Even though Finn wore a smile as he spoke those words, there was a certain weight to his tone—a firmness that couldn't be ignored. And as Noah and Marcus heard what the young man had just said, they exchanged glances and forced a small smile. Who would have thought that at such a young age, this boy already possessed a sharp and calculating mind?
Noah turned his gaze back to Finn, meeting the young Adventurer's golden eyes. "Still, compared to that old lamp, these treasures are of far greater value. Why not keep them for yourself, or perhaps offer them to your clan?"
He had a point. The price Noah paid for that lamp was only one million and five hundred thousand gold coins. But if these armaments were auctioned, they could easily fetch over five million gold coins. In this situation, not only had Finn repaid the Cloud Soaring Sect for the purchase, but the sect had profited even more.
But Finn didn't answer the question. He simply smiled, his expression unreadable.
Seeing that, Noah let out a soft sigh and shook his head. "In that case, there's nothing more to be said. Since you're offering them voluntarily to the Cloud Soaring Sect, then we'll accept them in good faith."
With a wave of his hand, Noah used his soulforce to levitate the three armaments into the air, guiding them gently into his interspatial ring.
Although Finn had repaid the favor of purchasing the lantern, he knew that he still owed the Cloud Soaring Sect a far greater debt—one that couldn't easily be repaid with treasures. That debt was the protection they gave to his family. It was a matter of survival.
If not for the Cloud Soaring Sect's presence, the Nine Ice Family would have already attacked the Azure Wood Family.
In this world, nothing was free. Everyone acted with benefit in mind. Noah and the others wished to use Finn's abilities as an Alchemist to bolster the strength of the Cloud Soaring Sect. In turn, Finn needed the sect's authority and influence to ensure the safety of his clan. It was a mutual relationship—one of necessity.
Still, Finn didn't want to be bound forever to the Cloud Soaring Sect. He had no intention of relying on them indefinitely. He knew the moment he lost his usefulness, they would abandon him without hesitation.
He had a dream for his clan—to rise in strength and earn justice on their own. In this world, only the powerful and influential were respected. The weak? They would be forgotten.
"I only ask one thing," Finn said, his voice steady, "Keep this matter between the three of us. As for why, I believe you already understand."
Once again, Marcus and Noah exchanged looks. Of course, they understood. The enmity between the Azure Wood Family and the Nine Ice Family had long since passed the point of reconciliation. War was inevitable. And when that time came, not even the Cloud Soaring Sect or the Royal Clan would be able to intervene.
The Royal Clan had already made their stance clear. In their eyes, the Nine Ice Family—a noble clan—would surely triumph in such a war. The fall of the Azure Wood Family meant nothing to them.
Still, even if the Azure Wood Family was wiped out, the Royal Clan wouldn't allow Finn to die. Not now that they knew his potential. They would do everything to gain control over him.
"We understand," Marcus replied. But then, he looked at Finn intently and asked, "May I ask… What is your true level and rank?"
There was a pause before he added, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
They knew they had no right to demand such information. They were only here to guide and train the young members of the sect.
Finn merely smiled and gently shook his head. "I've achieved what I came here for. Elder Marcus, Sect Master Noah… I'll take my leave."
The two men nodded. It was clear that Finn didn't fully trust them yet, and understandably so. They didn't share a strong bond. In the world of Adventurers, trust was a luxury, and strength was the only true form of security.
After Finn left, Marcus broke the silence. "Sect Master Noah… what do you think? Can Finn Doria lead the Soaring Seven to victory in this competition?"
Noah leaned back slightly. "As for that… I can't say for certain. But one thing I do believe—we won't be last like we were in the previous Seven Great Faction Games. If his strength were comparable to Ashe or Lore, I'd say we have a real chance of reaching fourth place."
This competition was crucial for them. It could bring valuable rewards to the Cloud Soaring Sect and inspire its younger members to train harder.
"Oh, and about the situation between the Azure Wood Family and the Nine Ice Family…" Marcus began, his tone quieter. "I think there might still be a way to end the feud."
Noah turned to him, intrigued. "Hm? And what way is that?"
If there was truly a way to prevent the war, it would be a miracle. Finn would be safe, and the Azure Wood Family could live in peace. With his Blue-Green Alchemy Flame, Finn had the potential to become a renowned alchemist in the entire Sacred Dragon Kingdom.
