Legacy of the Dark Sage

After hearing Chairman Noir's outburst, the crowd went into an uproar.

"S-Saint-tier array? Is there even such a thing?"

"Disciple Tyr has been given a saint-tier array? How will he decipher such a highly advanced array?"

"What are you even saying? That's an array only spoken in legends! How can one decipher it?"

"I found it strange that Disciple Tyr had suddenly gone silent. No wonder!"

Remarks from the crowd reverberated throughout the hall, resulting in the announcer's face distorting in annoyance.

"That is enough!" His magic pressure erupted, rattling the layers of arrays Kyran and the rest were working on.

The crowd was silenced in an instant.

Noir did not react to the announcer's display of power and looked at him. Sitting to his left, Vaness was silent the whole time but also looked intently at the announcer.

It was not a surprise that both were acting cautiously. Because when the announcer erupted with magic pressure, they noticed the latter's magic level was that of a Grand Master. However, though they were at the same level, the announcer was already close to becoming an Exalted.

The announcer took a deep breath before addressing Noir once more. All the while, his four-leaf clover earring blinked a few times.

"Apologies for the confusion Chairman Noir. Rest assured that this is only a misunderstanding," he started. "It has not been announced, but the head committee indeed included a few advance-tier arrays on the circles. However, it is at random."

He waved his hand toward Malcolm's circle. The golden sheen that covered the circle's second layer glowed.

"For example, the second layer of Sir Malcolm's circle is a legendary-tier. And," he paused and waved toward Millie's circle.

The third layer of her circle lit up. Then the announcer continued, "The third layer of Lady Millie's circle is also a saint-tier array."

Noir looked over and indeed noticed both arrays had advanced formulas. However, he knew that had not been the case earlier. Somehow, the circles were set up in such a way the head committee could change the level of the arrays.

With narrowed eyes, Noir glanced furtively at Kyran and wondered if he should point that out. If he did, would it benefit the Conclave? Or would it disrupt Kyran's plan? In the first place, he only intervened because he noticed the latter's troubled look. It was only then that he realized the array he was working on was a saint-tier.

"Wait just a moment! A saint-tier array? How do you expect us to decipher such an advanced array?" Millie's sudden outburst made everyone in the hall look at her.

The announcer frowned slightly before he could say something. Millie continued with her protest, "I can understand including advanced arrays on the circles to spice things up but a saint-tier?"

"Lady Millie—."

"Chairman Noir," Millie ignored the announcer and looked at Noir. She then lowered her head and said, "As a member of the Courtenay Family, please allow me to apologize."

"Oi, Millie!" Malcolm and Deite called her out.

However, Millie ignored them and stood straight; then, she looked at Kyran before Lowering her head. She said, "Disciple Tyr. I admire your resolution in studying Array, but please allow me to apologize to you as well."

She straightened her back and continued, "You have a choice to point out the competition's obvious partiality between participants, knowing well that the committee are aware of the level of the arrays assigned to each of our circles."

"Lady Millie—!"

"However, you did not. Your decisions greatly showed how much you abhor needless disputes and would rather continue the competition while challenging yourself by facing the saint-tier array head on."

Kyran's brow twitched slightly. He did not have such thoughts. "Err... Actually—."

"You are really the role model of all Array Specialists."

"Ah, no. I—."

"Lady Millie—!"

"I feel ashame of what my family had done—."

"That is enough, Millie!"

"— that is why, I will now forfeit the competition."

"Millie!"

"..."

Millie looked at Malcolm and Deite, "I wish you two good luck."

Then she looked at the announcer with disdain, "Please tell the head committee that I am disappointed in them."

With that, she turned and left.

The hall fell into an awkward silence.

Noir and Vaness, who were prepared for the worst, were left flabbergasted. While they did not mind this turn of events, it was so sudden that they felt like someone had doused them with cold water.

Even the announcer could only gape at Millie's retreating back.

On the other hand, Owen and Hamish exchanged confused glances while Malcolm and Deite gritted their teeth and followed Millie.

If Millie forfeited, even if they continued with the competition, it would have been impossible to win. Didn't the announcer say the level of Malcolm's second layer was legendary-tier? That alone was enough to seal their fate. They hated to admit it, but even if they were as good as Millie at Array, they couldn't decipher such an advanced array!

<<<Announce the winner.>>>

The announcer snapped out of his reverie and cleared his throat.

"Since the Courtenay Family had forfeited the match, the winner for today's Array Competition is the Conclave!"

