Chapter 205: Arranging the Board

Meanwhile, in the Western Branch, Enzo sat before a screen where in front of him was a cute girl with green hair and eyes.

Lilo of Argent.

He grinned. "Hey, Lilo, how’s it going?" he greeted her with a friendly hand wave.

"What do you want?" Lilo, on the other side of the screen, said with evident disinterest. "I said don’t talk to me again; don’t try to use your sly ways on me," she said in a tone full of disdain.

Enzo chuckled. "Don’t be like this," he said softly. "We can work together; I’m sure of it."

Lilo frowned. "Doubt." She shook her head. "You indecent mess of a person spread rumors that I joined your side..."

Smack~

She slapped whatever surface the ring was fixed on. "When did I join your unsightly group?"

"Then don’t." Enzo shrugged. "I won’t force you; I can’t do that," he said helplessly.

"Yeah, you can’t." She snorted, turning her nose to the side.

Lilo was a child of the Argent; her backing alone dismissed the current political structure of the Tower.

She trusted her background, and apparently, Enzo didn’t aim to challenge it.

"But you can only have what you want if you’re on my side," Enzo said. "I gave you an offer; it’s rare, and I won’t be giving it to anyone but you. You already know that," he spoke in an amiable, smooth tone.

Lilo spat, "Whatever you said, I won’t be doing that. I’m not taking orders from you."

Enzo tapped the table. "How about I make a new offer then?" he asked.

"I don’t want to hear any offers from you. I’m ending the call," she said, moving her hand closer to the ring.

Her tone was aggressive, seemingly fed up with Enzo’s face or voice.

"You can do whatever you want, even sleep through the entire trial and win with us by default," Enzo said in a hurry. "This is my new offer; no obligations or orders apply to you."

He leaned closer to the screen, resting his face on his fist. "I can’t believe I’m even doing this. Don’t make it any harder for us, please," he added.

Lilo’s hand paused; she locked her gaze with Enzo’s.

For a moment too long, neither moved or even blinked...

Lilo retracted her hand and rubbed her chin for a moment longer. "That works," she said.

"At last," Enzo said jokingly with a light laugh. "Let’s meet in a few days then; I won’t be disturbing your time any longer."

Lilo nodded. "Sure."

Click~

The call ended, and once it did—

"Uggh!" Enzo exhaled heavily, releasing a sound closer to a groan than a sigh.

He reached out for his ring again; a new screen emerged.

"Young Master." From the other side, Zera greeted him with a bow.

Enzo studied him for a second. "Zera, how’s everything going on your side?" he asked.

Zera lifted his gaze. "It’s exactly as you expected, Young Master; no one stepped into the ring to challenge Moon today."

Enzo sighed. "The last round was underwhelming, too underwhelming, Zera. Did you see how it ended?" He shook his head before adding, "It was almost gentlemanly."

Enzo closed his eyes. "I guess I can no longer watch his fights, but have to arrange them for him," he whispered.

"Young Master, if I may say, I can’t help but feel you’re giving him credit that isn’t deserved," Zera said softly, his gaze lowered. "There are countless master fighters on each floor, maybe—"

Tap~

"Zera." Enzo cut him off, tapping the table once. He went silent for a moment. "I want to explain, but I don’t think you’ll understand," he said, then added, "Anyhow, soon enough you’ll come to understand."

Zera didn’t say anything; he only nodded without lifting his gaze.

"How’s his training going?" Enzo asked. "Is he improving?"

"His Echo situation remains unknown; he hasn’t used it since that day when the orange cat attacked him," Zera answered readily, seemingly prepared for the question.

He lifted his gaze. "Though we can all see that his physical state is improving; he’s building a healthier-looking body steadily."

"What about the rewards? What did they give him?" Enzo asked.

Zera shook his head. "It was never disclosed on the quest window or in public," he answered, then added, "We’re keeping a close eye on anything unusual or any rumors that might arise."

"My last order stands; don’t attempt to spy on him, not you or anyone," Enzo said. "If you happen to see it or hear of it, tell me, but don’t actively spy on him," he advised again.

Zera nodded. "Yes, Young Master."

With that, Enzo ended the call.

Enzo stood from his seat and made his way out of his room, passing by many gazes: envy, fear, or admiration.

He, as usual, walked unbothered, unhinged.

Just his presence in the branch was enough to make almost 100% of those who happened to ascend there join his side by default.

Maybe they were truly admiring him, or maybe they were just trying to get on his good side for their future.

Or maybe out of fear.

It could be the case for many who were afraid of joining Moon’s side while still in the same branch as Enzo.

Thus, Enzo was more focused on picking talents these days.

The Western Branch was fundamentally different from the Southern... or rather, the Southern operated independently from all other branches.

It operated however Samuel and Ed felt like it.

In the Western or any other branch, all students were taught and screened for fundamental talents and skills.

The training Korr went through was normal for anyone to go through, minus the support and resources Enzo offered him.

Enzo decided to go daily to check the training.

He wanted to see how those who were considered to be average or below average performed in training, to check if they had something he could use or invest in.

He also followed Moon’s example and started training Korr personally over the past few days.

All of this was thanks to Lucen’s ploy, airing that battle last week.

Two strong fighters facing each other for the leadership fairly, giving an open opportunity to bring their best to the ring.

And lastly, how it ended.

Even though Enzo believed it ended underwhelmingly, it wasn’t the case for most.

If anything, it looked like two confident leaders had joined hands, with no grudges or hate between them.

The gentlemanly part of the ending was what he hated the most.

This alone had shaken their standing and acquisition over the other branches.

Enzo walked down the flight of stairs of the arena, coming closer to the ring where Rowa and Kohl were training the young unaffiliated ascenders.

He watched for a moment before he spotted Korr somewhere in the back; next to him, a few young ascenders were gathered.

Enzo watched him smiling and talking casually with them for a little too long.

Enzo’s gaze didn’t seem bothered in the slightest; he was just observing and assessing how things were progressing.

But soon, he was done watching. "Korr," he called from where he stood.

On the other side of the ring, Korr lifted his gaze, seeing Enzo standing. He excused himself with a gentle smile and walked over to him.

"Sir Enzo." Korr placed his hand on his chest with a small bow.

"Any useful ones yet?" Enzo asked with his usual amiable smile.

Korr lifted his gaze, smiling back. "About that, Sir Enzo—"