Eternal Thief

Archie questioned startlingly, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ace felt nothing from Jefferson. This guy had excellent control over his emotions, and he didn't give any clues like Mylah.

However, what Ace doesn't understand was why Archie even fell into this kind of situation at all. Because Archie had just entered the institute, there shouldn't be any grudge between him and anyone.

So, Ace was on full alert after hearing Jefferson saying that he was already in a predicament and the core grade student was just part of it and it can't be avoided.

Jefferson was expecting this kind of reaction, so he elaborated, "This information is classified for now, and only my backer could access this information. So, before I reveal it to you, I need you to swear, using this oath contract, that this conversation would not get out of this carriage."

Jefferson took out an oath contract which looked like a blank sheet, and handed it to Archie as well as activated another concealment array so no one would hear their conversation, which was about to come.

Ace gave Jefferson a deep look before he used the oath contract since it was just a silly oath he cared little about, even if it was a soul contract, he would still not care.

But this also aroused his interest in this mysterious backer of Jefferson because an oath contract was quite rare, and using this for just a mere talk was quite ludicrous.

When Jefferson saw the black sheet turn into black ashes, he knew the oath contract was established, so he spoke with a stern look. "Tell me, do you know about the upcoming Ancient Allied Gathering in over three years?"

Ace felt instantly alarmed as he nodded. "Yes, I do. But what it had to do with my predicament?"

He clearly remembered Harvey telling him to avoid entering this gathering because it would be going to be bloody this time, and he didn't want Archie to risk his life.

So, he just had to enter the soul realm even if he was got selected by some fluke since a soul realm cultivator couldn't enter the secret realm.

However, getting selected after just becoming a special-grade student was completely unexpected. He didn't even enter the campus yet, but he was already selected. It was clearly a conspiracy or just dumb luck.

Ace was more inclined toward the former.

Although he already guessed what might be the real problem, he wanted to hear it from Jefferson and what caused it.

Jefferson nodded and explained, "This time, the gathering is going to be a war between the young generation in the secret realm, as to why you might've already been warned about it. Even if you won't, you'll be soon.

"Because our institute was supposed to send twenty students to this gathering, and this number is already quite high because our total student count is merely under ten thousand.

"Only the students who were still in the first grade were eligible for this section, and the institute could've sent all those trashes from the ordinary grade to not risk the lives of elite students.

"However, the decree come straight from the Imperial Domain that every house was to send five students, two ordinaries, two extraordinary, and one special. Our special grade seldom received any student below the age of hundred, and in the river core realm.

"And most of the old students were over the age of a hundred. So, whichever house didn't meet the requirements can send a student from a lower grade. It was the case for almost every house's special grade class.

"Until…" Jefferson looked at Archie meaningfully.

"Until I appeared as a special grade student." Archie's expression turned gloomy.

While Ace also wasn't feeling good about this because it wasn't a good thing for his mission.

Jefferson nodded. "Right, but if Housemaster wanted, he could've refused to send you by giving an excuse that you're just a new student and inexperienced. However, he didn't, and it seemed he wanted to use this threat to make you break into the soul realm before the gathering started.

"But you and I both know, breaking into the soul realm is an arduous process, and if you try to break without proper preparation or force it, you'll be only destroying your future potential."

'Nah, I just need to adjust my mask's cultivation, and I'll be in the soul realm,' Ace scoffed inwardly.

His worries faded when he heard it was just a coincidence and no one was plotting against Archie, and as long as he showed the cultivation of the soul realm, no one will make trouble for him anymore.

But he also wanted to know how this person got the information about a housemaster's motives as well as what he wanted from him.

They clearly didn't just approach him for the good of their heart.

So, he played along and nodded at Jefferson's claim, "I know, senior. So, what this person wanted from me?"

Jefferson liked Archie's mindset and conveyed, "I already told you, if you're willing to give your utmost loyalty, my backer will help you break into the soul realm and even become a core student.

"You might not know this but, the Royal Demon Institute isn't like other institutes of the Demonic Academia Region. The institute won't interfere with the students' infight as long as they won't try to kill anyone. However, it wasn't impossible either with the presence of the Life and Death Stage.

"Anyhow, many students chose to enter an alliance formed by powerful students so they could avoid such scenarios, and you'll be also part of an alliance.

"But this alliance is far more powerful than an ordinary alliance, and not just anyone can join it. Our existence is also completely hidden, no one knows about our members.

"We invite our members individually, and all these members were selected by the leader. Every member needed to sign a soul contract with the Leader upon joining.

"Now, I'm inviting you as well and as long as you agree, you'll get many benefits from this, even Royal Points and any resources you want, as long as you show your worth."

Ace looked at Jefferson, who seemed quite passionate and prideful when he mentioned this secret alliance.

'So, all they wanted was to bond a core grade level genius with a mere favor? But this person seemed to be of high status since this nightmare demon might have the same hierarchy identity as Archie's, and they won't submit to someone with lower status than them, no matter what the case,' Ace thought.

However, he didn't want to agree instantly or disagree because as long as it was the case of being a soul realm, he could do it whenever he felt like it.

But being a core student means being closer to a housemaster who might have a Quasi-Law Awareness Realm cultivation and he might get exposed if they use their martial or soul sense on him in person.

However, going to the ancient alliance gathering was also quite troublesome because there was a chance that a real law-awareness realm cultivator might accompany them on this venture.

Since this was going to be a warlike situation, there was over a ninety percent chance of this would happen, so in both situations, Ace would be in danger of exposure.

Unless he has a higher-grade mask!

When Ace thought up to this point, he suddenly asked, "Senior, even if I enter this alliance, it would still take me some time to enter the soul realm. Even with help, it would take a minimum of two years.

"I'm quite sure the selected students might have to go in some sort of training. So, can you tell me when this selection begins, and will these selected students still be in the institute?"

Jefferson was astonished by Archie's question and looked deeply at him. 'He's difficult to rope in.'

But he had no choice but to answer, "In one month, the selected students from every institute will leave their institutes and go into the Imperial Domain for preparation."

Ace's heart turned cold when he heard the Imperial Domain because that place was definitely a no for him. It was the place guarded by grade-7 formations, and he will be instantly exposed if they scan him with a grade-7 formation.

Jefferson took Archie's silence as a travesty since anyone would sane mind would think, how could someone pull strings in the imperial domain while being in the royal demon institute?

So, he assured, "Don't worry, my backer can support you in the Imperial Domain even better than the Royal Demon Institute. In fact, this was the reason for their confidence, and you'll return within a year."

Ace's eyes narrowed as he couldn't help but asked, "Could it be this backer is a member of…?"

Jefferson sighed ruefully. He wasn't able to hold himself back and give out a clue.

But he didn't regret it because his actual order was to make Archie sign a soul contract no matter what, even tell him some truth if he showed unwillingness!