Bro, I’m not an Undead!

Governor’s Residence, Genhuis City.

A man with a kingly air about him sat on a soft couch reserved for his bottom and his bottom alone, while gazing at the guests he had invited.

To his left sat a young man with a face that looked just like his, with the facial hair they had being similar, the only difference being the absence of a moustache on this visual chip off the old block.

“You’re right. We should have had this meeting sooner, but I figured there was no stopping you anyway. Still, I must stress the huge amount of attention that you have garnered towards yourself and the City as well as the implications it bears,” the man who sat regally on his chair, the Governor, said with a sharp glint in his eye that spoke of disapproval.

Unlike Families, Houses put themselves on pedestals, some of which were very much deserved because of contributions made over the centuries to the millennia but still…

The order in major cities such as this one would be threatened whenever these organisations made big moves and that was something the Governor didn’t look favourably to.

“This was the perfect time to hold this event. It’s for nothing more than strengthening the nation in preparation for any expected attacks. You know Maqi and Emeradis’ silence won’t last for long. This is merely the calm before the storm,” the man who sat on the opposite end of the room, across from the Governor and his son said.

He had a confident and arrogant demeanour that showed not in his words but in his posture and tone instead.

He was the current Head of the EverSword House.

“Strengthening the nation you say? Have you any idea how many thieves and bandits you have just granted free passes to do as they please during this… event of yours? The chaos is already starting to show and I have had to increase patrols for Capital Order Knights in every street! To make matters worse, we may have spies infiltrating the city to observe us! I do not see how this is ‘strengthening’ the nation!”

The Governor lost his cool a bit but asides from lightly raising his voice, he didn’t lose his firm visage.

“All that you have said are givens in such events and yes, I too do not condone the existence of this hoodlums. The arrangement and rules for the Premium Age Royale, as well as the Venue, are meant to mitigate much of these. I had an emissary of the Royal Family review both and they were deemed spectacular in every sense. So please, rest assured.”

The Governor shook his head, his eyes showing an incredulous glint as he gazed at the man opposite him.

Rearren EverSword.

This man had grown bold.

Everyone knew that the word of the Royal Family barely mattered as they hardly cared for Pelian and the intervention by the Houses was what was taken more seriously.

This could be taken the wrong way by the other five houses which had a greater standing in Pelian than the EverSword House.

Then again, this event was announced months ago. Surely they would have acted against it already.

Whichever was the right answer, the Governor couldn’t help but feel that this event was hosted on account of one thing.

Insecurity.

This was wrong.

Many of the nation’s powerful combatants would be participating as previous criminal records were not considered at all by the EverSword House and this was especially terrifying when considering that the majority of the stronger participants would be Master Stage experts, the main forces when a nation’s military was taken into account.

At this juncture, the young man beside the Governor intervened.

“Forgive me if I happen to speak out of turn, but your event is causing some of the most… important, albeit eccentric individuals within Pelian to act. The Kinn Family for example, is adamant about their participation, their Family Head to boot. I’m sure you don’t need to be reminded that if this Family were to somehow fall by the window you have created, you would become an enemy to many of the Families in Pelian regardless of what the Royal Family says….”

The Governor gave a stern gaze to his son who immediately stopped speaking, realising that he did indeed speak a bit out of line.

“That sounds more like a threat to me. I’m not forcing anyone to participate and if the Kinn Family is to perish, it would not be the EverSword House’s fault. That could only happen if somehow incited such an outcome,” Rearren said with the narrowing of his eyes.

“If your purpose is to recruit gifted combatants into your House, then why even allow for figures such as a Vali Kinn and Aurolio Velanqi to participate in this event? They are already talented enough, aren’t they? Announce them publicly to already be worth a place in your House,” the Governor said with visible puzzlement.

The Houses were purists who generally wanted to keep their bloodlines clean.

This was why no other House had hosted such an event as they were more concerned with preserving their lines.

The Governor just couldn’t understand what game Rearren was playing here.

“Everyone will be granted equal chance to join the House. Indeed these two are exceptional and that is a marvellous thing. They will only need to PUBLICLY prove their worth and inevitably win a spot for their Families, is that not right?”

Both father and son couldn’t help but feel that this was inadequate as an answer and it seemed Rearren knew that, but didn’t care.

They could tell something was wrong.

At this critical time…

In such a strange fashion…

If the Royal Family had backed them in denying the EverSword House the right to do this, their hearts would feel more settled.

Yet it was unfortunate.

“I’ll take your silence as approval,” Rearren said as he got up, the guards behind him opening up a way. “Right, I almost forgot. This was announced to be the day the event began, but I suppose most took it the wrong way. That was only for the participants. I felt that those putting their lives on the line deserved a chance to get ahead of everyone else. I’m sure everyone relevant is declaring their participation in the event as we speak.”

“Is that so? There has been a lot of controversy and speculation about the venue of the event. What did you have in mind?” the Governor questioned, hoping to gain an answer to another one of his burning queries.

“Don’t worry yourself over that. Everyone will understand the rules and venue come tomorrow,” Rearren smiled mysteriously.

***

Within a massive tower well respected and seen as a grand symbol of magical strength, a master and his student were having a serious discussion.

No.

It was more like a master giving stern instruction to his student before he sent him off on a perilous journey

“You will likely be the only Mage in the entire event and many a criticism will be flung at you, disparaging your honour and questioning your motives. This may be seen as… flattery in some instances but DO NOT grow overconfident because of it. Finishing the Elemental Patch and finding your niche, which just so happens to be rare does not mean you will not encounter powerful opponents that rival your strength,” an aged man with silver coloured hair said sternly to his disciple who heeded his words with a somewhat reluctant nod.

“I haven’t forgotten your teachings, Arch-Mage Verys. As you always say, ‘Magecraft was founded thousands of years after the three categories for Classes had already been established.’ That’s enough for me to not get a big head,” the disciple said with a sigh.

“I would like to see that you understand in practise, not in wording. What comes from the mouth is most likely vain. Words can be knotted into fine lies but actions… actions cannot be mistaken of their intent by keen eyes.”

“I understand,” the young disciple said, firmly nodding his head to show that he understood.

Only when the foggy eyes of his master had glazed over him for a full minute did the elderly Mage finally pull out from a shelf a fine piece of black paper that had an vast number of runes that glowed over it.

“Very well. You may declare your participation.”