Ethan's attention remained riveted on Kael. Neither could've anticipated their casual wager materializing so literally - the finals would indeed pit Kael against Ethan!
Their locked gazes magnetized the crowd's focus. Here stood magic academy's undisputed champion versus Yanhua Academy's reigning combat deity. Would warriors maintain their three-year dominance over mages? Speculation crackled through the arena like live current.
Administering healing potions to Amelia, Kael watched her color gradually return. Onstage, Vesper announced the results with theatrical flourish, declaring the championship duel would commence after three days' rest.
A three-day respite granted both finalists recuperation time.
As spectators dispersed amidst animated post-match debates, Kael found his recovery accelerated by multiple potions. Teasing Amelia about evening plans, he abruptly froze beneath an intrusive gaze.
Zorath the Silent.
The towering figure loomed fifty meters to Kael's left, teeth bared in a jagged grin. The legendary warrior pointed skyward, mouthing silent words.
"Hammer of Thunder Zorath the Silent," Amelia instantly recognized the Sacred Council emissary. "He's here for you." Her pragmatic tone reflected their battle-forged trust - Kael had shared his dealings with the clandestine organization.
"Seems so," Kael confirmed. Having secured top three rankings, he'd fulfilled their bargain. No doubt fresh demands awaited.
"Go." Amelia disentangled their hands with characteristic decisiveness. "We'll reconvene later."
"Count on it." Kael squeezed her fingers before approaching the living legend.
"Kid, heh, well done! Your teacher's been bragging nonstop!" Zorath the Silent clapped Kael on the shoulder with a heavy force, the weight of it making even Kael—tempered by millennia of glacial essence—wince slightly in pain.
"All thanks to your guidance, Boss Zorath!" Kael replied with a grin. Zorath radiated a gangster-like demeanor, a man of rough edges and underworld habits. His subordinates addressed him as "Boss," and Kael followed suit.
"Enough flattery! I'm here on serious business!" Zorath bared his teeth in a grin. "You've made us proud by cracking the top three. Now there are things I can finally discuss with you properly. Come, follow me to the Sacred Ethan-O Music Cathedral!"
The Sacred Ethan-O Music Cathedral served as the Sacred Council's stronghold on Yanhua Island. Clearly, Zorath's visit wasn't merely about Kael completing a task he'd assigned.
The two boarded a carriage, each lost in their own thoughts, speeding along the way.
Upon arriving at the cathedral, Zorath led Kael through a side entrance, winding through narrow corridors until they reached an inner chamber.
"A…secret chamber!" Instead of the grand concert hall, they stood in a hidden room. Not surprising—as the Sacred Council's base, such secure spaces were inevitable, and likely not the only one.
"This might be the safest place on all of Yanhua Island," Zorath explained with a chuckle, though his tone carried an edge. "Every path here is monitored by scrying crystals and laced with magical traps. Anyone else trying to sneak in? Even an arcane mage would end up as ash."
"Welcome, kid, to the Sacred Council's home on Yanhua Island!" Zorath pushed open the chamber's heavy door, revealing a lavish hall that could easily hold a hundred people.
Contrary to Kael's expectations, two figures already waited inside—a middle-aged man in white robes and someone familiar: Sophia, the manager of the Myriad Vault Trading House. She was none other than the spy master Zorath had mentioned earlier, the Council's shadow operative on the island.
"Kid, let me introduce you. These two are Five-Star Deacons of the Sacred Council on Yanhua Island—codename 'Wolf Fang' and 'Tulip'!" Zorath the Silent announced. Kael belonged to the Shadow Sanctum of the Sacred Council, where operatives typically abandoned their names, using only codenames.
The middle-aged man's codename was Wolf Fang, while Sophia went by Tulip. Within the Sacred Council, the highest rank was Seven-Star Deacon, above which stood Hall Masters like Zorath the Silent, or Elders. As Five-Star Deacons, these two held significant authority within the Shadow Sanctum.
Kael nodded in greeting to Wolf Fang and Sophia—codename Tulip. He had interacted with Sophia using a clandestine identity, and she remained unaware of his true affiliation.
"Kael, you've completed the task I assigned. I hereby promote you to Three-Star Deacon. This is your new identity token!" Zorath the Silent grinned. "As a Three-Star Deacon, you gain the authority to execute nobles below the rank of Viscount, command Sacred Council guard units of up to 200 soldiers, and receive an annual stipend of 20,000 gold coins."
Kael's eyes gleamed—these were tangible benefits. Three-Star Deacon!
"Congratulations, kid, on reaching the Arcane-Martial Tournament's top three. You've earned the right to know higher-tier secrets." Zorath clapped Kael's shoulder. As Ethan's disciple and a rising star, Zorath had no intention of shortchanging him.
Kael perked up attentively.
"Normally, this mission is disclosed after the tournament's conclusion, but since you're one of us, I'll brief you early. As I mentioned before, the top three finalists will be sent to a… special locationto enhance their strength." Zorath drummed his fingers on the table, as if weighing his words.
Kael nodded silently, waiting for the revelation.
"Originally, you were to be sent to a mystic realm containing ruins of an ancient civilization. Those who enter such places often reap extraordinary rewards."
Zorath's words reignited the spark in Kael's eyes. Ruins of an ancient civilization! Such sites were legendary for their hidden fortunes. Even the Starforge Legend, Orlando, had risen to prominence after discovering an ancient ruin…
Noticing the excitement in Kael's eyes, Zorath the Silent smirked. "This ruin… originally, only our Sacred Council and the Holy Sanctum knew of it. We've been working together to unlock its secrets. But there's a critical restriction—only those below Level 8 can enter. Essentially, this place was tailor-made for rookies like you. How much you gain depends entirely on yourselves."
Kael's anticipation surged. So that's the catch. The rewards could be immense, but the competition would be fierce. With the Holy Sanctum involved, would they clash directly?
No—it likely wasn't just the Sanctum. Even within the Sacred Council, rivals would emerge. Over the years, the Council had recruited talents from other academies, and they'd surely join the fray…
Kael's mind raced. Zorath chuckled, letting the young man stew in his speculations.
After allowing Kael time to absorb the news, Zorath dropped another bombshell: "Don't get too carried yet, kid. This isn't as straightforward as it seems. Initially, the Council and the Sanctum agreed to use this as a training ground to strengthen our recruits. But complications arose."
"Complications? What kind?" Kael pressed. With the Council and Sanctum's combined power, what could possibly disrupt their plans?
Zorath's eyes flashed cold. "Those damned Shadowwing Mages."