Chapter 385


Chapter 91: The Cassandra Family Mansion

Inside the mansion, banquet hall.

In fact, it’s the folks who stayed here that are the true stars of this banquet, not the young ones outside.

Roy was also present, following Malfoy, and met with the head of the Purple Magic Sect, Dia Cassandra, alongside representatives from other factions.

Dia was tall and imposing, with sharp, deep-set eyes and neatly combed brown curls, sporting a faint gray beard. Dressed in luxurious attire, he looked more like a distinguished nobleman than a mage.

Not all magic factions are controlled by families. Even if they are, most magical families tend to be quite easygoing. In truth, the Cassandra family didn’t always have this aristocratic air; it was only under Dia’s management that they transformed.

Roy pondered; maybe Dia really is a noble after all.

It was over twenty years ago that he married into the Cassandra family, becoming a Purple Mage, gradually climbing to the position of family head.

To the public, Dia appeared to be an extraordinarily gifted extraordinary being, leading the Purple Magic Sect to its peak.

But Roy knew that this man was the root cause of Leanna’s tragic past.

Behind the headship was a mountain of bloody debts.

This banquet was meant for Dia to clarify his involvement with cultists, but the negotiations were not going smoothly, just as Roy had anticipated.

“Everything is for the sake of eradicating the Cult, for the greater good of humanity. I hope you understand, Lord Dia.”

“Mr. Malfoy, I can sympathize with the society’s concerns, but who can empathize with ours? This is a complete misunderstanding. [Demon Hand] Lox is guilty for conspiring with the Cult, yet you’re trying to pin his mistakes on all of us Purple Mages. Isn’t that a bit unfair?”

Dia straightened up, polite but exuding an unwavering momentum, making even the typically arrogant Red Mages furrow their brows.

Malfoy’s tone grew firmer: “So, Mr. Dia is refusing the society’s investigation?”

“Not at all. It’s just that internal affairs within the Purple Magic Sect are numerous; I hope the society can grant us some more time.” Dia paused, a glint flashing in his eyes, “Otherwise, don’t blame us for taking necessary defensive actions.”

The atmosphere solidified, and the negotiations hit a standstill.

Roy nearly burst out laughing.

More time for you to clear out the cultists? And then shout injustice later when you get caught?

However, among the mages present, apart from the representatives of the Red and Green Mages, everyone else remained silent, showing no inclination to denounce Dia.

Logically, the differences among the Seven Great Sects shouldn’t be significant. It should have been easy for six to take down one Purple Mage Sect.

Looks like the Mage Society isn’t very united after all. Besides the Red and Green Mages, none wanted to stick their necks out and clash with the Purple Sect?

Or is it that the Purple Sect has some hidden tricks that intimidate them?

In the original story, the denunciation against the Purple Sect happened at the end of the second school’s academic year, at the conclusion of Leanna’s storyline. The Purple Sect undoubtedly lost, but the society also suffered considerable losses.

Too bad this part felt more like background noise, with many details Roy wasn’t even fully aware of—after all, “Angel Dance” is still a campus romance game, and the outside world’s turmoil doesn’t really concern the main character.

“Anyway, I respect the society’s decision, but in the short term, we can’t accept your investigation.” Dia stated, suddenly casting his gaze past the mages toward the external representatives invited from various factions.

Specifically, he fixated on Roy.

The head of the Purple Sect’s words were laden with meaning: “I also hope our external friends won’t meddle.”

That profound gaze stirred an inexplicable sense of repulsion within Roy, making his blood feel restless.

As if the person wasn’t human…

Whew, this guy isn’t a cultist, is he?!

Roy startled himself with that thought, but wasn’t quite sure.

Because cultists tend to be a little off; they can’t even pretend to act like normal people. Even Rolyn’s notes have made fun of this.

Besides, cultists worship their evil gods, show disdain for power, and certainly don’t need to infiltrate as mages, right?

But Roy didn’t dwell on it for too long. After all, the civil strife between the Mage Society and the Purple Sect had nothing to do with him. He was just here to pick a side and enjoy the show.

Soon, he shifted his gaze out the window, searching for that brown figure among the outdoor banquet attendees.

The open contest of power between the big shots was nearly over.

To be fair, he found it difficult to believe that amidst all the laughter and chatter at this banquet, that troublesome woman was indeed behaving foolishly after getting tipsy at night, but it surely wasn’t anything pleasant.

Just as Roy was about to find an excuse to excuse himself, a faintly daunting extraordinary aura suddenly flashed by, leaving everyone around unchanged in expression.

Especially Roy, whose pupils involuntarily shook.

That aura is… Leanna?

——————————

Earlier.

“President?”

“Wait for me here.”

Before Kreya could ask, Leanna suddenly took off, walking briskly forward.

Along the way, the young gents either adjusted their attire or straightened up, thinking they won the heart of the melancholic beauty. Unfortunately, Leanna didn’t even glance back, cutting straight past them.

Until she approached a lady supported by two maids.

Even a mere glance, Leanna wouldn’t mistake her.

The purple curls, vivid violet eyes, and that face strikingly similar to her own.

“Mom… Mom?”

However, as Leanna got closer, she observed that her mother appeared far more frail than remembered, the delicate makeup failing to conceal the weariness etched on her face, her eyes dim, almost hollow.

Madame Cassandra, Lisana Cassandra, slowly turned her head, staring blankly for several seconds until a faint glimmer appeared in her eyes.

But before Leanna could feel joy, the next words plunged her into despair.

“You… Who are you?”

The usually graceful and composed girl now looked pale, utterly fragile.

“Mom, I’m…!”

“Wait, miss, could you please refrain from disturbing my mother?”

A young man with short violet hair, a charming smile, and a tall, slender figure blocked Leanna without hesitation.

“Your mother?” Leanna frowned.

The young man smiled faintly, exuding a fox-like cunning: “I forgot to introduce myself.”

“I’m Marvin Cassandra, the chief mage of the Purple Magic Sect, and also the son of Dia Cassandra, the head of the Cassandra family.”

“My mother has been suffering from a heart ailment due to an accident many years ago, leading to her mental fog. It’s inappropriate for her to converse with outsiders. May I ask this miss to refrain from disturbing her to avoid unnecessary distress?”

Every mage faction has a ranking system. The chief mage not only implies outstanding strength but also signifies being the chosen heir of the faction’s leader.

In fact, Leanna also sensed that the other party possessed Sequence 6 strength, quite impressive for someone under thirty.

But none of that mattered.

Looking at her mother’s haggard face, Leanna felt a surge of anger overwhelming her.

She didn’t need to ask; she knew her mother’s plight was directly tied to the current state of the Cassandra family.

But now was not the time.

Watching her mother supported away by the maids, Leanna turned back to the young man, her gaze chill.

“What have you done to her?”

“I don’t understand what you mean.” Marvin maintained a cryptic smile.

Leanna raised her voice, sneering, “Let me be clear then.”

“I’m asking what you dirty scoundrels colluding with cultists have done to your kinfolk!”

At these words, the laughter around them froze, and numerous pairs of eyes turned to face them.

And Marvin’s smile finally twitched.