Legacy of the Dark Sage

"Instead of offering a position as an exclusive Array Specialist, I believe it is best to only employ your service when needed."

As Haylee said this, the training room's restoration array had started working to restore the damage done inside. However, it was unable to restore the semi-transparent barrier in the middle of the room.

"I admit, I underestimated you," Haylee continued and smiled apologetically at Kyran. "But now I understand why you said those words."

While she said these, Haylee indicated for Vera to get Rhys.

Rhys had passed out even before Haylee used her magic to stop Kyran from completing his array.

The reason why Haylee managed to stop Kyran from completing his array was not that she could affect it. But rather her magic affected the flow of magic energies in the surroundings.

How she did it, was something Kyran had not figured out completely. He had an idea, which was similar to what Cyneah did back in the cave to stop the movements of the Mutated Basilisks. Though the targets were completely different, Kyran sensed that the process was similar.

This thought made Kyran feel uneasy. He already accepted the fact that Cyneah might be related to the Royal Family and that he would never hold anything against her. As far as he was concerned, she might be a very distant relative.

Now that he had seen the Crown Princess in person, and witnessed her use magic, Kyran was not too sure.

To be honest, Kyran found Cyneah to be more enigmatic. Especially with the fact that she could use magic similar to soul magic without having a magic core.

'Does this mean the Crown Princess has it?' Kyran wondered.

It was unfortunate that his Void and Draconic cores could not detect it. The magic cores were only able to react to someone his predecessors recognized from the experiences and memories stored in them.

This had been the case with Stella. The feeling Kyran had when he saw her for the first time as if she was a long-lost friend was proof.

As for the Crown Princess, apart from the surprise, he felt upon realizing how much she and Cyneah looked so much alike, Kyran had not felt any nostalgia when he saw her. There was not even remorse.

Knowing that he could not find the answers to his questions at this moment, Kyran decided to keep note of this. He would try to find the answers when the opportunity presented itself. Right now, what was important was to convince the Crown Princess of how valuable he was.

That had been his target since the beginning.

Becoming the Royal Family's Array Specialist was all good. As long as he was presented with special privileges. In order to achieve this, he had to give the Crown Princess reasons that he was no ordinary Array Specialist.

The puppet was only the bait. Kyran's real card was the array he performed just now. If his assumption about why the Royal Army was now working closely with the Royal Family was correct, then the Crown Princess would recognize the array formula he used.

Seeing the Crown Princess's reaction, Kyran was now 90% convinced that his assumption was right. And because of this reason that he could barely keep his emotion in check.

He might have learned how to control his emotions during the five years he had trained in the Tower of Tribulations, but that did not mean he would not feel anything especially when it came to his weakness.

Kyran waved his hand. In an instant, the golden array in his hand vanished. Then he stood, releasing Rhys as Vera approached.

Vera was looking at Kyran with such venomous eyes, that if she specializes in poison magic, she would have already inflicted a fatal attack on him. She still could not believe that Rhys was defeated just like that. She even believed that Kyran cheated.

As to how he cheated, Vera was not sure.

When Vera was only three meters away from Kyran, Malek stepped forward as if to warn her not to have any funny ideas under his watch.

Gritting her teeth, Vera only approached Rhys and ignored Kyran. Seeing that Rhys would not wake up any time soon, she took out a thin rectangular silver board that she inserted under Rhys's upper body. This board was a magic item, used to carry heavy loads.

Malek recognized it, that was why he did not react when Vera took it out.

Vera tapped the board's side button, and a whirring sound filled the air as it came to life. Then she stood up and returned to Haylee's side, with the silver board carrying Rhys, in tow.

"The Conclave's infirmary is close," Malek suddenly spoke, "We can have a look at Brigadier General Rhys's leg. President Sigma can lead you there."

Vera could not help but frown at Malek's offer. It was okay if he meant all of them to go to the infirmary, however, from the way Malek had spoken he only meant for Vera, Rhys, and Sigma to go.

"Thank you for your offer," Vera replied. "However, we can have a look at brigadier general Reese when we get back. It is not like he will die from a broken leg."

"Go, vera," Haylee said.

Vera looked at her, clearly unwilling to leave, and said, "But your Highness."

Haylee looked at her with a sweet smile and said, "You did not think that Head Master Malek will do anything to me, right? If the Conclave had any thoughts of hurting me they would have done so already."

"But—."

"That is an order, Vera."

It was subtle, but Vera sensed a strong authoritative tone in Haylee's voice. Thus, she could only reign in her dissatisfaction and salute.

"Yes, your Highness."

After Vera had agreed, Sigma gave Malek and Noir a nod before leading her and Rhys out of the training room.

Once they left, Haylee looked at Malek and smiled, "Thank you for being sensible, Head Master Malek. The truth is, it is a little stifling to have them follow me around."

Malek did not reply, instead, he waved his hand and a floating seat cushion appeared behind Haylee. He gestured at the cushion and said, "Please."

"Thank you," Haylee said as she sat on the cushion.

While she took her seat, Malek spoke again.

"I have said this earlier, talents from our constituents are not bound to the Conclave, thus, you may offer them..." Malek paused and looked at Kyran meaningfully, "... work placements."

Then he looked back at Haylee and continued, "If you do not feel comfortable negotiating with Disciple Tyr in front of me, I can also leave. However," he turned toward Noir before continuing, "Chairman Noir has to stay. After all, he is Disciple Tyr's master and... I suppose you could say, the Blacksmith Order's big boss."

Haylee giggled at Malek's words. She found it funny how he tried to put emphasis on Chairman Noir's position. The truth was she did not need a reminder. Malek calling Noir, 'Chairman Noir' was enough.

"There is no need for that," Haylee told Malek. "You can stay, Head Master Malek."

Turning her attention back to Kyran, she smiled once again and said, "Tell me Disciple Tyr, where did you learn such high-level array formulas?"

Her question caught Malek off guard. His Array knowledge was not broad, but he at least could tell that what Kyran had created was an advanced array. The reason why he was caught off guard, was the fact the Crown Princess was more interested in the formulas rather than the array.

Noir, on the other hand, somehow understood the Crown Princess's reason and he could not help but feel an impending crisis. Not for the Conclave, but for Kyran. And he meant, Kyran as Kyran Regis, not Disciple Tyr.

Kyran smiled slightly and tilted his head to one side.

He did not answer Haylee's question.

Haylee took the hint and did not pursue the matter. She was not offended either. Having a secret or two was normal. She would not force him to tell her just because she was the Crown Princess. As a matter of fact, if Kyran had answered her, she would feel a little disappointed. Because it meant, he could not keep a secret.

"It is fine if you do not want to tell me," Haylee said with a smile. "It only proves that you can keep a secret."

As soon as she said the part about keeping a secret, Kyran's heart sank. It took almost all his willpower not to let his growing anxiety show on his face.

"I cannot go into details yet," Haylee continued, all the while watching their expressions as well as, sensing them.

"Besides, I am not entirely sure what terms to offer. For now, I want to further assess your abilities."

Kyran frowned at once. Did she not say what she had seen was enough?

Seeing the dissatisfied look on Kyran's face, Haylee added, "Do not get me wrong. I am convinced. However, it may take more than what I have witnessed to convince my father."

She paused thoughtfully before continuing, "My ward from the Courtenay Family, told me an interesting story that happened in the Blacksmith Order today. She said you have promised to create magic items for all of the people present there. And I'm thinking of getting their statements about your creations' performance. What do you say?"