The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 323: Chapter 318 — Sucker

A knock came from the office door. The dynasty head’s gaze immediately sharpened toward it, clearly wondering who would dare interrupt them.

”Ah, finally, she’s here.” Garrick smiled and waved them off, making it clear he was responsible. ”Come in.”

The door opened, and a tall, regal Ingrid stepped inside. Several dynasty heirs frowned almost immediately. Garrick, however, welcomed her with an excited smile.

”My favorite niece! Come, come, sit beside Uncle Garrick. You came at the perfect time. The main fight’s just about to start.”

Ingrid scowled at him, her expression practically asking why the hell this drunkard of an uncle was suddenly acting like they were close. Garrick, of course, didn’t seem to care, cheerfully tapping the iron seat he’d formed beside him.

As far as Garrick was concerned, Ingrid had been responsible for curing the severe boredom that had plagued him ever since Zephyrion left for the academy. And who was Garrick if not a man who knew how to show his gratitude? He was going to treat his niece right!

Meanwhile, Ingrid, feeling the weight of several heavy gazes settle on her, cleared her throat and offered a respectful bow to Garaxe, Cassian, Thorvak, and lastly Severin, though the last was noticeably shallower.

Considering his power, Severin caught the slight immediately, and his expression darkened.

Ingrid had already turned away from him by then, though, dismissing his presence entirely as her gaze settled on High General Rathen, who instinctively straightened in his seat.

Rathen had been the head during her time at the academy, and she had once held him in extremely high regard. However, after everything he’d done, whatever respect she had for the man was long gone.

She didn’t bow.

There wasn’t even the slightest hint of respect in her expression, only a coldness so sharp it almost made it seem as though Rathen had become her sworn enemy. Rathen expression, though, darkened, and he glanced away in shame.

Releasing a quiet scoff, Ingrid turned away from him and finally faced Kastor.

Compared to everyone else, however, her demeanor changed completely. She bowed a full ninety degrees.

”Lord Calderalth.”

”Hm. You’re here, Ingrid.”

Kastor gave a small nod, making it clear he had no issue with her presence.

That was all the permission she needed.

”Come, sit.”

Ingrid turned toward the grinning Garrick and barely stopped her expression from twisting. She glanced around the office, searching for literally any other available seat, only to find none.

Realizing she had no choice, she released a quiet sigh and sat down beside him.

Garrick chuckled at her antics, quickly pointing towards the screen like an excited fanboy.

”You’re lucky, niece. Haven’t missed a thing. Zephyrion’s just about to fight pretty boy Prince over there.”

Ingrid’s attention immediately shifted to the screen, her eyes sharpening slightly. She was glad she hadn’t missed the fight. It was the main fight of the entire exercise, after all.

’Will he use it?’

She hoped Arcturus would pose enough of a challenge to force Zephyrion to use the Titan Armor. More importantly, the Titan Form she’d taught him.

’He should have gotten the hang of it by now.’

Zephyrion had struggled a bit when it came to learning the form, but the last time they spoke, he seemed to have finally gotten the hang of it. Ingrid couldn’t help but feel a small sense of pride knowing she’d been responsible for that improvement, not that she would ever admit it.

’I want to see it.’

She leaned back in her seat, the faintest hint of a smile on her lips.

”Ah, right, niece. Almost forgot. There’s another stake on the fight now,” Garrick said after a moment.

”...Aside from the thousand high-grade elixirs?”

From the corner of her eye, Ingrid caught the cold glint that flashed through Severin’s eyes at the reminder, but completely ignored it.

”Yes, yes, aside from that. Your uncle found another sucker.” Garrick grinned and casually gestured towards Cassian. ”If Zephyrion wins, His Royal Suckerness over there has to perform the Eryndor rune art right in front of him.”

Ingrid frowned slightly, confused by the strange wager, but only for a moment. Considering everything she’d seen from Zephyrion, it didn’t take long for her to realize exactly what Garrick was trying to do.

’He wants Zephyrion to copy it.’

How he did it was still a mystery to many of them, including her, but she had no doubt it required incredible comprehension and talent, both of which Zephyrion possessed in abundance.

’...Then why did he struggle so much with the Titan arts?’

The thought had crossed Ingrid’s mind before. Considering what she knew about Zephyrion, it was certainly strange, but there could be any number of reasons for it. Even the greatest geniuses sometimes struggled with things others found simple.

Besides, it didn’t really matter.

’He needed my help, and I helped him.’

She smiled. That was the important thing.

”Hm, Garrick, you seem to be forgetting one rather important detail.” Cassian said. ”What happens when Zephyrion loses?”

”Important?” Garrick chuckled. ”How can something that’s never going to happen be important? Forget that nonsense and start stretching. I don’t want to hear any excuses when it’s time for you to perform that art.”

”You were just mocking Severin for being delusional, yet somehow you’ve managed to surpass him.” Cassian smiled faintly. ”Perhaps serving as my slave for a while will finally beat some sense into that head of yours.”

His gaze then shifted towards Ingrid.

”Beautiful woman, surely you haven’t caught their madness too. You know how this battle is going to end, don’t you?”

”I do.”

Cassian’s smile widened, already beginning to nod in approval...

”My brother will win,” Ingrid said, meeting his gaze without the slightest hesitation.

Cassian’s smile immediately melted into a frown.

He stared at Ingrid for a long moment before releasing a disappointed sigh and shaking his head.

”What a shame. So young, so beautiful, and already beyond saving. Blood really is thicker than water, I suppose.” Cassian turned back towards the screen, his confidence quickly returning. ”No matter. Arcturus will cure all of you soon enough.”

”See what I told you, niece?” Garrick was practically bouncing in his seat. ”Another sucker practically begging me to rob him.”

Garaxe smiled wryly and shook his head, while even Kastor gave a small nod, seemingly agreeing with Garrick’s assessment.

Cassian frowned at them, but eventually said nothing. The truth was, they’d already said enough.

Now, the result would speak for itself.

In silence, the entire room turned their attention towards the screen as morning dawned over the academy.