Kyran and Leif followed Ias while he dealt with the puppets.
As they had guessed, after defeating a certain number of puppets, the number of puppets that would move would double and attack them. At first, Ias was still able to destroy the puppets with relative ease, while Kyran and Leif provided assistance from the rear. But by the time the count reached thirty-two, Ias had to put in more effort.
With the situation escalating, Leif's role shifted. No longer could she merely assist from the rear. She unleashed her true potential, casting powerful offensive water spells with precision. Her targets were the puppets that threatened Ias from his blind spot, a testament to her growing prowess. These spells, undoubtedly, were the signature of the Lacus Clan.
Leif managed to cast spells that would only be known to the Lacus Clan because she found a Lacus Clan Exclusive Book of Spells among Anahia's belongings. While they were waiting for Kyran's transformation potion to take full effect, she read the book and tried to memorize some of its powerful magic spells.
Since Leif was not a real Lacus member, she could not fully utilize the magic spell's attack. But she was a relatively powerful High Sovereign, and her affinity to water-based magic was so high that it compensated for the fact she was not a Lacus.
On the other hand, Kyran continued to provide assistance from the rear without increasing his output. This was not because he could not be bothered but more because he was busy studying the puppets and Ias's movements.
Like what Shaiha said, Kyran also found Ias acting similar to him. This similarity was not something that could be brushed off as them being part of the same clan— at least, technically.
Ias's attack pattern, level of aggressiveness, and way of speaking were so similar to Kyran's that he felt goosebumps all over.
Then again, rather than saying they were very similar, Kyran had an inkling that Ias was acting. What gave him this impression was quite simple.
Ias's attack patterns appeared limited. It was as if he only knew a certain number of Kyran's moves and used them to fight the puppets. Although Ias combined each pattern or even mixed and matched them, Kyran saw the same old attack patterns— as if Ias's programming only had those moves, and he had to make full use of them.
[Wait... what do you mean programming? Are you saying Ias is...?]
As always, Shaiha sensed Kyran's thoughts and was shocked at the conclusion he came up with regarding Ias's identity.
Kyran did not respond. Instead, he recalled how Ias remained by Cyneah's side when they were still at the platform. He also remembered how hesitant Ladon was about having anyone from their team join Leif's side. It was only when Cyneah told Ladon that Ias could join them that he agreed.
With narrowed eyes, Kyran turned his attention to the number of puppets that swarmed Ias.
"Nineteen left" he muttered.
[You mean nineteen more, right? It's already been more than an hour since the start of the fight and they only destroyed thirteen!]
Shaiha complained.
"Yes, Master!"
"Master—?" Leif gasped in shock.
Kyran sighed inwardly and looked at Ias with a wry smile.
Right.
Rather than calling him Ias, it should be Aki.
Once Aki defeated the puppet he was fighting, he went to help detain the puppet Leif was attacking.
By then, Leif had already recovered, and she looked at Kyran suspiciously. She and her father had guessed his identity was not simple. But for him to actually be acquainted with the Dragon Clan? Not to mention, one of their representatives actually called him master.
Wait.
The three Dragon Clan representatives did not seem to recognize Kyran earlier. In fact, Ladon and Thorn even treated him quite badly earlier. This meant they had not realized who he was. True, Kyran was in disguise, but... what about Ias? The moment Kyran gave an order, how did he realize his identity and call him master unhesitantly?
'More importantly... why detain the puppet I am fighting? Did he realize something different about this particular puppet?' Leif wondered, turning her attention to Kyran.
Kyran, seemingly sensing her gaze, also looked at her and smiled wryly. He said, "For the record, I didn't know Ias's someone I know until now, so don't give me that look."
Leif gave Kyran a hard look. Before saying anything she scanned the hall and looked at the puppets that exploded just then and frowned.
"You... what did you do just now?"
"That's not what you want to know."
"Of course it is," Leif replied, looking at Kyran again. This time, she did not conceal her displeasure. "Father and I believe your background might not be simple. But to think that you are related to the Dragon Clan... and..."
She looked at Ias, who by then had already walked over to Kyran's side like a loyal servant.
"... for a powerful High Sovereign to actually call you master. Who are you, Null? And why did you ask him to detain the puppet I'm fighting?"