At a glance, the Zodiac City's palace was at least five times bigger than Lord Izta's, but proportionately, its hall was no different. A massive hall with a grandiose interior and exquisite arrangement, with hundreds of guards clad in full armor standing on the sides. All of them were strong half-blood warriors with formidable bloodlines of their own respectively.
However, there was something extremely conspicuous among all these impressive displays – one person that immediately caught Emery's attention and wouldn't let it go no matter what he did. It was the figure of a man sitting on the throne that exerted a formless, yet impactful pressure, as Emery's eyes fell on him – the renowned protector of Zodiac City, the dragon blood, King Alduin.
The man's long white hair cascaded onto his majestic black armor, creating a striking and beautiful contrast of each other. There were also the two small horns on his forehead that distinguished him from the rest, but a slight glance from his pair of red eyes was enough to cause Emery's knees to go weak.
It was apparent from the aura he emanated that the man had a level of strength even higher than a grand magus. He might be someone at the level of a supreme magus. As if that wasn't impressive enough, the three other people standing next to the man were also powerful individuals.
Two of them were at least peak magus level, from what Emery's Spirit Reading could garner. The last person was an old man Emery recognized, because he had seen the other party in the past.
Lord Esbern, the head of Bloodline Institute, the elderly Goat Bloodline, who introduced the institute to Emery last year.
When the group arrived, Magus Leon led the others by bowing in respect to the king and introducing himself as the team leader chosen by the Magus Alliance. Contrary to the expectation, King Alduin didn't say anything nor showed visible changes on his expression. He was just observing.
It was Lord Esbern who spoke on his behalf.
"The king is displeased. He wonders why the headmaster hasn't come himself."
Magus Leon didn't seem flustered by those words. He was still very calm when he answered the question. "The headmaster was unable to leave the academy at such turbulent times, hence it was us who were sent on his behalf."
Emery noticed how Lord Esbern briefly glanced at King Alduin, before he responded. It appeared there was a telepathic communication involved, before Lord Esbern continued.
"That is too bad, but at the same time understandable. However, we were hoping for at least a better, stronger team."
Emery was surprised when he heard that, because it meant a team consisting of 5 magus-level individuals and even a peak Full Moon such as Magus Leon was considered inadequate for the mission.
Thanks to this realization, his mind started to wonder how dangerous this mission would be.
On the other hand, Magus Leon still displayed his calm look as he answered, "A grand magus will come and join us at the designated time."
It seemed what Magus Leon had said this time satisfied the other party, as the frown seen on Lord Esbern's face eased slightly.
"Good, very good," he responded. He then looked towards the two people that stood next to him and said to Magus Leon, "These two will also join the mission on our part."
The two bloodline warriors who appeared to have a magus level strength were a man and woman. The former named Jigow seemed to have the Goat Bloodline, seeing how his skin was all pitch black, while the Tiger Bloodline woman with a medium-length hair tied up was named Nameria.
It was at this moment Lord Esbern finally noticed Emery's presence.
"What about that young acolyte?" He asked, while gesturing to Emery. "Who is he? Why is he here with you?"
Emery was about to open his mouth and answer the question himself, when Magus Leon stopped him with his hand.
"This is an academy acolyte, who is also a member of the White Fang Clan. The alliance decided to let him tag along in hopes his presence would make the mission go smoother."
Hearing that, Lord Esbern cast his gaze at Emery again and finally recalled who he was.
"Aah, yes… I remember you, young wolf of the legendary bloodline."
A slight surprise couldn't help but appear on Emery's face. He didn't expect the other party to remember him. However, the man still wasn't done with his words.
"Magus Leon, we are not thrilled about inviting a young acolyte in this mission." Lord Esbern's gaze turned cold, as he reached the end of those words, then he sharply said, "Perhaps it's because of his lineage that he was chosen?"
Lord Esbern's words were sharp. Emery himself understood that he mean, Emery's involvement was discrimination to the half-blood.
Surprisingly, Magus Leon still maintained his calm demeanor, as he answered the question eloquently.
"I assure you Lord Esbern, King Alduin, we would not invite the young acolyte if the Magus Alliance thought it was not necessary. Furthermore, the acolyte was not forced and decided to participate in the mission of his own will."
It was clear Lord Esbern was unconvinced by Magus Leon's words. He seemed to be about to say more when King Alduin raised his hand, causing him to stop in his tracks. However, he still spoke one more sentence.
"Magus Leon, I want you to explain the upcoming mission as clearly and detailed as possible to the young acolyte, or else I won't allow him to participate. Are we clear here?"
"Yes, my Lord."
The group was then excused. As they walked through the same corridors they passed before, Magus Leon suddenly brought out a pipe-looking tool. Emery was inwardly wondering what it was when he saw the magus walking behind him and suddenly, he felt a stabbing pain in the back of his neck.
"I was authorized to take out the recording chip. Now I will explain one more time. If you don't come to tomorrow's designated time and location, you shall head back to the academy and asked to be installed with another chip, do you understand?"
Emery finally realized what the other party did when he heard that. He nodded his head outwardly, however, the degree of secrecy imposed on this upcoming mission made him even more anxious about it.
"What I am about to say is confidential, divulging it out to anyone else will lead to extremely grave consequences, do you understand?"
Emery nodded, but he still was surprised by what he heard next.
"Actually the situation with the wolf and serpent clan is more alarming than it seems.. If the mission goes well we might be able to solve this bloodline tension once and for all."