"What do the writings say, professor?" Chief Klaus asked.

Professor Lichtenstein was already well on his way to deciphering the hidden meaning between the seemingly random scratches on the bone.

He stayed silent, while Michael did a little bit of research himself.

ChatJK5, can you try and decipher what's written?

[Without any previous knowledge of the Ancient Era, as well as the lack of context surrounding the piece of literature, translating it into a modern one will be hard to do. It will take me a few minutes at least to try and go through the different iterations of possible meanings.]

ChatJK5 made it seem like she failed just because it would take her a few minutes to decipher the words.

Everyone turned silent as they gave the professor the space he needed to get to work.

Then finally, Michael got an answer from ChatJK5.

[It is incomplete, but the text seems to be talking about a lost inheritance only found after an awakening. There does not seem to be any text about Ancient Roars.]

Just as Michael was about to say something, the professor suddenly spoke up.

"It's saying something about inheritance… and that it is something that only those who awakened it can claim it."

Michael was surprised that the professor's translation was almost exactly what ChatJK5 said. The fact that he could go toe to toe with a super AI like ChatJK5 meant that he was truly someone to be admired when it came to anything history related.

"Is it the Ancient Roar?" Lupan asked excitedly.

The professor tilted his head. "Not exactly. It doesn't speak of the Ancient Roar. It's weird. The text is very hard to decipher since I still need some context clues in order to fully get its meaning.

But what I can be sure about is that the inheritance that they're talking about doesn't just apply to Draconians, Werewolves, or any other Beastfolk. It can also apply to humans."

Sergio Aubert perked up. "Is that true, professor?!"

"I'm almost a hundred percent sure. The word they used for the inheritor is something that completely encompasses all living beings, not just one specific group. They just have to be competent."

Seeing this opportunity laid out in front of him, Sergio immediately turned towards Zovirru.

"Please give us the Antique, Zovirru. My father will greatly appreciate this. You can be sure that we'll continue cooperating with any business that you might need," he assured the Draconian.

But this didn't get the response that he expected. "He will appreciate any business that comes from me. Not the other way around. Don't forget that, boy," reminded Zovirru.

Sergio immediately pivoted. "I understand. But we Auberts clearly have the best chance in awakening this inheritance from the Antique."

"You're overestimating yourself and your family," said Chief Klaus.

But Sergio was confident in his words. "I wasn't exaggerating, Chief Klaus. We are one of the most talented humans on this Earth. My little brother has shown that even in the future generations, the Aubert Company will continue to grow and become a conglomerate in the future. Isn't that right, Chief Lupan?"

The Brownblood Tribe Chief could only stay in silence. He believed that Sergio was right. Mauricio Aubert was one of the most talented youngsters he has ever seen. But he also couldn't say that out loud because it would only give Sergio more credibility, which would be like personally handing him the Antique.

"Is he not the best in your swordsman tournament?" Sergio asked.

"In fact, I am so confident of my little brother that I am willing to stake our claim of the Antique on the basis that Mauricio will come out on top of any tournament that you put him in.

Chief Klaus, put him in competition against any of your youngsters. Chief Lupan, I believe you're already doing that. As for Zovirru, I seem to remember you giving him your praises as well.

Is that not enough evidence to show that maybe—just maybe—Mauricio, and in extension, our whole family is the one most qualified to have the Antique?"

Sergio's words were filled with a lot of confidence and a lot of boasting. But the crazy part was that none of them were disagreeing with him.

Of course, Mauricio wasn't actually the most talented youngster in the whole world. But he was the one most talented in their circle of allies.

Sergio was betting on the fact that these leaders would rather give the Antique to someone they know, rather than someone from their rival groups.

And it seemed to have been working.

"But who can study this Antique but me?" said the professor. "This belongs to me."

Sergio nodded. "Sure, professor. After we have done our own research on the Antique, you can have it all on your own."

Now, the professor had no reason to doubt the Auberts as they seemed quite honorable according to other people, but the way Sergio worded it made it seem like the professor wasn't actually going to get the Antique. They could just say they weren't finished with their research and delay giving it to him.

"I can assure you, professor, that you will have it. If by the end of the year and we haven't given it to you yet, then may god himself strike us down.

I can sign a contract with all of you, indicating that if I did not honor my promise, then you all have a reason to either seek compensation or justice."

That was good assurance. The professor would just have to wait for a year, and then he'll have the Antique for the rest of his life.

But… this wasn't good for Michael.

He wanted the Antique now. If it was tied to the Ancient Humans and the era they were in, then maybe he could be the one to uncover it.

And if he also waited at the end of the year, then the whole of New Sparta would be gone by then.

He had to say something.

"But Mauricio hasn't won yet, has he?" he asked out loud.

"Excuse me?" Sergio asked, almost laughing.

"You said that your family deserves the Antique because Mauricio is the best talent there is. But what if he isn't. What if he lost in the swordsman tournament?"

Sergio was stunned for a second. He didn't think that anyone would say those words, especially not from 'Keo', who just seemed to be the professor's protege.

"Of course he's going to win. Haha, is this even a question?"

Even the other leaders stayed silent. In all likelihood, Mauricio would win.

Only Michael could see that the possibility for that wasn't exactly a hundred percent. It's more like zero.

"Then would you like to bet on that? If Mauricio loses, then you forfeit all claim to the Antique."

"That's what I said," Sergio confidently replied.

…

…

…

Meanwhile, back in the swordsman tournament, a young teen with green hair, Mauricio Aubert, was looking at the list of all the final participants in the tournament.

And as he skimmed through the names, there was just one person he couldn't see.

"Where's Pietro?" he asked. That guy was the only real competition he had.

"He's eliminated," someone replied to him.

"Hahaha! Really? Then this competition is easier than I thought. The win is basically mine."

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