CHAPTER 226: WHO WAS THAT BOY

As Logan and Ali stepped out of the fighting arena, Logan immediately noticed Elizabeth waiting outside.

Standing beside her was someone unexpected.

Lilith Starwind!

The moment her eyes landed on Logan, her emotions collided—shock, joy, and confusion all at once.

Shocked, because in just two years, Logan had changed so much. He was only fifteen now, yet he carried himself with the aura of someone seventeen or eighteen.

Happy, because he was alive.

And why confused?

"Damn it! I literally ran all the way here. But what do I even say now? It’s not like we’re close friends. And seriously... why on earth did I even rush here in the first place? she scolded herself inwardly.

The air was thick with awkwardness until Logan finally broke the silence.

"Well, if it isn’t Lilith. It’s good to see you after so long. I still remember how spectacularly you performed during the tou—"

He didn’t get to finish.

"Nice try, Logan." Lilith cut him off sharply, her eyes narrowing. "Don’t think I don’t know it was you, wandering around under that mask, pretending to be Aiden. You owe me a spar. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time."

She somehow came up with that.

Meanwhile, Logan was taken aback. " Spar with me? But why?"

"Because I want to. Isn’t that enough? I was already planning to fight you in the final. But then you had to lose and pretend to be weak, didn’t you? And then you even had the nerve to spread rumors about your death." She blurted out so many things all at once.

Ali chuckled from the side. And Elizabeth stood in her position in a daze. "So this is the Logan who was dead? And he is also Aiden? And he came out unscathed even after fighting the Guildmaster? What’s going on? I am not dreaming, am I?"

Logan opened his mouth to reply, but Ali saved him the trouble. "Well, Lilith, you’ll surely get your spar with him. But not now, alright? We have something important to deal with."

His tone was lighthearted, but his eyes held urgency.

Lilith shrugged, her expression half-annoyed, half-playful. "Fine. But don’t you dare vanish somewhere before our duel this time. Hmph!"

Logan was about to speak again, but once more, Ali cut in smoothly. "Sure, sure. Elizabeth, please take Lilith back with you. And pass on my message to her parents. Tell them to meet me right now. It’s urgent. And also mention it to them that it’s time."

Elizabeth blinked. She didn’t fully understand what he meant, but she still nodded. Taking Lilith’s arm, she began to lead her away.

But Lilith, of course, wasn’t done. "My parents? Why do you need them? And what’s so urgent? And what exactly do you mean by ’it’s time’?" she threw a barrage of questions.

This time, even Ali’s eyes twitched. "This girl... is she really the daughter of the Starwind couple? How can her character be the complete opposite of theirs?" He thought and sighed before saying, "Lilith, this is something important for me and your parents. You really don’t need to know."

Lilith’s lips parted as if to argue, but Ali spoke again. "And if you keep interrupting..." He paused, giving her a pointed look. "Then your spar with Logan will be delayed. Do you understand?"

Lilith shut her mouth. The last thing she wanted was for her long-awaited duel to be pushed back. Crossing her arms, she gave a huff but said nothing more.

"Good." Ali gave a satisfied nod before turning away. With long, steady strides, he started walking down the hall. "Logan, follow me."

Logan cast one last glance over his shoulder. His eyes briefly met Lilith’s, who was still glaring at him with a strange mix of determination and frustration. Then, without a word, he followed Ali toward the Guildmaster’s chamber.

Meanwhile, Lilith bit her lower lip. "Something fishy is going on. Why involve my parents? And what did he mean by ’it’s time’?" Her thoughts spun rapidly, weaving together half-baked suspicions and unanswered questions.

"Lilith," Elizabeth called softly, bringing her back from daze. "Let’s go."

Lilith blinked and sighed. "Right..." Reluctantly, she let herself be guided away.

______

Outside, the Guild was still buzzing with murmurs. Hunters gathered in small groups, voices low yet animated as they tried to piece together what had just happened.

"Did you see that? Lilith Starwind, rushing in like she owned the place, asking about that new boy like she’s known him forever!"

"Exactly! And who is that boy, actually? Why have I never seen him before? And today even the Guildmaster agreed to meet him."

"Maybe he is our guildmaster’s distant relative."

"Possible. Maybe that’s why he looks so imposing. I guess it runs in their blood."

Laughter erupted.

But peculations still swirled, only intensifying as Elizabeth and Lilith emerged from the building. Heads turned instantly, whispers doubling in volume. But Lilith ignored the stares. She marched straight back to Gideon’s table and dropped into her seat with a dramatic sigh.

Naturally, Gideon and his party were waiting. Ronald leaned forward first with his furrowed brows. "Well? What happened in there? Why did you storm off like that? And then come back looking like you’ve solved the world’s biggest mystery?"

Lilith smirked, enjoying the sudden attention. "Oh, nothing much. Just thought you’d all like to know something important." She let the words hang in the air, dragging their curiosity to the breaking point.

Melissa groaned. "Lilith, don’t play games. Spit it out already."

Leaning forward, Lilith’s eyes glittered mischievously. "Well, you were all waiting for your old party member, weren’t you? That masked boy you called Aiden?"

The others nodded slowly with wary expressions.

"Well, here’s the truth." She paused dramatically, then declared, "You don’t even know what his real name is. It’s not Aiden."

"It’s not Aiden?" Luna’s interest quickly piqued. "Then what is his real name? And how do you know him?"

Lilith smirked. "Well, I’ve known him long before he even joined this party. And his name?

It’s Logan. Logan Smith."