“Hmm? Have you lost your mind?” The bulky man’s frown deepened as he observed Aether’s unusual behaviour.
“Mad? Me? Hehehe…” Aether’s chuckle carried an unsettling edge, his hazy eyes locked onto his target.
Veins bulged on Aether’s forearm as he tightened his grip on the hammer, murmuring quietly to himself,
“Increase the strength”
!~Ding~!
[Error]
[Limit reached according to the Level]
“I said… Increase it, Bitch”
[…]
!~Ding~!
[+9 Magic Affinity]
[Magic Affinity: 10↑]
[Remaining AP: 24423]
!~Ding~!
[You have Leveled up!!]
[Level: 2↑]
!~Ding~!
[Congratulations on Leveling up]
[Reward: 10000 Affection Points]
!~Ding~!
[+10 Strength]
[Strength: 20↑]
[Remaining AP: 24423]
[Error]
[Limit reached according to the Level]
Aether’s hand trembled with newfound power, pulsating with energy as the veins throbbed beneath his skin.
‘ttrrr’
The hammer quivered, causing the bulky man’s eyes to widen in astonishment and disbelief, “W-What in the world…? H-He was weak just moments ago!” he stammered, his gaze fixed on Aether, who now radiated an overwhelming aura of arcane energy and pressure.
Even the spectators couldn’t help but be captivated by the sudden transformation. Empress leaned forward, her expression filled with intrigue.
Princess, on the other hand, frowned at the unexpected turn of events. It was then that the Empress leaned in and whispered in her ear, imparting words of wisdom….
“My dear daughter, the world is always full of surprises… So you must be ready for anything.”
Aether’s gentle smile sent a shiver down the bulky man’s spine, leaving him unsettled and uncertain of what would come next.
“Grovel?…. Me?”Aether pointed at himself incredulously, a hint of amusement colouring his tone, “Hehehe… It’s been a long time since I’ve heard someone say that to me…. Hmm… How long has it been? Really…
quite a while.”His gaze turned blank for a moment as he reminisced, then he refocused on the bulky man before him.
“Do you know what happened to them?” Aether lifted the once-heavy hammer effortlessly, placing it casually on his shoulder.
A piece of cake!!
“H-Heh W-Wait–” The bulky man’s protest was cut short as Aether swiftly acted.
“They… begged me to let them grovel before me.”
“BOOM!!”
In an instant, Aether swung the hammer with tremendous force, sending the bulky man crashing to the ground.
“Cough, Cough!”
“Hmm? Holding up pretty well,” Aether remarked, observing the bulky man’s attempt to block the blow with his hands, though the damage was evident…
“Your hand is totally broken,” Aether noted with a touch of pity as he saw the blood and flesh around the man’s arms crack from the impact.
“I-I will… ‘cough’ not be defeated by a—” The bulky man’s defiant words were interrupted by Aether’s decisive action.
“I don’t want to hear your fucking last words,” Aether cut in, gently tapping the hammer’s back without hesitation.
“ARRHHH!!”
With a final cry of pain, the bulky man succumbed to the overwhelming force of Aether’s blow…. Finally, the Bulky man feels unconscious. Healers took the gained Bulky man.
“Hmm…” Aether nodded to himself, cracking his knuckles in a self-satisfied manner. “That’s all?”
The participants’ collective anger and fury were palpable.
“Come on… I’m just getting started! Don’t disappoint me now,” Aether taunted confidently, his demeanour bordering on arrogance. However, a moment of realization crossed his face, ‘Shit, I almost forgot this!’
He turned abruptly towards Princess, addressing her with blatant disregard. “OI!! Aqualina!”
Princess was taken aback by the brazenness of being called out so boldly by a mere slave.
“How dare you disre–”
“How can I win your heart?” Aether interrupted bluntly, catching everyone off guard with his unexpected question.
“….”
Silence fell over the arena as Princess and everyone alike processed Aether’s audacious inquiry, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.
