Level Up Legacy

"Is she someone you know?"

"I used to know," corrected Arthur as his brows could not help but furrow. "A lot has changed since we last met, and I am not the same person she knows either. Nothing changes the fact that she\'s from the seven families."

"Although selfish and self-centered as all powerful people, the seven families have some good people," said Julia in an attempt to reassure him. "Meet her and see what she wants."

Arthur nodded and turned toward Lian, who began to lead the way. The main guest hall was still in the headquarters of Runera, which lay at the base of Mother of Mana. The two of them boarded a flying carriage that led them straight to the headquarters, and they conversed on the way.

"I know the seven families better than anyone here," said Lian as he folded his arms together on the bus. People around them whispered and pointed at Arthur and his companion, not used to their lord using public transport. "You cannot trust a single one of them, no matter how trustworthy they seem."

"You are one of them, Lian," reminded him Arthur with a smile. The tamer seemed offended as he puckered his lips in annoyance. Arthur snickered as he nodded toward a nearby lady watching them. "I cannot judge someone for being born into the wrong family."

"More likely than not, you would be right to do so," said Lian with a smirk. "I don\'t know this Hazel, but I looked into her background. It seems the sole reason she joined the main family was a legacy she awakened. Bottom feeders will do anything to rise, my lord."

"Am I your lord yet?"

"You are the reason I still retain the power to tame my monsters, since you spared my life," said Lian with a conflicted face. "I never saw myself as a man who follows, but I cannot deny that you are the strongest person I have ever met. Furthermore, our goals align."

"Is that the reason you don\'t want me to negotiate with the seven families?" muttered Arthur with a smile as their carriage arrived at the headquarters. "Are you scared that I would let Kaius Firebrand off the hook?"

"Kaius is mine to kill, but we can crush Thiria together," said Lian as he rose from his seat and got off the carriage. "A nation that relies on violence does not deserve to exist."

"Everything relies on violence as long as violence exists," said Arthur as he walked past the tamer and straight to the main hall. "I will meet her alone, Lian. Thanks for the advice."

Arthur reached the main hall in two minutes of walking. The guards recognized him in an instant, bowing to him in utter respect. Some of their eyes had worship in them, which Arthur did not like.

The main hall was massive, but it had a small section where guests could sit in front of the window. Arthur spotted his guest in an instant, walking toward her with a slow pace. His footsteps rang through the hall, prompting Hazel to turn toward him.

Her short hair has grown longer than before, and her eyes shone a deep blue color because of her legacy. Hazel looked almost divine in her current attire, which was designed with white gems and black leather.

"You can leave now," Arthur excused the two guards standing beside her, who saluted him and left the hall. As he approached the couch she sat on, Hazel rose with confusion. "Pleasure to meet you again, princess."

"…Arthur?" muttered Hazel while looking at him with confusion, as if she failed to recognize him. "You look a lot… taller."

"I think a lot more changed than just my height," said Arthur with a smile as he gestured for her to sit, and sitting down himself. "What brings you to Runera, princess?"

"You are treating me like a stranger, dear lord," said Hazel as she composed herself and sat down in front of him. "We knew each other for a long time."

"I hate to correct you, but we knew each other a long time ago," said Arthur as he placed one leg over the other. Then, his golden eyes squinted as he scrutinized the princess. "What brings you here, princess?"

Arthur repeated his question twice and shot down her attempt to break the ice between them. Although he had no bad memories about her, she never tried to reach out for him even after he helped her obtain the legacy.

In truth, it was his fault for giving her too much attention. He even ruined his relationship with Miko because of the accusations she made against him, but everything now seemed like a distant past.

Hazel stared at him for a few seconds in silence, not answering his question. Then, she rose from her seat and bowed to him in courtesy. "It seems my visit is thought to have ill intentions. I will not burden this esteemed lord further."

"Is that the reason that you came to visit? Just to act hurt and leave?" asked Arthur as he looked at her with an apathetic gaze. "You should understand that I don\'t know you anymore, and given your attire, you changed."

"And you changed too," said Hazel as she looked at him with a pained expression. "I came here to warn you about something, but you think I came here to take advantage of you."

"You are underestimating my intelligence, or yours is just lacking," said Arthur as he rose from his seat. "You come and visit me in clear daylight with the seven families clearly watching your movements. Whatever warning you came to give me is either a trap from them or would send me to a trap."

"…just because you are all powerful, that doesn\'t mean you get to say whatever bullshit that comes to your mind," said Hazel as she glared at him. "I came here after leaving a decoy spirit in my room, ensuring that no one knows I visited you."

Arthur was silent for a few seconds before he sighed and rose from his chair. Then, he offered her a handshake, making her confused. "Let\'s restart this meeting, how about that?"

"…fine," said Hazel before shaking his hand, and the two sat down again.

"Instead of the warning, I want to ask you something. You trained Lilo, right?"

"I did," said Hazel with a confused nod, "we agreed that you would let me train him to be a proper summoned dragon. I trained him for six months before you summoned him again."

"I thank you for that," said Arthur as he softened. "I know it\'s not an excuse, but I lost some memories of mine, especially those of the last year. Therefore, for me, this is the first time we met since the trial."

"…that explains your attitude," said Hazel with realization. "Miko filled your head with nonsense the last time we met, and we also had to clear that out. Let me tell you the same thing as last time: I will always be your ally."

"What about your relationship with the seven families?" asked Arthur with hesitation. "I know that you have been taken into the main house of Tanera, becoming a princess. Miko said that changed you."

"Miko is just jealous of what we did during the trial, the same as what happened with Jin," said Hazel with a bashful sigh. "I heard that you gave him another beating when he tried to corner you again."

"I do remember something like that," said Arthur with a frown. "I spared his life for your sake at that time. Furthermore, at this point, he is just an annoying fly in my books."

"It might have been a mistake," said Hazel in a rare cruel statement. "Jin has become more obsessed with the notion that you would endanger the Tanera Kingdom. And this is one of the reasons I came here."

"What reason?"

"The entire world heard your statement from the cosmos regarding gods," said Hazel with a frown. "Please abandon that notion."

"…what?"

"Devaheim is not an opponent that Earth could handle. The seven families lived in fear of antagonizing them this entire time. Making the gods your enemy would also mean that the seven families would be your enemy."

"This is the grand wisdom you wished to impart? That I should just give up?"

"This wisdom that you disdain would keep you alive," said Hazel with concern. "Although you have grown powerful, are you powerful enough to handle the empyreans backing the seven families?"

"I hate to correct you again," said Arthur with a grin. "There are only six families now, and the Invincible Osian has fallen as well."

Arthur said that to remind her that he has already defeated one of those empyreans she tried warning him about. Hazel sighed at his confidence and slumped back in her chair.