Transmigrated with my corruption system-Chapter 11: One Week to Defy Fate

Back inside the Greyson residence, the shrill screams of Cedric echoed inside a confined room.

"He had me kneel," he raged. "I won’t take that humiliation lying down. I don’t care if he awakened an S-rank talent. I want him dead!"

"You’re right," Lady Valeria murmured, pacing around restlessly, her face writhing with rage.

"This is only the beginning. What happens when he takes full control of the Greyson residence?" The thought made her halt suddenly, her eyes flaring with worry. Nothing good would certainly come out of it for them.

"He needs to be put down like a rabid dog!" she hissed, fists clenched in determination.

Cedric nodded before slowly pausing.

"What about Father? Do you think he’s mad we discarded Ulric? What if he finds out about this plan?" he asked, worry creeping into his voice.

"Ooh, I wouldn’t worry about him," Valeria murmured, a vile look flashing across her eyes. "I made sure of it."

Ulric’s brows furrowed as he followed behind the figure. As they walked further, he noticed Greyson’s frame growing shaky.

Before he suddenly stopped, coughing mouthfuls of blood as he almost collapsed to the ground below.

"What’s wrong?" he asked, confusion filling his gaze. This was a completely different bearing from that of the C-rank being he had displayed inside the hall.

Walking forward, his crimson eyes locked with Greyson’s obsidian ones, causing him to pause.

He could see the pain raging deep inside the figure. "I don’t understand," he murmured as the confusion deepened.

"You don’t have to," Greyson breathed heavily. He didn’t want anyone to see him like this, but he couldn’t help it.

"What happened?" Ulric pressed.

Seeing the stubborn glint in his eyes, Greyson smiled softly. He could almost see his younger self in the youth before him.

Causing him to relent.

"I was attacked ten years ago," he murmured, a bitter look flashing across his eyes.

"I was lucky to survive, but I was left with a fatal injury and poisoned, forcing me into seclusion. I tried everything, but nothing worked. Before that, I tried pushing for C-rank. I thought an advancement that huge would purify my body. But I was wrong. My body still deteriorates daily."

Ulric stared blankly, looking at the figure differently. The old host had always wondered why his father had left him. Now he got the answer.

A few seconds passed before his eyes suddenly turned sharp. "Do you think Valeria had anything to do with this?"

A moment of silence passed as Ulric saw the look in his eyes. It seemed he had considered the possibility.

"Why didn’t you do anything about it?"

"It doesn’t matter now," Greyson breathed, picking himself up.

"Her noble family is far stronger. Best not to do anything rash." Placing one hand over his shoulder, he stared at Ulric before sighing.

"Enough about me. You’ve suffered enough, and now that you’ve awakened this talent, it will only put you in danger."

"Here," he muttered slowly, taking off the ring on his finger. "This is the Greyson Lord’s signet, marking you as the official lord of the clan. Take this and flee outside the city. There’s a whole big world out there. With your talent, stronger forces than the local powerhouses will take you in. When you’re strong enough, you could come back for revenge. Then..."

Looking at the figure before him, Ulric weighed his words before slowly turning his back as he clasped his hands.

All his life, all he had done was flee. From bullies. From challenges. From everything.

Not anymore. Now he held a key to limitless power. He was going to fight back.

"How long can you keep up this facade?" he asked. Causing Greyson’s brows to furrow in confusion. What did this have to do with anything? Still, he answered.

"A few days at worst, a week at best," he murmured, only to be shocked by Ulric’s next words.

"A week to ascend to D-rank, or at least possess the combat power," he mused, already sensing Greyson’s protest.

"That’s madness!" Greyson breathed, his eyes widening in shock. Most people took their whole lives to achieve D-rank.

Even a prodigy like him would take a few months. A few weeks at best would already be monstrous. But a week? That was just preposterous.

"You don’t have to push yourself for me," Greyson muttered before he was cut off.

