The discussions continued. The opinion seemed to have been divided until now.

Max was starting to understand a few things very clearly, this people here didn't really care much about right or wrong. It was all about the so called 'greater good' and their own interest whether it was for their own or their family or loved ones.

Max really couldn't say that they were wrong logically. But the point was that these things had already weakened the foundation of the society. These people didn't seem to be interested in changes. All they seemed to be interested in was passing down their legacy and maintaining the peace with whichever method possible. Even if it meant sacrificing a few for many. Just like what happened to Arcane survivors….

Still, everyone had their side of the story. But Max couldn't care more of less if they asked him to die for that….

Max slightly turned his head to see the Lord of Tempest House looking at him with a smile. He had been staring at him for a while and Max could feel that something was up with him.

"Why don't we vote to decide? It had already been a while, we can't waste much of our time on this…" the Lord of the Frost house spoke with scrunched brows. This topic had gone on for far too long.

A few other Lord's nodded as well. They didn't know about the undercurrents, if they did, they would have surely wanted to take the advantage of the situation.

The Lord of Barnes House was panicking a bit. He didn't grab the opportunity to speak.

"Do you really think you people's decisions will be counted at this point?" The Lord of Blackwood House spoke with a smile as he looked at the Lord of Edwinson house.

"Am I right? You haven't spoken much today. It seems you already have decided the outcome.."

Everyone's eyes turned towards the Lord of Edwinson House. It was true, it was unlike the old man to not speak much when the matter was directly connected to the family.

The Old man looked at the Lord of Blackwood House. This person was always interfering with his work. He had planned to let them discuss the matter as much as they could. In case, the decision was going against Max. He would just interfere at the last moment and take Max's custody. He was sure that the other Lord's wouldn't mind it much at that point since they had their fair share in the decision taken against Max.

Well so much for a plan, it was busted….

"Decision? Of course, I have made my decision….I will be taking the kid with me….he will repay for the damage done and repent his sins…." The Lord of Edwinson House spoke with a calm look.

"This matter has directly affected my family, I do think that you all will understand…." He further said stating his intentions in a clear manner.

Max could only look at the old man, he honestly wasn't expecting anything....

A few of the Lord's seem to have no opinion against the old man. It was fine as long as Max was taken away from the Academy. After all, to them it seemed that Max had killed Victor intentionally.

"Why do you get to take the kid? I don't think he has done anything wrong. If anyone was wrong then it should be you for not teaching the younger ones well in your family."

"But if everyone still finds it unbearable to let the kid stay in the Academy, I will take his responsibility….what do you think kid?" The Lord of Blackwood house looked at Max with a smile.

Even though he looked evil, Max knew that whatever his motive was, he was the only angel here.

"I beg my pardon for interrupting the senior, but I would like to volunteer here…. If it is fine with everyone, I would like to take it in my hands to discipline the kid. As a neutral member of the 12 Houses, I shall do it without any bias.." The Lord of Barnes House finally seized the opportunity.

Max's intentions behind the accident were still not confirmed. In such a case, expelling was already more than enough. If they gave Max to Edwinson House in such a case, they would definitely be taking it out against the kid. On the other hand, giving his custody to Blackwood who didn't see eye to eye with Edwinson would be a bad idea. Hence, Barnes would be the best choice being a neutral house.

Lord Roxley's face contorted as saw Barnes not only taking advantage of the situation but also making himself appear as good natured person.

Only he knew the truth, that the b*stard was still stalking his wife's online account.

Max looked at them, if things continued the way they were going, he would definitely escape after the trial. If he couldn't stay in the Academy, it defeated his entire purpose of waiting for the trial.

He had been keeping quiet thinking that the Mage King would do something. But he could see him hesitating for some reason. Max didn't know what he was planning but at this point it didn't matter if he couldn't say it aloud.

"Why are we even talking about disciplining? I believe there is no reason for it…. " Lord Zen spoke once again, "I remember the son of Lord Walker being present at the scene of the incident. Why don't we call him to provide us a fair view?"

