Evolution of the Ruined Heir - Chapter 169

Chapter 169: Storm
It took a moment. Then, as the rankings flashed on the screen, highlighting the addition of 40% of Aurelia’s points getting added to Malakai’s, the realization slammed onto the people.

The first shout reverberated.

“I’M FUCKING RICHHHH!” It came from a man who looked old and wrinkly. Many looked at him in envy.

He had been barely surviving his everyday life. The hunt brought about an opportunity for even the least privileged to become rich in an instant.

The man had determined that he couldn’t continue living like this and sold his house and properties, having planned to place everything on the bets of the hunt.

The odds against Malakai had been stacked. Most believed Aurelia would win in the end. He had placed his trust in the Ruined Heir, and now, he had won.

“I LOVE YOU, NINTH VEIN!” the old man screamed, pulling off his clothes and dancing like the happiest man on earth.

His shout broke the dam. The region erupted.

“WHOOOOAAAA!!!!”

People screamed at the top of their lungs.

“NINTH VEIN! NINTH VEIN!”

They chanted without stop, stomping their feet on the ground like a march, the earth shaking.

“YES!”

The large hall of the Blackreach fell deathly silent as the warriors’ gazes focused on the one who had just screamed.

Blood Champion Hamada Sanguine.

Hamada was a warrior known for his constant composure. None had ever seen him cheer, not once.

Which was why they all stared in disbelief as he stood on his feet, fist clenched, a massive grin spread across his face.

Hamada blinked, feeling the weight of their gazes. Realizing what he’d just done, he cleared his throat and returned to his seat.

His calm, firm expression snapped back into place.

“Carry on,” he said with a cough.

He settled back into his seat, pretending like nothing happened.

But it wasn’t only at the Blackreach. In the large halls where the captains of the Blood Knights were gathered, Rhett had jumped down from his seat and approached the screen as though to kiss the figure that had appeared largely on the screen, Malakai.

Laila tried her best to call him back, but her words fell on deaf ears. She understood his feelings, though.

Aside from the fact that the boy was most definitely as talented, if not more so, than Valerian himself, he had just made them a sick ton of money. Well… as long as he kept winning.

But Laila couldn’t imagine anyone else aside from him winning this competition anymore.

…

Crack!

The sturdy armrest of Varnel finally shattered. His gaze was wide as he looked at the screen displaying Malakai.

‘She lost.’ Even he couldn’t believe his thoughts.

Malakai had won.

His mind kept telling him that this was the reality. The actual reality he had to accept.

He could feel the amused gazes in the room. From the Pulses. From the Highbloods. From everyone.

Their eyes bit at his skin. Their smirks boiled his blood. Their presence made him want to erupt.

Still, Varnel breathed. Deep. Shuddering. Coldness radiated off him, freezing the seat beneath. Khana instinctively stepped back, unable to withstand the chill.

His expression was calm. But his eyes…

Many Highbloods couldn’t help but shudder when they saw the way he looked at Malakai through the screen.

Varnel was seething. And only one person was responsible, Malakai.

There was no doubt about it. After today, a storm was coming to the clan.

…

Malakai staggered forward, steadying himself. He felt a wave of weakness hit him as the overwhelming power he had felt before receded deep inside him.

‘It lasted for just a few seconds. Just like the last time.’

The last time he had used this power, it had receded after a few seconds. It never seemed to last more than that.

‘I’ll have to figure out how to handle it later. For now…’

Malakai scanned his body, and it was not good.

He had a few bruises here and there due to clashing with Aurelia, but that wasn’t his major concern.

‘My Vita.’

Malakai couldn’t understand it. He had more than a quarter of his Vita left in reserve before, but now, it was all gone. Empty.

‘The essence used it.’ It was the most likely conclusion.

His body was constantly absorbing Vita from the air, and he would recover at a fast rate, but only if another difficult battle didn’t occur.

However, Malakai had never been one to believe in fairytales. The world was far from being that nice.

“Ninth Vein!”

Renlo’s shout reached him, and Malakai’s head snapped to the side, landing on Renlo, who was rushing toward him with a wide smile.

“You did it! You won, Ninth Vein! You wooonnn!”

Renlo screamed at the top of his lungs, jumping up in joy as he reached Malakai. Tears filled his eyes. It was obvious, the boy was truly happy that he had won.

Malakai was a bit… startled.

“…Yeah.” That was the only thing that came to mind.

‘You don’t know what to feel, huh.’

Valentine’s voice suddenly sounded after so long, and while he was right, Malakai chose not to answer him.

Since his parents died, Malakai had fought so many battles. So many close calls. But he couldn’t remember a time where someone had actually been happy that he won.

It felt… refreshing.

Still, he held himself back from venturing too deep into the moment.

“That’s enough.”

His firm voice stopped Renlo, who had still been jumping around in joy.

“The competition isn’t over. Be alert.”

Renlo’s eyes widened, and he nodded before stretching his hand out.

“I picked this up, Ninth Vein.”

Malakai’s eyes widened slightly, and he smiled before gripping his scythe from Renlo’s hand.

Then, his gaze turned cold as he turned towards the distance, where multiple youths were looking at him with disbelief. But his focus wasn’t on them.

It was on one person.

Maximus.

‘Only he should be able to pose a threat,’ he determined.

The Seventh Vein’s gaze was calm, but Malakai could see the shock within them. Even he hadn’t believed Malakai could win.

‘Should I fight him?’ Maximus asked himself.

“Hmph! How brazen for both of you to leave me out of this!”

Octavia’s voice rang out. She didn’t look happy that they hadn’t seen her as a threat. She had only just evolved, after all.

None of the other youths dared to intervene in the matters of the Veins. In fact, most of them had already started sneaking away.

Malakai and Maximus locked eyes, and the tension in the forest rose.

Would they both fight too?

Would they witness another clash?