Chapter 112 | Mysterious Faction
In just ten seconds, Dexter had completely deconstructed the meal.
With the refined palate of a Great Grandmaster Foodsmith, he analyzed everything about the dish.
The precise blend of herbs in the seasoning, and the method of mana infusion. He could taste every ingredient, trace every step of the cooking process, and identify every single flaw.
In just a few seconds, he recognized so many flaws.
The mana infusion method wasn’t done right.
The seasoning was slightly too heavy on one side, masking the natural umami of the meat.
The fire-roasted vegetables were slightly over-charred, introducing a bitter taste that clashed with the steak’s savory nature.
For an ordinary person, the meal was decent and even enjoyable. But for someone like Dexter, it was far from perfect.
’Disappointing.’
Although he was extremely disappointed by the food he was never one to waste food.
His Chaos Flame Demon bloodline and his metabolism, burned through the calories and mana with quickly. He finished the entire plate in under two minutes.
Violette stared at him, stunned by his speed of eating.
She had barely finished a quarter of her own steak and this guy had eaten all of it.
Her lips tugged slightly. ’Truly a country bumpkin.’
Dexter set down his fork and leaned back. "So," he said, meeting her violet eyes. "Are you going to tell me anything about the necklace?"
Violette’s expression flickered as she pondered.
Then, instead of answering his question, she asked one of her own.
"What do you know about the powers controlling this place?"
Dexter frowned. "The powers controlling this place?"
"Do you mean the Nine main families of Stargate City?"
Violets sneered with disdain and arrogance in her tone. "What Nine main families? They are merely frogs playing house in a well. I’m talking about the three main associations?"
’Did she just compare the seven main families as frogs in the well?’ Dexter’s pupils constricted violently and he knew Violette status might be even more astonishing than he thought.
Dexter considered her question for a moment. "There’s the Hero Association, the Geneticists Association that manufactures genetic serums, and the Federation."
Violette raised an eyebrow. "Any other powers?"
Dexter shook his head slowly. "I know there are likely other powers operating behind the scenes, but I’ve never heard of them."
Violette nodded again. "There’s a reason you’ve never heard of them. The Hero Association is the strongest, having the support of the federation, and they make sure the news about other associations is suppressed."
Dexter’s frown deepened. "So what does that have to do with the necklace?"
Violette grinned darkly.
"The necklace is a sort of key," she said quietly.
"The key is only given to the successor of one of those hidden factions you’re taking about. If you wear the necklace, you automatically become the next generation leader of a hidden faction."
Dexter’s face changed.
’Leader?’
Becoming the next-generation leader of a hidden faction? How was that possible?
Had that old man actually given him the key to leading a mysterious organization just because he had won a bet about learning a cultivation technique?
Not to mention that it was a mysterious faction, if he was caught, the Hero Association would definitely not let him off.
Violette smirked, watching the realization dawn on his face. "So now, do you know how much trouble you’re in?"
"If word gets out, not only would you be hunted by opposite factions, but by the Hero Association also."
She suddenly leaned forward slightly. "Why don’t you give me the necklace? And just like that—"
"Snap!"
"Your trouble disappears. Simple."
Dexter blinked and for a brief moment, he truly considered giving her the necklace right there.
Afterall he still had to take care of three wives. And now, he somehow became the next generation leader of some mysterious organization?
He could bare take care of his girls and himself. If his identity was revealed, he would place the girls in danger. They were his investments afterall.
But then, another thought came to his head.
What if she was lying?
He had only ever heard of the Hero Association, the Geneticists Association, and the government.
Those were the acknowledged powers of the continent. The idea that there were other, hidden factions was plausible, but the notion that he would casually meet an old man, win a bet, and receive a token of leadership for one of these secret organizations?
It was simply too absurd.
And if there was one thing Dexter had learned from living with Mira, it was how to recognize when someone was trying to be manipulative.
His gaze focused as he sneered at Violette. "I know your tricks. And I won’t fall for them."
Violette stared at him, genuinely stunned.
Then, slowly, she smirked. She didn’t try to correct him not did she argue. She simply let his dismissal stand as a knowing amusement danced in her violet eyes.
"Alright. I won’t say much regarding this matter any longer."
"What academy are you attending?" she asked suddenly, shifting topics entirely. "What university?"
Dexter frowned. "University? Why would I need to go to a university?"
Violette’s brow creased. "Are you not planning anything for your future?"
Dexter shrugged. "I’m not planning to attend any university."
Violette appeared even more stunned than before. She opened her mouth, then closed it.
Her frown deepened into something approaching genuine concern.
"If you’re not planning to attend an Ultra University," she said slowly, "then the key would be useless to you anyway. You should really hand it over to me."
Dexter’s ears pricked up. "Ultra University? What’s that?"
Violette hesitated as she studied his face, searching for any sign that he was joking.
When she found none, her expression shifted changed into something between disbelief and pity.
She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it. A faint, cryptic smile replaced her frown.
"The key would eventually..." She paused, shaking her head. "I have no idea why Grandfather gave you the key instead of giving me. But I’m pretty sure you will regret his choice very soon."
Her face lightened up as she smiled making her face look even prettier. She had a smile that could actually dim the surroding noise as she smiled at him.
But Dexter’s brows were scrunched up into a frown instead.
Violette let out a quite giggle and offhandedly raised her hand and called the waiter.