Legacy of the Dark Sage

The Tower of the Ancients was supposed to become the Regis Family and Kyran's Servants and Sigils' training ground. But now that Aillos also decided to mobilize the Dragon Clan, he did not mind sharing it with them. Kyran's people were still in the middle of improving their mage levels anyway, and it would be a waste not to utilize the tower just because they were not ready.

"Using the Tower of the Ancients to train... Is it truly possible? I do not question your ability as the Void Master. However, as far as we know, the gate leading to the tower only opens at a given time because the tower itself has to recover the magic energy it consumed each time it opens to the public."

"You don't have to worry about that. I've already made arrangements to adjust the tower's configuration—"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Wait— what?"

"—In the first place, that place is brimming with high-quality magic energy. That story about the tower needing time to recover its magic energy after opening is not true. Although the tower did require enormous magic energy to operate, it hardly needed replenishing."

"'What do you mean by 'made arrangements to adjust the tower's configuration'?"

"More importantly, how could you make such an arrangement?"

Another tribe leader voiced his doubts. However, the question that followed came from Ducal. At first, he wondered if Kyran had discovered some major secret in the tower and suddenly acquired some authority to operate it. Kyran's Array knowledge was so deep that he even understood concepts that would only make sense with the Ancients.

However, Ducal could not shake the feeling that he might have misunderstood Kyran's statement. At the very least, Ducal felt that Kyran had made an arrangement with someone to configure the tower's settings.

'Ah, that's right.'

Only then did Kyran remember that Aillos was the only one he told about the Ancients' existence. Still, he did not ask Aillos to keep it a secret. Instead, he chose to let him decide when to tell the others. If Kyran had to be honest, he did not know how to tell them about the Ancients. Thus, he wanted Aillos to choose the right time to do so.

Besides, Aillos's words against Kyran were more reliable. Kyran might have already gained enough of the tribal leaders' trust, but that did not mean they would take his word for everything.

Fortunately, Kyran did not have to mull over how to proceed. After all, he was not alone in this meeting. This thought crossed his mind as he glanced toward his coconspirator at the corner of his eyes.

Aillos gave Kyran a reproaching glance. He knew immediately that the latter would throw the ball at him after that slip of the tongue.

Well, to be honest, Kyran did not slip per se. It was just that the tribe leaders and the aides were too observant and found something strange with his statement. Aillos could hardly blame Kyran for making a mistake because he should have at least told his aides about the Ancients' existence.

Aillos cleared his throat, prompting the tribe leaders and his aides to look at him. He said, "Before we go into details about the Tower of the Ancients, I have important news to announce."

Aillos's words immediately piqued the interest of all tribe leaders. The same was true for his aides because, apparently, they were not informed of this particular news. In fact, they also did not know about the Tower of the Ancients. They had an inkling that Kyran could return there because he could open the portal leading there at any time.

"What I'm about to say may or may not affect how we move forward," Aillos warned them. "This is about the existence of a clan that we have long believed to have been lost...."

As Aillos told them about the Ancients hiding in the tower, the demeanor of every dragon inside changed drastically. He told them everything he heard from Kyran, including that the Ancients could not leave the tower because if they did, their 'time' would start moving again, and they would die.

"This... isn't this discovery a big thing...?" Eldir, who, along with Ducal, revered the Ancients for their Array and Smithing, felt mixed emotions from Aillos's news.

"You might think that the existence of the Ancients will allow us to improve our Array and Smithing knowledge. However, they may or may not want to show themselves before you," Kyran reminded them. "What happened in the past is still fresh in their minds. Your clan might not have contributed to their downfall. However, you also did nothing for them during their time of need."

The atmosphere inside the dome darkened at once.

"Please don't get me wrong," Kyran hastily continued, not wanting the dragons to wallow in regret of the past. In the first place, the dragons had not been fully united then. There was no way for them to meddle with other affairs of The Realm, even if the Higher Being gave the order to every being to attack the Ancients. "I did not say this to make you feel guilty.

