kalim does just that, saying, “I lost my bout in the first round, but this time I’m going to stick to Leona’s strategy,” and ending his round in a draw, “all according to the plan.”

After Lilia is disqualified it becomes necessary for Kalim to win a match rather than merely get a draw, and Leona suggests having Vil distract Kalim’s opponent from the sidelines. Kalim is displeased by the idea of getting outside help and again abandons Leona’s strategy. 

The opposing team brings in a substitute athlete who is, coincidentally, the same person for whom Kalim bought a bus earlier in the event.

The bus driver refuses to compete against the person who saved his livelihood and forfeits.

With Kalim indirectly buying his victory in the form of a bus Leona reflects, “Kalim seemed like a pawn to me, not even a minor piece. I can’t believe he got us a win. Though when pawns reach the other side of the chessboard, they can be promoted…Guess that’s what happened,” and tells Kalim that he did well.

Leona and Kalim are in a group together with Jack at Playfulland, where Leona comments, “You’re supposed to be a housewarden too, but you don’t got a care in the world, huh?”

Jack: “Good thing Kalim’s so sanguine, he lets your snide remarks roll off him like water off a duck’s back.”
Leona: “They’re not rolling off him so much as going right over his head.”

When Leona is impressed by the magic being used in a section of the theme park Kalim is delighted, telling Leona, “Aren’t you glad you came with us? I’m glad you like it!” (Leona: “Shaddup and quit hugging me.”)

After Leona and Jack are coerced into riding a carousel with Kalim via Fellow’s unique magic Kalim says he “got so many good pics” that he will be sending to them. Jack and Leona respond in unison, “DELETE THEM RIGHT NOW.”

At the next attraction Kalim reflects on how he has been “having tons of fun just standing around, waiting in line,” saying, “Guess that’s because I’m with my friends!,” and both Leona and Jack go quiet.

Kalim asks, “What’s wrong, Leona? You’ve got a funny look on your face. Did you swallow something gross?” 

At the start of Fairy Gala Kalim tells an unhappily coerced Leona, “You don’t have to be afraid, Leona. I’ll make sure to look after you!,” later saying, “I told Leona I’d look after him, and I will!.”

When asked who he would take with him to a deserted island Leona chooses Kalim, to Malleus’ surprise. Leona explains that the best outcome would be a quick escape, as if he went missing for even a day the entirety of the Asim family’s staff would be searching for him at once:

“Best-case scenario, a rescue team would swoop in the day we arrived. Worst-case? Three days, tops. And I doubt Kalim would be so cold as to leave me there.After all, I’m apparently his ‘school friend.’”