Chapter 116: let’s go
Albert tensed further. He could see it now—Max was cracking.
The strain was beginning to show. With his own son summoned into the tournament and his closest allies gone, Max was unraveling under the pressure. Provoking him would only fan the flames of that instability. But Albert also knew Max well enough—mad or not, he still clung to his moral compass, till his death. That was how their leader was, even in the battle room.
"We’re both out of the tournament, Albert," Max said, his voice cool but trembling with intensity. "I don’t care who ends up on top between us. But tread carefully... I’m watching you."
Albert’s lip curled into a half-smile. "You can’t protect them forever, Max. Let’s say—just for a moment—that Victor was right. You know what that means... for Julian and Edward."
Max froze. The Second Summon.
Victor’s warnings echoed in his mind. No second summon had ever returned alive—at least, not according to the data. But Victor wasn’t a Seer. Just a researcher. Still... the odds haunted him.
"You want us to fight?" Albert continued. "To kill each other and leave this world to a bunch of half-trained kids? If we fall, Max, if Edward and Julian don’t come back... this world is finished."
Max clenched his fists. His voice cracked. "T-They’re still alive. And they will come back alive."
"I hope you’re right," Albert said softly, almost mockingly. "I truly do. Let’s just... wait and see. Let’s hope he returns."
The screen blinked out.
"Father! Why wait?" Justin had pushed himself out of his chair in anger, only to fall onto the floor. He slammed a fist down. "I want her! I want to crush her! I want to humiliate her!"