"Ooh, this isn’t for you," Ulric replied, his figure slowly retreating as he bathed in the moonlight. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

This would be the severing link between the old host and himself. And he was going to enjoy it. The odds seemed stacked against him. But maybe that was how he liked it.

Looking at the retreating figure, Greyson couldn’t help but sigh, a wry smile covering his lips.

"He really has become his own man," he murmured, shifting his gaze to the stars.

"You would have been proud, Selene."

He breathed out, his fists clenching as Ulric’s last words replayed in the back of his mind.

"One week?" He hadn’t been there when he needed him most, but he would be now.

If he had to fight to his last breath, then so be it. He vowed silently.

Walking back, Ulric delved deeper into his thoughts, snapping out of his trance only when he stepped back into the Awakening Hall, a faint smile covering his lips.

Up ahead, he could see Lyra standing on the platform, pacing slowly, worry etched across her face.

Was she waiting for him? He thought, the smile on his face widening as he walked toward her.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, she suddenly averted her gaze. Her blue eyes locked with his, her worry easing slightly as she asked subconsciously,

"What did he say?"

"Nothing concerning," Ulric breathed, not wanting to burden her with something she couldn’t fix.

"Good. Then I’ll leave," she muttered as she turned around.

"Wait." Ulric stopped her, stepping in front of her.

They had been great friends since childhood, and over time, the old host had developed feelings for her, feelings that now boiled over into him.

But after what happened at the Awakening Ceremony, he was sure it wasn’t just pent-up emotions. He could feel a connection with her, and it drew him closer. Which was why he closed the distance and voiced it.

"I like you."

"Huh?" Lyra blinked as the words drifted into her ears.

A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she felt his warm breath against her face.

In that instant, multiple emotions flared deep inside her, but she shoved them all aside, following her heart.

She pressed her lips against his, and they kissed deeply. Ever since they were young, Ulric had been the only person she felt a genuine connection with. Now that he had expressed his feelings, she couldn’t suppress her emotions anymore as she lost herself in the moment.

A few seconds passed before they finally pulled away. Looking at her face, he couldn’t help but smile.

Now tinged red as she blushed furiously, her heart throbbed nervously. Her icy demeanor melted in his grasp, giving her an irresistibly cute look.

Maybe this was her true self, she had just hidden it beneath a layer of ice, now openly revealed to him.

Before he could speak, the doors to the hall suddenly burst open, and a familiar figure stepped in.

"Young Master Ulric! I heard the great news!" Amber chirped excitedly.

Before pausing, her eyes trailed to Ulric’s figure and Lyra’s frame in his arms.

The sight struck a pang in her heart. She didn’t know why, but she had hoped their encounter would lead to something more.

But now it seemed she had been overthinking it.

He was a lord, and she was a servant. And now, with him awakening an S-rank talent, the gap had only widened.

He was simply far ahead of her. The thoughts crashed together as she lowered her head and turned to leave slowly.

Only to be stopped as Ulric’s voice echoed.

"No. Stay."

Turning, she watched as he approached her slowly, cupping her face in his hands.

As she stared into his crimson eyes, part of her doubt couldn’t help but fizzle away.

Still, she couldn’t stop herself from asking, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"So you’re not going to leave me because I’m useless?"

"What nonsense is that?" Ulric chided, staring into her big brown eyes. She was too innocent and held a special place in his heart.

Her weakness wasn’t a deterrent to him. With his Corruption System, he was sure he could find a way to make her stronger. Either way, he wasn’t going to leave her behind.

Nodding at his reassurance, she stepped closer. He gently pulled her forward, introducing her to Lyra.

"Amber, this is Lyra. And Lyra, this is Amber."

They stared at each other curiously. Before either of them could speak, he wrapped an arm around each of their waists.

Before he murmured teasingly,

"You’re both my women." As he raised his hands, gently swatting their asses.

The gesture flushed their faces, but Ulric couldn’t restrain himself anymore. Dragging them toward the Greyson main residence, he smirked to himself.

He was the young lord now. It was time to start living like it.