Chapter 97: My Patience Has Its Limit

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: My Patience Has Its Limit

His anger had nothing to do with doubts about Mira’s ability to protect herself.

When Jonathan unleashed the Hellfire Sea, Xavier had been surprised by the sudden appearance of such a powerful technique.

Nevertheless, he had never truly believed the flames could threaten his wife.

Mira had awakened the Frost Phoenix Bloodline for a reason.

The moment she released its power, the inferno had lost its advantage. The flames that had threatened to engulf her were frozen solid, leaving Jonathan completely helpless.

Xavier had expected her to win. What enraged him was something else.

During the brief moment before the flames froze, he had noticed a dark red jade talisman in Jonathan’s hand.

Even from more than a hundred meters away, Xavier’s enhanced eyesight had allowed him to recognize the markings carved into its surface.

There was no mistaking it. The Life-and-Death Talisman.

He had encountered the same kind of special item before, using it to control the bodyguards of the Carter family.

And now Jonathan had brought one to a match against Mira.

The implications were obvious. The plan had likely been to use the Hellfire Sea to inflict serious injuries on Mira, then activate the talisman to seize control of her mind. If successful, they could force her to obey their commands, stripping her of her freedom even if she survived the battle.

Xavier’s expression turned cold. They really have a death wish.

The Sinclair family had already pushed Mira to the brink, taken her Celestial Core, cast her out, and pursued her mother.

Xavier had tolerated their actions partly because Mira wanted to settle those grievances herself. He understood her reasons.

Allowing the Sinclair family to live with the constant knowledge that Mira was growing stronger, while they could do nothing to stop her eventual revenge, would be a punishment in its own right.

He had agreed to let her handle the matter in her own time.

But there was a limit to his patience. The moment the Sinclair family and the Lindsay family plotted to take control of Mira, the situation changed.

This was no longer merely a family grievance that Mira could settle whenever she was ready.

They had attempted to manipulate and enslave his wife.

Xavier would not stand aside and let them try again.

He suppressed the murderous intent rising inside him and turned toward Samuel Bush.

"Minister Bush, I believe Jonathan’s spatial ring should be searched immediately," he said.

His voice was calm, but his words carried enough weight to draw the attention of everyone nearby.

"I saw him take out a Life-and-Death Talisman during the match," he continued.

The reaction was immediate. Several guests turned toward Xavier in disbelief, while others exchanged alarmed glances.

A Life-and-Death Talisman was no ordinary cultivation item. If Jonathan had intended to use it against Mira, then the match had involved something far more sinister than a forbidden attack.

Collins, who had been standing nearby, suddenly narrowed his eyes. A sharp glint flashed across his face before he could conceal his reaction.

The young master of the Lindsay family realized that the situation might be slipping beyond his control.

"Are you saying Jonathan had a Life-and-Death Talisman?" Samuel Bush stared at Xavier in disbelief.

As the Vice Minister of the Extraordinary Division, Samuel knew exactly how dangerous such an item was.

The kingdom strictly regulated its possession, and anyone caught carrying one without authorization faced severe criminal charges.

Using it against another person was an even graver offense, punishable by a minimum of ten years in prison.

Yet Jonathan, a student who had barely turned eighteen, had brought one into a public martial arts competition.

What had he intended to do with it?

Samuel’s gaze shifted toward Mira, who stood across the arena after defeating her opponent.

The answer seemed obvious.

Jonathan had likely planned to use the talisman against her after unleashing his devastating Hellfire Sea technique.

The realization sent a wave of anger through the spectators.

"How dare he bring such a forbidden artifact into the competition!" one of the officials exclaimed. "I knew Jonathan was arrogant, but I never imagined he would stoop this low."

Another senior figure turned toward the representative of Stormvale Martial Academy.

"Is this how your academy teaches its students?" he demanded. "A martial competition nearly becomes a murder scene, and now we discover that one of your participants was carrying a prohibited artifact!"

The academy representative immediately shook his head.

"Don’t drag Stormvale Martial Academy into this," he said.

