Chapter 164: Recruitment
After a week spent buried in calculations in the basement, Leon had nearly completed a small portion of the eighth rune. He could already sense that its power far surpassed the previous seven. Once finished, it might propel his strength to a whole new level—and perhaps perfect his Mana Harness even further.
This discovery instantly made Leon even more eager to complete the eighth rune.
Ever since he forged five Mana Harnesses in the Prince’s Mausoleum, Leon hadn't found another breakthrough. He’d accumulated tens of thousands of runes, but never had the right moment to convert them into a new Mana Harness.
Now, the opportunity had finally arrived. Leon threw himself into the work, unable to wait. Today was no different—he’d just finished a round of image transmission and was completely immersed in his magical calculations. Time slipped by unnoticed, and it wasn’t until midday that Leon finally looked up from his stack of draft papers.
"Looks like I’ll need another month or so..." Leon rubbed his aching arms, carefully reviewing his progress before allowing himself a satisfied smile. The pace was remarkable, considering that apart from the seven runes he’d already mastered, he knew almost nothing about these mysterious symbols. The calculations were pure brute force, and to get this far in just over a month was already beyond his usual limits.
Then Leon checked the time and realized it was about time for lunch.
Leaving the alchemy lab, Leon was still lost in thought over his calculations. He seemed distracted, barely noticing when people greeted him. It wasn’t until he passed the lounge that he suddenly remembered—Farrow and a group of fifth-level mages were still stuck in the Bone Plane.
Leon thought for a moment and decided he should remind William Merlin to bring them back from the Bone Plane before the day was out.
With that thought, Leon reached out and pushed open the lounge door...
But as Leon pushed the door open, he realized something was off. Besides William Merlin, there were other members of the Merlin Family in the lounge...
Leon abruptly felt a wave of awkwardness...
Just as he was about to apologize, a young voice rang out from across the long table: "Get out."
"Huh?" Leon, caught mid-apology, froze and instinctively glanced to the other end of the table. There he saw a man in his early thirties, his expression cold as he stared at Leon. The young man bore a resemblance to William Merlin—four or five points alike—but his demeanor was much more composed.
"Ever heard of knocking?" The young man scolded, still wearing that frosty expression. Then he turned to William Merlin, "Looks like our little cousin is really busy—so busy he can't even keep his own men in line..."
"Uh..." William Merlin's face twisted with discomfort. He sat there for a long moment before finally stammering, "Leon, that's Matthew Merlin..."
"Oh?" The young man's gaze finally landed on Leon, sizing him up from head to toe. His expression softened just a bit, and he nodded from across the room, "Come sit."
Damn... William Merlin felt his heart skip a beat.
Shit, this is about to go sideways...
Among the many young members of the Merlin Family, Leon Merlin was undoubtedly the most outstanding. From an early age, he’d shown a remarkable talent for magic. Now, at only thirty-three, he was already an Archmage—first rank. Not just in the Merlin Family, but across all of Auckland, there were few who could match him.
Years ago, the Merlin Family had already decided: Leon Merlin and Aubrey, who hailed from the Silver Tower, would compete for the next family head. So while most young members were still struggling to reach the family’s inner circle, Leon and Aubrey had already secured seats in the Council of Elders.
It’s no joke—a young man in his thirties with a seat on the Council of Elders. In the thousand-year history of the Merlin Family, it’s happened maybe three times. Sitting in that chair meant stepping into the true center of power, where every word and action could sway the family’s fate.
After so many years in that seat, Leon—always steady by nature—had developed quite an imposing presence...
But...
That kind of authority doesn’t work everywhere, does it?
Just thinking about it made William Merlin’s head ache.
Leon, oh Leon, what am I supposed to do with you...
If you want to act like the future family head, why not do it in Auckland? Did you really have to bring that attitude to the Gilded Rose? Barking 'Get out' the moment you walk in—do you even know who you’re talking to? That’s the owner of the Gilded Rose, a master who’s just turned twenty!
