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Standing in his new robes, Apollo gazed into the distance with vacant eyes. His mind seemed to be elsewhere as he took in the environment. It felt surreal—being back where it all started, \'So I\'ll really be going through with my plans huh. From this day forward, everything is bound to change.\' ​​

A silence followed as he shifted his gaze.

[Hoh? You have an incoming person and they are fast approaching.]

\'Whoosh!\'

Before Apollo appeared the aged visage of Kayn. However, in his eyes, there was no malice but instead curiosity. \'Why is there no reaction now that I\'m here? What is this absence of response?\'

The silence remained as Apollo stared into his eyes—the prior turbidity gone from existence. As his interest in the situation piqued, so did that of the youth\'s training. Everyone ceased practicing and focusing on this small interaction between Apollo and Kayn.

"Who is that? Why is Grand Elder Kayn simply staring at him like that? I don\'t recall someone like that living here," a youth with amber hair looked at the two continuously with a baffled expression. Seldom did the Grand Elder appear in the courtyard unless it was for an important matter. Hence, they thought some notable figure had come to visit the family.

On the other hand, someone else squinted, "He looks...familiar. Why do I feel as if I\'ve seen him before?" another youth rubbed his chin, trying to process this sense of familiarity.

\'Not a flinch nor a fluctuation in emotion. Not to mention, is this… a faint murderous intent I feel? Although it\'s not even close to being at the elementary level it is still present nonetheless. In other words, he should have already killed at least one person or harbored thoughts of murder,\' Kayn silently observed Apollo\'s posture.

"You have gone through great change, Apollo. Your name has become the topic of conversation at the conference. I\'m curious, why don\'t you come along and share with us how you came to perform those feats," Kayn gestured his hand in the direction of the Council Hall, seemingly oblivious to the latent hostility Apollo possessed towards everyone.

"Mn," Apollo nodded suppressing any budding emotions. Following in stride with Kayn back towards the meeting place. Meanwhile, the same youth who felt he was familiar now trembled in confusion.

"A-Apollo? That\'s Apollo? What happened to the scrawny kid? That guy seems to be on par with Aaron and Axel. What the hell… what did he eat? How is this fair? I may have slacked off before but I\'ve become diligent in my training this past year," Brendel\'s thoughts underwent turmoil.

….

Entering the conference room, Apollo\'s calm countenance was greeted by nine other faces. Some of which he was entirely familiar with. Approaching a corner, he stood to the side, surveying everyone.

\'I can\'t gather information on them meaning everyone here is at least on par with Aunty,\' determining this to be the case, Apollo\'s eyes soon landed on Rhyne who he thought be awfully reminiscent of Axel albeit with a completely different feel.

\'Hmm? He doesn\'t possess that aura Axel does then why is he so corrupt?\' Silently, Apollo started connecting the dots from the interaction between Ashur and Rhyne. \'So it is so, Axel\'s personality is a byproduct of Ashur\'s ways. Then, why hasn\'t this person corrected his behavior? He seems too aloof in his offspring\'s life.\'

"Ahem!" Kayn cleared his throat gathering everyone\'s attention. "If you all aren\'t aware, this person here is the aforementioned Apollo. As you can see, both his demeanor and strength have gone through great changes. The question I would like to ask is...what do you think we should do with him?\'

"Hm? This lad here is that Apollo? Interestingly enough, he seems to be more like his father. However, my question is why has he been brought here?" a middle-aged woman with teal hair glanced in Kayn\'s direction. This was Sallaya, Axel\'s mother, who surprisingly enough wasn\'t part of the family to begin with—she had married into it.

"Well, that is because I would like to verify both Ashur\'s and Cynthia\'s claims. I can\'t base my decisions on their words alone. Now tell me, Apollo is it true you defeated a Rank 4 Spirit Beast and a Wyvern no less?" Kayn leaned forward awaiting Apollo\'s answer.

Deliberating for a few moments, Apollo shrugged, "This is partly true. Most of the efforts go to Aunty Cyn. Without her high combat standards, death would have awaited us all," Apollo answered yet also didn\'t. Glancing toward Cynthia, he showed a small smile.

"Be that as it may, you still were capable of something a Zul Warrior isn\'t despite not yet reaching that state. How do you explain this?" Kayn\'s gaze grew sharp as his question probed deeper into the situation at hand.

"Hmm? I guess I can thank that to a run-in with some underhanded mercenaries. Amid the process of their belongings becoming mine, I was lucky enough to come across some weapons near the end of their use. As a result, I was just able to finish off the beast by sacrificing these means."

Looking into Kayn\'s eyes, not a single fluctuation was perceived from Apollo\'s eyes as he fabricated a story possessing half-truths. As it was now, Kayn would have to take this as the truth as there was no way to dispute it. While it was true he had this run-in, there was never an instance he came across such weapons save one—that talisman.

"Hoh? Where is the carcass of that beast? Allow me to examine its state. Wyverns usually possess treasure trove bodies," asked Kayn. A strange glint passed through Apollo\'s eyes as he heard this.

\'It seems after he sees this Wyvern he\'ll most likely give it to someone else. However… this is not how it\'ll go.\' Apollo paused for a moment, looking in Cynthia\'s direction. Sharing a meaningful gaze, Apollo released a small chuckle moving towards the center of the room devoid of fear.

Due to his lack of irritation, it seemed Kayn didn\'t mind Apollo\'s action. On the contrary, Kayn\'s eyebrow arched with interest, \'Why does it seem as if he has another plan in mind? Hmm… let\'s see what he has to say for himself then.\'

Standing in the center of the conference room, posture unaffected by the leaking pressure of the elders, Apollo locked sights with Kayn, "I\'m guessing you want to inspect the carcass to ascertain whether or not it possesses the means to create a different type of talent in the family, right?"

"That can be said to be true," Kayn nodded, not dismissing Apollo\'s words in the slightest.

"Well allow me to tell you it does. But before we go over that matter. How about I ask you a question instead. How do you view the children in this family? Don\'t take this as me disrespecting your authority… I\'m just curious about the thought process of our elders. All of you, how do you view them?"

Apollo turned, presenting his question to everyone. Another bout of pin-drop silence befell the occupied room as the wordless gazes collected on Apollo\'s body. A number of colorful expressions and stares flashed within the room until finally, the quietness was broken.

"It is easy to say. We view them as the gateway to a better future. They are the building blocks that\'ll pave the wave to the rise of the Kaiser name in the future." Kayn leaned forward further resting his chin upon the back of his palms now thoroughly intrigued by Apollo\'s counter questioning.

A look of ridicule flashed in Apollo\'s eyes before offering his own opinion, "It may sound pleasant using flowery words but let\'s debunk the mystery in the grand scheme of your words for what it really is—they\'re tools in the illusion of your ambitious aspirations."

This time, the silence reached near palpable hostile levels with Apollo showing an amused smile, "Of course, that\'s the ways of this world. So, Kayn, I have a proposition in both of our best interests." Ending his words with a playful chuckle, he performed an action thoroughly shocking the members of the conference.