"Now that the playing field's even, let's start our conversation."
"…"
The silence in the room was deafening.
Even those who had been on the verge of lashing out after hearing how Evan had treated the spirits sent to contact him were left speechless.
Caeril, seated right opposite Evan, looked like his jaw might hit the floor.
He didn't even know what stunned him the most. Evan's boldness? His audacity? His ruthlessness?
The fire spirit was the first to recover. Slamming both palms on the table, he stood abruptly and pointed at Evan.
"You—!"
"Nuh uh."
Evan cut him off immediately, shaking his head while double-tapping the Arcanum beside him.
"We're here to talk, so let's keep it calm. No shouting."
The brief exchange pulled the rest out of their stupor, and Caeril quickly interjected to keep the situation from escalating.
"W-Wait… Sir Evan, that thing…"
"What about it?"
Evan asked, one brow raised, as if he genuinely couldn't see what the issue was.
