The Ancient Genes

Max walked into the chamber, and what greeted him was the faces of the people who were considered to be strongest on the Continent. Their gazes alone were more than enough to bring down a huge torrent of pressure but Max was different then anyone else.

Out of the 13 seats in front, only 5 were taken…..the rest of the seats were empty. The giant screen behind was showing the footage which was further divided into 7 sections.

That was how it was, the Lords wouldn't leave their territory normally unless they were out for some important work. Besides, the meeting took place twice every month and they couldn't be making trips all the time. So, this was how meetings normally occurred here.

Max knew about the 13th seat. It was just for show. It belonged to the Trade Union who was another major sponsor of the Association and Union aside from the 12 Noble Houses. But they never took any standing on political matters, so they were basically invisible….

Max could feel the gazes on himself as he walked up to the platform in the middle of the hall.

The four of the five people who were sitting in front were obviously the Lord of Four Houses situated in the Capital.

Walker, Blackwood, Ovens and Edwinson.

The extra one was the Lord of the Tempest House who seemed to be in the capital for some reason.

Max calmly raised his head and his eyes met with the old man in white, it was his Grandfather.

The Mage King frowned as he saw Max raising his head and glaring straight at them without an inch fear in his eyes.

This was indeed good in a sense that Max didn't think that he did wrong, but wasn't this basically challenging them….

It didn't even take a minute, the Lord of the Blackwood House smiled as he looked at the Kid with interest. The pressure in the surrounding began to climb and even the other Lords could guess what was going on….

Max could feel the pressure climbing, he knew that the old man was interested in testing his limit, he was being treated as a toy after all. He was just finding him interesting. In the usual situation, Max would have just given in trying to avoid any trouble like he did the previous day when meeting the Mage King...but, today…. he didn't want to….not in front of this Gramps of his.

He didn't want to show any weakness. This might cause trouble, but at this point a bit more or less wasn't anything to him….

As the clock ticked….and seconds passed...everyone began to feel surprised seeing Max standing there without budging an inch.

The Lord of Blackwood House appeared to be surprised as well, his smile widened and he began to go unrestrained.

The Mage King's frown deepened as the situation seemed to be going out of the hand, when he was about to speak up…

"Whoosh!"

Another wave of aura hit the one released by the Lord of Blackwood House pushing it back.

"You can play after we are done, I haven't got time for your nonsense…." The Lord of the Edwinson House said with a calm look.

"Oh...then you better accompany….Its been a while since I broke some bones…" the Lord of the Blackwood House replied as he pulled his aura back. He didn't take it any further, if the Kid was holding back until now. It would not be surprised if his body busted apart. He surely wouldn't want that to happen after he had got his eyes on him.

The other Lord looking at the situation didn't pay much attention, rather they didn't want to intervene. These two along with Lord of Lorenz House were the only ones from the previous generation while the rest of them had already passed on their position.

It was better to not get involved as it was disrespectful in terms of seniority and not to mention, everyone knew these geezers could just flip out in anger at any moment....it was better to avoid them and not have an extra problem to deal with…

"Seniors, it's time we start...or else we will be behind the schedule…" the Mage King said and after seeing that they didn't have anything further to say, he gave his assistant a nod.

"Max Arkansas, a student from the Arcane Magic Academy has been charged for an attempted murder, destruction of Association's property...."

The list continued and Max didn't even get half of the crimes which he was being accused of…

"Do you accept the charges?"

Max shook his head, "No…I don't.."

"Well then, you will be asked some questions…..your answers will be judged by the 12 Lords and then it will be decided whether you are guilty or not…" the assistant said.

Max nodded.

It was very clear from the looks of the faces of the Lord of the Roxley House, Achilles House, Frost House, Lorenz House that they didn't seem to be much interested….

"Explain the incident…"

"It was a practice match for deciding my position in the disciplinary committee. I fought within the rules, my opponent was strong and didn't admit defeat resulting in a close fight where I couldn't hold back leading to the unfortunate incident…" Max spoke with a calm look. "Later on, I was attacked by his family members and other students who didn't seem to understand the situation…"

He didn't speak about the demonic power that Victor unleashed. He was sure that the Ovens wouldn't let him off peacefully if he spoke about it….not to mention even that gramps of his might try to dispose him off…

"Is the fact verifiable?" The Mage King asked his assistant who nodded his head. Of course he had to, this man had told him not to mention any point against the kid, what was he supposed to do…

The Mage King looked towards the Lord of the Edwinson House, he was afraid that the old man wouldn't let it go that easily.

"Hmm… I seem to have heard a different story…." The Lord of the Ovens House spoke with a smile as he looked towards Max. "I heard that it was one sided slaughter….what do you think old man? He killed one of your prodigies after all…"

The moment those words left his mouth, many people's faces changed. Some of them just didn't care, thinking that it was just some random kid who had died in the fight.

But if the Lord of the Ovens House put in that way, it could only mean that the one to have died was not someone so trivial to dismiss. It must be someone capable of becoming a future pillar for the House. Losing such a talent was just not acceptable.

The old man looked at him, he wanted to observe a bit before speaking out. But this brat had dragged him in, he never felt good about these Ovens...something always seemed off about them...anyway, he just couldn't keep quiet now.

"He has indeed done a great deal of damage to my family, but I of course will stand by the side of the truth...if he is saying the truth, there is no need for further discussion but in case he isn't, than his life won't be his anymore."

Max's eyes turned cold as he gazed at the old man….

Everyone knew that those were just sweet words, the real intention would be out soon. Standing on the side of truth? He just had to decide what the truth was….in the end all that mattered was which side he wanted to be on….