Tyrus Veras

After emerging victorious from the third and fourth round, the Melvinger Knight Festival was halted. After all, it was a massive show that was spread on three days.

Out of the 158 knights, only 8 remained. This meant that George was already guaranteed to win a prize. Of course, his eyes were set on the original objective of his presence in Melvinger City: the 10 Pounds of Starlight Powder that was promised to the champion of the Melvinger Knight Festival.

Just as George changed his attire into more comfortable leather clothes, knocking could be heard.

*knock* *knock*

"Enter!", George exclaimed, thinking that a blushing Emma would come greet him.

However, instead of a blond beauty 'rewarding' him with affection, George's jaw almost dropped as a pale man with a rather big build entered. He was none other than Tyrus Veras, a man who was rather well-versed with necromancy, anatomy and shadow elemental spells.

"Tyrus Veras! I did not expect you to be the first to congratulate me on my wins", George laughed it out, so as to conceal the embarassment of his seducing pose when the man entered.

Tyrus Veras, however, was expressionless. Truly, acolytes were like soldiers, devoid of emotions.

"Indeed, George...Your fights were magnificent", he said while staring at George's body like a madman wizard looking at his experiment, "The strength you displayed was unusually high based on knight standards, yet you do not seem very old despite your adult appearance"

George was innately surprised. Most people seeing him would believe that he was above 20 years of age, yet his real age was only 14. His knight training allowed him to physically grow, but his biological age never changed.

Tyrus nodded after a while, and finally spoke: "You must have noticed, right?"

George faked not understanding, and looked at the ceilling: "Melvinger Knight Festival is truly the best event in the region. No wonder it attracts so many merchants and knights!"

Tyrus continued.

"You know what I am talking about. Our brief conversation on magical theories in the Dragon Pavillon confirmed my doubts. You are not a regular wandering acolyte, are you? The sheer amount of information and alchemical skills you possess would be an extraordinary feat for a magus family heir, but it is impossible for a mere wandering acolyte. I think I know your secret. You are a declining magus family heir who escaped his household in order to make a fortune, rather than being bound to a magus family that would take most of the benefits out of the potions you brew, regardless of how many magic crystals they invested in raising you, and training your alchemical skills", Tyrus spoke

George enjoyed this misunderstanding, his silence only further expanding Tyrus' smile as he thought he had fully seen through him

"This explains why you never once revealed your true identity, and even befriended a powerful household like the Billing Household. You aim at taking over Melvinger City, am I right?", Tyrus muttered

George smiled: "What if I am? It is not like I am breaking any laws, or any unofficial rules. I am supporting the Billing Household, which will give me plenty of benefits for making them the ruling house of Melvinger City"

Tyrus squinted: "The Mayor has kept the balance in the city for decades now. The reason why there has been 3 main noble families in the past few centuries, yet no leading main noble family, is part of the successive mayors supressing the said families"

George laughed: "Then, I guess it is a rather convenient event that the mayor is cursed?"

Tyrus' eyes became instantly sharp. His reaction confirmed George's suspicions that Tyrus was the one who had cursed the Mayor. Since curses required mediums, it was only natural that it was someone in his entourage that cast it. Tyrus being the only shadow elemental path acolyte in the Melvinger Magical Society besides him only confirmed it. Plus, the mayor most probably trusted Tyrus with 'slowing down the corruption status that came from his decades-old injuries', making Tyrus' task much easier.

Tyrus threw a book in George's hands: "I want to buy your silence. I hope this book is enough to make up for it. You won't find such books in the Dragon Pavillon Library. Light path magi do not store forbidden knowledge, after all"

George smiled: "I might be a dark path acolyte, but I follow the law of equivalent exchange. As long as you do not oppose me, I suppose we will have plenty of opportunities to 'collaborate'. I will not say a word to the mayor, much less healing him from his [Dark Lizard Curse]"

Tyrus' eyes widened upon George accurately saying the name of the spell he had used for the past twenty years on the mayor, which only reinforced his image of not opposing George, but rather, bribe him into an ally.

Returning to the Golden Lion Villa, George was met with countless cheering citizens who recognized him. It seemed like he would need to increase security around his villa, if only to keep out the crowd cheering for him. Thankfully, he had already forced the Golden Lion Villa Guard, composed of 15 soldiers, to train daily. Given a couple of months, he was confident in making them reach the preparatory knight realm. They had already improved a lot ever since George sparred with them daily.

After a bath, George began to devour the book he had just gotten.

[Demonic Blood Ritual - Rank 2 Acolyte-level Forbidden Knowledge

This is a forbidden ritual of old times, that magi have used to increase their vitality and increase their lifespan on the short-term. Sacrificing the heart of a Grand-Knight, and using a demonic array drawn from the blood of the sacrificed Grand Knight, a magus or acolyte can permanently raise his vitality significantly.

Effects: Vitality boost dependant on the Grand Knight's age, attributes and overall strength

Warning: The demonic blood ritual will result in acquiring [Demonic Blood], and might result in blood corruption. Consumption of healing elixirs, spiritual potions to avoid magic power drainage are warranted]

George smiled. There happened to be three Grand Knights in Melvinger City. Although Frederick Billing was an useful tool, the other two were just obstacles to the rise of the Billing Household, and his domination within the city.

Although it would take time, and preparations, George had all the time in the world to complete this mission given out by Merlin. Although the latter said that it was an urgent experiment, the man probably had a dozen of them going on, based on his personality. As long as he acquired the said material, Merlin would be happy and the 50 magic crystals would be his.

Truth to be told, George already had over 260 magic crystals in his hidden chest located in the underground laboratory he had constructed in the Golden Lion Villa. At this point, 50 magic crystals were a meagre compensation for the journey, but it was still a considerable reward. Just because he was wealthy, George was not one to refuse more wealth.