Sebastian's personal room, later that night.
Sebastian faced the window with a frown on his face as he stared into the dark night, his hands clasped around his back.
What had happened today at the academy training ground had annoyed Sebastian, mostly when Maxwell kept calling out Acting Lord whenever he referred to him. He felt pained whenever those words were added to his name.
He had allowed Maxwell to live so he could buy himself more time to take control of the Gillette Household. The dukes against him were more than the allies he had.
He had not yet gained control of the Gillette Household and only had control of half of the estates and properties of the Gillette Household. His original plan was to use some years to gain control of all the estates but things were going to change now. He had to speed things up.
"You already have first place, Gregory, in this entrance competition, but I have another mission for you." Sebastian said coldly.
"If it's the bastard, I'll end him." Gregory said smiling.
The news of what had happened had already gotten to Gregory and he was mad about it. "If I were there, I would have ended him already."
"I carefully assessed Maxwell, and he's already at Level 5, bronze rank. He must be ended during this competition, and it's in our best interest if you do not do it. You are the heir of the Gillette Household, so you do not need anything affecting your image."
Facing accusations of killing an heir is a huge offence, and Sebastian needs to be very careful if he wants to be the permanent lord.
"Why should I? It's easy." Gregory asked. "Father, killing him and throwing away his corpse wouldn't be a problem in Eden."
Sebastian smiled in satisfaction after listening to his son. He had always been proud of his son, he never saw him as a failure.
Just then, Sebastian brought out a crystal orb that glowed faintly, brightening the room.
"A level 5 upgrade element. Dad!" Gregory's eyes widened in shock.
Upgrade Elements were obtained naturally from mines, coming out at different levels and were a very important item for every cultivator.
Upgrade elements had different levels and types. The higher the level and rank, the more mana it contains. The upgrade element Sebastian had was a level 5 type A upgrade element. The cost for getting the upgrade element was very expensive at 10,000 gold currency. A net worth of almost a quarter of the Gillette Household. The other Dukes opposed the idea of buying the upgrade element.
Sebastian had paid deaf ears and still purchased the upgrade element as an extra reward for the first-place position. The goal was to give Gregory.
Gregory was already the strongest among the junior members of the Gillette Household at just level 3, bronze rank. He didn't have anybody to compete with in the competition thus, first place was his position already.
"Here, take this, you have to level up to level 2, bronze rank aside, coming in first place and ending Maxwell. You'd become unopposed and my buying of this upgrade element would not be a waste."
Gregory was just seventeen and already at level 3, bronze rank. If he could level up to level 2, bronze rank he would be undoubtedly respected among his peers.
Sebastian had bigger plans for his son, outside of the confines of Eden City. His son could go further to join other academies that were higher than anyone in Eden City.
Over the years, the Gillette family had reduced drastically and discord was slowly growing within them. It was no secret that the other Households were aiming to claim the Gillette Household zone.
The decline of the Luo family over these several years, the instability inside the Luo family, and the other major families of the Jade Mountain City eyeing their territories, Luo Jianshan had considered all of it.
"I won't let you down, Dad." Gregory acknowledged as he collected the upgrade element from his father.
Sebastian had his plans carefully come into place over time and he was now almost at the edge of achieving his final goal. Restore the Gillette Household.
---
The Gillette Household Academy Training Ground. Early morning.
The crowd had gathered earlier as the excitement ravaged the venue. At the centre of the training ground was a stage where Sebastian, Fargo and four other Dukes of the Gillette Household sat down. Just in front of them, below stood senior members of the Gillette Household.
Sebastian rose from his seat shortly as the crowd became quiet. "It's our big day, three days, just three days is all it takes for you to join the academy and begin your training as senior members of the Gillette Household."
The crowd served a round of applause.
Sebastian used his hand to quiet down the crowd. "The rules for the competition are simple and I believe everyone knows already. Kill a wild Spawned Beast of bronze rank and return with the head to qualify as a winner. Cooperation within yourselves is allowed, and killing a fellow member of the Gillette Household is an offence. Anyone found to be breaking any rules will face the consequences. The reward for this year is coming with an additional bonus for motivation a level 5 bronze rank upgrade element has been added."
Some people began to discuss immediately.
"A level 5 bronze rank upgrade element... How exciting."
"We all know who's getting the reward already."
Gwendolyn had been standing calmly as she pretended not to hear the words that flew around her. She most certainly didn't have an interest in the reward. She just stared off in a particular direction in the crowd.
Maxwell was already tired from waiting and listening to Sebastian's words he needed to get away from here immediately. Just when Sebastian said something about the reward the familiar notification sound went off in Maxwell's mind.
"Crackle!"
"Bronze Rank Quest Obtained: Win first place in the entrance competition."
"Reward: 20,000 XP, 1000 Mana and Type 3 Martial Technique."
"Accept/Decline."
Maxwell was mind-blown when he saw the rewards for the bronze rank quest. He didn't expect this but he would surely accept it.