Galaxy's First Ruler

Throughout the last fight, Aldrich's eyes didn't move away from Amalia.

The entire fight was nothing but well-planned theatricals to him which had even fooled the two Marquesses. The only other person who seemed to share his feelings was Tyra, the previously nameless girl. Aldrich could feel a slight smirking emotion coming out of this ordinary-looking black-haired girl.

"Vivi!!!"

Aldrich heard a shout and saw Sonja running towards the stage. But before her, Earl Frida appeared by Vivi's side and poured potions into her mouth. Aldrich could see that Vivi's HP had lowered to less than a tenth of its maximum value. And thus, even after consuming those potions, she could hardly open her eyes.

Opposite to the crouched figures of Frida and Sonja, Amalia straightened her posture and wiped away the trail of blood seeping out of her mouth. Harold gave her a look and walked towards Earl Frida. A little away from the stage, Aldrich saw Enok taking a step in the stage's direction, too. But then the young Viscount looked at Amalia and held himself down.

"Thirteenth Wave…"

On stage, Harold muttered, but his voice caught everyone's attention. Few knew the significance of Vivi's usage of the thirteenth wave in the fight, and Harold and Nicholas were among those few.

Flood Dragon Sword Style wasn't a genetically based Skill. This Skill could only be performed by using the combination of specific types of Items and Skills beforehand. A combination that was classified even among the many members of the main branch of House Divine Enclosure. Unfortunately for them, this secret was nothing but an open book to Aldrich.

The sheer irony of the situation was that Aldrich had no interest in this pathetic Sword Style. It was stylish, flamboyant, and looked mighty. But to him, it lacked substance. However, Marquess Harold didn't seem to think so as he continued.

"Don't tell me she learned the thirteenth wave right after the first…"

All eyes and ears waited to get the answer to this incomprehensible question. Leaning over Vivi's motionless body, Earl Frida broke her silence and lightly said.

"… Yes."

Aldrich shook his head as he saw the stunned expression on Harold's and Nicholas' faces.

'Such fickle hearts.'

Aldrich couldn't help but think to himself about such words. Even a child could tell from the way Harold licked his lips that he was having second thoughts about his decision related to the personal student. Nicholas, too, didn't seem to remain unaffected after hearing the unheard talent of Vivi.

But how could Aldrich let Vivi replace the greed he had planted in Harold's heart?

Tikk!

This was the sound of Aldrich lightly tapping the Pillar of Footprints on the ground. It wasn't loud, nor was it anything special for it to catch anyone's attention. But to the ears of Marquesses, it was like a bomb exploding in the distance. For it contained a hint of Laws, Law inherent to the Ancient Relic.

Both Marquesses snapped their heads towards Aldrich and stared at the pole. The image of the Black Bull on it felt like coming alive with every passing moment. Even the two Earls sensed a hint of an elusive concept in their surroundings. Aldrich feigned ignorance and kept scratching the back of his head.

Sigh!

Aldrich sighed as he felt the greed in the Marquesses' hearts increasing with every other look of the pole. Harold turned his head to look at Vivi, and, after a few seconds of contemplation, shook his head. A blood-colored potion appeared in his hand, and there were golden dust particles in it.

The seemingly 10-year-old boy with a ponytail approached Earl Frida and handed over the potion.

"This…"

Earl Frida hesitated, but her hand betrayed her and took the potion, regardless. From the other side, Nicholas came to stand tall over Harold's tiny figure and chuckled.

"Haha! To think you would give away a Star Blood Potion to anyone outside of your family."

Harold's yellow eyes stared at the Retd Commander, and a scoff came out of his mouth.

"Huh! You are just jealous because you never got one."

"You…"

Before the tall Marquess could let out an angry shout, Aldrich heard Harold cutting off Nicholas' words as he proclaimed.

"Let's end the event here. I think we all have seen enough."

Aldrich narrowed his eyes, hearing this sentence. He noticed how Nicholas, though furious at being mocked, didn't refute Harold's words. Earl Frida was still busy pouring the newly acquired potion into Vivi's mouth slowly. While Drago kept secretly glancing at Aldrich to get any hint of how to proceed.

But Aldrich knew the most important person was neither the Marquesses nor the Earls, but Viscount Enok. Aldrich planned to let everyone know the pole in his hands was an Ancient Relic. And he could only do this by fighting a strong enough opponent. To let the exchange of pointers end as it is would be detrimental to his future proceedings.

There was no way Aldrich could let things end in any way other than how he desired their endings.

Aldrich swiftly approached Enok, who was staring at his feet with blood still dripping off his palms. Taking a risk, Aldrich brought an inconsequential trace of Law of Devil to his lips and tried to mimic the Devil's Whisper Skill as he said.

"Hm!... Sloppy Sword Style. Tch! How pathetic?!"

It was a big no-no among nobles to just let their Perception run amok during ceremonies and other functions. So Enok did not know who was speaking these outrageous words. But when he snapped his face like a bullet, Aldrich was looking directly at him and had an evil mocking smile on his face.

"You motherfuc…."

BANG!!!

Nobody could understand why Enok's fist, burning with raging emotions, landed on Aldrich's face and sent him flying. The sound was so great that the hearts of all calmed Dreamers pumped out a bucketful worth of blood suddenly.

Thup-Thup-Thupppp!

Aldrich kept rolling and sliding, breaking any tables and chairs that came in his path and hit the Great Hall's wall.

Bang!

Cough!!!

Aldrich forced out a mouthful of blood and shouted.

"HOW DARE YOU?!!!"