As soon as he announced the winner, the timer above stopped.

The crowd remained silent. They were too shocked at what happened, especially the results.

A few minutes ago, they felt the competition was starting to get exciting. After all, the Courtenay Family's participants managed to decipher the first layer of their circles!

But then...

Kyran took a deep breath and stood up. He approached Owen and Hamish, still somewhat confused at what had happened, and said, "Let's go back."

They looked at him and nodded, albeit they were somewhat reluctant. To be honest, they were starting to enjoy what they were doing. After all, they were not often asked to decipher arrays they were unfamiliar with.

Once they arrived at the locker, the result finally sank in on both Owen and Hamish.

"W-What the hell just happened? I was just getting started!" Owen complained.

Hamish sighed, "Me too. I was actually enlightened by the first two arrays I worked on. It is my first time seeing a support-type array that can increase a mage's magic energy capacity within its area of effect. The offense-type array too, it was my first time seeing one that can auto-cast a mid-tier fire magic attack."

"Oh, you're arrays are pretty interesting. My support-type is a target-oriented one. It can increase its target's attack power. While the offense-type array can emit sonar attack to approaching enemies."

"Those are interesting arrays too," Hamish commented. He looked at Kyran and asked, "What about yours, Disciple Tyr? Chairman Noir said the array levels assigned to you is higher than ours."

"Hm," Kyran replied, somewhat a little distracted. "The first layer can reflect magic attacks, the second is an enervation array."

"What?" Owen and Hamish exclaimed.

"Doesn't the enervation array a support-type array? While reflect magic is offense?"

"Depending on how it is used," Kyran replied, still distracted.

Owen and Hamish exchanged glances. They were curious what the formula for both arrays was but seeing Kyran's distracted look; they felt it was not the right time to ask.

"I'll teach you the formulas later," Kyran said, looking at them with a slight smile. He was distracted, but not so much that he could not notice both of their hesitations. Besides, he did not mind teaching them.

"Thank you, Disciple Tyr!" Owen and Hamish beamed and bowed at him in respect.

Before Kyran could help them up, the door that led to the hall opened, and Noir and Vaness entered.

"Chairman Noir, Head Chief Vaness," Owen and Hamish bowed at them.

Noir gestured for them to stand straight while Vaness closed the door.

With a bitter smile, Noir started, "This is not the conclusion I had expected."

"Yes," Vaness agreed. "I don't think it was supposed to end like that."

Owen and Hamish looked at them in confusion.

"No," Kyran agreed. "Millie did not follow the script. I'm sure the 'head committee' is now seething in anger."

Noir and Vaness did not need to hear him specify which of the 'head committee' he was referring to. They already knew he meant the Crown Princess.

Of course, Patriarch Ernst might also be seething in anger at Millie's forfeiture, but the Crown Princess was the one looking forward to testing Kyran's Array ability.

"They will definitely do the same thing for tomorrow's Array Competition," Vaness commented with a sigh.

"It's okay," Kyran said with a smile, "We are facing the Montgomeray Family."

"Hm... Among the Three Noble Families, the Montgomeray Family's Array knowledge is only average," Hamish remarked.

Kyran shook his head, "That's not what I mean. But, yes, you're right. We can face them head on and we can win as long as the head committee does not—."

Tok! Tok! Tok!

Three knocks on the door interrupted Kyran before they could react; the door opened at once.

"Good afternoon Chairman Noir, Head Chief Vaness," Millie greeted as she let herself in.

"L-Lady Millie!" Owen exclaimed in surprise.

Hamish gaped at her as well. As far as he knew, they had locked the door! How did she manage to enter?

Kyran narrowed his eyes as he looked at her. He had sensed her near the door, but he thought she would wait for them outside. He had not expected her to take the initiative to come inside.

Noir and Vaness's expressions turned grim, but they nodded at Millie's greetings.

"Don't you think it is inappropriate for a young lady to enter a room with only males inside?" Vaness asked.

Millie looked at him, "I'm sorry Head Chief Vaness. But I don't think I'll get another chance to meet Chairman Noir and Disciple Tyr together."

"And what do you need from us?" Noir asked, not bothering to beat around the bush.

Millie looked at Kyran before looking back at Noir and said, "I came here to propose something for tomorrow's Solo Competition."

"...? And what makes you think we will listen?"

Millie smiled, "I did make that scene earlier, Chairman Noir. Don't you think I deserve a little compensation?"