"Young master, you have a visitor. I've already led them here because the masters are currently away at the time being," the butler informed him.
Cygnus stopped reading and looked up. He then slowly stood up to get near them and the smile on his face appeared when he saw who the visitors were. Their clothes already gave them away. Cygnus then dismissed the butler.
"What can I do for you?" Cygnus used a cautious tone to ask them why they were there even though he already knew the reason for that.
"First of all, let me introduce myself. I am Celes, a mage that the tower sent to specifically talk to you," he stated which made his apprentice look at her.
"Aren't you here for my father?" This time he looked confused. He looked unsure of why they were there to talk to him.
"Not really, we are here for you." Celes went straight to the point as he shed all his pretentious mask.
Before Cygnus could answer, they were interrupted by the butler who came to deliver the food for Cygnus and his visitors. "Why don't you all take a seat first before you continue with what you were talking about."
Celes and Celestine sat down and looked at the young man who was still looking confused. "As I have said before we came here for you young master Rigel because of your talent in magic."
Cygnus's eyes widened when he heard what the mage said. As far as he was concerned, his family covered up his role during that incident because he doesn't want anyone coming to their house for an interview.
"H-how did you know?" His voice shook for a little. If he could do it right now, he would definitely clap for the mage who was speaking with him right now.
"One of our own who went to the party wrote a report that's why we learned of your existence and the power you possess," the mage simply answered. "The magic tower is currently looking for talented individuals to join them and become a full fledged mage."
Listening to that line almost made the master burst out in laughter. The man sounded like those people who would knock at someone's house then offer the owner products and services using their glib tongue. The way the mages of the tower convince someone to join them was really low level.
"I'm not sure about it. My father hates the tower and I'm not sure if he would even allow me to join you even if I express my interest," Cygnus answered. He shook his head and frowned. His fingers started to drum the table and he felt a little bit uneasy.
Celes narrowed his eyes and a subtle smile appeared on his lips after he heard those last words from the young man in front of him. Those words meant that there was a possibility that he would be willing to join if they managed to convince the duke. This was a good sign for him and for the tower.
"You are right, I will not agree with it." A loud and deep voice sounded from a few feet away from where they were. "The tower really is shameless. I wouldn't let my son be involved with the likes of you. Even if he doesn't become a mage, I don't really care and it is even better."
Celes looked behind him and stood up when he saw the duke who was walking towards them with large strides and a glare being sent his way. He did not waver though and still gave the man a slight bow before he greeted him. "My pleasure to see you, Duke Ulysses."
Ulysses sneered and did not return the greeting. Instead, he walked past them and stood beside Cygnus. "Rigel will not join the magic tower."
Celestina frowned at the tone of the duke. In her eyes, her master was of higher status than this man. She gave the duke a glare with her fists clenched on her side.
"Is that how the duke greets his guests?" Celestina stepped forward to face the duke.
Ulysses looked at the woman who was the same age as Rigel and narrowed his eyes, "Guests? You are not my guests. I did say to allow anyone to come inside my manor but if you insist on being rude then I won't be that welcoming."
"Rude? In what way are we rude? We are here to talk about business and that's not being rude," Celestina insisted because in her eyes they did nothing wrong.
"Young lady, if you continue to talk to me like that, I won't think twice and let the guards throw you out." Ulysses's stone cold expression and voice penetrated through the atmosphere and stirred the air, "You should know your place and the person you are talking to. Rude? You don't have the right to tell me if I am right or wrong, especially inside my territory. I am the Duke of Ginehart and a General in the Royal Army and you? Just a measly apprentice without any achievements whatsoever so please watch your tongue."
Celestina was rendered speechless at the duke's words and all she could do was grit her teeth. She couldn't believe that a person of his status would bully a person like her.
"You should teach your apprentice manners. Look she still have the courage to give me a glare." This time he was looking at Celes who decided to stay silent.
"I apologize for my apprentice's behavior. I will make sure to punish her once we return to the tower," Celes grinned because he was actually enjoying what was happening.
Ulysses was not convinced nor will he pursue the matter, "Now, if there's no more kindly leave my manor while I am still being polite."
Celes nodded, he can't push the matter for now because the duke was clearly against them approaching his son. He looked at his apprentice and was about to turn around when the air suddenly stirred as mana was being used.
In the blink of an eye, Celestina disappeared from where she was standing. She was already moving towards the duke with a blade of fire on her hands. With the senses the duke developed throughout his years in the battlefield, he did not even bat an eye and just used his sword to block the attack.
The woman was raging in anger at the insult thrown her way. She couldn't accept that someone would be able to utter those words to her. The fire on her blade became fiercer but the man wasn't fazed.
With pure strength, Ulysses used his sword to push the woman away. Celestina was knocked back but she managed to land safely on the ground. Before she could even launch another attack, the duke was already in front of her with his sword aimed at her throat.
In his battle mode, the duke doesn't feel any hesitation or doubt. He was confident with his skills and his instinct to kill and right now that woman was his enemy. Ulysses Ginehart would not hesitate to kill all of his enemies.
The blade barely touched Celestina's neck and drew only a small amount of blood when the sword stopped midway. Ulysses looked behind him and he saw that thick there were branches of trees holding him back. These branches circled around his feet, waist, chest and arms.
"I know that my apprentice is rude but I can't let you kill her, duke." Celes stood on the side with a shining magic circle below him where the branches came from.
The Grand Archmage didn't expect that his apprentice would suddenly attack the duke. He knew that the woman has a fiery temper but she still had a lot of self control that's why he was confident with his apprentice's temper.
While he was busy holding the duke back, Celestine leapt back and summoned a series of fireballs that she launched towards the duke. Before the attack could reach the duke, an ice barrier appeared before him and swallowed and froze the fireballs.
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