"It's cold…." Max mumbled as he flew high into the sky. He wanted to avoid getting caught by anyone.

"Where are you going?"

Max turned his head to see his gramps standing behind.

"What are you? A stalker?" Max asked as he looked at him.

The old man didn't reply. He had just kept an eye out on Max in case something went wrong.

"I have got some business to attend to…" Max said as he waved his hand.

"I will send someone along with you…" the old man said.

"No need, if you wanna help, just make sure nobody follows me out of this place..." Max replied before turning around leaving.

"He is just like his father….stubborn and arrogant….but smarter and stronger…." The old man said with a sigh.

"Follow him...make sure he stays safe…" the old man ordered and a figure flashed by him flying after Max.

…

"Tsk…." Max clicked his tongue as he left the main gates and still felt the person stealthily following behind him.

The next instant, he accelerated his pace and when he felt that he had drawn out a sufficient distance between him and the person following behind, Max entered stealth and took out a cloak from his spirit world.

He then threw it using his telekinesis ability and the piece of cloth sped up in a straight line while Max descended towards the ground.

It wouldn't be able to fool him for long but that was enough for Max to get out.

Max really didn't want the annoying dude to follow him. Firstly, because having an assurance all time wasn't good for his own growth. Secondly, he didn't want to get the identity of his mercenary group out. At least they were strong enough to protect themselves.

…

After Max lost the person tailing him, he met with Wilson and Lear at the outskirts of the District.

"Where is Lisa?" Lear asked as he didn't find anyone else besides Max.

"I can't believe I am so far in the list to get to know about these things... I have been kept in the dark for so long…" Wilson grumbled looking at Max.

These past few days he had squeezed Lear dry of every information he could probably get. He came to know about the whole team and how they have been working towards their goals. Lear felt that this guy now probably knew more about them than they themselves did.

"There is a bit of trouble…." Max's words immediately turned the expression on their faces.

Max explained what had happened to them.

He was still tracking down Aria with the help of the Spirit snake and hence he was not afraid to lose the sight of her.

"Does this have something to do with us, except for her drugging one of our people?" Wilson asked as he looked at Max.

Max shook his head, "No, it doesn't. But I want to have a look. I think I will find something interesting…"

"You really mean that or are you just worried about her?" Lear asked with raised brows. He still had his doubts about them.

"Did you forget the first time we met her in a Liquor shop? At that time, we ended up finding the space crystals. Do you think it's just a coincidence?..." Max looked at him, he didn't think it was just a coincidence. Aria was definitely up to something. She probably knew something.

"So you want us to come along?" Lear asked.

"You come with me…" Max then turned his towards Wilson, "Wilson you join up with Bahamut."

With that, they immediately split up and rushed towards their destination.

….

Oven's House, Capital.

James sat on the chair beside the window as calmly sipped the tea from his cup.

At this moment, a figure appeared behind him.

"How is it going? Are all the pieces in their places?" James asked with a smile.

"Lady Aria has been spotted around and Master Werner has already left for today's deals…"

"What about her brother? Isn't he there yet?" James asked with a smile.

"The Young Lord of the Achilles House has yet to be seen…." The man replied.

"Even after I went out of my way to invite him to watch his sister's last moment, he sure is making me wait…" James shook his head.

"What if he doesn't show up?" Suddenly a person walked into the room as he spoke.

James looked at him and smiled, "It seems you have achieved a great degree of control, Arnold…"

This man was Lear's second brother, Arnold Barnes.

"You don't need to worry, if he arrives. Then it's excellent and if he doesn't...its still good...." James said as he looked out of the window, "It's time, I kick my brother off of the successor's seat..."

"Anyway, you sure are early.., " James turned around to look at him.

"I heard a few interesting things happened while I was away?" Arnold asked with a smile.

"Is that the reason why you came so early?" James asked.

Arnold was sent away as an exchange student. But now that the competitions were near, the students would soon be returning. But there was still around a week or two worth of time….

As for the exchange students in capital, they didn't need to leave as the competition's opening ceremony was planned to be held in Orca and the Capital's Magic Academy would be the first one to host their event.

"How could I not come? My brother is here after all…" Arnorld smiled.

….

Roxley Territory, Capital.

"How the hell are we going to get in?" Lear asked as he looked at Max.

They were quite a distance away watching the people entering the auction house.

"What are we going to, we don't have an invitation?" Lear asked as he looked at Max.

"That's the reason, I brought you along with me in the first place….." Max looked at him with a smile.

"What?" Lear didn't feel good looking at the smile on her face at all.

"Call Lora, ask her to get us in…" Max urged him.

"F*ck no!'' Lear replied instantly.

"You think it's time to be arguing about this thing…." Max spoke as he looked at him.

But Lear was hesitating…

"You kidding me? You aren't even that close?" Max looked at him with his wide eyes. You would do something like that for even an acquaintance whom you just met once.

What was this guy doing?

"Damn it, I can't. I had an intense argument with her a few hours ago…." Lear finally told the truth. He had tried to get her to open about the past. Even though he had good intentions things didn't go well….Lora dumped him half the way and left him alone.

"Then makeup with her for god sake…" Max really felt a headache. He left them alone thinking that they didn't need him to push them anymore.

"Fine! I will give it a try!!!" Lear said as he took out his phone and went aside for a sec.

At this moment, something caught Max's eyes. He looked at the car, approaching and since the window was down, he clearly spotted the person sitting on the side.

"Luck is on my side today…" Max smiled as he looked at Lear. "I found the person who will take us in...hurry up…"

Lear glared at him, "Why in hell did you make me call her then? She is even more angry now that I disturbed her sleep only to ask for help."

"We will do something about it later….hurry up now…" Max said as he moved and Lear followed behind as he explained what they were going to do.

"Why am I always the idiot?" Lear asked with a frown.

"Because I look smart...no one will believe me to be an idiot even if I pretend to be…" Max replied.

"Tsk….Narcissist…"

Soon they were in front of the guards.

…

A car stopped in front of the entrance of the Auction house and two beautiful ladies walked out of the car.

One with crimson hair and a fiery figure. She was Wilson's elder sister, Erina.

"Let's go, Namen…" Erina said to the girl beside her. They were sure an odd duo not to mention coming at a time like this...

As they walked towards the entrance, they saw two people standing around and seemed to be engaged in a conversation with the guard.

"I am telling you, I forgot it at home...it will take too long to bring it back...can't you just let us in?"

Of course the person was Lear.

"Sir, please try to understand I can't do anything." The guard said as he noticed the two girls behind.

"Sir, can you step aside. We have other people coming.." the guard further said.

"Let's go…" Max said as he turned around to leave with Lear when their eyes met with Erina behind them.