Michael felt their piercing eyes analyzing every bit of his clothes and attitude. They were assessing him, and everyone else beside him. The Dragonborns took it better than him. Zion looked bored, Sheina kept her composure, and Umisu just slinked back behind her sister.

"Ah, so you are Michael?" Levi asked, standing up. "I’ve heard great rumors about you. I’m quite curious to see if any of them are true."

A chuckle came from the other side of the table. "Funny. Perhaps that’s the only thing we’re going to be agreeing on, Levi," said Theresa. "The youngest Nascent Spirit cultivator, they said."

As soon as she said that, gasps rang out from the people around the feast. The only people who knew about that fact were the Upper Echelon elites. It wasn’t spread around to the general public.

"What? A young kid like him is a Nascent Spirit cultivator?!"

Michael took their questions confidently. "Well, would you like to find out?"

Seeing such a response, Theresa laughed to herself before looking at Levi. "Well?"

Levi frowned. He could tell that Theresa was once again manipulating the strings. She was trying to pit the two of them against each other.

"That would be mighty rude of me," Levi said. "Don’t take my words as a challenge, friend. I meant it in good faith. Welcome to the Feast!"

After those words, the two Conglomerate leaders turned their attention elsewhere. They seemed to be talking and conversing with their own people, or sometimes, with people from outside their circle and camp.

Though, Michael could tell that they had one-eye open towards him. They just didn’t show it.

They especially focused their attention on the wizards of the Guild of Arcana.

It was quite a sight to see. Seberus was being ripped from one conversation to another. One second he was talking with Levi, and the next, Theresa would interject and capture the Mystic Master’s attention and vice versa.

Michael realized that this was the prelude to their fight. A taster to the real negotiations they were to have later.

And it seemed that they were not the only ones making preparations. The other officers of the Conglomerates were making their moves on the wizards of the Guild of Arcana.

An officer from the Vanderbilts was trying to seduce one of the mages. Meanwhile, one of the companies from Goldstone’s coalition was trying to strike up a business conversation with a wizard, offering their services.

It was a political game playing out in real time. It was an invisible battle going on between the two Conglomerate leaders, being played through conversation and word play.

And right now, no one was winning. Seberus remained neutrality. And he’s the only one that mattered.

They were so focused on Seberus that they were completely ignoring Michael. He was able to observe everything while sitting by the sidelines.

Then, he saw a shift. Levi made his move.

"So, Seberus. I heard that you’re busy campaigning something back in the Guild of Arcana estate. Why make the trip here?"

Levi’s question was played as if it was a casual conversation. He even took a drink while talking to sell it.

However, Theresa knew immediately that he was just trying to find out why Seberus was here in the Chasm, wanting to meet with her.

"Theresa here wanted to meet with Lazarus. Have you heard about the Ice-petals of the Frozen Lotus?" Seberus said, seemingly intoxicated.

Hearing this, Theresa couldn’t hide her wince. She saw that look of surprise in Levi’s eyes. And it was at that moment that she knew, he knew what she wanted to do.

"Aahhh, I see. Quite the rare material. Very useful in training," Levi said with a raised eyebrow.

Even he couldn’t help but let a smirk grow on his face. After all, it would seem that he was winning the conversation. He’d successfully primed Seberus to reveal his intentions.

But Michael knew the truth. Seberus was just trying to play the game as a way to help him.

"Speaking of which, where is our esteemed Mystic Master?" asked Theresa. "I would like to finally meet the Undead Wizard of Arcana."

Theresa wanted to meet with Lazarus now, before Levi could get the chance to screw up her plans.

"I’m here."

Michael turned towards the entrance of the Vanderbilt camp and saw a gloomy, goth man approaching the table.

This man looked... edgy. He was the stereotypical goth caricature, with the overgrown bangs that covered half his face, the black makeup circling his eyes, and his too pale skin. He even had rings on his nose and ears.

He certainly didn’t look like the typical Mystic Master that everyone thought of.

And if Michael couldn’t sense that tremendously powerful magic aura emeanting off of the guy, then he too would think that it was just another goth kid lost from some convention.

"I... was too busy with my research... can’t have them decay before I’ve done my studies..."

Michael didn’t want to know what kind of subject he was dissecting.

"Lazarus Cadaver," Theresa called out. She immediately got up out of her seat and curtsied towards him.

The Mystic Master awkwardly copied her movements. But from an outsider perspective, it would just look like he was getting ready to pounce on her.

"It’s so nice to finally meet you," Theresa said. "I’m sure the Guild of Arcana has told you about my request."

Lazarus cracked his neck, looking weirdly too cracked. "Yes. I’ve heard."

"The Ice-petals. You’re the only one who can grow them. I would like to purchase them from you."

Levi got up immediately. "Theresa, what kind of negotiation is that? You hardly even talked to the man. Mister Lazarus. Can I call you Lazarus? My name is Levi and I am the owner of the largest overseas branch of the Vanderbilt company.

I have contacts all over the world. A single letter from me, and they can procure any rare and endangered species for your studies. Give me the petals."