The second test turns out to be harder than I expected.
Since I designed it to be a surprise to everyone. Making them believe that they were transported to another place after the tower was 'attacked' where they were met with the formidable opponent, almost many of them failed.
However, just because many failed, doesn't mean those who passed are little.
The initial 6,000 who passed the first test has been reduced to 2,000, with 1,000 of them taking another test since they chose to fight their opponent head-on but failed.
On the other hand, those who passed was left with one final test.
The loyalty test.
Obviously, I can't afford any betrayals and traitors in my organization. I won't make the same mistake as the Ancient One did with Kaecillius even if he's meant to be used as a stepping stone for Doctor Strange and for the Ancient One to retire.
We don't do that kind of thing here.
I plan to stay alive as long as possible, either for Serafall since she technically have a lifespan of 10,000 but also because I don't trust anyone yet to handle the mantle of the Sorcerer Supreme.
But still, even if I find someone compatible and have the potential, I won't kill myself just to pass the title.
Now, let's head back to the loyalty test.
This test isn't just a simple test.
During their rest time inside the tower, a disguised Master Sorcerer would pretend to be a dark wizard that will try his best to influence the newcomers to become their spies or leak information that they know.
As for the information that they'll leak?
Well, before the start of the loyalty test, they would be allowed to enter a small section in the library containing some newly written 'secrets' which would serve as the information they have on the Sorcerer Society.
If they dare to agree with the 'dark' wizard and leak information, they would be kicked out in the spot.
If they passed, then congratulations to them, they passed the first stage of the loyalty test.
Because the next one would definitely test how loyal they would be to the Sorcerer Society.
Because they would go through a life and death situation and it would be managed by me myself.
***
[??? PoV]
"There's too little of us." I muttered to myself after counting the remaining members inside the huge lobby.
There's almost a thousand of us here from the initial 10,000 that I counted outside.
'Aren't they losing out on this?' I pondered to myself before shifting my attention down on the book I'm reading.
'Not to mention, they're allowing us to access their library containing some basics and fundamentals about their Mystic Magic System. There's supposed to be another test, right?'.
Just as I was suspicious that we're not supposed to read in the library and doing so would be an immediately fail, I heard my name being called from beyond the only door in the room aside from the entrance.
"Leonardo da Vinci…."
"I guess that's my cue." I muttered to myself and closed the book on my hand and fixed my attire.
It's time to pass the last test. After all, I walked thousand of miles just to get here and it would be disappointing to go back with nothing.
I'm not someone who tolerates mistakes. If I want something to be done, I want it to be done perfectly. Better than how it is supposed to be done.
After giving a slight nod to my fellow test passers, I arrived at the door, twisted the nod and went inside.
Once I'm in, I took in the surroundings and noticed that it is bland.
It's just a simple room with a single table where two chairs were facing each other from the two opposite sides.
Sitting on the other side was an old man with a longer beard than mine. Bearing an erudite smile on his face, as if this man has seen the rise and fall of countless civilizations.
'Is he the Sorcerer Supreme?' I asked myself and I wouldn't shocked if I was right. I tend to have this unconscious capability where my actions and words sometimes predict the future.
"Good afternoon." I respectfully bowed my head as I greeted the old man.
"Ah, a gentleman, I see. Please have a seat." Nodding at his words, I grabbed the chair and sat.
Only then I noticed a porcelain cup on the table.
'Looks expensive.' I muttered.
"I have a few questions before we proceed." The old man said before continuing after I nodded.
"First question. Why are you here?" Resting his hands on the table, the old man stared directly into my eyes and asked.
I was taken aback by the question and my brilliant and artistic mind couldn't help but form several perfect answers that definitely impress this old man.
However, my sense of self and honesty made me recoil back and give the question a thought.
Why am I here? I asked to myself.
Before I knew it, even without staring back at the old man's eyes, my mouth opened.
"I'm here because I'm a human. Albeit a flawed one but a human nonetheless. And I think as a human, it's part of my responsibility to share a common goal with my fellow humans, to protect ourselves, our future. Our creative minds are like a torch and the key to saving ourselves, and if that torch went out, humans won't evolve." I don't know what I'm blabbering here but I could feel the resonance that came out of my mouth.