I also can't speak for the Ancients and tell you they did not harbor any contempt against the dragons. However, I can help mediate with them and explain your side. That way, when the time for you to train in the tower comes, they will not arrange unreasonable goals."

"You mean... the goals on each floor... are set by them?" Ducal started, but then he paused and shook his head. "No, that is a stupid question. Of course, they are the ones who set those goals. But I did not expect that they could change it at any time...

No wonder the challenges differed slightly for every representative participating in the hunt. The themes of each floor seem the same, but the challenges were still..."

Aillos cleared his throat, snapping Ducal out of his ramblings.

"M-My apologies... I got carried away," Ducal apologized at once.

"It's alright," Aillos replied with a wry smile. He gestured toward Kyran and added, "You can talk to Null about the tower in detail later. Let's continue with the important things first."

"Yes."

"Going back on topic," Aillos addressed the congregation once more. "I will organize the training camp as soon as Anahita and Null complete the technique."

"Lord Aillos," Visha, the Venom Dragon Tribe's second-in-command, raised her hand.

"What is it?"

"Can you give us more information about this technique? We may be able to assist in its completion."

"True," Aillos agreed with a nod. He looked at Kyran and gestured for him to explain. "I'll leave the explanation to Kyran."

Kyran returned Aillos's smile with a deadpan expression. Aillos already knew what Anahita's technique was all about, but as if to pay him back for the slip earlier, he threw the ball back at him.

Not that Kyran minded explaining. Aillos might know the technique, but his understanding of its activation might differ from Anahita's and Kyran's. Anahita and Kyran had not wholly created a definite activation of the technique because of the difference in their physique and innate magic. Thus, it was better for Kyran to explain the technique and set proper expectations.

After a more detailed explanation of the technique, the tribe leaders voiced their thoughts about it. They already knew the gist of what the technique could do, but hearing the concept behind it gave them a deeper understanding of the importance of Draconic magic in its activation.

"The technique itself is easy for the Golden Dragon Tribe to execute given their innate magic's nature, but to other tribes like us..."

"Will it not work for innate magic that does not have a definitive form?"

"That should not be an issue... I mean, there are innate magic that can possess definitive form using Draconic magic..."

Kyran raised his hand to get their attention before raising his voice and saying, "Anahita and I are open for discussion. Please feel free to reach out to us after the meeting."

Aillos gave an appreciative nod at Kyran's direction. He wanted to interrupt their conversation but did not want to make it sound like an order, and Kyran's interruption was the perfect way to make them stop while directing their discussion back on track.

"Right, of course."

"It is better to discuss that after the meeting."

"True. We have some time before the banquet as long as the meeting ends on time."

"So," Ickle looked toward Kyran and said, "In summary, the technique will allow us to fight in human form and avoid having our dragon parts or blood stolen mid-battle. Then, the training in the Tower of the Ancients will allow us to gain more combat experience while in human form. That is the gist of it, correct?"

"Yes."

"However, there are still some things that we have to address," Ickle looked toward Aillos and said with a solemn look. "Even if we improve our strength, we still lack in numbers. Also, the Solis Clan's magic's penetrative ability still poses a significant threat to us. Finally, I do not doubt your strength, Lord Aillos, but let us be realistic here.

Even under the Sigil's effect, at most, you can only fight on equal terms with The Emperor."

Ickle left his statement on that note, but his message was clear. Aillos could fight The Emperor, but he would not gain an advantage.

A heavy silence befell the congregation as they were reminded of this reality.

But then...

Aillos let out a light laugh, confusing all the tribe leaders.

"I know what you're all worried about. In that case, all I have to do is break through to gain an advantage."

"!"

Aillos then looked at Kyran, who returned his look with a wry smile. Taking that as a sign, Kyran said, "Lord Aillos will also undergo 'training.' And during that time, I will help him ascend to Supreme Overlord."

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