Ever heard of Allen Watson from the Watson Family? He’s an Archmage like you, but even he couldn’t act tough at the Gilded Rose. What happened? He got so scared by a ninth-level mage from Cloudspire Tower he nearly wet himself. Allen wanted to leave, but the owner didn’t even give him the chance—he was sent flying right out the door...
You’re not seriously thinking of trying it, are you?
Oh, right—speaking of ninth-level mages from Cloudspire Tower...
You must know Hogarth, right? He’s your teacher’s good friend. But when he came to the Gilded Rose, he was practically ready to shine the owner’s shoes—the bootlicking was so intense, even I was embarrassed for him...
Is this really someone you can just scold?
Fine, fine. Maybe you barked 'Get out' at first because you didn’t know who he was. But I reminded you—I was clear as day. I said, Leon, that’s Matthew Merlin...
I spelled it out, and you still swaggered over with a casual, 'Come sit.'
Do you really know who you’re talking to?
Why do you think I, William Merlin—a smart guy—am sticking around the Gilded Rose? You don’t actually believe it’s just for the family’s Nether Iron Ore, do you?
Too bad, William Merlin didn’t dare say any of this aloud. He just gave Leon Merlin a strange look, trying to send him a hint with his eyes.
Unfortunately, Leon Merlin was far too busy to notice...
At Leon Merlin’s level, he and the other young members of the Merlin Family were practically living in different worlds. Even William Merlin, one of the standouts among the younger generation, was just a competent subordinate in Leon’s eyes. Sure, they could joke and talk brotherhood in private, but in formal settings, Leon Merlin couldn’t care less about William’s opinions.
Besides, Leon Merlin had just discovered an even more valuable recruit.
That was Matthew Merlin, who controlled the Nether Iron Ore vein.
Now that Leon Merlin had a seat in the Council of Elders, he was eligible to be part of all the Merlin Family’s secrets.
Leon Merlin knew for sure that Matthew Merlin was from a collateral branch of the family. As long as the Council approved, he could join the Merlin Family directly.
Normally, Leon Merlin wouldn’t care. But now, he knew Matthew Merlin controlled a Nether Iron Ore vein—not only supplying the Merlin Family with desperately needed ore, but also amassing a huge fortune...
A subordinate with vast wealth—that was crucial for Leon Merlin.
His rivalry with Aubrey for the family headship was at a boiling point. Both sides had their own factions, but Leon still couldn’t guarantee victory.
If he could win Matthew Merlin over, he could use that wealth to break the deadlock.
Thinking of this, Leon Merlin’s stern face softened with a rare, gentle smile.
"There are some mixed opinions in the family about your return," Leon Merlin said, pausing, his gaze lingering on Leon with a playful smile.
"Really?" Leon shot William Merlin a curious look, wondering if his cousin had been gossiping back at the family.
William Merlin nearly jumped. Before Leon could say anything, he hurriedly shook his head in denial—no way he’d ever do that. The Grandmaster cousin had made it clear he wasn’t interested in rejoining the family. If Leon got the wrong idea and thought William was scheming behind his back, it wouldn’t be solved with just a slap or two—he’d probably end up like Allen Watson, flying out the door...
Seeing William Merlin’s reaction, Leon knew he’d guessed wrong.
But if William hadn’t said anything, why did the Merlin Family think he wanted to return? And what were these 'mixed opinions' anyway?
Leon glanced at Leon Merlin, puzzled.
Right now, Leon wanted to ask Leon Merlin, 'Which ear of yours heard that I want to come back to the Merlin Family?'
But that look in Leon’s eyes meant something else entirely to Leon Merlin.
So the future family head smiled again.
"You know, the Nether Iron Ore vein you control is extremely important to us. Right now, many in the Merlin Family insist that if you want to rejoin, you’ll have to hand it over first..."
"Oh?" Leon’s face darkened at that. The Merlin Family was really pushing it—he’d already provided so much Nether Iron Ore, and now they still coveted the vein itself. Did they want him to end up like the Watson Family, getting beaten down again and again before they’d be satisfied?