"Sir," A guard called out to Mr. Philippos from outside his office "permission to enter?"
"You could have just knocked. Enter" Mr. Philippos raised his head from staring at his paper work as the guard entered his office "Any news?"
"Yes sir" the guard nodded "The east family has informed us that they would be visiting today, and we should prepare for their visit"
"Okay. Any other thing?" Mr. Philippos asked
"I don't think so… huh?" the guard suddenly stopped talking. It looked like he was receiving some kind of message telepathically
"What is it?" Mr. Philippos raised his brows
"I just received a message saying that the other families are also on their way here as we speak. Including the Cages" the guard said
"Okay. If it's the other families, there's no problem at all. Wait…" Mr. Philippos stopped talking to stare at the guard with wide eyes "Did you just say the Cages are on their way here? Like right now?"
"Precisely, sir" the guard nodded
"This isn't good. This isn't good at all. They were supposed to arrive at different times to make the job easier" Mr. Philippos muttered while holding his head in his hands
"Is there any problem, sir?" the guard asked him
"It's nothing. You're dismissed" he said without raising his head "And make sure the conference room is ready"
"I suppose we should lead them there once they arrive?" the guard asked Mr. Philippos. Seeing him nodding his head, the guard saluted and left the office to make the necessary preparations
"I really hope she didn't come herself" Mr. Philippos muttered before leaving his office
…
At the gate of Ace Academy, a group of people appeared, making the loitering students to gasp in shock.
"Sh*t! Isn't that the West family's commander?"
"Yeah. It's Brad from the West and also Gary from the North. What are they doing here?"
"Weren't you at the duel that took place on the day before yesterday? Orpheus is an advanced magus with contrastive elements"
"So, that's why they came"
"You all should go to your homerooms!!" A female guard yelled at them, making them to scurry away in fear
"Our esteemed guests. The dean has been expecting you" The female guard walked up to them with a smile on her face
"Where is he?" Gary asked her
"Right this way, please" she said and began to walk towards the conference room with the four families behind her
After they left, another group appeared at the academy's gate. The man leading them was dressed in a butler's uniform and had a large smile on his face.
"Ah. We've arrived" Charlie looked around "and why is there no one to welcome us?"
"Sir, I think the meeting has already begun" one of the people behind him said
"Those little barats. Starting without me?" the smile on Charlie's face grew wider "Let's go"
"Yes sir"
…
At the school's conference room, Mr. Philippos sat at the head of a long rectangular table with a smile on his face as the representatives of the four cardinal families trooped in, one by one.
"Good day, gentlemen." He greeted the guests. "Please, take your seats as we get down to business"
"Whatever. Just begin already" Jason sat down nonchalantly "I ain't got all day"
"You…" Mr. Antonius' eyes twitched in anger
"It's okay, Antonius" Mr. Philippos said "Now, without further ado, let us begin the meeting. First of all, I wanted to ask. Why are you all here?"
"Secondly, you're a fool for asking that question" Jason muttered to everyone's hearing
"Jason!! You're not the only representative here. I ask that you show some self-respect" Mr. Zissis frowned
"Ahem. I just wanted to ask that question because not every family gave me a reason for their visit in the notice they had made beforehand" Mr. Philippos said
"Okay, enough. Cut the shit" Brad said "Where's the brat? I need to see him"
"Well, you see, unfortunately…" Mr. Philippos began to speak
"We don't give a damn about your unfortunate fate" Jason said "Bring the kid over or…"
"Or what? You're going to attack?" Mr. Zissis smirked
"Yep, a fight is gong to break out" Mr. Stylianos muttered
"These young'uns. Always so hot-headed" Nate shook his head
"Awwww, c'mon. Starting the party without me?" a voice came from the door as a young man dressed in a butler's walked into the room along with three other people
"Charlie?!" everyone gasped
"What's with the reaction, folks? I hold no grudges" Charlie smiled "Unless you want me to"
'Okay. This is bad. Really bad.' Mr. Philippos said inwardly 'Why would they send this psychopath of all people'
"Anyway, I came here for something." Charlie sat down and crossed his legs on the table. "And I'm not leaving until I get it"
"And what could it be?" Mr. Philippos asked him nervously
"Are you joking?! You don't know what I came here for?!" his face twisted in anger
