Memories flowed into Aldrich's mind as the face of a bright young girl appeared.
"Our children will get married when they are of Age" Aldrich could hear the two family heads talking.
"Wait, she must be here for that" Aldrich suddenly remembered an event in the Drakewind Family in their previous life.
"The news was so widespread that even my orphanage knew about it" Aldrich rushed to his room, calmly thinking of a solution.
Meanwhile, the soldiers from the Ravensong family entered the Mansion along with Elsa Ravensong.
Ravensong was a family on the same level as Drakewind, if not higher, due to the current decline of the Drakewind family. Ravensong warriors were known to be proficient in Lightning magic and were famous for it. Hence had a high standing, as any organization needed their strength for battles.
"Nice to meet you, Uncle Erik", Elsa bowed, paying respects to the family head.
"What are you here for, Elsa?" Erik asked although he could guess what was about to happen. His relations with the Ravensong family had been strained for some time.
"Uncle, my father and you made a promise to each other on the battlefield, be throwing me to your son. But my father now feels that your family is declining and that worthless son of yours is not eligible to marry me" Elsa noticed Erik's face twitching, but she continued.
Erik and Ravensong's family head, Alex, had befriended each other on the battlefield, fighting numerous battles alongside each other. It was this bond which led to them agreeing to betroth their children.
The news of Aldrich winning the Inheritance trial was not out, as The Family head was yet to announce him as the official Successor of the family.
"Hence I would like to Null the marriage with that son of yours", Elsa calmly said.
"Do you think your family can handle the consequences?" Erik said, releasing the Aura of peak seven-star Warrior.
A young knight stepped out, trying to resist Erik.
"I am Liam, a 2-star knight of the Ravensong family. Young lady Elsa is too good to be married to that worthless son of yours, and she will be marrying me", Liam said with a smirk, mocking and looking down on the Drakewind family.
"I am fine with that", a sudden voice rang out from above the stairs as a young man stepped down, showcasing a noble aura suiting his handsome looks.
"Son", Erik slowly spoke, ashamed of what was unfolding.
"Don't worry, Dad, I don't need a worthless girl like her either.", Aldrich said without even looking at Elsa.
"Fool. You think you can rise to her level?" Liam spoke out, releasing an intense aura.
"And who are you?" Aldrich looked at Liam coldly, releasing his killing intent which had been finessed over years of battling against dragons.
Elsa spoke out, trying to de-escalate the situation, "Uncle, let's conduct a duel. If my knight wins, you should have no problem with it. My Knight will not use Skills either.". Elsa knew that Aldrich had no chance to win against a 2-star knight.
Even if a warrior didn't use skills, the difference between every star was massive, as the mana nourished the body, honing the physical prowess to the extreme.
"Deal", Aldrich said without waiting for his father's response.
"But if we win, Drakewind family will not support any family in relation with you ", He calmly stated.
"hah, as if Dragons will attack. And even if they do, I will kill all of them. We accept your deal. Your family is not needed any more", Liam said, trying to act high and mighty in front of Elsa.
"As the head of the Drakewind family, I shall oversee the duel", Erik said, ready to protect Aldrich if the time comes.
Aldrich and Liam stood beside each other; Liam took out his sword, whereas Aldrich intended to fight using his fists.
"You think you can win against me without a sword? You starless piece of shit", Liam leapt towards Aldrich, keen to end this battle quickly.
Liam slashed his sword, aiming to kill Aldrich, but he missed.
"Wha-"but before Liam could react, a lightning-fast kick came his way. Liam defended with the sword, falling back a few steps, and another punch came his way, aiming for his face.
"Kugh", Liam dodged, but Aldrich relentlessly attacked with basic punches and kicks.
The people spectating the match couldn't believe that a warrior with no star was fighting head-on against a 2-star warrior.
Aldrich leapt over the knight's sweeping strike, landing behind him in a somersault. Before the knight could react, Aldrich delivered a decisive blow to his back, sending him stumbling forward.
"You think you can fight against a Dragon?" Aldrich slapped Liam, coldly looking towards him.
Slap.Slap.Slap.
Three Slaps roared in the courtyard as Aldrich remembered what had happened in the last life.
"Everyone thinks that Dragons are just some other race." Aldrich looked at the swollen face of Liam before kicking it.
"Dragons will rip you apart before you can even react" Aldrich kicked Liam's stomach as he went tumbling.
Liam stood up, ready to do anything to kill Aldrich, to take revenge for this embarrassment.
Liam screamed as Lightning Aura surrounded his body. Liam slashed his sword as a colossal lightning slash rushed for Aldrich.
Everyone watching the battle stood up, as it was an unprecedented rule to not use Aura against a warrior without any star.
Erik was about to rush in when he noticed the calm gaze of his son, calming down, reminding himself to believe in his son's strength.
The knight charged again, his lightning-infused sword crackling with raw power. Aldrich met the onslaught with a swift dodge, feeling the static electricity in the air as the blade narrowly missed him.
As the knight swung his electrified sword again, Aldrich raised his twin swords, crossing them in an X position. A rush of energy surged through him as he focused his mana into a protective barrier.
The lightning-infused strike struck Aldrich's energy barrier with a thunderous clash, causing sparks to fly in all directions. The ground trembled beneath the power of the impact, and the spectator's eyes widened, unable to believe what was happening.
"I WILL KILL YOU", Liam roared, unable to believe that a lousy bastard could fight against him. Mana violently started to swirl around Liam as Liam launched a massive Slash of Lightning energy.
Aldrich sensed the attack, unfazed. He calmly looked at the attack before condensing mana in his hand. He had fought against the greedy bastards of the Ravensong family too often and did not know how to deal with the attack.
"He is good, but he messed with the wrong guy" Aldrich coldly looked at the attack as he slashed the incoming attack with his sword, dissipating it into thin air.
"Wha-" but before Liam could realize what had happened, Aldrich had already appeared before him, slashing his sword towards Liam's chest.
"LIAM" Elsa screamed, running towards Liam.
But before she could reach it, the beam touched Liam's shoulder, completely blowing his arm off.
"Tch, I guess he got the speed of a two-star warrior" Aldrich looked in disappointment, hoping to finish it once and for all.
Aldrich looked at the bloody body of Liam and said, "Father, I guess you can handle it from here?" he looked towards Erik, who was wearing a small smile, a smile of a father proud of his son.
"Sure, son. Maids, kick out the guests, and send the letter to the family of what has transpired here." Erik went inside the Mansion, not wanting to entertain the Ravensong family any longer.
"They have looked down on our family long enough. Tell the Elders there will be a meeting soon", Erik said.
Elsa looked at the injured Liam before looking coldly towards Aldrich. "Aldrich, do you think you will get away with this?" as lightning pulsed throughout her body.
But suddenly, a hand touched her shoulder, and she was teleported back into her carriage.
"Annoying guests",
"though The kid's strength is promising ", the man with a scarred face said while looking at Aldrich before disappearing.
Meanwhile, inside the Mansion,
"You did well." Erik patted his son.
"These families all betrayed us when they realized that Dragons might not attack again.", Erik said to Aldrich.
"Dad, we don't need the support of these families ", Aldrich coldly said, knowing how these families would cease to exist.
He had to ensure the Drakewind family was strong enough to fend off the Dragons.