Alexander sighed after hearing Alicia's report.
"Does she really want Lux to get hurt that badly?" Alexander asked Alicia who had a complicated look on his face. "This is not a friendly sparring match. There's a huge chance that he would get seriously injured in the tournament."
Although Alicia also had misgivings, she believed that Vera wouldn't have agreed to anything that could actively harm her grandson. Also, Lux somehow felt different to her at the moment. For some reason, she felt like the teenage boy had grown a lot since the last time that the two of them had met.
"Sir, Lady Vera treasures Lux a lot," Alicia replied. "I'm sure you know how much she cares about him. Knowing her, do you really think that she would allow Lux to get hurt?"
Alexander didn't respond and merely tapped his finger on top of his table. He knew how overprotective his mother was more than anyone in the world. He didn't believe that his mother would allow Lux to enter the tournament if she didn't have some kind of assurance about his safety.
"Let's not talk about him for now," Alexander stated. "How are the registration of the tournament proceeding? Are you encountering any problems?"
Alicia shook her head. "Everything is in order, Sir. I believe that the number of candidates will surpass our initial estimates. Perhaps declaring that the champion will become Lady Iris' fiance inspired the members of the young generation to go all out."
Alexander's expression remained calm after Alicia's reply. He had long decided to go down this path for the sake of his daughter. Although his mother was against it, both of them knew that the only thing that mattered in this world was strength.
Love might be good, but it was not enough to protect the people that are important to you when faced with someone who was truly powerful.
Alexander and Vera knew this very well, and yet, both have divided opinions on how to settle Iris' future.
Alexander wanted his daughter to have a stable and comfortable life.
Vera on the other hand wanted Iris to live a happy life with her beloved.
Right now, Alexander had the strength to protect his daughter, but who knew if that would change in the future. Accidents could happen, so at the very least, he wanted Iris to be with someone who could properly protect her when the sky falls down above her head.
"If there are any concerns regarding the tournament, report it to me at once," Alexander ordered. "I don't want any mishaps to happen in this year's event."
Alicia nodded her head. However, before she left the room, she decided to see if Alexander cared for Lux's well-being in the tournament or not.
"Sir, do you think that Lux will be able to get far in the tournament?" Alicia asked. She was curious on how the Headmaster of Barbatos Academy would answer her question.
"I don't need to think. There's no chance for him to even pass the qualifiers," Alexander said before staring at his secretary with a serious expression on his face. "Make sure to personally handpick the referee for his battles. At the very least, order him to prevent that fool from dying. Although he's not good enough to become Iris' fiance, I don't hate him enough for him to get killed. He is still family, so make sure he doesn't die. Do you understand?"
Alicia bowed. "As you wish, Headmaster."
The beautiful secretary then left the room and returned to her duties. Now that Alexander had given her another order, she would have to personally handpick the referee that would be mediating Lux's battles to ensure his safety.
At the very least, Alicia felt relieved knowing that behind Alexander's rough treatment for his step-son, he still cared enough to ensure Lux's safety.
—--
Inside the Storm Dragon's Guild Headquarters in Elysium…
"Sir, one of our people in Barbatos Academy had discovered that Lux had come to the academy to register for the tournament," one of Nero's trusted subordinates reported.
"Good," Nero replied. "Thank you for the report. You may leave now."
His subordinate bowed before leaving the Guildmaster's office. He was the person that Nero had tasked to make a report if Lux was found in Barbatos Academy. After hearing that the Half-Elf had registered for the tournament, Nero felt an incredible itch in the palm of his hand.
"Too bad that I am already a seeded participant," Nero muttered. "I would love to personally kick that bastard out of the tournament. He sure is lucky that he didn't have the chance to face me."
The Four Kings and the Five Overlords were exempted from participating in the Qualifiers. Among the thousands of participants, only a few dozen would make it to the Final Qualifying Matches.
After that, the regular matches would be held. That was where The Four Kings and the Five Overlords would participate until only eight would remain.
These eight people would then head to the Semi-Finals.
In Nero's Eyes, only the Four Kings posed a threat to him. This was especially true for the Sword King, whose abilities were known to everyone.
"You got lucky this time, Lux," Nero sneered. "But, don't worry. I'll make sure to win the tournament not only for your stepsister, but for my ambition as well."
As someone who was born among the common folk, Nero wanted to escape from his origins and become a dragon among men.
For that to happen, he needed power and influence.
These were the things that he longed for and although his position allowed him some authority over the younger generation of Wildgarde Stronghold, for him, it was not enough.
Right now, the tournament matched the goal he had in mind. Not only would he gain power and influence, he would also gain riches and the prized daughter of the Saint of Barbatos Academy.
Nero could feel the ambition burning in his chest and his desire to become the champion intensified.
His only regret was that he would not be the one to personally cripple the Half-Elf in front of the latter's grandmother, as well as the young beauty that loved Lux.
