With that settled, Elion decided to raise another matter.

"Since we are speaking about dragons, I should probably tell you something so you will not be surprised in the future. I recently underwent a very peculiar trial, and one of the rewards I received was a dragon bloodline, which I have long since integrated. Meaning, as things stand, I am considered part Dragon."

Dorian, Lucius, Lilith, Morgana, and Oberon all opened their eyes wide in shock.

"That being said, it gives me no allegiance to the dragons whatsoever. I simply thought I should let you know."

Lucius nodded slowly. "We appreciate your transparency. However, I anticipate that this may cause you problems in the future."

Elion raised a brow.

"There is almost nothing dragons hate more than seeing an outsider pretending to be one of them," Lucius continued. "The more powerful among them would be able to tell with a single glance that you were not born as one of their race."

He paused briefly.

"A similar incident occurred many years ago. Someone somehow managed to successfully integrate an inferior dragon bloodline into his body despite the incredible difficulty, and when he later encountered a wandering dragon, it is said that he suffered a rather gruesome death. He was ripped limb from limb."

Elion’s expression soured. "Is it really that exaggerated?"

"It is only a rumor as far as most people are aware, but it is not too far-fetched."

Lucius leaned forward slightly. "Tell me, what grade and purity of bloodline did you obtain?"

"It is a Primordial Dragon bloodline," Elion replied casually.

"What!?" This time, Oberon was unable to restrain himself. He slammed both hands against the table and shot to his feet in shock.

Although Lucius, Lilith, Morgana, and Dorian’s reactions were not quite as exaggerated, they were equally stunned.

"What kind of trial allows someone to obtain a Primordial bloodline so easily?" Lucius asked, with his brows raised.

Elion chortled. "When did I say it was easy? I cannot even count the number of times I almost died during that trial."

"Is that where you have been for the past month?" Dorian asked.

"Yeah. When I disappeared from the coliseum in Grimholt during the academy tournament, I was sent there directly. I only returned recently."

Elion briefly explained what the bloodline trials had entailed.

"Unbelievable..." Morgana muttered. "So something like that truly exists? How have we never heard of such a place?"

Elion shrugged.

"Who knows? It would be strange if you knew everything there was to know about the world, ancient race or not."

The others nodded reluctantly.

"And before you ask, no, I have no way of returning to that place. At least, not without doing some proper research."

He could ask the System.

’System, is there any way to return?’

[No.]

[That was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.]

’Well, that settles that,’ Elion thought quietly.

Lucius leaned back and began speaking his thoughts aloud. "Clearly, your situation cannot be compared to that other would-be dragon."

Elion’s lips twitched at the description.

"I do not know how other dragons might perceive you," Lucius continued. "However, only a small number of dragons possess Primordial-level bloodlines. That places you among the highest ranks of their race in terms of bloodline purity."

His expression became more serious.

"But it would still be wiser to remain cautious. Keep this matter between yourself and those closest to you."

Lucius gestured toward the three elders present. "These elders are my most trusted advisers. I can personally guarantee their secrecy."

Elion nodded. "Understood. That being said," Elion continued, "since we have settled everything on the surface, we can work through the finer details as time goes on. I came here rather suddenly, and I had an appointment with the Triad Alliance that is now long overdue, seeing as I passed out for an entire week."

Lucius frowned. "What appointment?" He already knew the name of the Triad Alliance, but not for particularly good reasons.

"You see, I lost the opportunity to enter the Legacy World through the academy," Elion explained. "So when I returned, I sought out another organization willing to offer me a place. However, to secure that place, I had to duel one of their members, and I am already late to that duel."

"If it is only about entering the Legacy World, then perhaps we can work something out," Lucius said.

Elion raised a brow.

"My Vampire Clan received several quotas of our own. Since Celeste was originally more or less guaranteed to enter through the academy, we had one place reserved for her after deciding to withdraw her from there."

Lucius turned toward his daughter.

"However, now that she is with child, and considering that she has only just completed her bloodline trial and surpassed every expectation we had for her, it may be wiser for her to rest and focus on her recovery until the child is born."

He paused.

"We also need to properly understand her Progenitor bloodline before allowing her to enter somewhere as unpredictable as the Legacy World."

