Unsealing Emptiness

Chapter 217: Participating?

“Ah yes, Young Master. I almost forgot; are we going to participate or just watch the event?” Irvin asked since being invited there meant that they would have free slots for participants.

It meant that whoever they brought with them wouldn’t need to fight all the previous battles and would straight get into the finals. This was the privilege given only to strong groups.

“Hm... we will participate,” Ozul casually chose to participate, and Irvin realized it immediately because of a slight problem.

“But, Young Master...” Irvin hesitated to say. However, Ozul was in a hurry to go and slack off, “What is it now?”

“The age limit is actually just 50 years. And below that, we don’t have any member capable enough to even hold their ground against others in the finals...” Irvin uttered in low spirits.

“But maybe you can...” Suddenly, his gloominess disappeared as he remembered that their Young Master had yet to reach 50 years of age as well.

However, Ozul shook his head and denied, “No. I will have things to do. And even if I wanted to participate, do you think they will agree to let a Rank-9 Mage step in the arena?” Irvin realized that he had a valid point and didn’t say anything.

.....

In the first place, why would Ozul even reveal to the world that he was still under 35 years? It would cause a commotion everywhere since a Rank-9 Mage under even 80 years was never heard of, much less just 35.

“Don’t we have Ra-” Ozul was about to say something but stopped in the middle of his sentence with raised eyebrows.

‘I knew I was forgetting something! How could I forget those two...’ Ozul had only left them so they could train on their own and improve their mindset. However, with all the work here in the organization, he had completely forgotten about them!

‘Oh well... maybe they have grown up a bit,’ Ozul shrugged off his mistake. The more time they spent away from his influence, the better their personality would be. At least that was what he believed.

First, it was Raven who had gotten too attached to him. Sure, he wanted people to do almost everything for him, but for that, he would need capable enough people. And he couldn’t foresee any successful future for someone devoting their life to another person.

‘Sigh... that is my fault as well.’ Ozul couldn’t help but sigh internally. He might have been able to prevent it, but at that time, he didn’t care enough or had his mind focused on other things.

Blaze also needed to think about the situations on his own. After meeting Ozul, he had started to rely too much on him or Raven to understand whatever was going on. It wasn’t Blaze’s fault that he was born in a small village, but it was his responsibility to learn these things now.

‘It’s only been a decade, I hope they have changed,’ Ozul hoped that leaving them alone for so long was really worth it. Because even with the Three-Eyed Strangers under him, he knew that those two had special talents and would help him in long term.

Blaze had the innate affinity with the Ice Element and Raven, he had discovered, had amazing comprehension.

“Young Master?” Irvin spoke as he noticed that Ozul had suddenly started daydreaming.

“Hmm? Oh yes, Irvin. Do you know where that sect is?” Ozul woke up from his thoughts and suddenly asked.

“Which sect, Young Master?” Irvin was confused. How would he know which sect Ozul was talking about?

Ozul tried to remember the name, but it just wouldn’t come to his mind,”... You don’t know?”

“... Young Master, I can get the information about all the sects, but how would I know which one you are thinking about?” Irvin smiled wryly while internally shaking his head. His young master sometimes asked for impossible things.

“Nevermind. I am going out,” Ozul realized that his questions were indeed not something Irvin would be able to answer since he hadn’t told him previously about which sect he had left Raven and Blaze to.

Irvin gave a respectful bow as Ozul walked away.

. . .

‘Raymond might know,’ Ozul thought as he flew directly towards the headquarters of the Order of Dusk.

He didn’t go towards the Ashin family’s estate since the Archbishop might or might not be suspicious to the point of spying on them. The chances of anyone under Rank-9 recognizing him with his speed were low, but he could not take the risk.

It didn’t take long for Ozul to reach their headquarters. He directly made his way to Raymond’s office and opened the door without asking, like he did previously.

*Tak*

“...”

“...”

As he entered, he noticed both Raymond and his secretary who always stayed on the floor below seemed to be looking at him on high alert. The woman had a small blush on her cheeks and her breathing was a little out of place.

Ozul didn’t need to read their emotions to know whatever was happening before he opened the door.

However, all three of them collectively chose to ignore it as Ozul took a seat. The woman immediately left the room as well.

*Cough*

“Nephew, you are here,” Raymond coughed to dispel his awkwardness after being caught by his own nephew.

“I am. I have some questions,” Ozul replied. Except for finding the sect, he also had other questions that he wanted to ask him before the tournament started.

However, his words caused Raymond to gulp as he thought that he was going to ask him questions about what happened earlier, ‘Did he realize?!’

“Hmm?” Ozul noticed that he remained quiet.

“A-ah! Yes... you can ask anything...” Raymond muttered. If his nephew really inquired about that, he would just have to tell the truth.

“The Ashin family was allied with other sects, right?” Ozul asked. He did remember that the sect he had sent Raven and Blaze with were allies.

“Oh! So it’s about that! H-haha... *cough* Yes, we are indeed allied with some of the sects,” Raymond coughed again to cover his previous remarks.

Naturally, Ozul wasn’t so dull as to not realize it, but he decisively chose to ignore everything. He didn’t care, nor did he have any interest in such talk.

“What about that sect with a nine in its name?” That was all Ozul could remember from the name.

“Hm? We are allied with the Nine Petals Sect if you are talking about that...” Raymond replied confusedly. He couldn’t understand what business his nephew had with that sect now.

“Yes! Nine Petals Sect it is... Where is it located?” Ozul didn’t think that finding the name would be so easy.

Raymond didn’t start explaining the route and instead took out a big map, covering the whole continent. He pointed his finger at a small flower-shaped pin and said, “That’s the location.”

“Hm. It will take half a day...” Ozul spoke while Raymond nodded his head.

“I heard they got really good seeds a few years ago. And if they are really as good as they say, they would win the tournament this time,” Raymond commented as Ozul studied the map to memorize the location.

After a while, Raymond couldn’t hold it in for any longer and asked, “If I may ask, what business do you have with them?”

“I am going to take back those good seeds. They are my people,” Ozul could easily guess that it was about Raven and Blaze.

They were well under the age limit and combined with their talents and the Elemental Seeds he had given them, one could only imagine how strong they had gotten.

“Ehh? Are you sure they are the same people?” Raymond didn’t want any conflict to happen between that sect and his nephew.

“I am going there to pick up my people, it doesn’t matter if they are the same or not,” Ozul answered before he leaned back on the chair.

Raymond nodded his head so Ozul continued, “Before I go, can you tell me if there are any artifacts or formations that can be activated without the use of Mana?”

Artifacts were only tools that had formations inscribed on them but on a much smaller scale.

“Using artifacts or formations without Mana?” Raymond hadn’t been more confused before. His nephew rarely asked things, but when he does, they are all so... unique.

“I have never heard of such a thing before...” his answer disappointed Ozul since it would be difficult to search somewhere else.

Raymond noticed his nephew’s expressions, but he continued, “Mana is essentially the base on which these formations and artifacts were built... I doubt there is any possible method to make use of them without Mana.”

Ozul knew that such was the case even before asking him. However, he still asked because this world was unpredictable; his existence was proof of that.

Raymond could only console his nephew, “Even while that may be the case, I can still ask some others who might know a thing or two about it. If you are lucky, we might get the answer from him. Though he rarely comes out of seclusion...”

“He?” Ozul asked. He noticed Raymond spoke about that ‘he’ with a little respect.

Raymond didn’t directly answer him but laughed it off, “Haha, When the time is right, you will know...”

Ozul squinted his eyes a little at him before he muttered “Alright, I will take my leave...” and stood up to leave the room. He didn’t want to waste more of his time in talks.