Transmigrated with my corruption system-Chapter 6: By Father’s Decree

Greyson residence, inside a massive hall. Hundreds of youths came into sight, their robes engraved with the Greyson crest.

Soft murmurs filled the hall as bits of conversation flowed through the crowd.

"Did you hear what I did?" a youth within the crowd muttered to the figure beside him.

"That you were caught peeking at girls at the stream and they called you a pervert before smacking..."

"No... no... the other thing. Mistress Aria will be the one conducting the Awakening Ceremony!" he muttered dreamily, a silver-haired beauty coming to mind.

"I would give ten years of my life just for a single night with her."

"Hmph, lustful toad!" a girl nearby spat in disgust after hearing the youth’s words.

"Dream on! Even if you were the last man left alive, the mistress wouldn’t look at you twice!"

"You’re probably right. One look would be enough. Hehe."

"Wait... that’s not what I meant."

At another edge of the hall.

"Hm, what talent do you think you’ll awaken?"

"Hell, if I awaken a C-rank combat talent, I’d be laughing in my dreams!"

"D-rank is enough for me. If I join the city guard, I’d get a good role."

"Tsk, tsk. Puny ambitions! Have eyes yet cannot recognize greatness! Only an A-rank talent is worthy of me. If you bow before me, I might consider letting you become my servants and share my glory."

"Y-you shameless bastard! Do you even know the last person to awaken an A-rank talent was ten years ago?! You think A-rank talents fall out of trees?!"

"He’s just a greedy, shameless bastard!"

Just as the murmurs intensified, seven youths walked in, clad in red robes, approaching the podium above where their seats had been reserved.

Silence lingered for another moment before a youth in the crowd shrieked, shattering it.

"It’s the seven young lords!"

Leading the group was a mildly handsome youth, an arrogant expression plastered across his face, young ladies trailing behind him.

He looked down disdainfully at the crowd below, bathing in the praise showered upon him.

"OMG, is it just me, or are the young ladies getting even prettier?"

"Hm, it’s true. Must be the Sun God bloodline refining their physical traits."

"The bloodline really is powerful. I heard their bodies possess the strength of ten mortals each. I can’t imagine what they’ll be like after the Awakening."

"Strength of ten regular people? H-how’s that possible?!"

"You didn’t see Young Lord Cedric’s match with Ulric. He trashed him like nothing in one blow. I think he died. I don’t see him here."

"It’s a pity... he was very handsome. I wonder what Lord Greyson will think when he comes out of seclusion..."

Just as the murmurs slowly died down, the Awakening Ceremony moments from beginning.

The hall doors suddenly snapped open, drawing everyone’s attention as a green-robed youth stepped forward. Gasps of shock erupted from the crowd.

"W-wait... who is that? And why the fuck is he so handsome?!"

"I think I know him, those looks are familiar. It’s Young Master Ulric!"

"H-how... I don’t understand... why does he look so different?!"

"Hahaha... it really is Young Master Ulric! I’d recognize him even if he turned to ash!"

The girls in the crowd narrowed their eyes, faces flushing as they stared at the youth. Something about him drew them in.

The longer they stared, the more heat crept across their bodies, forcing them to hurriedly avert their gazes.

The murmurs intensified, then paused. Something was wrong.

Why wasn’t the young master stopping?

They blinked as his figure headed straight for the podium, toward Young Lord Cedric and the six young ladies.

"What is he doing?"

At the top, Cedric came into view, eyes narrowing dangerously as he watched the approaching figure.

Questions flooded his mind. How was he still alive? The attack he used should have killed the bastard!

Yet Ulric looked better than ever as he stepped onto the podium.

Unable to restrain his rage. His fingers curled into fists as he slammed them into the armrest.

"What are you doing here, trash?!" he roared. "This is not the place for your stupid antics!"

"The real question should be..." Ulric smiled, inhaling calmly, unfazed by the threat. "What are you doing seated at my seat?"

His words drifted through the hall, triggering a loud commotion.

"Holy shit! Young Master Ulric has gone mad!"

"Is it madness or brilliance? Maybe he already knows he won’t awaken a good talent and wants to annoy Young Lord Cedric. Heck, I’d do the same."

