Eight people stood on the stage of the Colosseum.
They were the top two rankers from their respective islands, who would now advance to the Semi-Finals of their own group brackets.
The winners of Group 1 were Clark and Terence.
Mikhail and Vincent for Group 2.
Shasha and Char for Group 3
Erica and Mildred for Group 4.
Thirteen had given his three Knights of the Apocalypse some strategies, allowing all of them to advance to the next round.
Although things didn't go as smoothly as they did in Deserted Island 1, Vincent and Char still managed to win by the skin of their teeth, allowing them to redeem their losses in the past.
Thirteen faced these eight people and smiled faintly.
"I promised all of you that I will grant one of your wishes—as long as I'm able to do it, as part of the rewards in the Special Event," Thirteen said. "Now, let's start with Group 1. What are your wishes, Clark and Terence?"
The first one to speak was Terence, and his wish was something Thirteen and Arthur, who was seated in the VIP seat of the Colosseum, didn't expect.
"I want to become one of your Squad Captains," Terence said with determination.
"Become one of my Squad Captains?" Thirteen arched an eyebrow. "Why? You're from the Side Branch of the Leventis Family, and you have plenty of resources. Why would you wish to transfer to the Central Government?"
Arthur, who heard Zion calling their Main Branch of the Family the Side Branch of the Leventis Family, almost jumped into the Arena, very much tempted to grab his no-good grandson to give him a good spanking for all the world to see.
If not for the fact that Michael and Hans immediately held him back using everything they had, the Patriarch of the Leventis Family would have truly made a scene that would make them the laughingstock of everyone watching the event worldwide.
"Greenhouse flowers cannot be compared to wildflowers," Terence replied firmly. "I want to gain merits and resources using my own hands."
Thirteen clapped his hands thrice before nodding his head.
"To think that the Side Branch of the Leventis Family has produced someone like you. Not bad," Thirteen said. "Not bad at all."
The corner of Terence's lips twitched because he thought that Thirteen had only made the mistake earlier when he said that he was from the side branch of the family.
The corner of Terence's lips twitched because he thought that Thirteen had only made the mistake earlier when he said that he was from the side branch of the family.
But now, after giving his approval, Terence realized that he was indeed calling the Main Branch of the Family the Side Branch.
Lady Callista, who was watching Zion's antics all the way from the Aldebaran Continent, couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Gerald, on the other hand, laughed out loud and raised his fist to support his 'good' son.
"That's right. You tell them, Zion!" Gerald laughed. "Hmph! I'm sure that the old man will suffer a stroke once he realizes I crafted another Mythical Equipment. Hahaha! If I spread this information to the world, then they will have no chance but to recognize my family as the Main Branch of the Leventis Family! Hahahaha!"
Rhia looked at her father with a smile. She then placed her hands on her hips and laughed out loud like Gerald, making Alessia and Remi look at the two of them with helpless smiles on their faces.
Back at the Colosseum, Thirteen approved of Terence's wish and made him one of his Squad Captains.
Of course, he would need to handle the paperwork within the Central Government. But since the Grand Marshal and the Field Marshal were his 'good friends', things would not be a big deal for them.
The teenage boy then shifted his attention to Clark, who also made his wish known.
"I wish for the Ashford Clan and the Leventis Family to form an alliance," Clark stated. "That is my wish."
Arthur and Claude looked at the young man in the arena with frowns on their faces.
At that exact moment, the teenage boy gave his reply.
"I can't grant this wish," Thirteen replied. "Ask me another one."
"But why?" Clark asked. "You said you will grant any wish as long as it is within your capacity." Clark was now part of Zion's organization and had no doubt in his mind that if the teenage boy and his family were to clash against each other, the Kingdom his Grandfather had built in Solterra would be destroyed in less than a day. As such, he wanted to prevent any conflict between their families from happening, which was why he asked for an Alliance.
"Why?" Thirteen smirked. "The reason is really simple, Clark. I am not the Patriarch of the Leventis Family, nor are you the Patriarch of the Ashford Clan. It's not our turn to decide about this kind of thing. Children shouldn't meddle in the affairs of adults, so I can't grant your wish."
"Is that the real reason?" Clark asked. "Or is there some other reason that you're not telling me?"
"I may have other reasons, but that doesn't change the fact that it is not up to us to decide whether we will form an alliance or not," Thirteen stated. "As such, I can't grant your request."
Clark took a deep breath before looking straight at Zion's eyes.
"Then, I want you to promise me that you will not harm my family," Clark insisted. "Very well," Thirteen answered. "I will not harm you, your siblings, and your parents."
"How about my grandfather?" Clark frowned.
Thirteen chuckled. "Your grandfather is a Monarch. Does he really need anyone's protection?"
Clark wanted to say yes, but he knew that this was something he shouldn't say in front of everyone.
If he said that his Grandfather needed protection from anyone, especially from a teenage boy whose Rank was forever that of a Rookie, Aaron would become the laughingstock of his peers.
"Fine," Clark said through gritted teeth. "Make sure to keep your word."
"Very well." Thirteen nodded. "Even if your father is to make a move against me in the future, I promise he will not be harmed."
Claude, who heard Thirteen's words, couldn't help but snort. However, what baffled him more was that Clark seemed to be very scared of the teenage boy, even going as far as asking him to not harm his family.
This was something that he couldn't understand.
However, his son was a very intelligent, sly, and cunning person. For Clark to feel this threatened made him feel that there were things between Zion and him that he wasn't aware of.
It was not only Claude surprised about this exchange. The Monarch Clans, the Prestigious Families, and other powerful factions took note of Clark's wish and Thirteen's rejection.
They, too, found this matter to be not as simple as it seemed on the surface.
Thirteen then shifted his attention to Vincent and gave the young man a nod.
"I want to marry your sister, Shasha," Vincent declared with determination. "Rejected!" Thirteen shouted in a heartbeat. "Somebody, take this bastard out of my sight!"
Immediately, the Wanderers who had a crush on Shasha jumped down from the audience stands and ran toward Vincent with bloodshot eyes.
All of them were out for blood, their gazes fixed on the handsome young man who courted death.