Galaxy's First Ruler

Thwack!!!

Aldrich's kick was like a blur caused by countless raindrops.

It wasn't quick as lightning, nor was it swift like a whip. The only words that could describe it were illusory and unavoidable. The kick landed squarely on the jaw of the Viscount Jerker and lifted his enormous body into the air. But instead of going straight up, Jerker's body twisted and spun clockwise.

"Heaven Ascension" was just one part of the move. The entire purpose of this half part was to lift the opponent's body in the air and to change the vertical position to horizontal.

Aldrich was now only standing on the tip of his right toe. His left leg was like an axe raised high, just above Jerker's tilted head. For a moment, the horror in the level 36 Viscount's eyes could be seen before Aldrich brought down the outstretched leg.

"… EARTH BURIAL!!"

Crunch!

A black blur landed on the side of Jerker's face and a distinct sound of bone-crunching came out. But unfortunately for Jerker, this wasn't the end. Aldrich's leg kept going down, bringing Jerker's head along with it and slammed into the floor.

Bang-r-unchhh!!!

Jerker's entire body spasmed as his head got buried into the floor. Aldrich, now standing with one foot over the hammer and the other on the buried face, looked towards the six judges.

… Silence…

"Uuuu…. aaaaa… ghh…"

Except for the low growling and moaning sound coming out from under Aldrich's foot, the Great Hall was absolutely silent. It seemed Viscount Jerker wasn't dead, but it couldn't be confirmed if it was because of Aldrich's mercy or his lack of strength.

"BASTARD! YOU DAREEE…"

As the hammer on the stage vanished, a deafening cry of anguish and wrath came from far in the Great Hall. An even fatter man, with a bigger hammer, dashed towards Aldrich. His face had some similarities to that of Jerker's, and his eyes were brimming red with anger. Earl Drago was about to leave his chair, but before this fatter Count could reach the stage, Marquess Harold tapped his finger on the arm of the chair.

Rumbleeee!

It was like an earthquake had come up. And what quaked wasn't the Manor's walls and windows, but the hearts of the Dreamers. The Count, about to swing his hammer at Aldrich, seemed to have hit an unseen wall and got thrown outwards with twice the momentum he had come. The only thing he left behind was a bloody trail of his presence.

"Humph! Trying to avenge your son's incompetence?!!"

Harold scoffed and then looked at the many Counts standing beyond the lined up Viscounts. His voice was childlike, but it was stern and unforgiving.

"Unless any rules of the fight are violated, I will not tolerate any interference."

Gulp!

Many nobles who thought of doing the same as the bleeding Count wetted their dry throat. On Harold's side, Amalia had a big smile on her face. As her honey-like smooth words came out of her mouth, all pressure of Marquess Harold vanished.

"Impressive!"

Following Amalia's praise, Earl Frida on the Ancient Oracle's right also nodded and called out.

"Brilliant!"

Even Nicholas had a big smile on his face as he nodded, hearing the two beauties' remarks. The reason for these praises was partly related to Aldrich's ordinary background, and partly to him being underestimated. No one believed Aldrich could hold himself against a Level 36 Viscount from a noble's house. But those who lost their cool on the battlefield deserved to be trodden upon.

"Take him away."

Earl Drago casually pointed out and two Recordless appeared on the stage. As Aldrich shifted his feet away, the Recordless pulled the Viscount by holding him from shoulders.

"Uuuuu…"

GASP!!!

Aldrich nodded to himself as many low-ranked Dreamers gasped openly. Even the remaining Viscounts flinched as they saw the badly mangled face with blood and saliva dripping out. Aldrich knew if he didn't take this drastic measure, then more and more of these Viscounts would come to challenge him.

But not all of them got scared away by this inhumane sight. Aldrich noticed how Enok's face became grave, but his determination to bring down Aldrich seemed to have risen. And along with Enok, there were a few Viscounts who also had an expectant look on their faces.

Aldrich was about to step down when another young man jumped over the stage and gestured for Aldrich to stop.

"No need, brother. Let's exchange a few pointers."

The young man in front of Aldrich had long curly hair and a beardless face. His eyes were black and brown, and on his left cheek, there was a starry scar. The man was wearing a gray overcoat, and on his shoulder, there was an insignia of three daggers forming a triangle.

Aldrich returned to his position as the man bowed towards the six chairs and shouted.

"Level 35 Viscount Conrad, House Daggers Trigon."

Thump!

Before Conrad could lift his head, a loud thumping noise attracted everyone's attention. Aldrich saw Enok pounding his fist on the stage as he looked at Conrad with fuming eyes.

"Conrad! You were once the personal student of Earl Frida. Don't shame her teachings by fighting this bastard."

Aldrich narrowed his eyes as he realized there was some connection between this Conad and House Divine Enclosure. He also noticed the hesitant smile of pride on Frida's face, and the emotion of remembrance coming out of Vivi and Sonja. But he couldn't find any such emotions in Conrad.

Conrad gave an extra bow to Earl Frida and gently spoke as he turned to face Enok.

"We studied together, yet our thinking is worlds apart. You are an excellent Dreamer, but the things holding you back are your own ideals. For me, this is just another fight to hone my skills."

As Conrad's mouth halted its movement, dozens of daggers appeared around him. The daggers kept changing their formation from circular to triangular, from spherical to cubic. Aldrich analyzed the not-so-obvious patterns and Conrad, unaware of Aldrich's thoughts, misunderstood his silence.

"Prepare yourself! Even if you are a close-range fighter, I won't show any mercy…

… GO! Trigon First Formation: Rain of 33 Daggers."