An Extra's POV

804  Joint Planning

'Hmm…'

[STATUS WINDOW] - Name: Adrien Chase

- Race: Human (Otherworlder)

- Class: Necromancer (A-Tier)

- Level: 100 (23.90% EXP) - Life Force: 50 (+3,000) {+4,000}

- Mana Level: 150 (+5,000) {4,000}

- Combat Ability: 100 (+4,500) {4,000}

- Stat Points: 1,445

- Skills (Exclusive): [Skill Creation]

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): [Inventory]. [Necromancy]. [Greater Darkness]. [Grand Defense]. [Grand Spatial Magic]. [Grand Item Summon]. [Grand Healing]. [Greater Armament]. [Full Resistance]. [Full Boost]. [Equip Limit Break]. [Deep Insight]. [Absolute Magic Utility]. [Mind Touch]. [Absolute Combat Application]. [Anticipation]. [Absolute Magic Interference]. [Divine Persona]. [Command Code]. [Greater Luck]. [Pinocchio]. [Link]. [Miasma]

{See More: [Status Interference]. [Where Evil Lurks]. [Banishment]. [Full Comprehension]. [Absolute Mental Fortitude]. [Idle Gamble]. [Wish Fulfillment]. [See Through]. [Veil]. [Collapse]. [Last One Standing]. [Absolute Mana Recovery]. [Absolute Life Force Recovery]. [It Is Written].}

- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

[Additional Information]

A true mastermind. One who lurks in the shadows and causes others to do his bidding while laughing underneath his mask.

His goals remain a mystery too…

[End Of Information]

As Rey stared at Adrien's Status Window, he had a few thoughts… though the dominant one had to be:

'He's gotten even stronger since we last met.'

Adrien had jumped ten levels, and his Stat Points had also increased considerably. The growth wasn't scarily massive, and Rey was still dominant in every aspect of their Stats—including Skills—but he still couldn't help but be wary.

'I suppose it's a good thing to have an ally as strong as Adrien, but as long as I don't fully trust him, there'll always be that lingering feeling of worry that I can't get rid of.' He thought to himself.

For the moment, though, Rey decided to be content with the look of shock that existed on Adrien's face after he made his appearance known to him.

'He's trying to hide his surprise, but it's no use.'

It was always a pleasant thing for Rey whenever he had the upper hand in their conversations or meetings, so he made sure to quell some of his suspicions and make himself comfortable as he gazed upon his interlocutor with a casual smile on his face.

"So… how does it feel to have so much attention on you, Adrien? You're the only human in the whole Academy, aren't you?" The humorous tone he used caused the slight tension in the air to dissolve, and the two managed to leak out a few chuckles as a result.

"Well… let's just say it's slightly annoying and uncomfortable." Rey laughed a little more after hearing this. "Of course, it would be. For a mastermind that likes to stay in the shadows, this isn't your style, is it?"

"Yeah, but my current situation is understandable, as well as necessary." Adrien responded with a slight shrug. "I just have no choice but to endure it."

"Well… I suppose your benefactor's hands are tied somewhat. Plus, you'd be proving yourself more resourceful if you didn't complain to him about these annoyances you face in school, instead handling it on your own." Once Rey said this, Adrien nodded slowly and smiled even further.

"Correct. Plus… it could always be worse."

Both boys seemed to understand pretty much everything about the current situation without exchanging detailed words with each other. Still, the end result for Adrien's efforts had to be clearly laid out.

"I have to satisfy the Storm Dragon Lord by excelling in the Academy before I can get the opportunity to get close to our target destination—The Imperial Capital."

Rey nodded almost immediately.

He already guessed as much, since a Dragon Lord was his backer. Said Dragon Lord would understandably keep an eye out for an asset like Adrien, so it only made sense that the latter would do all in his power to prove himself. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"If I can become a disciple, or at least something close to that… I should be able to achieve what I want."

The whole thing reminded Rey of something else that he wanted to discuss with Adrien—which he expected the latter to have mentioned, even in passing. Since nothing was said about it, he decided to take it upon himself.

