"I didn't, Lord Wizard Leo." How could Ellis possibly admit it? He hurriedly said, "I had Ellis use the secret art first because I hoped... hoped..."
Ellis opened his mouth, unable to explain himself.
Leo flipped through the parchment in his hand and said, "I have no interest in your quarrel. What is your name?"
"Lord Wizard Leo, my name is Peter."
Leo asked, "What if testing the potion on you was my order?"
Peter said, "If that were the case, it would prove that I acted rashly and was unworthy of serving Lord Wizard Leo. I would deserve death."
After a moment of silence, Leo said blandly, "Since you defeated Ellis and were the first to become a Sky Knight, you will take over everything Ellis had."
"Ellis previously made a deal with me. I would give him a secret art that allowed him to break through to Sky Knight without Shadowfish, and help him advance beyond the Sky Knight realm to become a Star Knight. In return, he would help me unify all the knight orders."
"Can you accomplish these things?"
Brilliant light burst from Peter's eyes. He dropped to his knees and said, "Lord Wizard Leo, I guarantee that I will complete the tasks you assign. Whatever Ellis could do, I, Peter, can do as well—and I will do it better, more perfectly."
Leo gave a slight nod. "Fine. Since you say so, I will leave everything to you."
"Lord Wizard Leo, how should Ellis be dealt with?"
Peter asked.
Though he wanted to kill Ellis outright and cut off all future trouble, he did not dare truly do so before Leo gave the word.
Leo said, "I do not care whether he lives or dies. You may handle his life and death yourself. Take him away."