"If the Nine Ice Family personally apologizes to the Azure Wood Family," Marcus replied simply.
Noah fell silent, stunned by the idea. But then, a wry smile tugged at his lips. "You know that's nearly impossible. The Nine Ice Family is too proud. They'd never lower themselves before an Ordinary Clan."
Marcus smiled. "There is one member of the Nine Ice Family who might make it possible. In fact, he was the one who started the old agreement in the first place. His words still carry weight."
"…You mean Cleo Frois?" Noah's eyes lit up.
Yes. Only Cleo Frois could make such a thing happen. The Nine Ice Family would definitely listen to him. But before Noah could feel hopeful, a shadow crossed his expression.
"But… There's been no word from Cleo for years. Not even the Nine Ice Family knows where he is, or if he's even still alive."
Marcus frowned. He hadn't thought of that. It had been over ten years since Cleo disappeared from the Sacred Dragon Kingdom, and no one had heard from him since.
"He's strong and gifted… I believe he's still alive," Marcus said quietly. "I just hope he returns before it's too late."
Noah nodded. Deep inside, he held onto that same hope.
--
Days passed quickly.
And now, the Seven Great Faction Games were about to begin.
Each day leading up to the tournament, the members of the Soaring Seven had devoted themselves to training. They absorbed natural energy and cultivated in silence. There was no room for combat training within the faction house—it was far too narrow for actual sparring.
Noah and Marcus had already handed over the three Top-tier Rare Armaments to Ezekias, Lan, and Juvia.
At first, the three were in disbelief. But once they felt the aura of the armaments, their hearts brimmed with joy. Each weapon was perfectly suited to them.
Ezekias needed a lightweight armor, while the two girls received weapons tailored to their fighting style. Without delay, they returned to their rooms to bind and mark their new gear.
Now, the Cloud Soaring Sect stood at the uppermost level of the grand stadium. Below, nine soldiers held banners bearing the sigil of the Royal Clan. At the center of the formation were trumpet-bearing guards, who, on command, blew their horns in unison—an ear-piercing fanfare echoed throughout the arena.
Across the battlefield, the seven factions faced one another from different corners of the grand stage. Some adventurers watched their opponents with quiet interest, while others sat lazily, uninterested. The arena had no ordinary spectators—only participants, faction masters, and Elders were allowed.
The stadium was vast—perfectly built for the scale of the upcoming battles. Five statues of mighty dragons stood tall, carved from pure diamond. They symbolized the unshakable power and prestige of the Sacred Dragon Family.
When the trumpets faded, a single elderly figure rose into the air, catching everyone's attention. Floating with slow, deliberate steps, Helbram, the king's right-hand man and overseer of the tournament, cast his gaze across the field.
"Seven Great Factions, lend me your ears!" he began, his voice echoing with authority. "Today marks one of the most important events in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom. Here, the Sacred Dragon Family shall discover which factions—and which young Adventurers—are truly worthy of support and attention."
"The ones who display potential shall receive our guidance, our teachings, and our protection."
The air around the stadium grew heavier with anticipation. The young Adventurers were visibly tense, and even the Elders and faction masters were on edge.
"In this tournament, only two things are strictly forbidden: killing, and intentionally causing severe injury to your opponent. Anyone who breaks these rules shall face consequences—not just personally, but for their entire faction or clan."
His eyes sharpened. "This is not war. It is a competition to seek the worthy. There is no need to kill."
"You may use Forbidden Pills, weapons, or armor as long as you follow the rules. Victory is achieved in one of two ways: your opponent can no longer fight… or they surrender. Faction masters and Elders are not to interfere—your duty is to protect, not participate."
Helbram scanned the arena again and gestured to the royal guards to clear the field. The soldiers bowed and promptly left.
"I've reviewed each participant personally and arranged the matchups myself. I guarantee that every battle will be fair. Each faction shall send four adventurers, and each win will be worth ten points. I may award extra points if a match is particularly impressive."
"Your total points will determine your final ranking."
A smirk tugged at Helbram's lips. "Since it appears that everyone is ready, then I, Helbram Vildar, right-hand man of the king and overseer of the Seven Great Faction Games, hereby declare the competition… officially start!"
"The names I call shall step into the arena."
"Immortal Sword Pavilion versus Alchemist Association!"
"Sword Seven Yves Lilytel versus Alchemy Seven Hitch Dreo!"