"Hahaha! I never liked that prick! Annoy the shit out of him!"

"Huh?" Cedric blinked, momentarily dumbfounded as the murmurs reached his ears.

No one had ever humiliated him like this, especially not in front of so many people.

"I’m going to kill you!" he shrieked, charging forward without restraint.

Ulric nodded slowly, an evil smile spreading across his face. He’d set the trap, and Cedric walked straight into it.

As Cedric crossed the ten-meter radius, Ulric raised his palm and brought it down with resounding force the moment Cedric entered striking range.

What followed was beyond everyone’s expectations.

Cedric’s charge halted instantly. Teeth flew from his mouth as he crashed to the ground, howling like a pig being slaughtered.

The hall fell deathly silent, struggling to process what had just occurred.

"What was that again?" Ulric smiled, placing his foot over Cedric’s head, like the devil incarnate.

"You’ll happily give up your seat?"

He didn’t wait for an answer. A kick to Cedric’s chest sent him skidding off the podium, landing with a dull thud.

Staring at the sight, Ulric shook his head. He had expected at least a bit of a challenge. He didn’t even get the chance to use his bloodline.

Discarding the thought, he turned to the front, where the six girls sat, no less vile than the figure he had just kicked out.

They leaned back in their seats, still trying to process what had happened.

But that didn’t deter him. His smile only grew wider. He took another step forward as the crowd behind him stared.

Before he could take another step, a shrill scream echoed through the hall, followed by a crushing pressure that slammed into him.

"You dare injure my son so gravely?! I’ll make you pay for that, you little shit!"

Coughing up a mouthful of blood, Ulric forced his head up to look at her. Lady Valeria, the wife of House Greyson, mother of the seven brats.

Her face was contorted in rage, surprise flashing through her eyes at the fact that the youth wasn’t dead yet.

Barely middle-aged, her figure was draped in an interwoven white robe laced with faint mystical runes, clinging tightly to her form. Dark raven hair flowed down her back.

Ulric’s eyes flashed with an unyielding glint as he slowly spoke, his voice growing louder with each word.

"By Lord Father’s decree, he who is strongest among his sons is heir above the rest!"

"I’ve defeated Cedric, making me the heir to Father!" he spat, every word filling Valeria with dread as she realized where he was heading.

"By releasing your aura, do you express intent to kill the heir of the Greyson family? Do you think you can break the clan’s sacred rules and get away with it?! Do you think the family guardians will let you trample on Father’s name?" he continued shamelessly.

As he spoke, the aura leaking from Valeria gradually eased, then dissipated entirely, causing Ulric to sigh in relief.

He was strong, but not strong enough. She was already an E-rank being. He needed to grow stronger, and faster, until he no longer had to rely on others’ power to survive. He ground his teeth in determination.

"This isn’t over," Valeria muttered, malice clouding her eyes as she moved to pick up Cedric.

"You’re right, it isn’t," Ulric replied, nodding in agreement. Walking forward, he stared down at the other six girls.

"What are you doing seated at my seat?" he asked again.

They stared blankly at him, their earlier disdain washed away by fear. What did he mean? They gestured toward the now-empty seat Cedric had occupied. Why did he want their seats too?

Before they could speak, Ulric smiled.

"Does this mean you don’t recognize me as the true heir?!" he demanded.

"Is this how you follow Lord Father’s decree? Do you think it’s trash? What will the clan guardians think of you treating Father’s decree as trash?"

Fear surged in their eyes as all six rose at once, terrified that another moment of hesitation would brand them as traitors.

Valeria watched, grinding her teeth as she clenched her fists tightly.

"You’ll pay for this, you little brat," she muttered under her breath.

Watching them leave, Ulric smiled. Ignoring the stunned stares of the crowd, he sat down as if nothing had happened.

Just as he was about to mock their retreating figures, he felt someone staring at him from the side.

Tilting his head, his eyes locked with those of a silver-haired woman in a dark robe. She smiled in his direction.

"Interesting," Aria mused as she stepped toward the front of the podium. The Awakening Ceremony had just become far more interesting.

With that thought, she spoke aloud.

"Let the Talent Awakening Ceremony begin!"