It lasted until quite late into the night in Ashbourne Manor.
The topic of the talent awakening ceremony was still being talked about.
The awakening of Evelyn Ashbourne’s Ancient Ice Phoenix Bloodline had shocked the entire Azure Dragon Empire.
People even came from Imperial Academy to record her information.
An SS-grade bloodline.
One to become a Sword Saint and one to become a Healer Saint in the future.
This was more than enough to save a family!
But there was danger in great talent.
In the courtyard of Evelyn, there was a tall man who stood quietly in the middle of the courtyard.
He was dressed in a plain gray robe and had a wooden staff.
His name was Ignis Valerian.
A once and future king of mages.
He used to be called the Flame Sage of the Azure Dragon Empire many years ago.
He had left the battlefield, but his reputation was still frightening.
He was regarded by even Duke Arthur.
“Ignis, sir.”
Evelyn bowed politely.
The old man smiled.
Starting from tomorrow, “I will cultivate you from now on.
You have a bloodline named Ice Phoenix.
The proper training technique can be as damaging as improper technique.
Evelyn nodded seriously.
“I understand.”
The young girl looked at Ignis.
“You’re a very talented person.”
“But greatness does not come from talent.”
“Your heart does.”
Andrew (he was there and he was watching) did not say anything.
He was relieved.
Many problems would go away if Evelyn were protected by Ignis.
Ignis was a strong mage.
He was very knowledgeable, too.
Some elders of the empire even took his advice.
A shadow came to stand next to Andrew.
His clone.
Andrew gazed at him.
“What happened?”
The clone looked quite serious.
The Mystic Pavilion spotted “unusual movements in the capital.”
A few unidentified individuals have recently come into town.
Andrew frowned.
With the same marrying partners?
“Possibly.”
The clone gave him a report.
There are also rumors that certain noble families are displeased with Evelyn’s awakening.
Andrew remained silent.
Of course.
A House Ashbourne genius changed the balance of power.
There would be some who would rejoice.
Others would fear.
At midnight.
Someone quietly came into Evelyn’s courtyard.
Then another.
Then several more.
They moved so perfectly.
Both of them passed all the guards.
Both of them escaped all the guards.
Not even the magical detection formations could see them.
However, before they got to Evelyn’s room…
However, a voice put them to a stop.
“Interesting.”
You managed to sidestep the outer formations.
Ignis was under the moon.
The assassins froze.
“The Flame Sage…”
One assassin’s voice shook.
They were not expecting him.
Ignis tapped his wooden staff on the ground.
Boom!
The whole courtyard turned into a blaze of fire.
But the fire did not destroy the plants.
They only surrounded the assassins.
The old man hasn’t been engaged in the battle for many years.
But it appears that people forgot his/her name.
The assassins immediately attacked.
Some used poison.
Some applied a shadow effect.
Others tried to flee.
But Ignis had no trouble stopping the attacks.
“Too weak.”
You are not worthy to even force me to use my real power.
With a wave of his staff, the assassins were captured.
The guards arrived just a few seconds later.
Duke Arthur came after personally, on hearing the disturbance.
His face went as if it had turned into ice.
Did somebody dare to attack my daughter?
Ignis shook his head.
They were not looking to profit from the money.
They were determined to kill a future genius.
Arthur’s eyes darkened.
“The heir competition…”
“Already has become hazardous.”
In his room, Andrew heard the report.
He did not act.
Because he feared not.
He knew something, but…
If he were able to solve each problem individually…
It would all be known by all.
Sometimes…
A spotlight had to be covered so others could be seen.
Andrew gazed at the moon.
“The game is just beginning.