Les and Sylas stared at each other, a deep silence reigning in the room.

There was calmness in Sylas's eyes, but deep down, somewhere within his soul, there was also anger.

Les swallowed slightly and thought,

"Something has changed in this kid. He didn’t have this heavy energy and aura before."

Gathering herself, Les coughed lightly and began to speak.

"Yes, I know you don’t have very good thoughts about me."

Sylas spoke softly, "The creature you sent attacked Gran and me. Do you have anything to say about that?"

Les paused slightly. "Frozen Shapeshifter? How did he know that I sent it?" she thought.

Sylas continued,

"Surely, you don’t think the Frozen Shapeshifter appeared and attacked me for no reason. At that time, the only magician I was in contact with was you. Without your order, a being of that level wouldn’t bother with someone as insignificant as me."

Les took another deep breath.

"Yes, there was a bit of a misunderstanding in that situation."

Sylas responded with a fake smile to Les’s words. Naturally, these words did not affect him at all and were quite irritating.

In situations like this, he usually made a simple decision: clarity and directness were the most important decisions he could make.

Moreover, the power he currently possessed gave him the ability to be clear and direct.

"An explanation?"

Sylas asked, looking into Les’s eyes. Les felt as if Sylas was not just looking at her but into her soul, reading everything and threatening her.

Her feelings were not entirely wrong, especially the "threat" part, which was completely true.

Sylas was aware of the dangers and strengths of the Dark Father organization, but from now on, he would not allow organizations to attack or disrespect him on a whim, even if it meant his death.

This situation was entirely bothering him, and he would do whatever it took to prevent it.

"I was curious about you, your potential, and your power. That's why I assigned the Frozen Shapeshifter to investigate you. However, I didn’t foresee things turning out this way. I thought the level you had at that time wouldn’t be aware of the Frozen Shapeshifter. If I wanted to harm you, I would have sent a Frost Mage Demon instead of a Frozen Shapeshifter. Do you know what a Frost Demon Mage is?"

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Sylas nodded.

"There's no need to change the subject. Your explanation, as far as I understand, is that you used my weakness and inexperience to send a spy after me. Is that correct?"

Les took another deep breath.

She had little to say in response to Sylas's words. She began to feel uncomfortable and pressured.

At the same time, her ego was being hurt. Sylas had become a new magician only about two weeks ago; what gave him the confidence to act so arrogantly and lord over her?

At that moment, Les focused slightly and looked at Sylas.

"Strange... Usually, when I look at him, I can see his level, soul power, and mental strength. Now I can’t see any of that. What does this mean?"

Sylas smiled slightly. "What’s wrong? Can’t you measure me?" he asked.

Les responded with a fake smile and continued to speak.

"Sylas, I’m not going to defend myself. I realize what I did was wrong. Now, all I want is to start with a clean slate, both personally and as the Dark Father Organization."

Sylas nodded.

"When I was weak, you gave orders, had me spy on, and now that you see some potential, you want to start with a clean slate... You really have a unique way of making deals."

Les began to clench her teeth and, involuntarily, looked outside the cave.

With a single signal, the Dark Child Master and nine Dark Children could surround the cave.

But doing so would mean burning all bridges with Sylas.

Now that she had seen Sylas's true value, she understood that if she attacked him and killed him, the Dark Father Organization would perceive her as having completed the mission by killing a potential magician like Sylas.

As a result, she would lose her head. If there was going to be a killing, Sylas had to make the first move.

If Sylas attacked her first, she could explain the situation and say she attacked Sylas to defend herself. Afterward, she might lose her privileges, but at least she would save her life.

"What do you want me to say?"

Sylas smiled.

"Your ten friends outside, who are there to protect you and come to your aid in an emergency, can you tell me what they are planning to do?"

Les calmly stood up and took a deep breath.

"So you noticed them?"

Sylas laughed lightly.

"I've known from the beginning that you've been watching me."

Sylas continued.

"Well, you’re an experienced person, Les."

Sylas's eyes changed from a calm demeanor to a serious one, making direct eye contact with Les.

"Do you think I’m bluffing right now, or do I have a reason not to be afraid of your group?"

Les took a step back and frowned.

"He’s not bluffing. He’s clearly showing he can stand by his words. In such a short time, what kind of power has he gained that he can confidently stand against me and the group behind me?"

Les was torn internally.

At that moment, with his hands raised, showing that he comes in peace, the Dark Child Master showed himself at the entrance of the cave.

"With your permission, I'd like to join the conversation," said the masked man.