The artifact did not work?

Alphonso had always been a person who did thorough research on both his allies and enemies beforehand.

No matter how strong he was compared to his peers, he had always remained vigilant.

So naturally, he had researched the people he was going to meet today as well.

Of course, gathering information on the heirs of five major clans was no joke. He had specifically asked his elders to obtain it for him.

They had to spend a huge amount of resources to gain some brief insights.

The people from the Celestial Paradox Clan had always been the strongest for generations, and the two girls were exceptional prodigies from the clan.

Daniel from the Sacred Swords Clan was a sword prodigy. The Sacred Swords Clan was famous for producing the strongest physical exorcists and tool masters. From his information, he knew that this guy was This was why he did not talk with him from the beginning either. He was not used to interacting with such types of people.

Not only that, he also knew that although this guy seemed hot-tempered, he was actually quite clever and a sword prodigy at that.

On the other hand, Amber from the Blue Crown Clan was also quite talented and had a knack for talismans and other exorcism tools.

She was a clever person, and he did not mind dealing with her.

The last to arrive were the ones from the Mystic Purge Clan.

It was also a clan with a lot of mystery... and the worst reputation among exorcists.

They were quite infamous for their cruelty and inhuman behavior even towards their fellow exorcists.

While he did find information about Nadia, it was severely limited. Even the elders were powerless about it.

From the limited knowledge, he was aware that Nadia was an extraordinary genius even among her siblings. As per the rumors, she was also the most likely person to become the next matriarch of the clan.

Obviously, he was very interested in making connections with her due to this sole reason and those two girls from the Celestial Paradox Clan.

But what made him perplexed was the guy behind Nadia.

He introduced himself as Oliver and was the twin sibling of Nadia, but...

He was not mentioned in the information.

He suddenly came out of nowhere... and what was even more disturbing was that he could not sense much espera from his body.

Not only that, the artifact that he was carrying was buzzing when it was in Nadia's presence, the intensity similar to the two sisters from the Celestial Paradox Clan.

But when he tried to use the artifact on Oliver, the artifact did not produce even the slightest bit of reaction. 

Nothing, absolutely nothing.

Was the artifact not working?

It was as if Oliver was not even worth noting.

He even tried to sense it himself, but all he found was merely above average espera from him.

He became suspicious of his strength.

And then, to confirm his suspicions, Oliver just now backed off from a duel as if hesitant to even face off against them.

Did he know that he was weak and thus did not want to fight them?

If this was indeed the case, then he must be removed first from their group. He had read about it countless times in countless books.

Having someone inept in a team was more lethal than being surrounded by a horde of demons.

If they were going to familiarize themselves with each other and form a possible group or alliance of sorts, then Oliver should be removed beforehand.

The suggestion by Bella was the best way and was at the best time as well.

He could not get a better opportunity than this to test out Oliver and his skills.

He could confirm his doubts and at the same time show him the difference between them.

He did not feel any particular hatred towards him, but he could not afford a weak companion in the future if they were going to be together more.

And it was good for Oliver too. His life would be saved from any danger they might be facing in the future.

So he cut him off and agreed on his behalf as well.

Oliver looked at Alphonso with a dumbfounded expression. He didn't expect this noble-looking guy to be a brute as well.

He had always felt that bonding through fighting was not correct. Rather than bonding, in most cases, it was more of a matter of establishing a hierarchy.

Looking at Nadia from the corner of his eye, he could see her expressionless look, but he could feel a hint of anger in her eyes for some reason.

Was it his imagination?

What he didn't realize just now was that the anger in her eyes was for him.

Earlier, while he had been cut off, he did not think much of it and ignored it, but she saw how he was cut off not once but twice in a row.

First was that girl called Bella, and then this dumb-looking guy.

This was clearly disrespectful, not to him alone but to the clan as well.

If they were here as the representatives of their respective clans, then being interrupted while speaking simply equate to the opinion of their clan being ignored?

While she herself was not interested in chatting with this bunch of dumb kids, she did not mind Oliver talking on her behalf as well. But seeing him being cut off like this made her feel disrespected too.

The clan must not be disrespected; this was the main motive for her in this meeting.

She was here to establish her dominance over these people.

Plus, for some reason, she hated the way that Bella was talking so casually with Oliver.

A bunch of useless people.

She was not going to let it slide.

"Then it's decided. I will call an elder over and we should start right away, how about it? We will draw lots and match the two. Since Amber and Daniel are in an argument, they can duel it out. The rest of us will draw," Bella suggested.

All the others agreed, so Oliver had to as well in the end.