And then finally, I finished my last words while staring at the old man's eyes that is now filled with interest.
"What is the life of one man, one that is as curious as I am, if it is for the sake of humanity's survival. Joining your group is to serve mankind through light and darkness, protecting them is the same as fulfilling the purpose of creation itself." Once I am done, I exhaled heavily.
How fascinating. I didn't know what came over me. It's like the small parts of kindness in my heart took over and placed themselves in the front.
"…..That's an answer….I wasn't expecting. I hope you hold into those words, Leo." With a small smile, the old man gestured for me to leave.
"Did I?" Before standing up, I confusedly asked him.
"Yes. Yes you passed in flying colors, Leonardo." For some reason, I felt touched by his words, something I've never felt before no matter how much people praised me.
"I….Thank you." For the first time, I think I finally smiled sincerely.
"No. I should be the one thanking you." Was the last thing I heard before the door automatically closed by itself.
"That was fast. Did they fail you based on your looks?" As soon as everyone saw me, they immediately gave me a look of confusion.
However, unlike them, their questions made me more confused.
"What do you mean? I spent almost 5 minutes inside." I answered.
"5 minutes? Are you sure? We saw you get in and get out in like, 2 seconds. You definitely failed, right?"
"2 seconds…" I muttered to myself with disbelief in my tone.
My head immediately snapped back to the door and stared at it for a few seconds.
'Was it an illusion? Or something else? How can I spend 5 minutes inside but only 2 seconds passed outside?' The more I think about it, the more my head hurts.
'I'll ask if I met him again later. Nonetheless, I passed and it's good news.'
With that in mind, I went back to the same table and resumed reading the book.
***
"What happened, master? I thought you were supposed to test his loyalty?" Balthazar came out of the shadows and asked the old man, now known as Chamber but in disguise.
"When it comes to that man. There's no need to test his loyalty. He already passed the moment those words came out of his mouth." With a shake of his head, Chamber gestured for Balthazar to leave before calling another one.
"Harry Topper!"
'That guy should be interesting if his words made even the Sorcerer Supreme pass him on the spot.' Balthazar mentally said to himself before blending in with the shadows just before the door opens and an old man with spectacle glasses entered.
***
[Raviel PoV]
The underworld is nauseating. Not in a physical way but the atmosphere.
It's kind of hard to explain but after staying at the Underworld for a single day, I already feel uncomfortable and want to leave.
Unfortunately, I can't. Because I have a very important mission that my older brother gave me.
Unite the Devil Society and give it true peace.
I don't even know why he's doing this when devils are supposed to be his enemies.
My old brother is truly a kind man like no other.
I should learn from him.
Raising my hand, a ball of Power of Destruction came to life.
Despite it being my own thanks to Zekram's 'sacrifice', I could feel it's destruction properties.
If I were to throw this to someone, they would disintegrate in the blink of an eye.
No wonder the Bael clan is the strongest clan in the Underworld aside from the Four Satan clans.
Speaking of four satan clans, my spies gathered information about them and it's not good.
According to the spy, the Four Satan's descendants are gathering followers, be it a clan or an individual. Their goal is obviously to resume the Great War and finish what their ancestors started.
'What a bunch of fools. They're not even as strong as their parents and they dream of winning a fight that their father and mother lost to?' I snorted just by thinking about it.
Thankfully, with the help of my older brother, I have successfully planted myself as the new Zekram and the first time I did was to gather allies to resist the upcoming Civil War.
So far, I already have the Sitri, Gremory, Astaroth, Belial, Glasya-Labolas, and surprisingly, the Phenex clan.
I don't know why the current Head of the Phenex clan joined our side but still a good addition nonetheless.
Although the clans supporting my side are small, but qualities are better than quantities. Gremory, Sitri and especially the Phenex clan are three of the biggest clans in the Underworld.
Their might alone is enough to rival ten small devil clans. Don't even mention their economical wealth, from what I know, Phenex clan is the current wealthiest clan in the Underworld thanks to their Phenex tears business that is a hot commodity especially since the war just ended and all the devils need to recuperate and recover.
I just need more time and with enough effort, perhaps I would be able to convert even the clans on the Original Satans' side to ours.
Old brother would be proud of me, right?
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[Next Chapter: Ch. 112 - Civil War!]
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