Legacy of the Dark Sage

The remaining three matches went by without much suspense.

As a matter of fact, before Styx could announce his intention to forfeit the last match to give Deo or Tilda time to join in the fun, the last Montgomeray member forfeited.

So the Solo Competition between the Conclave and Montgomeray Family concluded with 1 loss, 1 draw, and 4 wins in favor of the Conclave.

With the conclusion of the Day 3 Solo competition, the members of each faction watching from the audience left to report the result to their leaders.

The result would be shared through the white disc the Courtenay Family distributed, but because it did not include a detailed report on each match, each faction tasked its members to keep a record.

This way, each faction could have a good grasp of each other's strengths.

The results for the Team Competition had been shared early because it ended much earlier than the Solo Competition.

Both the Royal Army and the Conclave won their matches against the Lumley and Courtenay Families respectively. As for the Solo Competition between the Royal Family and the Courtenay Family, the former won as well.

The results were as follows:

Day 1==========

Solo Competition

(Royal Army | Montgomeray Family) = Winner: Montgomeray Family

(Conclave | Lumley Family) = Winner: Conclave

Team Competition

(Royal Army | Courtenay Family) = Winner: Royal Army

(Conclave | Montgomeray Family) = Draw

Day 2 ==========

Material Gathering

(Royal Army | Conclave) - Time Limit: 6 hrs. = Winner: Conclave

Alchemy

(Royal Army | Lumley Family) = Winner: Royal Army

(Conclave | Courtenay Family) = Winner: Conclave

Array Creation

(Royal Army | Montgomeray Family) = Draw

(Conclave | Lumley Family) = Winner: Conclave

Day 3 ==========

Smithing

(Royal Army | Conclave) - Time Limit: 6 hrs. = To be announced

Solo Competition

(Royal Army | Courtenay Family) = Winner: Royal Army

(Conclave | Montgomeray Family) = Winner: Conclave

Team Competition

(Royal Army | Lumley Family) = Winner: Royal Army

(Conclave | Courtenay Family) = Winner: Conclave

==========

Based on the current standing, it was not hard to see that the Conclave was dominating the whole event.

This result took Kyran by surprise, but in the same time, it was something he intended. With this kind of result, even if the Three Noble Families were planning anything against the Conclave, they would have to think twice.

The same goes with the Royal Family. Their desire to assimilate the Conclave would deepen but given how unexpected the Conclave's reserves had performed in their respective matches, they would have to reassess how they go about their plan.

That had been Kyran's goal.

The more the Conclave defy the Royal Family's expectations the more they would get drawn into the Conclave's pace. This in turn would give Kyran enough room to execute his plans.

Although Kyran knew the main reason why the Royal Family was interested in the Conclave was because of Tyr, and most likely, Stella, he was not worried about being forced to continue pretending to be Tyr.

He already collected enough data for 'Tyr,' the puppet he prepared that would take over once he left. Of course, leaving a puppet all on its own was not a wise decision. That was why he would have to leave an insurance.

Initially, he planned to make use of Millie's infatuation and use her to get the Courtenay Family. But recalling that woman's 'other self,' he decided against it.

In any case, the matter with the Montgomeray Family was a timely one. If they were proven to be his allies, then they would become his hidden card. Getting the Spirits' cooperation was very convenient for him, to be honest. With their own means of travel, and ability to hide their presence, they were the best group to do covert missions.

Now the only two things that bothered Kyran was the Royal Family's lack of 'movement.'

So far, he had yet to find anyone the Crown Princess had marked among the Three Noble Families members.

The Conclave members were okay because Kyran had countermeasures in place.

However, if even the Three Noble Families were unmarked... had he read the Royal Family's real intentions wrong? Could the empress be telling the truth about the emperor's ideals?

Kyran already knew the empress was not lying, but that did not mean the emperor did not lie to her.

But regardless of the truth, Kyran only had one goal in mind.

And that was to save his clan.

It was already eight in the evening when the Conclave finished their second reflection meeting. During this, the council members and the rest of the acting leaders asked Kyran what happened inside the wall of flames.

Kyran only gave a brief explanation of battling Lev inside, which he ended up exhausting all his magic energy and materials to inflict a fatal blow on the Fire Golem, forcing Lev to release him. Then he made quick work of destroying the wall of flames.

Whether the council members believed his story or not, he did not care. But the acting leaders seemed to be convinced.

Kyran did not join in the discussion on their next course of action for tomorrow's matches. He left by giving an excuse about still feeling exhausted from his match with Lev.

Noir and the rest did not argue, because they believed Kyran deserved a good long rest given how pale he was.

After leaving, Kyran went to his room first. He did not go there because he needed to get something. After all, he always carried his things with him.

The reason why he went there was that he felt a familiar presence entering his room.

One of the formulas he placed on the array he set up in his room was to alert him when anyone entered without his permission.

He might have the access card to his room, but that did not mean others could not force their way in.

Besides, there was one particular woman from the Courtenay Family whom he knew would dare use a master access card to sneak into his room.

So far that had not happened yet, and hopefully, it would not happen because he had other plans for that woman.

In any case, the presence in his room was not her. If it was he would not bother to check.

Kyran entered his room and immediately saw the intruder.

It was none other than Stella.

Stella was wearing the diamond studs he gave her obscuring her presence from the others. She was dressed in an Alchemist robe, just like yesterday, but did not change the color of her hair.

Whether she did it intentionally or forgot to change it, Kyran was unsure. But what he was sure of was she looked distracted.

Because Stella did not budge when he entered. She remained seated at the foot of the bed, with her head low.

"I don't mind you coming in and out of this place, but you have to be consistent in your disguise. If others sees you we'll have to work President Callan to the bones to clean up your carelessness."

With a slight frown, Stella looked at Kyran but did not respond to his attempt at a playful jab.

Her light blue eyes were filled with apprehension as she opened her mouth to speak. But then she hesitated and closed it again.

Kyran did not rush her. Though he only had half an hour before the agreed time to meet the Montgomeray Family, he sensed whatever was bothering Stella was important. Thus, he waited for her to speak.

Kyran sat on the two-seater couch across from Stella and leaned back. He noticed subtle changes in her demeanor. Most especially, her eyes looked different somehow.

Once he was seated, Stella took a deep breath before opening her mouth once more.

What she said made Kyran's expression turn cold.

"The Queen of the Faes visited me this afternoon," Stella started, her expression distorted with different kinds of emotions she was unable to hide.

Recalling how White Lily suddenly appeared without notice and told her about Kyran 'hiding' that 'person' made her blood run cold. Memories flashed through her mind. Everything that 'person' did in the past, filled Stella's heart with terror.

"She... asked me to speak with you about not getting involved with that woman...." Stella's voice trailed off as she noticed Kyran's expression.

Whether Kyran was aware of how he was looking coldly at her or not, made her heart sink.

Stella swallowed in an attempt to moisten her suddenly dry throat. She always knew he disliked people confronting him, especially when it came to his decisions.

But she had to speak up. If not... then she would forever be stuck, unable to move forward...

"C-Caelan?"

Kyran's eyes narrowed at the way Stella called him.

This was not the first time.

The first time had been during their first meeting.

Back then, Kyran did not know who she was, yet she appeared to be very familiar with him.

When Stella called him 'Caelan,' he initially thought she pronounced his name incorrectly.

But now... seeing the glazed look in her eyes, he realized that right now, just like the first time, Stella was not seeing him, but that 'man.'

Yes, Kyran now understood whom she had called the first time.

He had always wondered what his predecessor's name was, and all this time, Stella had actually told him, albeit unintentionally.

"That's the second time."

"What...?"

"I am not him."