‘Damn! We’ve been through a lot of surprises today!’ Participants thought, exchanging bewildered glances as they watched Aether with shock and pity…. wondering how he would die.
Princess blinked in confusion for a moment before asking, “What did you just say?”
“Hmm? Didn’t you hear it?…. Looks like your ears are also dumb,” Aether replied with a feigned look of sadness and pity.
Veins bulged on the princess’s forehead, a rare display of anger for her.
She had never been angry in her life!!
“Anyway, I asked you, how can I win your heart?” Aether shouted, his mind clearly unstable as he blurted out whatever came to his mind. He figured it would be easier to ask the person directly rather than working hard on his brain to create a shitty plan that would never work.
“…. H-His he even for real?” Princess couldn’t help but ask, her cheeks flushing slightly with shame and embarrassment.
“Hello? Aqualina?” Aether tilted his head, suddenly feeling fatigued and drowsy.
Clutching the armrest tightly, Princess muttered, “Damn that slave!” She then shot a glare at Kai, who was still trying to make sense of the situation unfolding before him.
Turning her attention back to Aether, Princess muttered with a haughty tone, “Then grovel before me!”
“Hmm…” Aether flinched, taking a moment to process her demand before responding, “Hehe… Your mother is far more beautiful than you… You know!”
“This jerk!! That’s not what I am asking for,” Princess snapped in annoyance, her frustration mounting at Aether’s flippant response.
She was really annoyed hearing this a second time. Yes, she knew her mother was not only more beautiful than her but also in prowess.
However, Aether’s next words sent shockwaves through the entire palace…
“I wish I could win her heart~” he murmured hazily, his gaze drifting towards Empress. Thinking this would have been an easy job if Log designated Empress… He might have got an MIL- ahem… A Mature person!
“…” Empress blinked in surprise for a few moments before bursting into laughter. “Hahahahaha….” Her laughter echoed through the room, genuine and hearty.
“Grrrr,” Archpriestess gritted her teeth, irritated by Aether’s apparent cosy with Empress.
“Mother!! How can you laugh? Do you understand what he’s saying?” Princess asked incredulously, her disbelief evident in her eyes.
Even Velc and the others couldn’t help but feel shocked and worried about what might transpire next.
If Empress decided to kill Aether or even decided to take him forcefulbily, Velc needed to signal his father quickly. Meanwhile, Alfred was sweating bullets, realizing that his plans were spiralling out of control, especially considering Aether’s evident new power. He needed to regain control of the situation before it slipped from his grasp entirely.
“Oh~ Dear… hah…. ” Empress finally managed to compose herself, wiping away a tear from her eye before addressing Aether, “You want my heart? Then prove that you are more than just a… slave.” Her words held a cryptic weight as she snapped her fingers, and
“Thank you for this opportunity, Your Majesty!” A voice echoed through the arena, causing Aether’s eyes to widen in recognition…. A Familiar Voice! freeωebnovēl.c૦m
His eyes widened as he turned to see a black-haired man approaching. “Blake…” Aether muttered under his breath, recognizing the figure… The same one that not only tortured him but also hurt Stella.
“Prove to me who you truly are. If you do, you will not only win my heart but also the heart of my daughter,” Empress declared with a sly smile, her words cryptic yet intriguing.
“M-Mother?” Princess was taken aback by her mother’s unexpected turn.
“”Your Majesty?”” Both Kai and Velc exchanged shocked expressions, unsure of what was happening.
“Hmmm? What are you worried about? He is doing this so that my daughter won’t sell him,” Empress clarified, shedding light on Aether’s drunken words that had caused misunderstandings.
Upon hearing this explanation, everyone in the room sighed in relief, especially Princess and thought, ‘Now everything makes sense…’. However, the Empress leaned closer to her daughter and whispered, “My daughter, carefully watch him, and you will feel the…. King, If my hypothesis is right?”
“???” Princess was left with numerous questions, bewildered by her mother’s actions.