The entire banquet hall was silent for three times so far.
First was when the competition began.
Second was when the Sovereigns sat in the central table.
Third was when Varian revealed himself to be the winner.
Now was the fourth silence.
But this one silence seemed to outweigh all the previous three silences combined.
“No, Master, I need four hours from you.”
Everyone, including level 9 Awakeners thought they had gone deaf. Either that or Sovereign Kreo trapped them in an illusion.
“…?!” Evander was stupefied as he opened his mouth and stared at Varian with a silly look.
A high general, the commander of Earth Army had never shown such a display before.
Thanks to his disciple, his image of ‘Stoic and Fierce’ general was almost destroyed.
“Cough. Cough.” Evander quickly coughed and regained his composure. Being a level 9 had its benefits.
But with a disciple like this—
“Hahaha! Don’t joke now.” Evander waved his hand and laughed awkwardly. From the corner of his eyes, he glanced at the Sovereigns.
What he saw nearly made him jump in fright.
Good lord!
Half of the Sovereigns narrowed their eyes and the other half had cold faces.
‘Fucked it! You totally fucked it up!’ Evander wanted to yell.
Varian’s wish itself wasn’t anything wrong.
But choosing him over the seven Sovereigns was just plain insult to them.
In fact, if Varian said he chose Sovereign Albert—Evander’s father and the original host of the trial, things would’ve been fine.
But now…
“I didn’t know you were so busy that your disciple had to seek you from this match.” Sovereign Vianne waved her hand fan lightly and chuckled.
Her laughter slowly died down as she said. “Since I’m not needed here, I will take my leave.”
“W-Wai—” Evander called out, but her virtual figure flickered and disappeared.
“Whatever.” Julius Xander shrugged.
“Don’t worry too much, Evander.” Kreo Bell spoke and the next moment, the eyes of the man in envoy suit changed.
“Huh? Is it over?” The man rubbed his eyes and checked his comm. Then he nodded at everyone and left.
“Really? Your petty egos.” Sovereign Caron clicked his tongue and waved his hand. “The worst that can happen is this boy being a member of Shadow Order.”
Varian’s’ face twitched.
‘Are you hinting something?’
“Well, I checked his files thrice anyway. He’s a pretty normal kid.”
Everyone wanted to yell. ‘Which part of him is normal?’
Sovereign Caron thought for a moment and considered the worst possibility. He looked at Varian and said. “Don’t die, kid.”
Then he too disappeared.
Sovereign Kevin looked at Varian and laughed. “You pissed off that old hag. I like you, hahaha.”
‘?!’ Varian’s brows knit for a split second before he politely smiled.
The Sovereigns quickly left.
The Trial ended just like that.
Evander didn’t try to dissuade anyone again. It was useless.
Only three Sovereigns took it seriously, others were simply pissed off and would forget the issue.
Probably.
‘Argh! I managed to keep them calm for hours and Varian…he just broke everything in minutes.’
Evander was freaking out but he didn’t show it out.
He glanced at the silent spectators and announced. “The trial ended.”
The subtext: You can leave if you want.
Some high awakeners disappeared the next second. A few of them came to talk to one of the Sovereigns, others came to discuss their divine path with their peers and a few to see their juniors perform.
But only a small percentage left.
Most of them stayed behind.
Why?
Not every genius participated in the duels and even if some did, they held back. But with the Solar Trial, they showed their prowess.
Thus, the ones with the best performances were quickly approached by powers—big and small for various reasons.
At the same time, geniuses also discussed joint missions. For instance, students of Earth Defense Academy and Mars Battle Academy planned to complete a mission on a planetoid.
The third years talked with the seniors—princes and alumni who reached peak level 6 earlier than they did.
‘If nothing happened, Sia would be here with me, right?’ Varian sighed inwardly.
But what happened happened.
“Ahem.” Varian heard the cough and saw Evander looking at him with an expression that said. ‘Give me a good reason or else…’
“I have four hours now. What do you want?” He said, his voice low and cold.
Varian rubbed the back of his head and said. “Can you wait in a private room? I’ll be there in two..no, five minutes.”
“These five minutes will be counted under those four hours and if there’s an emergency, I’m leaving.” Evander said. In those give minutes, he decided to punch the hell out of whatever he could find.
Evander’s body flickered and he disappeared.
“Master, the adres—” Varian paused midway as his comm notified a new message. It was the meeting room’s location.
“Well, well.” Varian walked down the stage.
“…”
“I can’t believe it.”
“He’s a monster.”
“He even beat Charles.”
“Such schemes…I am afraid if we try to rein him in, he’ll also plot against us.”
The princes, seniors and even elders whispered as Varian passed them by.
For better or for worse, no one wanted to approach Varian.
More than his victory, they feared his mind. The way he played around with the strongest geniuses despite his weaker strength was a terrifying thing.
Who could say for certain he wouldn’t do the same on them?
Without trying to, Varian’s reputation created a veiled deterrence.
“I bet he must be plotting against someone right now. Look! He looked at me! Ow! Maybe he will frame me! Oh my god! I didn’t write a will yet!”
‘….’ Varian looked at the overreactive lady and gnashed his teeth.
‘Do you think everyone here is worth my time? Wait…why would I even plot against you?
You’re only a low level 6. When I can win with my power, why plot?’
Varian didn’t bother to argue and reached a particular table.
Sarah. William. And Philia.
William gawked at him while Philia observed him with curiosity.
Only Sarah…she crossed her arms and turned to the side.
“Sarah.” Varian said.
She looked up at him and covered her mouth. “Oops! Forgive me, sir! What can I do for you?”
“…I can explain.” Varian raised his hands and said.
Her frustration was understandable. He didn’t tell her he was going for the flags.
The teams were only concerned with level 6s and asked them to not enter—he made use of that loophole.
And…a major reason for his victory was the information he had.
Most messengers didn’t know half the stuff Varian found in the books.
Sarah gave them to him and he used them against her.
To be honest, even if she got mad at him, he could understand. Even he felt it was totally a dick move.
“Then explain.” Sarah stood up and walked towards the terrace.
“…?!” Varian was caught off guard by her reaction.
Wait, wasn’t she supposed to be angry for ten minutes and he had to calm her down?
She’s actually willing to listen!
‘She’s such a nice girl.’ Varian smiled and quickly followed her out.
She stood in the same spot where he found her before the Trial.
Varian cut to chase. “If you knew about me participating, my chances of winning are 0%.”
Sarah glanced at the sky in silence and clenched her fists. Her knuckles turned white and after a while, she deeply sighed.
“I know. You did the best thing you do.” Sarah shook her head, and forced a small smile.
“In fact, even if you told me you were participating in the trial, I would still you give those books.” She said lightly, but Varian felt the weight in her words.
“I’m s—”
“It’s alright.” Sarah waved her hand and closed her eyes. “I’m just feeling useless.”
Varian patted her lightly but didn’t speak.
In the end, she muttered. “Your wish…you really know how to piss off people.”
“Cough. Cough.”
Varian laughed nervously. “Master must be hating me now.”
Sarah said without thinking. “But he must be more proud of you…unlike me. I lost.”
This again…this is the reason you’re upset, right?
After losing in the duel against Ashtarh, you were down, but now, you’re totally depressed.
Varian looked at her slightly swollen eyes and clenched his fist.
I don’t want to see you like this.
“Sarah, I have a gift for you.”
*** ***
I’m sorry about the release schedule. I was going through some issues. I’ll fix the chapter release timing back to an hour or two after reset. (From the next chaps.)