Chapter 83

"I'm sorry, Mr. Harvey," Severin said. "I was blind to your importance and offended you. I hope you'll forgive me." Harvey rushed over and knelt before Severin.

From Master Blade's expression, Severin knew he'd caused trouble. The man he'd reprimanded was no ordinary individual. [The promotional text "Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality" has been removed as it is irrelevant to the story.]

Severin smiled faintly. "But you were soliciting tips from me earlier, refusing to inform your boss of my arrival without them. Do I look rich? I can't afford to tip you!"

He shrugged, produced a cheap packet of cigarettes, and lit one.

"What? You dared ask him for money?" Blade's fury intensified. With a powerful kick, he sent Harvey sprawling.

"Mr. Severin, I apologize! Perhaps we should have his arm cut off to atone for this offense? Would that suffice?" Blade asked.

Harvey was stunned, his eyes dulling. I'm finished. No one in Draco Hall dares cross this man.

The punishment was severe. Harvey would be handicapped, unemployable in Draco Hall.

"That's too harsh," Severin said. "Just have him slap himself twice. He'll remember this."

"Did you hear that? Thank Mr. Severin for his leniency!" Blade urged.

"Thank you, Mr. Severin! Thank you!" Harvey slapped himself repeatedly. "Mr. Severin, this way, please. I should have greeted you at the door, but I didn't expect you so early!" Blade bowed slightly.

Severin chuckled. "I had some free time. Thank you for your help last night; otherwise, escaping would have been difficult."

Blade replied politely, "You're too humble, Mr. Severin. Surely, you could have escaped easily without my assistance."

Guided by Blade, they entered the main hall. Larry instructed everyone else to leave, leaving only himself, Blade, and Severin. Both Larry and Blade knelt, hands clasped.

"Hail, Supreme Leader!" they proclaimed.

Severin frowned, his expression bewildered. "You've mistaken me for someone else. I'm not the Hall Master! This is a misunderstanding!" Larry rose. "Supreme Leader, you've always been secretive about your identity. I didn't ask Blade to reveal it."

"But I'm not the Supreme Leader!" Severin insisted.

Larry pointed to Severin's finger. "That's the Dracodeus Ring, a token of the Dracodeus Temple. The wearer is Draco Hall's Supreme Leader. There are twelve halls, as you know."

Severin nodded. "Twelve halls, yes. Each named after an oriental zodiac sign: Draco Hall, Tigris Hall, Sus Hall, Equus Hall, and so on. Old Wacko told me."

"Then it's true!" Larry said.