"What?"
"That man arrived?"
"The Arcellius Family is here?"
Although Protector Avin did not appear in front of everyone nor did he exert his aura yet, that single announcement was enough to throw the entire party into disarray! He was, after all, a legendary Blue Depth Core Arcanist! Researchers had theorized this Core Level before, but no one had come close to achieving it in over five hundred years. Protector Avin was the first to do it! His power vastly eclipsed the Conquestian, who was regarded as the second most powerful Arcanist in the human world, at High Condensed Drop. In this world, only the Sword King was rumored to be his peer! It was no wonder these partygoers were apprehensive about his sudden appearance.
Except Elizabeth found their reactions… strangely intense. Yes, Protector Avin was powerful. Yes, he had the power to kill everyone here a hundred times over. But he was not impulsive or particularly bloodthirsty. Elizabeth noted he was far more reasonable than the likes of the Sword King so there should have been no need for the various Engelsheft Families to react so strongly. For example, the Rellion Engelsheft Family left, ashen-faced. The First Sage clenched his fists tightly in open anger. Lady Alice Cisvernia and Lady Joanna Welgen had furrowed brows too. It was clear their displeasure stemmed deeper than merely fear for Protector Avin's power. Elizabeth wondered why that was. She, and the others, headed over to the entrance. Her friends joined her along the way.
At the entrance, Protector Avin stood there with the line of Arcane Knights blocking his path. Despite being outnumbered with numerous weapons pointed at him, he wore an amused expression, as though he was threatened by children instead. And responding to his casual attitude, the Arcane Knights were nervous to the extreme. They heard rumors of what this man did in the Xingyuu Empire. They knew they could not stop him, if he decided to act. However, they could not abandon their posts either. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, many felt the urge to cry.
"I was invited by the sages. Here is my invitation," he said.
The captain smiled wryly. "Yes, we know that, but… we truly didn't expect your arrival tonight. Please wait while we notify the sages. It shouldn't take long."
He snorted. "Suit yourself."
"There you are, Sage Pannark!" The captain practically dove to the man's feet.
"Have the Arcane Knights put their weapons away."
"Yes, sir!"
The sage then walked to the front. "Protector Avin."
"Sage Pannark. You look older."
It might have sounded like a simple remark, but the veins on the sage's forehead bulged. Who was Protector Avin? He looked middle-aged, except he was in his nineties already! He was nearly twenty years older than Sage Pannark! And the problem was that Sage Pannark had a head of white hair, deep wrinkles, and saggy skin. Although he dressed sharply and his pose was straight, it could not fully mask the veil of death surrounding him. It was clear he was approaching the end of his life. Compared to Protector Avin, who was full of energy and youth, that snide little remark did hit him in his sore spot.
"Yes, it's been fifty years since our last meeting. Not all of us are blessed with such a… long lifespan. I thought you perished along with the Arcellius Family."
Protector Avin laughed. "Your memory must be failing you, since I made my return more than a year ago. Maybe it's time to think about retiring."
"Why are you here?" Annoyance was written across his face.
He raised an eyebrow. "You invited me, so I came. Do I need another reason?"
The First Sage glared at Protector Avin before stating, "No, I suppose not. Let him in."
The Arcane Knights quickly stepped aside, thankful for the pardon. Protector Avin ignored them and walked into the party, under the curious gaze of everyone. Unlike Lady Kalasena's situation, most of the people here had heard of his name before. Everyone raised their heads, trying to catch a glimpse of this legendary man. It was his first official appearance after all. However, there were a few people who knew him fifty years ago, and they were stunned. Lady Alice Cisvernia was one of them. She looked at the middle-aged man in disbelief, prompting Lady Joanna to peer at her weirdly.
"Is that not Protector Avin?" Lady Joanna asked quietly.
"It is, but he hasn't aged one bit!"
"Huh? Are you sure?"
"I'm sure of it! He looked the same fifty years ago!"
Lady Joanna frowned. "Could it be his son? I wasn't even born fifty years ago."