"The problem lies with the Sinclair family. Their family head failed to raise his son properly, and the rest of the family has done nothing to correct his behavior. This is what happens when an entire family tolerates corruption."

The accusations continued to spread, but not everyone was convinced.

"Hold on. Are we certain it’s a Life-and-Death Talisman?" someone asked.

"Mr. X, perhaps you mistook it for something else. Jonathan might be reckless, but surely he wouldn’t dare carry such a forbidden item in public."

Several others nodded. They found it difficult to believe that a student would willingly commit a crime so serious, especially at an event attended by powerful officials and influential families.

There was also another question they could not ignore. If the talisman had been in Jonathan’s possession, why had none of them noticed it during the match?

How had an alchemist spotted something that had escaped the attention of so many experienced martial artists?

Xavier remained unruffled by their doubts.

"There’s no need to argue over it," he said. "If the talisman is real, we’ll find it when we search his spatial ring. If it isn’t, the matter ends there."

Samuel’s expression hardened.

"Agreed. We should investigate immediately," he said.

He had no reason to believe that Mr. X would make such an accusation without being certain of what he had seen.

Xavier was a distinguished alchemist, but his strength was equally impressive.

Samuel had personally witnessed him incapacitate two Sinclair family elders with frightening ease.

Besides, Xavier had shown considerable concern for Mira throughout the competition.

Given the hostility the Sinclair family had repeatedly displayed toward her, Samuel could understand why Xavier would be particularly alert to anything that threatened her safety.

"Then let’s search Jonathan’s spatial ring!" one official declared.

"Exactly. If the accusation is false, we can clear his name. But if he really possesses a forbidden artifact, we cannot simply pretend nothing happened."

With Samuel leading the way, the officials began moving toward the arena.

Before they could get far, however, Collins Lindsay spoke up.

"Gentlemen, don’t you think you’re taking this too far?" he asked, wearing a faint smile.

"Mr. X makes an accusation, and suddenly everyone is ready to rummage through a student’s personal belongings. What happens if you find nothing? Have any of you considered the damage this could do to Jonathan’s reputation?" His tone carried a hint of mockery.

"Honestly, watching the way things are handled around here has been an eye opening experience. If this is how people in Valemont approach education and discipline, I can understand why young people have so many problems."

The group came to a halt. Had an ordinary person made such a remark, most of them would have ignored it.

Collins, however, was the eldest young master of the powerful Lindsay family.

His words carried weight, and offending him could have consequences beyond this competition.

Moreover, Collins had recently grown close to the Sinclair family. If they proceeded with the search and failed to find the talisman, they might incur the Lindsay family’s displeasure for nothing.

He would try to stop the search by all means.

Samuel was one of the few who refused to be intimidated.

"I trust Mr. X’s judgment," he declared. "He has no reason to accuse an innocent student without evidence."

Vice Principal Johnny of Arcadia Academy immediately supported him.

"So do I," he said. "Mira is one of the academy’s most valued students. If there’s a possibility that someone intended to harm her using a forbidden artifact, I won’t stand by and watch us ignore it."

Solomon Hart, head of the Hart family, also stepped forward.

"Mr. X is an honored guest of the Hart family," he said.

"I believe he knows what he’s talking about, and I’m willing to stand by his word."

Collins might have come from a formidable family, but he was still a young heir.

Solomon saw no reason to abandon his principles simply to avoid displeasing him, especially when supporting Xavier could strengthen his own relationship with the renowned alchemist.

Xavier glanced at Collins with a cold smile.

"Why are you so concerned?" he asked. "Unless you have some connection to the matter, I don’t see why you should object to a straightforward investigation."

Collins laughed lightly.

"Don’t misunderstand me," he said. "I was merely offering a friendly warning. If you insist on proceeding, that’s your decision."

When he realized his words would not stop Samuel and the others, he withdrew his objection.

He maintained his composed expression, but resentment was already building inside him.

Samuel Bush, Vice Principal Johnny, Solomon Hart, and even Mr. X had dared to disregard his wishes. He would remember every one of them and make them pay when the time is right.

For now, however, there was nothing he could do except watch as the group headed toward the arena. A few spectators hesitated before following.