"I merely want to educate your member, Head Master Malek," Gael said, returning Malek's gaze while his glowing red eyes slowly changed back to their original amber color.
"I will handle it myself," Malek replied. Though his voice remained monotonous, the drop in the surrounding's temperature was enough to know he was not negotiating with Gael but was telling him to listen or else he would not be polite.
Gael smiled slightly, his expression unreadable.
The three Deputy Marshals also retained an unreadable expressions and did nothing to interject. They did not even react to Hugh countering their magic pressure. It was unknown what they were really thinking.
To be precise, most of the Conclave council members still wondered what the Royal Army wanted to accomplish with the joint military exercise.
"What President Sigma said is a direct attack to the Royal Army. It is not something your faction must resolve," Gael told Malek after a short pause.
"Sigma," Malek called Sigma without taking his eyes off Gael.
Sigma's brow furrowed. He reigned in his annoyance while also ignoring the pain he suffered from the rebound and answered, "Yes, Head Master."
"Apologize now," Malek told him curtly.
Sigma's frown deepened. He clenched his fist tightly and gritted his teeth.
After a few seconds, he finally relented and said, "I have said too much, I'm sorry."
"Grand Marshal Gael, Sigma, together with Callan, is the one handling the names of participants," Malek started to explain, right after Sigma had apologized. He did not give Gael nor the three Deputy Marshals to say anything.
"He is feeling the pressure because most of our people are helping the Chamber of Commerce to gather the materials the Royal Family had ordered. The ones who are present are all low-leveled mages with not much experience.
"Of course, we can always let the Conclave's Elite Team participate instead. Unfortunately, you have clearly stated that only members from the four constituents of the Conclave can enter."
What Malek had just said was another reason why the Conclave council members were looking at the Gael and the others with disdain.
It was also the reason why Stella was convinced the Royal Family's real purpose for the joint exercise was to poach their talents.
Gael's eyes narrowed at Malek's words. He was still feeling displeased by Sigma's brass action and accusation. But Malek had already given them a plausible reason for Sigma's behavior. The latter also apologized and if they pursue it further, it might be counterproductive to what they have been asked to do here.
"Very well," Gael finally replied after a few seconds of grueling silence.
The three Deputy Marshals looked at him.
Mannick looked somewhat discontented and was about to say something. But after opening his mouth, he closed it almost immediately and closed his eyes.
Gael, Imman and Ingrid also closed their eyes.
Then Mannick crossed his arms across his chest before leaning back on his chair.
They all fell silent.
Their action was immediately noticed by the Conclave council members.
It was easy to guess that something transpired between the four of them.
Mosty likely, Gael had spoken to Mannick telepathically and said something to make him step down. Imman and Ingrid's reaction was also because they had heard Gael or was told to control themselves.
"The event will still go as planned," Gael continued and looked at Malek.
All this time, Malek had not taken his eyes off Gael. The only time it seemed he was not looking was when he blinked. And even that was not enough for Malek to find any clues of what the Royal Family wanted to achieve.
"As for the participants, we will give you until tonight to complete the list," Gael went on.
Sigma's brow furrowed once more and was about to say something, but Callan beat him at it and asked, "Can't we postpone the exercise? Let's say, on the day after tomorrow?"
"No."
The one who gave a curt reply was Ingrid. Her light blue eyes lazily turned to Callan as she added, "This is only an exercise. Let those people present here participate."
"Even if you say that…." Callan began, but was unsure what excuse to give.
Apparently, the Royal Army had no plans on negotiating with them.
[Go ahead and tell them you'll have the names tonight.]
A deep male voice spoke in their minds suddenly, when Malek was about to say something.
All nine of them recognized the voice.
It was none other than Kyran!
Their minds reeled at once.
Was not Kyran in the Blacksmith Order? Celine already sent an update of the situation but she did not mention anything about Kyran coming here.
More importantly, he had spoken to them telepathically? How was it possible?
Knowing it was impossible to suppress their shock expression, the eight council members all turned to Malek.
Their incredulous expression made it seem as if they were silently imploring Malek to come up with something to convince Gael and the rest.
Malek, who was the only one who managed to keep a straight face even when several questions had already surfaced in his mind, finally said, "We shall consider Deputy Marshal Ingrid's suggestion, then. Tonight, we will submit the names."
The way Malek had said this was not a question or suggestion but a firm answer.
"Head Master! You can't be serious!"
"Are we really going to let our people present here participate?"
Sigma and Callan exclaimed at the same time.
However, their words were all empty. They only said that to act that they were still in the bind. If not, the four people before them might get suspicious if Malek had agreed too easily.
Before Malek could reply to Sigma and Callan, Imman, suddenly chuckled and looked at Hugh then at Noir. Then he turned to Malek and said, "Speaking of your people present here. You have one unbelievable talent here in Starhorn, right? The one who has been making a name in the Array community recently."
He leaned on the table and scrunched his brows slightly, looking as if he was thinking of something, "I believe his name is…"
"Tyr."
Mannick, Ingrid and Imman had all said.
The members of the council saw a dangerous glint in their eyes. However, it only appeared for an instant and made some of them wonder whether they had imagined it.
Gael smiled and nodded. He chimed in, "That is right. Princess Haylee also said he has good sense of combat. After all, he managed to take down Brigadier General Rhys."
Having Kyran's other persona brought up made the Conclave council members feel uneasy. The obvious enthusiastic tone they heard from Gael and even Imman when they talked about 'Tyr' felt as if, Kyran had been their target all along.
"He is indeed a rare talent. Which is why, the Conclave has place high importance in nurturing him," Malek replied in a monotonous voice, masking any possible clues to what he might be thinking.
"Is this why you tried to keep his information under wraps, right after announcing his discipleship to Chairman Noir?" Imman asked while looking at Noir's direction.
"No. He was simply out of the radar last year, that is why there hasn't been any new information available on him," Malek answered. "In any case, he may not be able to attend the exercise, given he still have things to do in the Blacksmith Order."
"Is that so?" Gael replied, still wearing a smile, which Sigma found annoying. "That is too bad."
However, his expression said likewise. His smiling face seemed to imply he knew something they did not.
"We shall wait for the final list of names tonight," Gael continued and stood up.
The three Deputy Marshals followed.
Gael raised his right hand and nine gold scrolls appeared in thin air. With a wave of his hand, these scrolls flew toward each of the Conclave council members. Then he said, "The complete detail of the events are written there, including the names of the participants from our side. We will see you tomorrow."
With that, Gael and the three Deputy Marshals turned and made their way to the door.
Malek looked at Emery, who nodded her head in turn and also left to follow them.
As soon as Emery closed the door to the conference hall, Malek immediately stood and telepathically sent out a message.
'Where are you right now?'
"Here."
Kyran replied as he appeared out of thin air behind the chair where Gael had been sitting.
The rest of the council members looked at him in shock.
"How did you—?"
"You can warp in an instant now?"
"I heard a voice in my head just now, was that you?"
Malia, Avrum and Vaness respectively asked at the same time.
With a slightly furrowed brows, Kyran ignored their questions and took out a similar looking gold scroll. Then he said, "The military exercise is just an excuse for the Crown Princess to get close to the members from the Conclave's constituents. The Royal Family wants to control as many of the Conclave's members as possible. However…"
Kyran paused and smiled without mirth before continuing, "Their real target is me."
As soon as he said this, each of the council members' expression turned grim.
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