"What about the White Dragon Lord's announcement? According to what she said, you would have an easier time becoming her disciple. All you have to do is impress her in the Inter-Class Exchange and—"

"Forget about that option." Adrien responded very coldly and dismissively, something that rarely ever happened with him.

Rey paused and stared at him with a bit of surprise.

He wanted to know why.

Why would Adrien easily dismiss a more efficient option, and why would he do so with a wary frown on his face?

"It's best we don't consider that an option at all. The White Dragon Lord is a sinking ship at the moment."

"Sinking… ship?"

According to what Rey saw, she held a lot of influence and respect among the Dragons. She was also a Lord, meaning she had access to the Capital—same as the other lords. Most importantly, she was the Head of the Academy, which meant going through her would be the least suspicious and by far the easiest.

Everything pointed in her direction, and he was of the opinion that his and Adrien's discussions would be geared towards their plan to win the Exchange and impress her.

'I certainly wasn't expecting this…' Still maintaining a stoic demeanor, he decided to be patient and allow Adrien to explain the reason for his downright negative response.

"Her current political position among the Lords isn't very good, Rey. I don't know the details behind it myself, but the White Dragon Lord got into some trouble recently, and she's lost considerable allies among the other Lords and prominent figures in the Empire. She also seems to have fallen out of grace with the Emperor."

'Really?' Rey's eyes slightly widened. 'It didn't seem like it at all, though…'

"She's also currently weakened, since she lost one of her precious eyes. This is just speculation, but I think she's currently the weakest among the Dragon Lords."

This took Rey by surprise once again.

'I checked her Status Window, and she seemed pretty strong to me. Does that mean the other Lords are stronger than her? Damn… does this mean I've been underestimating the Dragon Lords all this time?'

There was also the possibility that Adrien was wrong, but given his seriousness and his usual exercise of due diligence, he found that to be slightly unlikely.

"How do you know all of this? From your benefactor?"

"Yes."

"And you don't think he was being biased? He is a Dragon Lord himself, so maybe—"

"He didn't know I was listening in. He was having a conversation with the other Dragon Lords… without including the White Dragon Lord. I got to hear their opinions of her, and it's not good."

'Ah… I see now.'

If the other Lords were in on it, then that meant her prestige was really hanging on a thread.

"That isn't all, though." Adrien sighed. "The final nail in the coffin will be happening soon… at the Exhibition that will be taking place within the Capital."

"That won't be happening for another few months or so, though, right?"

"Yeah… but a few months will be here sooner than you can imagine. Besides, once the Exhibition takes place, the White Dragon Lord's position at the bottom of the barrel will be solidified."

"Elaborate." Rey muttered, interlocking his fingers as he watched Adrien intently.

"From the talk among the other Lords, and also from what I have personally observed, I suspect the White Lord will be pushed to the very bottom in the ranks in terms of status, and her Squad will also suffer the same fate."

"Hmm…"

"That's why it will be unwise to latch on to her in order to get access to the Capital." Adrien added with a sigh. "Of course… this is all just conjecture, but I think it's best not to take the risk."

"I see…"

A few seconds after this, neither party spoke. It seemed Adrienw as waiting for Rey to absorb all he had just said, and then Rey was waiting for Adrien to say something else.

Hence, the two remained quiet for nearly a minute. In the end, though… someone had to speak.

"I can recommend you to the Storm Dragon Lord if you are exceptional in the Inter-Class Exchange, since I'm sure he will have his eyes on the event just for me." Adrien spoke with a slightly deflated sigh.

"If you manage to impress him, he can also take you under his wing. The two of us can use this opportunity to latch on to him, and we will both have early connections to the Capital without waiting for the Third Year internship."

This was the most solid plan that could emerge from the discussion, and while it meant Rey would have to go out of his way to gain the attention of the Storm Dragon, it granted their ultimate plan additional security.

They would also be able to achieve their goals earlier than previously projected.

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[A/N]