Elise looked at the proud, aloof man before her, feeling as if a whole string of titles were stacked on his head, making him seem unbearably arrogant.

And that was what led to Elise calling Elvire.

Elvire, however, thought it was no big deal.

Tier Six was nothing special. She could reach it too if she really unleashed her power.

The differences between Tier One and Tier Six were basically just a matter of Magic Power. Sopea hadn’t broken through to Tier Seven, so there was nothing to make a fuss about.

She didn’t give the matter much thought. Instead, she asked Elise about their own business, "Did you buy all the materials?"

While the Witch was in Alola Town, they wanted to ask her to brew some extra Magic Potions for them. They would need them sooner or later, and this would save them the trouble of having to ship them back and forth.

There was an odd note in Elise’s voice. "Aren’t you missing the point?"

Elvire asked, "What point?"

’Is there even a point to this?’

"Sean," Elise said over the phone.

Sopea wasn’t a member of the Dawn Council. He belonged to another Wizard Organization active in Krim State known as the "Long Night." In other words, he wasn’t one of them. So, whether Sopea was Tier Five or Tier Six made no difference to them and wouldn’t have any real impact—at most, he would just be more difficult to interact with in the future.

But if he was coming for Sean, that was a different story.

"Oh, so he’s looking for Sean..." Elvire mused.

Elise thought Elvire was finally getting it. ’She seems a little slow on the uptake today,’ she mused. But then Elvire abruptly changed her tune, blurting out, "What does his business have to do with me?"

"If Sopea wants to come find him, then let him."

Elise said, "Huh?"

’How does it have nothing to do with her now?’

"Isn’t he one of your people?" Elise asked.

Elvire replied coolly, "He was, and he will be again. But for now, he isn’t."

Elise understood immediately and asked with a chuckle, "Still mad at him?"

"They say a couple’s quarrel never lasts the night—they fight at the head of the bed and make up by the foot. Don’t you think you two have been squabbling a bit too long?"

"Don’t be ridiculous, who’s a couple with him?" Elvire warned Elise. "Don’t forget, besides being best friends, I’m also your superior. If you keep joking with your boss, I might just have to make things difficult for you."

"Alright, alright, I’ll stop," Elise said quickly. "From now on, whatever you say your relationship with Sean is, that’s what it is. Is that good enough for you?"

Inwardly, she was snickering.

’Pulling rank on me... Looks like someone’s getting flustered.’

Elvire hmphed softly and asked, "When is he coming?"

"Sopea?" Elise thought for a moment. "I’d guess in the next day or two."

Sopea hadn’t given her a specific time, but from what she knew of him, the old fellow was very reliable. Whenever he promised something, he did it as soon as possible. If Sopea didn’t have anything else to take care of, he was probably already on his way to the airport.

"Then set up a meeting with him. Make it the day after tomorrow," Elvire said.

The location went without saying. Formal meetings between Wizards were usually held in a church.

Alola Town had no such thing as a manor.

Elise seized the chance to tease her. "I thought you said you weren’t getting involved?"

"I’m not. I’m simply acting in my capacity as a manager of the Dawn Council to find a place for the two of them. It’s just basic hospitality," Elvire said. "We can’t just let them meet on the street."

Dream-weaving required a quiet environment.

"You’re not going?" Elise asked.

Elvire replied, "Of course I’m going. Why wouldn’t I?"

Elise snickered.

But before she could tease Miss Flame Crow about her tough act not lasting more than a few sentences, Elvire spoke again. "But I’m not going for *his* sake."

Elvire said with self-righteous confidence, "I have my own appointment that day. Is that not allowed?"

"Of course it is." Elise blinked. "But if I may be so bold, who did you invite?"

Elvire retorted, "If you know it’s a bold question, why ask?"

Elise’s smile froze on her face. "..."

’Where have I seen this style of snappy comebacks before?’

Elvire added, "It’s no secret. I invited several people."

"Kate, the Witch, Elise, Yisha, the Bell Ringer..."

