Chapter 910: Villain Accomplishes His Ambitions
At the thought of such great benefits, Hubert’s heart raced. However, he wasn’t overwhelmed, and after calming down a little, he said, “Once we raise this proposal, it will definitely be strongly opposed by Chairman Andoine. With the voting power we can now hold, I’m afraid it won’t be easy to get this proposal passed.”
It was extremely difficult. If Rosen could really allow the proposal to pass easily, he would no longer have to be the deputy chairman, and could easily replace Andoine as the chairman of the Supreme Council.
Rosen was naturally aware of the problem, but if he missed that opportunity and allowed Lin Li to gain a strong footing, it would be even more difficult for the proposal to be passed in the future. Hence, he told Hubert, “It’s indeed not going to be easy. With your ability, how many votes do you think we can get tomorrow?”
Hubert was a high-ranking member of the Supreme Council who was second only to Aldwin. He had a network of connections too. He contemplated for a moment the names of the councilors he was close to, and considered the ties he had with those acquaintances he might be able to win over. In the end, he gave Rosen a number. They could expect 19 votes, which excluded the people Rosen could influence.
However, his answer did not satisfy Rosen, who shook his head slightly and said, “That’s not enough to push for the proposal. Even with the votes of the neutral ones whom we might win over, it won’t be enough.”
“If I promise them some benefits that could be achieved after the proposal is passed, I can win the support of three more members. However, even then, it’s still far short of half of the total number of votes.” Hubert was stuck in a spot. After all, he couldn’t possibly bribe all the councilors. If things were to go awry and he got exposed, Andoine would definitely find out. He would then lose his position as a high-ranking councilor.
Besides, even if he were to bribe them, he would have to pay a high price. How much would it take to get people to stop having scruples because of Andoine’s identity as the chairman? After all, the proposal was clearly meant to offend Andoine.
No matter how great a benefit that proposal could bring about, it would just be an idealistic daydream if it did not pass through. There was a somber tension in the air in the room, and neither of them spoke again. Only the sound of Rosen continuously tapping the table could be heard clearly.
Gerosso stood outside the door, and his face turned red with excitement, covering the slap mark. His breathing became uncontrollably rapid. He initially thought that he was extremely unlucky to have offended someone whom he shouldn’t have, and ended up getting scolded by his teacher. To his surprise, he was actually lucky because Rosen was already getting ready to deal with Felic without needing him to request it.
Gerosso had already arrived, and was originally worried about how he could convince Rosen to stand up for him. To his surprise, he heard the conversation between Rosen and Hubert. He could tell from their conversation that it was no longer as simple as teaching Felic a lesson. Instead, they were going to take away something important from him.
However, after hearing the later part of the conversation, Gerosso knew that Rosen and Hubert had encountered a tough problem. If they wanted to push the proposal through, they would have to get the support of at least half of the members of the council. If they did not have the confidence to, they shouldn’t raise it at all, as it would only affect Rosen’s prestige.
Hearing the sudden silence in the room, Gerosso panicked because it was an opportunity for him to take revenge. If they were to let it go, he might never get to avenge himself again. He might not even get to raise his head high in front of Mason and Orrin again in the future. They merely lacked votes. His teacher was a councilor as well, and had a wide network of connections. He thought that his teacher wouldn’t be willing to let this matter go like that, either. Besides, he might even get to build a connection with the deputy chairman!
At the thought of that, Gerosso felt a sudden urge, and he could no longer care. He reached out and barged into the room before exclaiming with excitement, “Deputy Chairman Rosen, I—”
Rosen and Hubert were feeling frustrated about the proposal, and trying to rack their brains when they heard the door being opened, after which a figure scrambled in. Although they were both Legendary powerhouses, they were also shocked by the sudden situation. After seeing that it was an Archmage, they were incredibly enraged.
