The Mage's Association's Conception

Watching Jupiter gradually provoke the Second Magician into anger, Merlin kept his expression carefully neutral and remained silent.

Negotiations were like this. You started by making an outrageous demand, whether it was warranted or not, then waited for the other side to haggle. Back and forth, until the matter was settled.

But at this moment, the Jeweled One had clearly fallen into Leon and Jupiter's trap, plunging headfirst into a tangle of emotions. In a moment of agitation, his fury blazed.

Once he lost his calm, facing Leon's appetite for devouring people down to the bone and Jupiter's cold, merciless rationality, he would likely find it difficult to come away with any advantage.

A dull sound came from the doorway...