Theron didn’t expect to be called over to Elder Kelyne Black once the second day’s events were over. All things considered, he thought that while the elder might have a good impression of him, it wasn’t to the point of so openly courting him .
Was it technically courting for an elder to call over a junior? No.
But everything was only as important as its context.
They were at a “neutral” site, wherein the Black Clan was ostensibly the overseer of everyone and was meant to be an unbiased arbitrator. Calling forward the genius of just one of these Empires was the sort of optical nightmare that Elder Black was here to help them avoid.
Yet here she was, creating and setting the scene all on her own.
This was why Theron hadn’t expected it, but the fact it was happening now made him raise an internal eyebrow. It seemed that the Black Clan was under more pressure than he knew.
‘Well, this meeting is still taking place in the public, so it isn’t to the point of being existential yet.’
As Theron had this thought, Saularon led him into the skybox. From here, they were in the view of everyone in the arena. Though most weren’t paying attention, and no one could hear anything, it was impossible for there not to be countless eyes on this situation.
Theron stood before Elder Black and immediately bowed deep and low.
Elder Black tilted her head to the side a bit.
"Is this what you call participating?”
Theron straightened himself and smiled bitterly.
"This was out of my hands, unfortunately.”
Theron didn’t say more, and he didn’t elaborate either. However, from the words alone, Elder Kelyne Black felt a flicker of added appreciation.
Because Theron didn’t try to explain, he was already acknowledging that Elder Black must know, and he also didn’t blame her for not trying to take action to stop things.
He could see a larger picture, and he also wasn’t arrogant to the point of thinking only he had eyes on the situation.
"In that case, what do you think?”
"What are you referring to, Elder?” Theron blinked.
"Why do you think that my Black Clan is being targeted ?”
Theron exhaled a breath. “I’m really not sure. I can only speculate that it’s an attempt to destabilize the region, but then the question is why the Sangun are so open to it and why the Auran are behaving so oddly.”
Elder Kelyne Black raised an eyebrow, looking at Theron deeply.
Theron could only extend his palms as though to say he was helpless.
"I’m very new to this world of politics, esteemed Elder. I know very little even about the dynamics in the Nightingale Empire, let alone those outside. Maybe if I had more information I could draw a more accurate conclusion.
"All I know for sure is that the Sangun overstepped their bounds a great amount by trying to snatch a natural resource of our Nightingale Empire months ago. The only reason I even know this is because I was on the mission at the time and we barely managed to stave them off.
"Somehow, this ended with the Nightingales and the Thistles—two warring factions in our Empire—choosing to ally themselves. I still don’t quite understand that either.”
The Thistles and Nightingales were just at each other’s throats, but now the Thistles trusted the Nightingales enough to escort Sigil to participate in this gathering as a Second Year?
It all pointed to the fact that something bigger than any one of them could deal with alone was happening. But as for what, despite being at the center of the storm, Theron knew little to nothing at all.
Amusingly enough, Theron probably did have the answer Elder Black wanted. The problem was that even though he knew about the moon, and he could guess that the Spirit Mancer knew more about him than he wanted them to know, he could still play the role of the ignorant all too well because truthfully…
What were those moons? Why was he suddenly so connected to them? What was the old man talking about when he spoke of True Chosen and breaking this world’s ceiling?
There were all sorts of questions that Theron couldn’t answer, and no matter how good Elder Black was at reading people, she couldn’t possibly see through Theron because there was nothing to see through…
He was, well and truly, confused.
"Interesting Elder Black’s eyes flashed. “And what would you do if I gave you support you don’t have right now?”
Theron blinked. “What is Elder implying?”
"I cannot allow you to kill—it will make things too messy. But so long as you can affect the final round in the way I want you to, you can be rewarded. I can even take responsibility and teach you some of the Water Mancy principles of my Black Clan.”
"And how would you want me to affect the final round?”
"How?” Elder Black smiled. “Win. And win in resounding fashion.”
Theron met the Elder’s gaze for a long while and then nodded.
"Okay. I can do that.”
This time, it was Elder Black’s turn to blink.
"Are you sure? This Chopra doesn’t seem to be very simple, and the disadvantages you faced before will likely be greater. It doesn’t seem as though your allies are very keen to be on your side either.”
Theron shook his head. “I’ll grasp the opportunity esteemed Elder has given me. If I don’t perform well enough, it can only be that I was never as good as I thought myself to be.”
After these words, the two exchanged perfunctory small talk before Theron left.
Elder Black leaned back, watching Theron as he left.
What a confident little boy… but… he’s definitely hiding something
Elder Black’s senses were even sharper than Saularon’s. So if the latter felt something, how could she not?