As the deputy chairman, Rosen was particular about the formalities, and even if Andoine wanted to see him, he would still have to seek permission at the door before entering. That was also the reason they did not arrange for anyone to guard the door when Rosen and Hubert were talking to each other. Rosen could not think of a single person in the entire Supreme Council who would dare to eavesdrop on his conversation.
However, the person who did was an Archmage. When he saw Gerosso who barged in, Rosen’s face grew extremely sullen, and before Gerosso even said anything substantial, he sternly barked, “Sneaky thing, don’t you know any rules at all? This is not a place where you can just barge in!”
After Rosen’s stern chiding, a massive wave of pressure exploded as well, filling the entire room. It was as if the space was frozen and solidified. After Gerosso barged in, he was initially filled with excitement, and was about to tell Rosen his purpose of visit. However, his face grew sullen after sensing the mighty pressure. He felt like the sky was about to collapse, and like the dark walls were about to close in on him.
What made Gerosso feel even more frightened was the fact that he could feel a killing intent coming which seemed to have penetrated deep into his soul from Rosen, leaving him with no doubt that Rosen would really kill him at this moment. Under that pressure, Gerosso felt like his spirit was about to collapse, and his legs had turned numb. His body fell to the ground, and he began trembling continuously. He could not care to say anything else.
In fact, at this time, even the Legendary-mage Hubert was frightened by the pressure, let alone an Archmage Hubert. However, after sensing the killing intent from Rosen, Hubert dared not delay, either. He frantically said, “Lord, please simmer down and hear his explanation. It won’t be too late to deal with him afterwards.”
After all, they were in the Sky Garden, and although Rosen was the deputy chairman, it still wouldn’t be easy for him to cover his tracks if he were to kill an Archmage. Besides, since Gerosso barged in instead of telling on them, it meant that he was not from Andoine’s side.
Of course, Rosen knew that as well, but he was already suffering a headache from the matter regarding the proposal, yet something like that cropped up next. Anyone in his position would definitely be furious. However, after hearing Hubert’s persuasion, Rosen suppressed his anger and looked at Gerosso who was crawling on the ground. He coldly said, “I’ll give you a chance to explain, and if you can’t satisfy me…”
At this moment, Gerosso felt as if he had just come out of water, and even the place where he was lying down was wet. If it weren’t for the fact that Rosen had restrained some of his pressure, he would have really wet his pants at the next moment.
Gerosso was still lying on the ground, and his body had turned so soft that he couldn’t stand up at all. He simply raised his head to look at Rosen. “Yes, Deputy Chairman, it’s me, don’t you remember me anymore? Your student Gryffindor is my younger brother.”
“That’s not what I want to hear.” By the time Rosen saw Gerosso’s face, he had remembered who he was, but there was no change in his stern attitude.
Back then, Gerosso was one of the people recommended to Rosen together with Gryffindor. However, at that time, Rosen could tell that although Gerosso had a bit of magical talent, he was by no means one that had potential to grow. Hence, he merely accepted Gryffindor as his student. Rosen was never impressed with people like Gerosso who lacked talent but behaved arrogantly like he was a genius. That had never changed.
The bone-penetrating coldness in Rosen’s voice made Gerosso shiver uncontrollably again. He dared not think of building connections with Rosen anymore. He frantically said, “Deputy Chairman, my teacher is Leddings, a councilor who has a little bit of connections in the council. If you need it, I’m sure my teacher will also be happy to serve you.”
Upon hearing his words, Rosen’s face finally became less austere; at the same time, he also restrained his massive suppressive aura. He calmly said, “Is that so? In that case, how many votes can your teacher get?”
The terrifying pressure finally disappeared, and Gerosso secretly heaved a sigh of relief. If that were to go on, he would really lose his mind. With the nightmare-like experience, Gerosso dared not delay at all. He continued, “We can get the votes of Councilor Kermit, Councilor Kiara, Councilor Sagar…”
As Gerosso said those names, smiles gradually appeared on the faces of both Rosen and Hubert. Previously, they had already counted the votes that they were confident in getting. After adding those names, they immediately had an answer in their hearts.
