If he chose humans, everything he said earlier will be useless and he will lose the debate.
And if he chose the machines, Azzy will not be able to look into the eyes of his friends.
If it was a different situation, it would have been okay to answer. But he was given a situation where he was going to look for treasure. Not choosing his friends means he is thinking that they might betray him for the treasure.
Azzy was trapped in the dilemma which is a bit similar to choosing one between mom and wife.
No matter what he answers, Azzy knew Ark will be the winner. So, he was looking for a solution beyond those two options. At the same time, Azzy doesn't want to lie either.
And the Reaper came to the rescue just as he always does.
"It's pretty simple, Azrael. Since when have you been a team player?"
Azzy's eyes widened in realization, standing up on his feet, he looked into Ark's eyes and answered truthfully. "If I have to choose, I will choose neither. It's not about trust or anything. I am a lone wolf. I always tend to do things myself and lack the skills to cooperate. So, if such a case arises, most likely, I would probably go alone on the dangerous trip whether it is treasure hunting or anything else…"
While a few listeners thought Azzy said to escape the question, Azzy's friends knew that Azzy was right. When they look back at the past year, all they saw is how Azzy was all alone without socializing.
"I know. I have watched the tournament." Ark nodded in agreement and then, let out a sigh as he patted Azzy's shoulder. "It's a pity that your current personality makes it harder for you to become one of the keepers. If you change in the future, perhaps, we might think about it."
As Ark got a clear outcome that he was looking for, he didn't continue with the pointless debate and walked forward.
While Sia also followed him silently, a few were happy that Azzy got rejected. Leah was one of those people too. Joining the Abel tower means that he can't join her quest in the future.
Barton stopped nearby Azzy without escorting the kids further. With how Azzy suddenly turned indifferent once again, he was actually happier that most of the organizations can be rejected easily. After all, who would try to scout a commoner that was rude towards them?
But then again, Barton could understand why Ark must have started the debate. It wasn't just about testing Azzy's personality.
In this day of age, apart from nukes, robots are indeed mankind's biggest achievement.
But, at the same time, it cost the livelihood of many low-level Arcana Masters.
Every year, as hundreds of Arcana Masters lose their jobs because of the implementations of robots and machines in almost every industry, not everyone would be comfortable to hear praises of them.
"Don't worry about it." As Barton tried to encourage Azzy, thinking that he might be upset, the latter simply waved his hands, "I don't care."
Barton didn't know whether Azzy was just faking it or not, but he just decided to trust his disciple and exited the hall to welcome the other guests outside.
Slowly, guests arrived one by one. A few are escorted by the representative instructors who hoped to introduce them to their respective students later.
Sahara also arrived in the meantime and joined team Twilight.
Following the rule of the Royal Feast, the guests didn't engage in conversation with any of the champions and just mingled among themselves.
Still, Azzy felt a lot of gazes were on him.
Not just him, but everyone from team twilight also could sense the gazes on them from every guest arrived at the feast since Aclein Academy is the only academy here without advanced programs. All other top academies have respective universities so that their students will be able to enroll without writing any entrance examinations.
So, there's a high chance to scout them.
Most of them also gave up on Azzy and are currently eyeing the other four because they knew that they aren't a match for top organizations.
The only ones that don't give up are the organizations that sent legendary realm experts to scout him.
By half-past 1, Barton reappeared once again.
This time, he was escorting a buffed old man in a suit, a familiar middle-aged man in a colorful shirt, goggles, and shorts, and finally, a fatty middle-aged-looking fellow in luxurious clothes.
Two of them are familiar to Azzy. One is Ramiel Crescent, the Thunder Emperor and the other is Aegis Light. Both of them are peak-rank-8 experts, although many people placed their attention on someone else.
Azzy and his friends' were also taken aback by surprise. While Azzy seemed normal on the surface, his friends who weren't stoic-faced like him couldn't help but become uncomfortable by the mere presence of this fatty.
The fatty is nothing but an early rank-7 expert. It means, even the weakest of the guests would beat him to death if they were to battle against each other.
However, he earns not only a place on the guestlist but was also the Chief Guest. Why?
All because of one accessory on his head, the Imperial Crown. According to the traditions of the international tournaments, as long as the hosting city is on the planet of Gaia, then, the land's king will be the Chief Guest of the tournament followed by the feast.
The previous day, King Brian refused to go on to the stage even though he attended as the Chief Guest. He was also not present at the Closing Ceremony as his side was preparing for the war.
However, who could expect that not only their invasion fails, but his biggest support, the Royal Ancestor goes missing. His father was out on a bail but he will soon face an inquiry along with the rest of the people who participated in the invasion.
So, when his brother reminded him about the feast, King Brian Light swallowed his humiliation, anger, and frustration, and attended the feast as he was originally supposed to.
Barton introduced the three people with him. The matter was known to everyone too. So, along with Azzy, the others were also not comfortable with the presence of the King.
But, since they knew it from the start, the other guests also welcomed him with a smile.
As they were passing Azzy's group, like everyone else, Azzy who was already stood up from his seat, bowed as a formal greeting. Of course, it isn't for the King but in his eyes, he only greeted the other three, his Master, his older relative, and his benefactor.
King Brian stopped as he spotted Azzy. He didn't even bother to hide his intentions as well as his bloodlust, "You seem to be enjoying with strong backing, Azrael. I no longer have the capability to avenge my son. But, the Church of Light has lost a Cardinal. The death of the prince of a Church is on your head. The Church has now declared war.
Anyone who befriended you will become casualties. Anyone who shelters you will have to face the wrath of the Church. Be careful..."
King Brian has purposely spoken loud enough so that the other guests know the situation as well as the risks they will be taking for trying to scout Azzy.
While he didn't know that many have already given up on Azzy from the start because of the competition, King Brian's warning now gave everyone a perfect reason to not recruit Azzy into their organization and focus on others.
Of course, top organizations wouldn't fear the church. So, the legendary realm experts didn't change their decision either.
Feeling that it's a good opportunity, Ramiel opened his mouth, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. WAMO is capable enough to force the Church to compromise. The boy just needs to join us. "
King Brian frowned as he remembered the existence of this old man standing beside him. He made no comment.
As Ramiel smiled in satisfaction, one of the legendary realm experts stood up from the seat, "please, even the President of World Arcana Masters Organization can't take the decision alone. To deal with situations like this, more than fifty percent of the elders would have to agree. Moreover, WAMO is pretty much known to send their cadets for suicide missions. Everyone knows this, Vice President Crescent."
Ramiel's face darkened as he saw the baldy in red robes. "Elder Gedalya of War God Temple."
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