Chapter 96: Traitor!
Alvin wanted nothing more than to disappear. Every single eye in the waiting area was on him. Well, Linfel was also a target of the looks, but Linfel probably didn't even notice. Alvin, however, was truly a Magus and got a result as good as the Level Four Maguses while being only at Level Three. It was impossible to not notice him.
"Hey, friend," Someone in the waiting area finally had the courage to come to ask. "I heard your familiar speaking about some special training. What kind of training is that? Your magic Energy Output is absolutely crazy!"
Alvin scratched the back of his head. "That's a misunderstanding, that's all. There is probably something wrong with the equipment. Hehe..."
"Hmph!" Someone else snorted. "Something wrong with the equipment? The Ventis Sect Equipment? Ridiculous! If the organizers had the slightest doubt of the equipment's integrity they would have demanded you to repeat the test. The fact they didn't only serve to show that the equipment was fine.
You truly have an unbelievable Magic Energy Output."
Those words only caused people to feel even more impressed. Indeed, that was the Ventis Sect they were talking about. A hegemon that few and far between could hope to join. How could a mistake like that go without notice? Alvin and linfel must truly be that good.
Linfel smiled, feeling proud. 'Alvin, just enjoy the moment. The results are out, and there is nothing we can do to change it. Besides, you know what I'm going after, right? Do you think I can get what I want by keeping a low profile?' He spoke in Alvin's mind.
Alvin remembered how Linfel needed to travel to the other side of the Universe to look for a planet. Indeed, a low profile wouldn't be of much use. If Linfel wanted to get the authority to use the wormholes, he would need to charge up the ranks fast. The position of High Elder gave you such authority, but there were bound to be other methods in there, too.
Finally, Alvin put his hands on his waist and nodded. Since it had already started, he might push it to the end and act accordingly. "Alright, I do have a good Magic Energy Output, but it isn't something I can teach any of you about. Everyone has their secrets, and so do I. However, this is only impressive on our planet.
Do you think what I did is really worth mentioning within the Ventis Sect Territory?"
"This..." The other participants went silent. Alvin was right, it might be impressive here, but they all know this planet is quite a weak and isolated one in the Ventis Sect Territory. What Alvin did probably wouldn't catch many eyes on other more advanced planets, let alone inside the Ventis Sect itself.
'Well said!' Linfel was happy to see Alvin adapting this fast... although it was obvious that Alvin was still forcing himself to act that confident.
Various conversations went right and left, but no one could find a fault with Alvin's words. No one could force him to reveal his methods either. In the end, some tried to befriend him, while others just ignored the situation. Regardless, the test continued while the Ventis Sect organizers acted as if nothing out of the norm happened in the test.
Some Familiars also approached Linfel, but Linfel pretended he didn't do anything impressive, using exactly the same excuse as Alvin.
While Linfel and Alvin waited for the test to end, Alvin's MCOM suddenly went off. "Hum?"
Alvin quickly took it and opened the call; it was his father. "Dad... did you call because of the test?"
"What? Are you taking the test already?" Lucau asked back, not aware of the situation.
"Eh?" Alvin thought Lucau called him because of how he appeared in the middle of the top-ranked maguses. "Is that not it?"
"Not really..." Lucau didn't deny that. "But since you mentioned, how is the test going? Have you failed? If you did, don't bother. You can always come back."
Alvin scratched the back of the head. "Actually, I most likely will pass the first test."
"Oh!" Lucau nodded, surprised. "That is a pretty amazing sect, isn't it? Oh, right! I almost forgot. Have you seen Milia and Nori?"
"Milia and Nori?" Alvin didn't expect that question. "Not at all. Why would you ask?"
Lucau then explained the situation. Alvin and Linfel left without telling anyone other than Lucau and Felia. When Milia found out that Alvin went on a trip with Linfel and that Lucau didn't know when they would be back, she seemed quite angry, talking about something regarding being a member of the Floating Blades Faction.
Yet, it wasn't like Lucau could do anything about it. During the next months, Milia and Nori got quite involved with the Clondure Country as Magus and Familiar, taking various missions for the country or some of the companies in there. They seemed to be doing quite well in this new environment. Lucau often reported to Alvin about it.
After all, Milia never called Alvin after he left, and Alvin simply thought she didn't care about him anymore, so he never called as well.
"However, a week ago, she finished a mission and returned home with Nori," Lucau continued. "I always mention to her about you and Linfel, but she simply ignores me when it comes to news about the two of you. This time, she seemed a little different, though. When I went to check on her the next day, she was gone. At first, I thought she had gone to work again, but she hadn't come back for a week.
That's why I wondered if you didn't know something."
Alvin shook his head, although he wasn't concerned. "There is no need to worry. She is a Level Two Magus, and Nori is a Level Two Familiar. She can take care of herself. In any case, chances are we will never meet again, so why bother?"
Suddenly, a weird expression appeared on Lucau's face, confusing Alvin. "Is something wrong, Dad?"
Lucau looked through the video call at a certain person right behind Alvin. "Ahem... I think you should look behind you. By the way, I remember I have... errr... Right!
I have to wash a few things. Goodbye and take care."
The call ended abruptly... and at the same time, a delicate hand landed on Alvin's shoulder from behind. "Why bother, right? Why bother indeed!"
Alvin felt like his body dropped inside an ice lake. How could he not recognize that voice? He quickly looked to his side, trying to understand why Linfel didn't warn him... just to find out Linfel was nowhere to be seen. The wisp knows how to run pretty fast. 'Traitor!'