By the time Emery cleared Level Four, the hall outside the Cosmic Bridge arena had grown noticeably crowded.
What had begun as a routine observation by a handful of grand magus had turned into a spectacle. Word traveled quickly within the Virtual Palace, and the name Emery Ambrose already carried weight, the rumoured savage grand magus who had shaken the Astiel clan. Naturally, many wished to see how far he would go.
Two distinct groups formed among the spectators.
On one side stood those who supported him: Jinkan, Eeshoo, several representatives of the Karat faction; and halfblood grand magus.
Grand Magus Delbrand stood slightly ahead of them all, silent and composed.
Opposite them gathered the Astiel faction and their allies. Their ruler, Darian Astiel, stood with cold dignity, his gaze sharp and unyielding with Ishtar remained at his side.
"He will not complete Level Five," Darian muttered, barely concealing his hostility. "Impossible."
