Chapter 533: Replacement
Morning Cafe, Frost District, Capital.
"Act natural, he is here.." Max muttered as he turned his head towards the incoming guest with a smile on his face. "Its been a while Tyler, how are you doing?"
Tyler looked at Max and then at Namen, a bit surprised. He wasn't expecting her here. After all Max didn't say that she would be here as well.
"H-Hi.." Namen forced a smile on her face as Max nudged his elbow to her side.
"You are here as well?" Tyler smiled at her before sitting opposite to Max.
"Yeah, I just happen to run into him here." She replied finally starting to get into her act.
"Why are you wearing a blindfold?" And as usual, that question was unavoidable.
Max sighed while Namen who had already been explained about the situation earlier tired her best to control her laughter. She actually wanted pull the blindfold and let Tyler and Max have a staring contest.
"I just got hurt, its not some fashion.." Max replied with a helpless smile.
"It looks good though…" Namen chimed in with a smile.
Tyler looked at Max and was waiting for him to speak about the main topic since he was the one who asked him to meet here. Initially he had planned to refuse but after watching the competition last night, even he had a newfound respect for Max. After all, most people admired the strong, specially when you were seeking something the other had. And for most Mages, it was strength.
"You were so close to defeating that thing last night." Namen suddenly said looking at Max. She had really struck at the right time and Max couldn't help but praise her inwardly.
"Yeah, it was a close fight.." Tyler nodded as well.
"I still lost though.." Max said with smile before looking at Tyler as his lips slightly curled up, "You should have taken part in the competition as well. It was a good experience."
"How can he take part? His skills are nowhere near to us." Namen shook her head and replied before Tyler could even manage to open his mouth.
Yes, even she was selected as a reserve mostly because of her skills with the hammer.
Max saw the Tyler's face twitch for a second and laughed inwardly, before speaking out, "I know his hammer skills are poor but I don't think he is that weak as a Mage.."
Max actually meant what he said. Tyler was not weak, if compared to the participants of the competition, he would definitely rank a step below the Celestials. And you wouldn't call such a person weak. Too bad for him that being in the Blacksmith department worked against him.
"Do you think everyone is a monster like you? Blacksmiths are weaker than Mages." Namen shook her head before looking at Tyler, "Don't take him seriously…"
Tyler forced a smile on his face, he actually wanted to say that he wasn't that weak. But it didn't seem it would work. After all if he couldn't prove it here and it would just turn into plain boasting.
"Come on, you are underestimating him.." Max said with utmost confidence in Tyler. Even Tyler didn't understand where Max's trust was coming from. "Why don't you say something?"
"Uhh…yeah, I am...not that weak." Tyler could only force a smile on his face as Max pushed him into an awkward situation.
Namen only gave a smile which seemed to say, 'I understand, you don't need to force yourself..'
Tyler felt something shatter inside of him the moment he saw her smile and it was his pride....
No one would ever want to receive that kind of look from their crush.
"It seems you aren't convinced." Max smile as he looked at Namen.
"No, I am sure he would have done great if he had participated.." Namen shook her head but anyone with an eye could see she didn't mean it. This struck an even harder blow to Tyler. He regretted not taking part in the competition and trying to qualify for it seriously, after all if he properly showed his ability, he would definitely have been selected.
"If its about participation, then it isn't too late.." Max's words immediately caused Tyler's ears to perk out.
"How so?" Namen immediately asked.
"Well, you see, I am withdrawing from the competition due to an injury. So, a place have open up in Arcane's team." Max said shocking the two before his gaze silently turned towards Tyler.
The moment of truth was here!
Tyler's expression immediately dimmed down a bit. He would have to leave Orca and join Arcane for this and then there was his family as well who might not be in favor of this, "This might be a bit troublesome…"
"Yeah, just leave it be…." Namen said with a concerned look. Obviously, not wanting him to participate as the competition might be too difficult for him.
A man could have his face stepped on once but not his pride.
Seeing that expression on Namen's face really triggered him.
"I will participate."
As soon as he said those, Max and Namen exchanged a glance.
The job was done!
Honestly, Max had thought of Elly first. But then realizing that her Grandfather didn't want her to come in contact with Ancient Family, he decided to refrain his plan of letting her participate. After all, in this world if Elly listened to anyone it had to be her grandfather.
Not to mention, Tyler might be a better choice. Right now, Max wanted someone in Tempest House more than anything else. And from how much Max had observed this guy, he could tell that he seemed pretty straight forward. The fact that he was pursuing the girl in such a way without using some underhanded method was already enough to show his nature.
Since his job was done now, Max quietly left the place early leaving the two behind all alone.
Namen glared at him for doing so while Tyler seemed grateful towards his generous action.
…
Edwinson House, Capital.
Max returned back to the place spending his time with Lilly before leaving tomorrow.
But, as soon as he arrived, he was called by the Lord, his Grandfather.
"You are finally here?"
Max was surprised not only to find his grandfather but both Lisa and Elly's as well sitting there and having a cup of tea and they were apparently all here for him.
'What did I do now?' He really had no memory of doing anything to bring them here like this.
"You have really shocked everyone with your strength.." Lorenz Lord smiled at him.
"Whose grandson-in-law is he?" Lisa's grandfather snorted proudly when the Lorenz Lord replied, "Mine obviously.."
Sparks immediately began to fly between the two best friends.
"Should we move onto the main topic, we haven't gathered here for this, have we?" Edwinson Lord once again stepped in to act as the mediator and they finally got onto the main topic.
It seemed they wanted to know what a 'Wielder' meant.
They had heard it during the meeting but the true meaning was not known to anyone and before one could ask, things had escalated.
Now all the Lords of the Noble Houses knew that Max was someone that all the Ancient Families valued enough to fight over, but what was so special about him was not known.
And now the three were here to get answers from the person in question.
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