If Gerosso could get those councilors to vote for them like he claimed he could, Rosen’s votes would definitely help him win and allow the proposal to pass. If nothing were to go wrong, it would be enough to push the proposal through.
Besides, the content of the proposal was in the Supreme Council’s favor to begin with. It would merely cause damage to a newly established Guild of Magic. He believed that the councilors who were in a neutral position and put the interests of the Supreme Council first would definitely be tempted when faced with this proposal.
“Good. If you can do this properly, I can forgive you for your impolite behavior. Remember, I want a definitive answer before the meeting commences tomorrow. Leave,” Rosen said coldly before dismissing him with the wave of his hand.
In the blink of an eye, it was the next day, and Gerosso and a few young mages were gesturing and talking about something outside the library of the Sky Garden of the Supreme Council. The expression on Gerosso’s face suggested that the matter that took place the previous day did not affect him at all.
The several young Archmages were following their teachers to the Supreme Council for learning opportunities, and their teachers were the councilors who promised Gerosso that they would support Rosen’s proposal during the meeting.
When Gerosso reported the news to Rosen, he could tell from Rosen’s tone that Felic, who had crippled his brother and embarrassed him, would definitely be in trouble after the meeting.
Besides, that was not the only thing that Gerosso was happy about. This time, his teacher Leddings and the deputy chairman had forged a connection, and he was going to be praised. He might even get to be in charge of the New Crescent City Guild of Magic in the future. It was the most enjoyable thing in life to have an enemy down on his luck while one enjoyed his fortune.
How could he not share such a joyful event with someone else? However, sharing it with his friends wasn’t fulfilling enough for him. At this moment, Gerosso’s eyes were glistening when he looked past the mages in front of him. He recognized the person walking towards the library to be Mason!
“Hey, isn’t this Mason? Where is that backer of yours?” With a few of his companions, Gerosso stopped Mason in his tracks.
“Gerosso, what’s wrong? Haven’t you been taught a lesson yesterday? Wasn’t it enough?” Mason stopped in his tracks and looked at Gerosso and the rest warily.
“A lesson? I’m terrified,” Gerosso retorted sarcastically while shivering in an exaggerated manner. He then raised his chin with a smug face, and said, “Let me tell you, that big backer of yours is having a hard time saving himself. It’s a pity, you should have asked him for some magical crystals earlier. After today, I’m afraid he won’t even be able to pay for a magical crystal.”
Gerosso’s words and exaggerated expression immediately caused the Archmages to burst into laughter.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Move over, I’m going to the library.” Mason knew that a bully like Gerosso would never dare to be so arrogant after being taught a lesson the day before unless he had someone to support him. Hence, he did not want to continue being embroiled in the matter with Gerosso. He simply hurried to the library to warn Lin Li whom he had agreed to meet beforehand.
Gerosso hadn’t had enough, and obviously wouldn’t let Mason leave just like that. With a look of disdain, he continued, “To the library? Garbage like you is only going to be a waste of space there. There won’t be any use in your memorizing more incantations. I think you’d better scurry back to your village and become a fisherman! Hahahaha!”
Mason’s face reddened, the blood vessels on his temples were bulging, and his fists were clenched so tightly that his body trembled slightly. He tried his best to suppress his anger, and he yelled, “Gerosso, don’t go overboard. Don’t think that I’m really scared of you!”
“Is that so? I wonder who the person always being beaten down by me is. You’re just a piece of garbage who’s only worthy of hiding behind Felic. What else can you do? You’re such a disgrace to mages.” Gerosso was pleased with the way Mason was behaving, and he felt like he had finally gotten some interest back from the torment he suffered the day before.
“Mason, do something. You’re actually tolerating this? You call yourself a man!?”
“Hah, he’s not fit to fight Brother Gerosso. Previously, he was blasted away by a Gas Blast Spell, and couldn’t get up for a long time. That was hilarious.”