Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 104: Drunk man is Angry Part-2

ʼShckkkʼ

Aether placed a hand on his chest, feeling the card return to its place without the need for a summon, ”I suppose it returns to the user and... no one could steal it,” Aether muttered under his breath, his gaze fixed on Blake, who was still recovering from the sudden attack.

”Are you okay? Donʼt die on me now... I still have a score to settle,” Aether remarked with a sly grin, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

”YOU!!” Blake snapped, his eyes filled with hatred as he glared at Aether.

”Thatʼs more like it. Come at me now,” Aether nodded in satisfaction, observing Blake seethe with anger.

Blake clenched his Arcane Card tightly, and in a swift motion, the card dispersed into shimmering particles of silver before coalescing into a long, slender sword.

With determination in his eyes, Blake lunged toward Aether, the sword gleaming as it sliced through the air, his intent clear.... to defeat his opponent once and for all.

”Increase Agility,” Aether muttered under his breath.

!~Ding~!

[+1 Agility]

[Agility: 11↑]

ʼShhhʼ

Just as Blakeʼs sword was about to connect with Aetherʼs neck, Aether dodged it with lightning speed, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike.

”What the...” Blake was momentarily taken aback, his confusion evident as he struggled to comprehend Aetherʼs sudden burst of speed. Despite having analyzed Aetherʼs movements and speed beforehand, he found himself surprised by the sudden increase in Aetherʼs agility.

”Heʼs improving...” Empress murmured quietly, her gaze fixed on Aetherʼs now more intriguing eyes, which seemed to hold secrets beyond comprehension.

”Yes...” Archpriestess nodded in agreement, noting Aetherʼs newfound confidence and careless demeanour, a stark contrast to his earlier cautiousness.

”BAM!!”

Aether swiftly countered Blakeʼs momentary distraction with a powerful punch to his gut. Blake staggered back, coughing up blood as the force of the blow took its toll. With a defiant glare, he locked eyes with Aether, his gaze burning with determination.

”Yes... I quite like those eyes,” Aether remarked with a smile, his expression a mix of drunken and delight.

ʼTsk, Heʼs clearly concealing his true strength,ʼ Blake thought to himself, his resolve hardening as he prepared to launch another assault on Aether, this time with heightened caution and vigilance against any potential blind spots.

”Hmm...” Aetherʼs smile widened as he once again muttered,

”Increase Agility”

!~Ding~!

[+1 Agility]

[Agility: 12↑]

ʼShhhʼ

ʼToo fast!!ʼ Blakeʼs eyes widened in disbelief as Aether effortlessly evaded his attack once more. Reacting swiftly, Blake attempted an unexpected blade swing, only to have it redirected to the ground by Aetherʼs agile manoeuvre. However, before Blake could fully comprehend the situation, a voice echoed from behind him....

”Thatʼs a mistake many make...”

ʼHeʼs behind me!!ʼ Blakeʼs realization came too late as Aetherʼs swift kick connected with his body.

ʼThudʼ

ʼThudʼ

ʼThudʼ

Blake tumbled across the ground, his body rolling several times before coming to a stop.

ʼThuʼ Spitting blood from his mouth, Blakeʼs lips twitched in pain. The impact from Aetherʼs kick had taken its toll, leaving Blake to acknowledge Aetherʼs strength and agility, ʼHeʼs not just strong... heʼs faster than I anticipated,ʼ Blake acknowledged inwardly, his mind racing through any potential opening.

Blake knew he needed a magician to back him up. He glanced at his party members, who looked at him with worried expressions.

ʼN-No, I mustnʼt fall now. I need to win this tournament and earn the money that Empress promised us,ʼ he thought. When they arrived to compete in the tournament, they received an unexpected visit from the Empressʼs Maid. She informed them that they only needed to defeat one opponent to receive a generous reward, and without hesitation, Blake and his team agreed.

Aether observed Blake, pondering, ʼDid I really get beaten by this guy...?ʼ He followed Blakeʼs gaze, wondering what had caught his attention.

”OH! Oh!...” Aetherʼs smile widened as he addressed Blake. ”I suppose you are nothing without your group.”

”What are you babbling about?” Blake asked, his annoyance evident as he slowly stood up and readied his fighting stance.

”Letʼs see... 1 vs 7....” Aether paused, adopting a contemplative expression before turning back to Blake with a mockingly pitiful look, ”Oh, my apologies.... hehe... 1 vs 6, isnʼt it? I mean, that red-haired bitch you abandoned, crushed like a tomato... am I right?”

Blakeʼs eyes widened in realization, ”I-I didnʼt abandon h... wait!!! Y-You...” It finally dawned on him what Aether was implying.

Aetherʼs smile widened even further as he mockingly bowed like a gentleman and introduced himself officially, ”Heh... Yes, Yours truly... My true name is Aether. The Stray Slave whom you and your companions once tried to eliminate, along with a little girl!”

Empress exchanged a meaningful glance with the Archpriestess, who had expressions of simmering anger as she watched the unfolding confrontation.... Her eyes burned with anger when she saw Blake.

ʼThis is getting interesting...ʼ Empress thought, her eyes glinting with amusement as she observed her daughterʼs surprised reaction.

”Is something the matter?” Empress asked Princess with a knowing smile.

”H-Huh? No,” Princess quickly shook her head, her attention now fully on Aether as she pointed at him. ”Who is he?.... I can feel the Arcane connected to him, just like with Kaiʼs... but his..... is even stronger.”

”Thatʼs for you to find out,” Empress replied cryptically, her gaze lingering on Aether with a hint of intrigue.

Delphine remained seated behind Velc, observing everything with a calm demeanour as she sipped her drink. Her eyes were fixed on Aether, studying his every move intently. Even the Snow peeked out from her cleavage, its eyes glittering as it followed Aetherʼs fight with keen interest.

”M-Master, why is he so strong?” Alfred couldnʼt contain his worries and directed the question to Velc.

”I donʼt understand it either...” Velc muttered, his frustration growing as he glanced at Delphine, who discreetly pushed Snow back into her cleavage.

”You said heʼs only level 1, right?” Velcʼs voice carried a hint of disbelief.

”Yes, thatʼs correct.”

”Then can you explain what weʼre witnessing now?” Velcʼs tone betrayed his rising anger as he pointed at Aether and said, ”There is no way in hell a Level One could do this!!”

”I donʼt know,” Delphine replied simply, her expression unreadable.

”Ggrrr” Velc gritted his teeth in frustration, ”Iʼll have to report this to Father.”

”Sure, go ahead... Even the old man will know I didnʼt lie,” Delphine waved dismissively.

”Ggrrr” Velc could only clench his teeth tighter in frustration. Alfred glanced at his son, a worried expression crossing his face as he feared his son might lose his position due to this unexpected turn of events.