Lucius looked at Celeste, waiting to see whether she agreed with his judgment. A simple nod from her was all he needed.

Elion, however, shook his head.

"I have already joined the Triad Alliance. Breaking that agreement simply because I found a more convenient opportunity would leave a bad taste in my mouth."

Lucius considered his words.

"And it would be better if one of your own people took Celeste’s place," Elion continued. "That way, we will have as many allies as possible entering the Legacy World. If the situation calls for it, I can assist them from inside."

Lucius nodded.

Elion was right.

"You possess good insight," he commented with a knowing smile.

Elion accepted the praise with a smile of his own.

"For now, I will return and see what they have to say about my being late to the duel. There are still two weeks before the Legacy World opens, so it should not be too much of a problem. Perhaps I will only receive a small reprimand."

"All right," Lucius agreed. "But be careful. There are unsavory rumors surrounding the Triad Alliance."

Elion frowned. "What kind of rumors?"

"Not the entire organization per se," Lucius clarified. "However, our intelligence suggests that one of its factions practices forbidden blood sacrifices."

Elion’s expression darkened. "Blood sacrifices?"

"At this point, the information is nothing more than speculation," Lucius admitted. "We have yet to uncover any concrete evidence."

Was such a thing truly happening?

"If that is the case, I may need to conduct an investigation of my own when I return," Elion said. "Thank you for the warning. I will keep my eyes and ears open, and if I discover anything, I will let you know."

He did not really understand what blood sacrifices entailed, but the implications alone were enough to make his imagination run wild.

However, it turned out that there was no need for him to speculate. The System explained it just as the question entered his mind.

[Blood sacrifices are a series of rituals that involve sacrificing living beings to supernatural entities in exchange for power, artifacts, blessings, or curses.]

’Damn. That sounds incredibly sinister.’

[Because it is.]

[Now that such a rumor has been brought to your attention, it may be possible to connect it to host curiosity concerning a certain pair of young siblings.]

[That connection should provide Master with insight and a potential lead for any future investigation.]

Elion’s eyes narrowed into pinpricks.

’Wait. Are you saying Yaana and Uta are somehow involved in these sacrifices?’

[There is no way to confirm that with the information currently available.]

[However, the nature of their abilities suggests a possible connection.]

[System suspects they are more likely to be victims than willing participants.]

Elion’s expression darkened further.

’Are you sure?’

[As previously stated, certainty is impossible.]

[However, Master should proceed while keeping that possibility in mind.]

Elion’s thoughts began spinning.

The first time he had fought the twins, Yaana’s unnatural physical abilities had seemed completely out of place for someone so young, which was ironic coming from someone like him.

Then there were Uta’s grotesque additional limbs. That, perhaps, was even more telling. Something about them had always unsettled Elion.

This new information was all he needed to begin forming a connection. Even if the System had not pointed it out, perhaps he would have reached the same conclusion eventually.

’And how have you suddenly developed enough of a mind to make a judgment like that using nothing more than my thoughts and experiences?’

’I thought you claimed to be nothing more than a basic assistant. Last time, you even said you could not properly teach me the way of the sword.’

’Have you become a little more sentient recently?’

[It must be Master’s imagination.]

[We have had this conversation before.]

’Sure, sure...’

"Elion?" Lucius called.

Elion blinked and returned his attention to the room. "Oh, sorry. I became distracted. What were you saying?"

Lucius shook his head wryly. "I was telling you to be careful."

His expression became serious.

"If you make my daughter a young widow and leave my grandchild without a father, I will hunt down your very soul."

Elion managed a small smile. "Noted, Father-in-law."

Lucius cleared his throat.

"Before you rush off to fulfill your appointments, I will arrange a small betrothal ceremony to be held tomorrow. Only a few people will attend, of course. We can announce the union to the rest of our kin through their respective governing bodies afterward."

"I have no problem with that," Elion agreed.

"The marriage and wedding ceremony will be held in due course," Lucius continued. "Once the betrothal has been announced, we will see how matters proceed before deciding on anything further."

"Oh, right..."

Elion suddenly pulled out a familiar ring, causing it to flash into his hand seemingly from nowhere.

The sight immediately drew everyone’s attention.