The realization of Noah's true potential had acted like a bucket of ice water over his head, cooling his fury and replacing it with a cold, calculating survival instinct.
tal.
The political implications were staggering. If word got out that a man of this caliber existed outside the Order's control, it would destabilize everything.
But if they could maintain a bridge—if they could be seen as allies or at least respectful neutral parties—they might survive his emergence.
To antagonize him now was to invite a disaster that Lunge wasn't sure the current Order could handle.
'That was the plan from the start,' Lunge thought, his fingers twitching slightly. 'I was supposed to assess him, and try to bring him into the fold. How could I mess it up this bad?'
But unfortunately, had let his own pride as a high Arch Magus cloud his judgment.
A wry, somewhat bitter smile appeared on Lunge's face.
