The Ancient Genes

"How many people do we have on our side?" Lear asked as he looked at Axel.

"We have more than enough willing participants to form 10 teams. And the limit from one Academy is 4 teams…..but it depends on the events and rules on how many teams or how many people will be allowed to participate…" Axel replied.

"Should we form an elite team or distribute strong people uniformly?" Beli asked as she finally returned.

"Let's go with an Elite team and smash them…" Lear said with a smile.

"You haven't done your research...there are times when all the teams have to participate….even if the elite team wins it would still be a loss if the other three teams loses…" Axel shook his head, he had been doing his research these past few days after being Kidnapped by the Headmaster as he couldn't find anyone else.

"What event did Orca host in the last competition?" Max looked at Axel.

"These guys have superior average tiers in comparison to the other Academies. Not to mention they have four of the Young Celestials…they went for a Combat Type event..." Axel said with a wry face before further speaking, "A Destroyed city battle course with all the team's participating… they really know how to take advantage of their quality numbers.."

Lear frowned listening to him. That indeed sounded a bit problematic…..Max and Wilson were one thing but others….even he didn't dare to say he could beat the Upper Celestials they were the ones who were ranked in top 6...and the one's in the Orca where all the upper ones…

"Even if we divide the team in the best way, there are some Academies who are extremely good at trickery…combat power might not even matter at that time…" 

"How so?" Max asked as he looked at Axel.

"The Blue City Academy beat the crap out of Orca during an Underwater event…..even the Celestials were powerless when the rest of their teammates were defeated…."

"That does sound terrifying...but water won't be scaring me…" Max said with a smile. 

"Yeah but it does scare me...I am an earth derivative…" Lear said with a nasty look on his face.

"Isn't there some kind of mana technique that can help you overcome this problem…" Max asked with a smile.

To be honest, there weren't any Mana techniques out in the open. All were guarded tightly by the Noble Houses...even Max had never seen one. 

Though he had learned a few practical techniques mostly related to smithing from Master and Grandmaster.

Even Axel turned to Lear after hearing Max.

"Do you think techniques are that easy to find? Let me say, even a supreme might not have enough understanding of mana to create techniques...and you two dare to give me that look…" Lear glared at them.

"If Mana techniques were that easy we didn't even need to form true spells to fight and just depend of mana techniques.....that would be much easier abd better way to fight..."

"And just to let you know having one or two techniques is already a fortune...and the Core Mana circulation Art is the main thing which has kept the Houses alive…" Lear further said with a sigh. 

Actually he felt that his own Mana Circulation Art wasn't that suitable for him...but it shouldn't have been a problem...he had an earth derivative after all...and his family was well known for its earth element.

Max didn't say anymore. He really lacked knowledge when it came to the normal way of Mages as it was useless to him...even though his gene abilities and spirit abilities could be considered to be similar to techniques as well....they weren't based on mana and hence couldn't be taught to others

They continued to talk for a few more minutes as usual.

"Let's exchange contacts...I will create a group for discussion even when we can't get together…" Beli suddenly said as she looked at everyone.

Max looked at her for a moment, her eyes landed on Max and she just pushed her phone forward.

"Yeah sounds good to me…" Axel said with a nod too.

Max nodded and reached out for her phone as he grabbed the phone, the girl carefully slid her fingers behind avoiding contact with Max.

It obviously didn't go unnoticed from Max's sight.

Max added Lisa and Eren while the rest of the people were added by Axel and Beli.

"Where is the headmaster? He is really late...it's almost past the half an hour mark…" Lear said with a frown as he checked the time.

Yes, the Headmaster was coming...the guy was oddly excited this time...Max could relate though…

The Five Ancient families were sponsoring it….there was a chance to enter the Ancient Cemetery and even obtain the spirit shells…..even Max didn't want to let go of the opportunity..

"I think he will be a bit more late...he is a bachelor after all. He stays up till late at night…must have woken up late in the morning...." Wilson said with a laugh.

"The headmaster is coming?" Kevin finally spoke as he looked at them. But it was evident from empty packets that he was finally free to talk...

At this moment, Beli suddenly tugged on Axel's sleeve, "I received a message from mom….I will have to leave…."

"It's fine, you already told me that you wouldn't be staying for long….I will let you know if we decide on something..." Axel said with a nod.

After that, she bid everyone farewell and then left…

"Did you tell her that the headmaster was coming?" Max asked as he looked at Axel.

"Yeah, I did...that's the reason she stayed longer than she promised..but the headmaster is running late..." Axel said with a sigh.

"You still have your doubts?" He asked, looking at Max.

"No, I would have doubted if she didn't know about his arrival beforehand…" Max replied as he shook his head and stood up to go to the washroom.

But before that he suddenly asked Axel, "By the way, how far have you two gone?" 

"What do you mean? We have just started dating…..we are not anything serious yet…" Axel replied as he casually waved his hand.

"Zero skinship?" Lear asked as he joined the fun.

"Yeah, got any problem? I am not as good as you…." Axel retorted in irritation. He had seen him goofing around with a girl a lot of times.

"What do you mean? I don't even have a girlfriend…." Lear said with a sigh.

Max gave him a look, 'Don't tell me they still aren't going out?'

"Besides, someone here is a master who is capable of getting a girl in the bathtub with him…" Lear said in frustration.

Max's face turned ugly. He had already explained it was a misunderstanding and yet this guy still kept holding onto it.

He shook his head and went onto his way...

Once he was inside the washroom, Max opened the window and stealthy sneaked out.

He had to check for himself….

Something was weird about that girl….

Max couldn't help but shake that feeling. He didn't have any evidence. It was just his instinct. But Max trusted his instinct…..he was feeling danger...

It didn't take him long to catch up to her. She was just walking casually. She didn't seem to detect his presence….

"Twice…..follow her…" Max said and the next instant, a black light flashed and vanished into the girl's shadow.

Max sighed. He really wouldn't have minded this girl. He wouldn't even have pried in her life if she hadn't approached Axel…

Max obviously didn't want to make any baseless claims to Axel…

Axel was trying to change...this certainly wasn't the right time for another emotional drama..

He could only find out for himself if the warning bell in his head was true or it was just a false alarm...after all there were too many dangers these days...Max might be misunderstanding something...