Chapter 421: Magical Lineage [2] Sand’s expression grew bitter. "But the techniques only take us so far. Without proper resources or environments rich in ambient mana, we hit a ceiling. Most of our family never advances beyond a rank 3 mage. A few exceptional individuals like myself reach the second rank and approach third by end of our years, but that’s the limit. We can’t break through to true mastery without something more." Noah processed this information, his shock giving way to cold calculation. If Napoleon had been a practitioner and left behind cultivation scriptures, how many other historical figures might have possessed similar abilities? How many "great men" of history had actually been mages operating in a world that didn’t understand magic? And more importantly, how many families like Sand’s existed right now, hiding their abilities and operating in the shadows of normal society? "How many others know about this?" Noah demanded. "How many families have similar knowledge?" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶 Sand shook his head carefully, mindful of his injuries. "I don’t know exact numbers. Our family keeps these secrets closely guarded. But there are others, yes. Some lineages descended from historical figures who discovered mana and left techniques behind. We occasionally encounter each other, usually through martial arts communities or underground fighting circuits where enhanced abilities can be masked as exceptional skill." He looked at Noah with newfound wariness and respect. "But I’ve never encountered anyone like you. Your power is on a completely different level. You’re not just using basic enhancement techniques passed down through family scriptures. You have real mastery, genuine cultivation that goes far beyond anything Napoleon’s methods could produce." Sand’s eyes held genuine curiosity despite his fear. "Where did you learn? How did you reach such heights on a world with no ambient mana? What are you really?" Noah considered how much to reveal, then decided that partial truth would serve better than complete secrecy. "That’s not your concern," he said flatly. "What IS your concern is answering my remaining questions honestly if you want to walk out of this warehouse alive." Sand nodded quickly, no longer showing any of his earlier arrogance. "Ask whatever you want. I’ll tell you everything I know." Noah’s expression remained cold and focused. "Good. Now tell me everything about your family, how many practitioners you have, what your capabilities are, and most importantly..." His eyes bored into Sand with lethal intensity. "Tell me exactly why I should spare you?" Sand’s swollen face went pale, understanding that he was genuinely negotiating for his life now. His mind raced, searching for something valuable enough to offer a being who could casually destroy him. "My father," Sand said quickly, the words tumbling out. "My father is a rank 3 mage, he’s the strongest in our family lineage. We have plenty of properties across the world, investments in multiple countries, businesses that generate consistent revenue." He swallowed hard, tasting blood. "We can make you a partner. You would gain fifty-five percent of our entire net worth. Which is approximately one billion dollars." Noah’s eyebrows rose slightly at that number. One billion dollars represented generational wealth, the kind of resources that could fund almost anything he might need on Earth. While Noah was already wealthy by normal standards, a billion dollars was still a billion dollars. That kind of capital opened doors that even his current assets couldn’t. Subtly, Noah reached into his pocket and activated the Eye of Apollo, the magical artifact that allowed him to detect lies. The gem began its work silently, analyzing Sand’s statements for deception. "Do you mean it?" Noah asked, his tone dangerous. "Are you not going to cause trouble later? Try to kill me when you have the chance? Plot revenge once you’ve recovered?" Sand immediately shook his head with desperate vigor, wincing as the motion aggravated his injuries. "I would never dare to! You’ve completely outclassed me. I’m not suicidal enough to seek revenge against someone who could kill me as easily as breathing. I know when I’m beaten." The Eye of Apollo showed no deception. Sand genuinely believed what he was saying. "What about your father?" Noah pressed. "A rank 3 mage with family pride and resources. He’ll want revenge for his son’s humiliation, won’t he?" Sand’s face grew grim for a brief moment, acknowledging the complexity of that situation. "My father will cause trouble initially, yes. He’s proud and protective of the family name. But don’t worry, I will convince him. Once he understands your power, once I explain that you’re not just some tournament fighter but a genuine practitioner who could destroy our entire family if provoked, he’ll agree to the partnership." The Eye showed truth again. Sand genuinely believed he could convince his father, even if it might be difficult. "I will also apologize," Sand continued earnestly. "To everyone in the dojo. To Master Tanaka personally. I’ll make sure that they all get reimbursed, whether through money or by getting their own revenge, eye for an eye. Whatever they want to make this right, I’ll provide it. Medical bills, compensation for trauma, martial arts equipment to replace what was damaged, whatever it takes." Noah studied him carefully while the Eye of Apollo continued its analysis. ’He’s telling the truth... no lies detected in any of his statements.’ Sand genuinely intended to follow through on everything he’d promised. The fear of death had stripped away his arrogance and replaced it with pragmatic survival instinct. He’d make the deals, pay the compensation, and convince his father because the alternative was dying in this warehouse. Noah considered his options carefully. Killing Sand would be easy and arguably justified. The man had tortured Master Tanaka, beaten his students, and come here intending to murder Noah "slowly enough to enjoy it." By any reasonable standard, Sand deserved death. But alive and genuinely cooperative, Sand represented something potentially more valuable than simple revenge. Access to a family of practitioners with billion-dollar resources, knowledge about other magical lineages operating on Earth, and a network that could provide information Noah currently lacked. Plus, forcing Sand to apologize and compensate Master Tanaka and the students would be more satisfying than simply killing him.