Chapter 291: Speculation

Waves of suspicions washed over his mind the moment Adam learned that they had been teamed up with Alex and his squad.

It had been less than a month since their last squabble, and now they had been banded together by headquarters, almost as if the universe wanted the two squads to reconcile with one another.

However, Adam's suspicious nature would never allow him to think that.

The moment he heard this news from Lisa, he immediately willed the lotus to clear all the intoxication clouding his mind.

Yes, a legendary artifact being used as a hangover medicine. If the experts who fought over the lotus many years ago saw this scene, they wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry.

The latter, most likely.

Adam got to his feet and started pacing around the tent, stroking his chin.

A month ago, we met Alex and his team. Then, we got into a quarrel, but it wasn't too big of a deal...

Except for the envy and hatred Alex was subconsciously releasing, I didn't feel any killing intent from him. Our differences aren't that big that he would try to kill me.

Unless...

The youth paused in his footsteps, the expression on his face becoming solemn by the second.

Is someone behind him? But it would take a Rank 2 Magus to meddle with the system already put in place and have Alex's team join mine.

Wait a minute!

Rank 2 Magus...

Could it be?

Adam's eyes narrowed and a terrifying foreboding feeling welled up in his heart. If a Rank 2 Magus was really scheming from the shadows, then it didn't bode well for him. After all, he was still nowhere near strong enough to deal with such an existence.

He started pacing around the room once again and resumed his thoughts.

The only Rank 2 Magus whom I've offended are Professor Hemingway and the patriarch of the Gracie Family. And the common point between these two is...

Kevin Gracie!

"Hehe, you bastard, so you've finally made your move, huh, Kevin?" Adam chuckled coldly, a dangerous light flashing through his abyss-like pupils.

After he had confronted Kevin and his father, Morden Gracie, he was wondering when they would take action. But to think that they would even get a Rank 2 Magus involved was out of his expectations.

"What is it, Adam?" Seeing him pace around the room in thought, Lisa didn't dare to disturb him earlier.

But when she heard the name of the person whom she loathed will all her heart, she couldn't help but ask about it. Meanwhile, Edward, who was struggling to sober up, was also looking at Adam with a solemn expression.

Adam glanced at his friends and helplessly sighed, "Things are looking bad. Really bad." He then went on to explain his speculations.

After hearing him out, Edward and Lisa were shocked out of their minds.

"B-But, killing an ally is punishable by death!" Edward had a dumbfounded look on his face. "Do they not know that?"

Adam sneered, "So what if it is? Those bastards probably have their ways to do this without getting caught. I even believe that those despicable Gracie scums are planning to deal with Alex and his squad too after all this is over."

"No, but, these are just your speculations, right?" Lisa gulped nervously.

"Yes." Adam nodded. "But they shouldn't be far from the truth."

A long period of silence ensued within the tent. Then, Lisa glanced at Adam, her eyes flashing with determination and ruthlessness. "So what do we do?"

"We kill them, of course," Adam coldly smiled.

He then glanced at Lisa and asked, "You've been visiting the headquarters all this while? What's the situation with the Rank 2 Magi there? Do you have any idea?"

"The vast majority of them have been stationed further north, dealing with the orc forces," said Lisa with a serious expression. "Only a handful have been stationed at the camp for any emergencies."

"And where is the location of our next mission?" asked Adam.

"Down south."

"I see..." Adam nodded. "That greatly diminishes the chances of any Rank 2 directly interfering with our mission."

"If you're worried about the Gracie Patriarch and Professor Hemingway, then you can rest assured," Lisa began, "they've been stationed near the camps of the orcs."

"Where did you hear that?" Adam asked with raised eyebrows.

"I overheard some Magi from the Gracie Family talking about it a few days ago."

"That does ease my heart a little," Adam stroked his chin, mumbling to himself. "But we still can't be completely sure."

He could easily deal with a Rank 1 Magus or even a group of them, for that matter. But a Rank 2 Magus was a large variable. After all, no matter how much an ant schemed or used its strength, it would never be able to defeat an elephant.

Such was the gap between a Mana Foundation Magus and a Mana Liquefaction Magus!

After thinking for a long time, Adam began to lay out his plan, "Alright, so here's what we're gonna do."

...

The following day, the sun had just risen, casting its radiant rays over the Murky Mountains. After having planned for most of the night, Adam and his team slowly made their way out of their living quarters and headed toward the camp's southern exit.

Upon reaching the gate, they noticed that Alex's team was already waiting for them there. When Alex's gaze landed on them, he waved his hand and called out enthusiastically.

"Guys, here!"

Adam smiled brightly as he approached the blond young man. He extended his hand out for a handshake and sincerely said, "Magus Alex, this must be fate! Who would have thought that we would one day team up and fight the orcs together?"

Alex was slightly taken aback by the youth's exuberance, thinking to himself, Hehe, no, this is good.

"Indeed." Alex shook his hand and spoke with a reminiscent tone. "It feels like only yesterday I was escorting you to the Academy. And now, we're already fighting side by side."

He patted the youth's shoulder and spoke with pride, "I'm proud of the progress you've made, Adam."

"If it wasn't for you and your team, me and the other kids wouldn't even have made it to the academy," Adam replied modestly.

As the two chatted with each other in a jovial mood, Lisa approached Kelley with a flat expression. Alex and Ivan glanced at the two ladies, thinking they would get into a quarrel again, but they were surprised by what happened next.

Lisa placed her hand over her chest and bowed, "I apologize for my rude behavior that day, Magus Kelley. I sincerely hope that we can put that aside and work together for this mission."

Kelley was taken aback. All this while she had been thinking how to get in Lisa's good graces, but she never would have thought that the latter would take the initiative instead.

After a brief moment of surprise, she smiled warmly, "You were only trying to defend your friend. I can respect that." She then shook her hand and nodded. "Let's get along."

Alex breathed a sigh of relief and asked everyone with a genuine smile, "Now that we've got that out of the way, shall we go and hunt some beasts?"

"Yes, Boss!" Adam's team nodded solemnly.

The way they responded had now made it clear to everyone that Alex would be the one to lead this mission.

Hearing them call him 'boss', Alex laughed heartily, "Alright, let us depart!"

The two teams then slowly made their way out of the eastern camp. On the surface, they displayed warmth and friendliness.

However, the two groups had already started plotting how to get rid of the other.