The people around looked at him. This was the first time he was being oddly persuasive about something.

The other Lord's could sense there was something going on which wasn't meeting their eyes.

The Mage King nodded and looked at his assistant. A minute later, Kain walked into the hall.

The guy looked at Max, and turned his head towards the Lords before bowing in respect.

"We would like to hear your viewpoint on the event the day before…" the Mage King stated in clear words.

"The incident was an accident."

Kain's words immediately stirred everyone. The faces of the students behind turned ugly.

"It was partly the fault of Instructors at the Academy who didn't take timely action. If I were to say something for him, then that this person had tried to save Victor instead. It is very clear from the video that he left his spear inside his chest to prevent blood loss even when he was attacked by others. He left his weapon in that situation. There is no way that he was planning to kill him."

Max was surprised for a second. He couldn't help but look at him in nice light. This guy had attacked him the last time, but it seemed that he had the ability to think properly.

"Play the footage again…" the Mage King asked his assistant. They had only watched it till the part where Max had stabbed Victor.

"Very well, you can leave now…" the Mage King asked Kain to leave.

"Well, isn't it the Association's fault then for not managing things properly?" Lord Ovens took the opportunity to target the Mage King. After all, the Association was responsible for the Academy.

"Yes, I do. I will surely look out for it to avoid any similar incidents just like you people have been trying to do for the past 8 months..." the Mage King said with a smile. He not only shifted the blame from Max to the Association but also countered him for the incidents around the Continent and the Union's failure in controlling them.

Silence enveloped the surrounding. Things were never good between the two groups after all.

The Lord of the Edwinson house looked at the time, he had been glancing at it from time to time. With each passing second, his worries were increasing. This had gone for way too long than he had expected. The news of Lithiya being exiled should be out by now. He knew very well just how many people were waiting out their wanting to take revenge. It was bad for her to stay at the same place for too long.

"Well, then I think it wouldn't hurt to-"

"Clang!''

Lord Ovens was interrupted midway by the noise. Everyone turned their head towards the source of noise only to see the Old man of Edwinson House standing.

"Senior is there anything wrong…." Lord Ovens asked as he looked at the old man.

"Yes, I am late for some work. You people can continue the discussion. I am taking the kid…."

"But Senior...this…" Lord Ovens looked around and saw everyone's eyes wide open. This old man...just what was he trying to do here.

"If anyone has got any problem, just send your old man to meet me….they know better than anyone…." The old man said as he walked towards Max, "I will protect those who I want to and kill those who deserve it…."

The old man knew that he had given them enough of a face and time to discuss. This should be enough to tone down the tension a bit. Not to mention, they were a neutral house. They had to be careful here, not to mention it was still within the reasonable area. After all, most of them already knew that Edwinson House might not let it go this easily.

Even if they were upset, they had to hold within a certain limit. There would obviously be some consequences but there would be another benefit to the family....it would definitely help in building the unity and loyalty in the younger generation.

Max gazed at the Old man as he came and stood in front of him. He just couldn't understand, if the look in his eyes was really that of a killer or it was his inexperience that was failing him.

The Lord of the Blackwood House sat there with a smile on his face when everyone was expecting the old man to speak.

When everyone was thinking that Lord Edwinson was dead set on killing the kid, the old man of the Blackwood House was the only one who felt that he meant the former.

'Just what is going on here?' The Lord of Backwood House smiled as he looked at the scene.

The old man grabbed Max and as he was about to leave, another terrifying aura descended in the place as another hand appeared out of nowhere and grabbed onto Max.

"Now, where do you plan to take my grandson-in-law?"

The man was someone everyone was familiar with....

The Mage King knew it was over for him.

The Lords were shocked by the sudden turn of events and almost had their eyes popping out of the screen.

Even Max couldn't understand what had just transpired. It was the first time that he felt his godly ears had failed him….