"I… don't think so," Lady Alice hesitated. In the past, as the young princess of the Cisvernia Family, she had the opportunity to meet the Arcellius Family on multiple occasions. She could still vividly remember Sage Serana and Protector Avin. The splitting image from her memories overlapped with the man in front of her now. Except that was impossible! Even she turned from a young child to an old lady with grandchildren. There was no way Protector Avin could remain unchanged! Her confusion was shared by many people, who could not believe this was the same person from that bygone era.
Elizabeth was standing with her friends when she leaned into Freon and Nassandra and whispered, "Should we still pretend you're unrelated to the Arcellius Family?"
Freon chuckled. "I think everyone knows at this point, so we don't need to pretend anymore."
"I guess that's true. He's not here… to cause trouble, right?" The words from the First Sage weighed on her mind.
"Probably not." He sounded unsure.
Protector Avin walked over and looked at Elizabeth. "Your Highness."
She smiled. "We weren't expecting you tonight, Protector Avin. You caused quite a stir."
"I hope so," he answered ambiguously.
"Where have you been, uncle?" Nassandra asked.
"Visiting some old acquaintances and investigating some matters. Before we revive the Arcellius Family, it's important to have everything figured out. My coming here tonight is related to that."
"Please don't do anything reckless," Freon cautioned.
He had a bad feeling about this. Whenever the topic of the Arcellius Family came up, his uncle would always behave differently. It was like he was being possessed! Normally, it would not have been an issue in private, but this was a party involving the Sages and the Engelsheft Families, the very leaders of the Zino Kingdom! An incident here would have long-lasting influence! He was almost tempted to drag his uncle away immediately.
"I know what I'm doing. You don't have to worry about me."
"That's exactly why I'm worried," he muttered under his breath.
"I'll be talking with the Engelsheft Families. You can go back to whatever you were doing before."
To be treated like a child felt humiliating. Freon spoke through clenched teeth, "Fine."
Shirley grabbed him by the arm. "Let's go."
As they were walking away, Benedict was confused. "People keep saying that the Arcellius Family fell over fifty years ago, but if that were true, and Protector Avin were involved, then shouldn't he be fifty or sixty years old? I would have guessed he was forty at most."
Elizabeth added. "He came from the same generation as the Conquestian, so he should be… upwards of eighty, if not ninety."
"Ninety?" Benedict and Shirley were wide-eyed and tongue-tied. They could not believe it because their judgement was not based on appearance alone. With their strong perception, they could sense the vigorous vitality inside Protector Avin's body. It did not resemble someone in their twilight years.
"I believe he's in his nineties," Nassandra confirmed.
"But how is that possible? He doesn't look anywhere near ninety." Benedict grew more confused.
"He must be lying about his age," Shirley said. "Either that, or he's using some secret magic to make himself look younger!"
"Uh… I don't think our uncle is using any magic," Nassandra awkwardly denied. "I would sense it if he did."
"Maybe he casted the spell out of sight and it lasts a very long time. Or maybe it's permanent."
The Ten Dawn smiled in response. She did not have the heart to tell Shirley that her ideas were outlandish, bordering on fantasy.
Freon did not have that restraint though. He stated, "No, that kind of magic doesn't exist. If it did, it would be the most valuable magic in the world."
"It also doesn't explain why his vitality is so strong," Benedict pointed out.
Shirley argued, "He's a Blue Depth Core Arcanist, a Rank 3 King. He can do things beyond our imagination."
Benedict, Freon, and Nassandra could not retort. It was true! Protector Avin could do things they previously thought were impossible, such as the heavenly phenomenon in Firecast, or stopping an entire army at the Quiton Gates. There were even talking birds and flying ships now… Therefore, it was not entirely out of the realm of possibility that he could restore his youth… But that was a crazy thought because it meant he could theoretically live forever! Immortality, eternal youth… Was that something that a mortal could achieve? Much less so easily? That was the domain of gods! Everyone fell silent.