"Oh, no. That's not what I meant. I just meant that…"
"Ah, forgive me. I just had a stomach ache" the smile returned to Charlie's face and he began to look around, as if searching for something "Where's Orpheus? I don't see him anywhere"
'Scary' everyone thought after witnessing the switch in Charlie's mood
"He's at the infirmary right now. He should be visiting his master" one of his assistants said
"Okay. Let's go then" Charlie stood up and walked out of the room "Later, mates"
'F*** that guy and his twisted personality' Mr. Philippos cursed inwardly
"I guess it's a done deal. The Cages got the boy. Goodbye" Nate stood up and left with his room along with Brad
"Before I go, I need to tell you guys something" Jason stood up to leave but suddenly turned back "Within the next six months to one year, release the demi god to us or there'll be hell to pay"
'Damn! What kind of being did Christos bring into this world? Not only has he attracted the attention of major powerhouses, he is also the enemy to another' Mr. Philippos shivered in his seat
"Sir, what do we do?" Antonius asked
"I don't know. Orpheus' fate is now in his hands" Mr. Philippos said
"What about Jason? You know he just made an impossible request" Mr. Zissis said
"Forget that one for now. They can't attack us. Not while the mayor is alive" Mr. Philippos walked out of the room "You all are dismissed"
…
"Wait a minute. You said the dark element is not your innate element?" Rhea asked in shock
"Uh-huh" Orpheus nodded "I absorbed the dark element from an ability orb and awakened the light element sometime later"
"Yeesh! You're one lucky chap" Raya muttered in awe
"Is it really okay for him to tell them?" Tana asked Aella
"It's not like it's going to change anything" she shrugged
"Okay. Any other secrets?" Rhea asked in expectation
"Uh… you'll have to get stay with me, long enough to find out" Orpheus chuckled
"Don't tell me it's something like; your bodyguards are beasts in disguise" Rhea said
"What?!" Orpheus and the four beasts shouted
"Where did you hear that from?!" Andrian asked her in shock
"That's not true at all" Aella said
"Relax, I'm just guessing" Rhea giggled "Or you're a…"
"You know, when I heard the kid's got a master, I didn't expect it to be you" someone said from the door
~Who is that? ~ Aella asked the others telepathically
~My nose didn't even sense him~ Aster said
~Whatever you guys are saying doesn't matter~ Tana said ~He's very strong and we all know it~
"Uncle Charlie?!" Rhea gasped "What are you doing here?"
"Who's Uncle Charlie?" Raya asked confusedly
"I see that you haven't told your friends yet" Charlie looked around and froze after seeing the four beasts
"Tell us what? Rhea, what's he talking about?" Raya asked
"Umm, to put it short, Uncle Charlie is my uncle" Rhea said
"We already knew that. The way you addressed him gave it away" Orpheus said "What exactly is he talking about?"
"It's a long story. She'll tell you about that later. But right now, I don't have much time on my hands" Charlie said after waking up from his daze "You're Orpheus, right?"
"Yeah" Orpheus nodded
"Can we step outside for a while?" Charlie asked and walked out of the room
"I didn't even say yes" Orpheus muttered and followed him out
"Here should be okay" Charlie said after they had gotten some distance away from the room "To cut to the chase, I want to extend an invitation for you to join the Cage family"
"Woah. You mean the strongest power house in the nation?!" Orpheus' eyes widened
"Pretty much." Charlie nodded "Rest assured; you'll be treated like a VVIP guest. So, you don't need to worry about anything"
"Hmmm" Orpheus lowered his head to think. A minute later he raised up his head "I'm sorry, but I cannot join any family. It kind of restricts my freedom"
"Don't be so quick to make a decision. Think about it" Charlie smiled
"Umm, how about this. I'll give you my answer after the annual tournament. But I can't make any promises" Orpheus said
"Sure. Ah, one more thing before I leave." Charlie said "Take care of your master. She's precious to someone. And tell her that someone misses her."
"Wait! How do I contact you?" Orpheus said when Charlie began to walk away
"She knows how" he said and disappeared
"I guess I need some answers then" Orpheus teleported back to Rhea's room
"What took you so long?" Aella asked
"We'll talk later. But first," Orpheus took a seat and turned to Rhea "What's the connection between you and the Cages"
"And we want the full story" Raya nodded
"Well, you see…" Rhea fiddled with her fingers "I'm the… the…"
"The what?" Orpheus asked
"I'm the… heiress to the Cage family"
Chapter 43 ~ Rhea Cage