Commander Jackson wasn't the only one digging into Leo's background.
As after his stellar performance against Button Academy, many others had begun snooping into his past as well.
The first issue with Leo's alias lay in his surname: 'Skyshard', and how it wasn't named Su, Mu, Gu, Lu, Du, or Yu—meaning he wasn't publicly tied to any of the six great clans.
And while some speculated that he might be a Mu Clan offspring, cast into the universe without the family name like many of their young often were, others were eager to bet on the off-chance that he wasn't tied to the Mu Clan at all.
Especially since not everyone knew about his memory loss or the circumstances leading to his Rodova admission.
As those who had only just discovered him through the Circuits had no clue he was still piecing his past together—so they leaned toward the belief that he was a rising star from some obscure and forgotten bloodline.
But the second, more alarming issue, was his monstrous talent.
A first-year Grandmaster, with blinding speed and ruthless efficiency—Leo's capabilities already eclipsed most young geniuses from even the top clans.
And for someone that exceptional to appear without a dominant background?
It made many wolves salivate.
Monarch-level bloodlines were vanishingly rare. Outside the six great clans, the odds of such potential emerging from common blood were one in a trillion—if not worse.
Which was why, across the galaxy, mid-sized clan patriarchs suddenly found themselves watching closely.
They saw in Leo a mystery worth solving—and perhaps, a treasure worth claiming.
Desperate to elevate their family's lineage, many began quietly dispatching agents to investigate his origins, hoping to uncover anything—any detail at all—that would justify an approach.
As even the flimsiest thread of connection would do.
Because in their world, the line between obscurity and legacy could be drawn with a marriage contract… and a well-timed introduction.
—-----
(Sky-God Arena – Private Viewing Chamber, Alcazar Clan Rental Suite)
The Alcazar clan was one of those mid-tier clans who had a couple transcendent tier warriors within their fold and some minor success in the economic sector, however, they couldn't quite break through to the realm of being a powerhouse.
They controlled a few cities on a planet and were quite famous where they lived, however, on a universal scale their influence meant nothing much.
However, today, the Patriarch of the clan saw through Leo an opportunity to elevate the clan out of its mediocrity and he hatched a plan to act on it, on the spot.
Standing inside a luxurious private box overlooking the central battlefield, with his hands folded behind his back, Lord Alcazar gazed towards his youngest and most beautiful daughter, who was the apple of her eye up-till yesterday.
"He's perfect," Damien Alcazar muttered.
"Speed, presence, bloodline—maybe even a Monarch-talent lineage… because if he's not at least that talented he would never make it to the Rodova team as a first year Grandmaster." Alcazar theorized, as behind him, Serina Alcazar stood stiffly, draped in a lavender silk gown, her lips trembling slightly.
"After the round of 16 ends tomorrow. The day after that is a rest day for all fighters.
On that day they're supposed to participate in mandatory interviews and meet and greets, and that's our chance to make an impression—" Damien began, as he turned and looked directly into the eyes of his favorite daughter.
"100,000 MP. That's what I just paid for this access pass, that guarantees personal entry to Rodova's VIP meet and greet event." Damien said, flashing a pass in his hands, as Serina looked down at it with a sinking feeling in her chest.
"I've arranged your dress fitting tonight. And I've already contacted a Genevese stylist to fly in tomorrow morning. And pay her whatever it takes to get the fitting done in a few hours."
"Father, I…" Serina intervened, struggling to find her voice as she whispered. "I'm not sure I can do this—"
"You must," Damien snapped back, gripping her shoulders, as the maniacal look in his eyes intensified.
"This isn't about you. This is about the clan."
He gestured toward the screen in the VIP Box where Leo's highlights were playing from earlier in the day.
"If he's from one of the great clans? Wonderful. We bind ourselves to them by marriage. We elevate in status and influence."
He leaned in, eyes narrowing.
"And if he isn't? Even better. Then we manipulate him. Use him. Breed a generation of talented Skyshards under our banner and enrich our bloodline forever"
Serina's breath hitched.
"I know you're a virgin. I know this is… unpleasant. But that is the burden of those born into noble blood. You don't get to choose who you love, Serina. You only get to serve the legacy."
Serina's eyes welled with tears, listening to her father, but she didn't let them fall. She couldn't.
As for a moment Damien's tone softened—but only slightly.
"Wear something bold. Tight around the waist. Show him a little shoulder. Innocence with a hint of temptation. Men like that—warriors—they want sweetness until they taste blood."
Serina closed her eyes.
"You can cry now," he said quietly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "But not in front of him. When you see Leo Skyshard… you smile. You shine. You give him a reason to remember you."
She nodded through the tears. No protest. No defiance.
Because failure was not an option.
Not in the Alcazar household. Not in this cruel universe.
She had been cherished by the clan all her life so far and now it was her turn to pay them back.
—------------
(Sky-God Arena – Upper Bleachers, The Cola Clan)
"No! No! No! You don't understand, Papa!" screamed Layna Cola, stomping her foot as she turned red in the face. "You have to buy me that pass!"
Across from her, Lord Cola—a plump man with greying sideburns and an oversized Clan Cola crest stitched onto his tunic—clutched a trembling hand to his chest like he'd just been shot.
"100,000 MP?! For a single meet-and-greet token?" he gasped. "You want me to mortgage my left kidney for a five-minute handshake?"
"It's not just a handshake!" Layna cried, throwing a plush cushion across the room. "It's Leo Skyshard! Do you have any idea what that man does to me?"
"Layna, you're nineteen—"
"And I know what I want! That man is cool, mysterious, insanely fast, and he saved Rodova all on his own! I love him, Papa!"
"Oh sweet stars above," Lord Cola muttered, rubbing his temples as his daughter began pacing furiously.
"I will literally never forgive you if you ruin my one chance to meet him. I'll run away. I'll join the Pepsi Clan. I'll change my surname to Pepper!"
"Don't you dare take that beautiful cola name off your records—!"
Layna collapsed dramatically onto a couch, burying her face in a sequin-stuffed pillow. "Just let me meet him. I don't care if I cry, faint, or forget how to breathe—just let me try."
Lord Cola stared at her for a long moment, the dramatic sniffles echoing louder than the arena crowd outside.
Finally, with a groan of defeat, he yanked his datapad from his belt and tapped furiously.
"I'm going to regret this when your mother finds out… but fine," he said, shaking his head. "You'll get your damn pass. Just don't tell her how much I paid."
Layna shot upright, her teary eyes wide with disbelief. "Wait—really?!"
"Stars help me, yes," he sighed.
"AAAAAAHHH!" Layna shrieked in joy, launching herself into her father's arms with enough force to nearly knock him over. "You're the best papa ever!"
Lord Cola patted her awkwardly on the back, groaning under the weight. "Just don't faint on the boy. Or propose. Or talk about marriage. Or babies. Or—"
"Too late!" she sang, twirling in the air as she danced around the room. "I'm gonna marry Leo Skyshard and name our first son Cola Skyshard!"
"Oh gods," Lord Cola muttered, reaching for his flask. "What have I done…"