214 The Invitation. (1/2)

The scroll had a red stamp over it with the mercenary guild's stamp. Others didn't seem surprised because they were already aware of it.

”I told you that I will not accept any invitations, Irvin.” Ozul found it bothersome since he knew that he wouldn't ally with any of them anyway.

Instead of putting the invitation away like he usually did, Irvin insisted, ”No no, Young Master. This is different.”

”Hmm?” Ozul looked at the scroll. The point that it was sent by the mercenary guild was the only special thing about it. He asked, ”What is it about?”

”It's the invitation for the Tournament,” Irvin answered.

However, Ozul looked just as confused as he did before. He hadn't heard of any tournament before.

”I guess you haven't heard of it before, Young Master. The Tournament of Egon happens every 50 years,” Irvin explained after he remembered that Ozul was relatively decades younger than any other Rank-9 Mage.

”Every 50 years?” Ozul muttered. Every 50 years meant that a new generation would be able to participate each time.

”Yes, Young Master. As you might have already guessed, the tournament is only a show for the strong to display the strength of their young blood, while it is an opportunity for the humble ones.” Irvin briefly explained.

Ozul raised his brow at his explanation. He hadn't heard of this before, but such a thing wasn't so unexpected either.

”How does it work?” Ozul asked. The other members one by one started to leave the room under Haley's instructions.

”It is a long tournament actually. It takes months till things reach their conclusion. First of all, there are small tournaments in towns and villages. The winners of those areas go directly to the tournament at the kingdom's level. And at last, there is a final round that pits the strongest from all around the continent...,” Irvin explained. It was as if he had memorized all the rules.

”All of that aside, who organizes it?” Ozul could not help but ask.

It was a wonder if some separate faction could actually make all the other factions accept their judgment or rules. There weren't many such organizations capable enough that he could think of right now.

”For that, Young Master, we can say that the mercenary guild plays a huge role in it. Although, they are not alone. The Ashin Family, Leonhard Dynasty, and the Church are also representatives.” Irvin couldn't help but feel gleeful. Others might not know, but he was well aware of their circumstances with the Ashin family.

The only other person who knew of his relationship with the Ashin family was Haley. The fewer people knew about it, the better.

”Uh...?” Irvin motioned towards the scroll to ask for permission to read it since he hadn't opened it yet either. He was also curious about the contents of the letter.

Ozul nodded his head as Irvin opened the scroll and started reading the letter. A few moments later, Irvin finished reading everything as he closed the scroll and said, ”The letter just says that it would be ideal if we participated, but even if we didn't, they would like it that we came to observe the event.”

Hearing his words, Ozul started to contemplate. He couldn't think of any reason for the mercenary guild to invite them specifically. This invitation meant that they would have a special spot in the tournament like all other prominent factions.

'Unless...' In the end, he concluded that it might not be the mercenary guild. Sure, they were organizing the event, but it didn't mean that they would decide on all the matters. Many of those Rank-9 Mages had been trying to have a meeting with him, but he had declined all of them.

With a couple of them supporting the decision of inviting a new-formed organization such as theirs, it wouldn't be a surprise that they would have to give in to their demands.

And Ozul's guess was perfectly on spot, these people had been hoping that this tournament would give them a chance to meet with him. Even when some of them weren't so set at making him an ally, they couldn't let others poach him either.

”Hmm...” Ozul's mind gears again started to work. He couldn't decide if it was worth joining or not.

”I suggest we don't turn down this opportunity, Young Master. Those who still think low of us would be forced to change their opinion once we make our appearance there,” Haley advised when she noticed that Ozul was unsure about accepting the invitation.

Ozul didn't pay her words any heed since he didn't need other's recognition to achieve what he wanted. However, he still nodded his head and said, ”I will think about it.”

”If that is all...” Ozul stood up, about to go back to his room. But before leaving, he had to ask, ”When does the tournament start?”

”In two months, Young Master,” Irvin quickly replied.

Ozul nodded his head and went upstairs.