As Lorelei's words fell, the girl slightly raised her face. Her heroic face, which had been expressionless before, now seemed to carry a faint smile. She looked directly into Lu Kang's bright, brown eyes.
But his first reaction was that he must have misheard. Of course, he had no deep-seated hatred for the Barthomeloi family. He didn't even have a strong impression of the former Lord Barthomeloi who had considered him a mortal enemy. However, having had contact with many Clock Tower magi in his simulated life, he understood the nature of the Barthomeloi family.
The name 'Barthomeloi' represented the continuation of an ancient family lineage that had existed since the day the Clock Tower was founded. It was one of the three great ancient family factions of the Clock Tower, along with the 'Trambelio' and 'Baluylēta' families, but it was also the inheritor of the most ancient mystery, standing above all other families. In the world of mystery, where age is a source of pride, such a family naturally looked down on everyone else. They strictly adhered to lineage and tradition, strictly abiding by ancient paradigms. In their eyes, even noble factions like the El-Melloi were a relatively radical and reformist branch.
Because in the eyes of the Barthomeloi family, commoners were commoners. Even those magus families that had continued for hundreds, or even nearly a thousand years, were commoners in their eyes. They had always been arrogant. They were nominally a noble faction, but the only nobles in their eyes were themselves.
And now, a girl from such a family... was inviting him to join her family, to become her 'foster brother'? Lu Kang suddenly wanted to ask if she was sick.
And regarding his slightly surprised attitude, Lorelei herself seemed very calm and matter-of-fact. "The demon who walks among men, the rebel of all mystery, the great heretic who merged miracles and magecraft—this is my grandmother, Vivian Barthomeloi's, evaluation of the Luvest line." She looked at the youth before her, at his 'Sanctuary' Mystic Code still billowing with brilliant and dense silver light by the shady path, and said, "My grandmother regarded Luvest as an enemy, but even she had to admit the merits of his magecraft."
"The precept she gave to the Barthomeloi successors was to defeat Luvest—in an honorable manner."
"But if I were to defeat the current you, it would be a somewhat dishonorable victory!"
And so Lu Kang finally understood the girl's meaning. Even Kayneth beside him finally came back to his senses—back from his shock! Kayneth was also surprised, surprised that the Barthomeloi family would extend an invitation to their enemy.
Lu Kang said, "You want me to join the Barthomeloi family, to grow to my limit under your wing, and then have a duel with you?"
"That's right. You're very smart." Lorelei nodded lightly. "The people Luvest offended were not just internal organizations of the magic world, but also the monsters among monsters from the Holy Church's Burial Agency. I guess you've decided to rely on the El-Melloi family. But at most, El-Melloi can only protect your activities within the Mage's Association. What he can do, Barthomeloi can also do, and even more!"
The girl's words were forceful, as if carrying a gale that disturbed the air. The atmosphere in the courtyard became tense for a moment. Kayneth, who had been openly challenged and even mocked, had his lips twitch. But, being proud by nature, and because of this pride, often like a powder keg that ignites at a touch, easily provoked, he very rarely did not retort. Because it was the truth.
Even if Kayneth was very confident that his talent in magecraft was not inferior to any individual... the El-Melloi family was indeed far inferior to the Barthomeloi family. Whether in terms of lineage or the scope of their current influence, this was the case. In the face of objective facts, any further argument would be powerless and ridiculous. The proud Kayneth would not allow himself to do something that violated his principles as a noble faction. To this day, the only one who could make him set aside his noble views was a Luvest.
Of course, he was also very curious about Lu Kang's choice. Faced with the recruitment of a family enemy, would he choose to submit...
Having understood everything, Lu Kang came back to his senses. In all honesty, although he was not afraid of her now, he was not confident of victory if they were to fight—not against Lorelei, but against the Barthomeloi family, or even the entire faction they led. He still lacked the accumulation of magical energy, which was most important in a duel of magecraft. And he didn't believe that a magus family would adhere to any code of chivalry.
And besides Barthomeloi, Luvest indeed had many other enemies! To some extent, Barthomeloi was also a tool he had deliberately left... to secretly unite those who were enemies of Luvest, to bring the enemies from the shadows into the light as much as possible!
However— "If I join the Barthomeloi family, I will also be branded with the mark of Barthomeloi, right?" Lu Kang suddenly said.
"Naturally," Lorelei said. "It is an equivalent exchange. In the name of 'Luvest' becoming a branch of Barthomeloi, you will gain the protection of Barthomeloi. Such a mark will exist on you forever."
And so, hearing the girl's words, Lu Kang smiled again. "Saying 'foster brother' is just a nice way of saying I'd be marrying into the family, isn't it?"
"If you wish, it's not out of the question," Lorelei's response was very direct, and also had the standard thinking of a magus. A magus, whose primary concern is the inheritance of bloodline, does not care about personal feelings, only the conditions of strength and talent.
"What an unsurprising choice," Lu Kang sighed lightly. He said, "What you said might be a good choice. If I choose to join Barthomeloi, I can get the protection of the Barthomeloi family's power, and also gain their authority. But at the same time, Barthomeloi can obtain the Luvest family's crest and annex the mystery I have inherited. Thinking about it carefully, this might be a 'win-win' situation."
Though he said this, he was still shaking his head. He shook his head and refused the girl's proposal. He also refused the invitation from the ostensibly strongest family in the Clock Tower.
He said, "Although I have only just awakened this crest, I know that the name 'Luvest' has the weight it does today, not by relying on compromise. What's more, speaking of which..."
"Why must it be Barthomeloi annexing Luvest? In fact, Luvest can also annex Barthomeloi, can't it?"
At that instant, as Lu Kang's voice fell, his words were more forceful than Lorelei's. A hum of mystic power stirred, and the brilliance of magecraft between his clothes became more intense and bright. At this moment, his words were also an unquestionable refusal—and even a provocation! He didn't care about any Barthomeloi. But in a duel of mystery, there is no retreat. If he were to back down here, then he would also lose the conviction to walk forward on the path of mystery. Such a choice was never in his consideration!
Kayneth grinned. He was very satisfied. Proud people always have a special appreciation for those with backbone! And Lorelei, after a moment of being taken aback, also suddenly smiled. She also remembered her grandmother's records of Luvest, remembered the words written within, and even more so, the instructions she had given her when she was still alive.
Lu Kang Luvest. The most ferocious and evil man. A man who walked a path of thorns with tenacious steps. You are like him. A person like this would naturally not submit to others. But I will still carry out my ancestor's wish.
"I will come again. On the day you have fully grown, I will defeat you honorably. In the name of Barthomeloi, I will defeat Luvest—"
She would, between herself and him, between Barthomeloi and Luvest, decide who would be the strongest in the future field of magecraft! In the name of honor, she would wash away the shame of her ancestor!
--------------------------------
Joine support me to read the story in advance
My patron: patreon.com/ImNova724
HP : The Frail-Looking, Iron-Fisted Beauty of Harry Potter 65 Chapter
In Type-Moon: Creating a Magecraft Family Lineage 100 Chapter
Type-Moon, is this really not the Reverse Side of the World? 69 Chapter