"Wait, why am I on there?"

"What, are you rejecting my invitation?" Elvire retorted.

Elise: "..."

’Of course she couldn’t refuse.’

Elise wasn’t stupid. She quickly realized Elvire’s words had a hidden meaning.

She hadn’t already invited people; she was starting to invite them now.

’She’s calling in backup for Sean.’

’She’s soft-hearted, after all. And since Alola Town is the Dawn Council’s territory, how could she really let an "outsider" bully Sean?’

Elvire was secretly pleased that Elise understood her intentions—their years of sisterhood hadn’t been for nothing. But she would never admit it out loud, saying calmly instead, "I’m a little tired today. You can invite them for me."

Elise rolled her eyes. "Aren’t you just at home? What could you possibly be tired from?"

Elvire answered expressionlessly, "I’m tired from picking up trash."

She fished the crumpled-up ball of paper she’d just thrown into the pond back out.

Elise shook her head with a laugh and agreed. "Fine, you get some rest then."

She was actually quite good at inviting people.

A Wizard’s time was precious, especially for those of a higher Tier. A direct invitation was unlikely to work; you had to tailor your approach to each person.

Yisha was the easiest. All Elise had to do was tell her there was fun to be had at the church.

The Bell Ringer didn’t know Sean, so she would have to appeal to his duty to defend the honor of the Dawn Council.

For Kate, who seemed to be on good terms with Sean, Elise just sent a text message: someone was looking to cause trouble for Sean.

Many companies were on holiday for the recent Day of Abstinence, but not Kate’s. As a true capitalist, Kate naturally had to take advantage of this period of low competition to close some big deals. So, not only was he not free, he was even busier than usual.

And when people get busy, they tend to get cranky.

He took a moment to pull out his phone and saw Elise’s text.

"What?"

"Someone’s looking for trouble with Sean??"

Son of a biscuit. Daring to mess with someone Lord Blake himself wants to mentor, not to mention his own brother from another mother? Were they asking for a beating?

Kate slammed his palm on the table with a loud WHACK, startling the female secretary beside him so much that she dropped the folder she was holding.

"Book me a flight. I need to make a trip to Fuerburg City."

"Yes, sir," the secretary hastily replied. "For what day?"

"Today. The sooner, the better," Kate said.

’He was going to find out which old bastard didn’t know how to enjoy their Day of Abstinence vacation and preferred to go looking for trouble instead.’

The Bell Ringer’s reaction was much the same as Kate’s.

If someone was coming to Alola Town to participate in a Dawn Council event, he would welcome them with open arms. Unlike most Wizards, he preferred a lively atmosphere over quiet. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

But if they were coming to Alola Town to cause trouble for members of the Dawn Council, then he was sorry, but the Bell Hammer in his hand didn’t really distinguish between people and bells. And it wouldn’t be the first time he’d mistaken a person for something to be struck.

He didn’t care if your name was Sopea or something else entirely; everyone had to follow the rules.

Such is the charm of words.

Elise made sure not to mention the fact that Sean had made Koni cry—even though she knew from Elvire that Koni had "brought it on herself." It was better left unsaid. That way, she could more effectively focus their animosity.

And so it was.

Two days later.

Sopea got off the plane, took a taxi from the airport to the city, found the Dawn Council’s "deliveryman," and rode in the man’s truck to Alola Town. The moment he arrived at the town entrance, he was met by the "enthusiastic" welcome of Kate and the others.

—At first, he genuinely thought Kate and the others were there to welcome him.

After all, every single one of them had a friendly smile on their face.

Besides, he was one of the managers of the Long Night Union. He was also the only powerful Wizard to have openly entered the 3rd Floor of the Holy Hall and broken through to Tier Six after just one week of seclusion. It was only normal to receive such a reception.

That is, until Kate, who was considerably younger than him, suddenly spoke:

"So you’re the punk who wants to mess with my brother?"

Sopea: "?"

...