Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 551 The Rule of Power (Part 10)

Baren was strong, indeed strong. Istrid and Reinal were not worthy opponents for him, the difference in power between them was palpable and visible even to a mere guest who didnʼt understand anything about it.

But... he was hardly the strongest. At the very least, because Gladius was here.

”What the hell...?” Baren muttered, blinking several times.

Just a second ago, he was in the banquet hall, in the middle of nowhere, with only white tables, bewildered guests, and a destroyed chandelier around him.

But... now Baren was looking up at the clouds, the night sky covered in hundreds of bright stars.

The cold night wind blew by his side, bringing freshness and ruffling his hair.

Small pebbles from the debris rolled slightly to the side under the windʼs force, as if wanting to continue their journey after such a powerful tug.

Baren slowly stood up, leaning on the largest piece of rubble before looking forward.

A wide hole appeared in the banquet hall wall as if someone exploded a bomb there, but it was only the aftermath of Gladiusʼs flick.

Many eyes were staring at Gladius and Baren, but more often than not, the spectators were focused on Baren to make sure he was fine.

Baren lowered his gaze down, his clothes were in good condition, they werenʼt even wrinkled, just a little dusty.

Step.

Silvana, who had been watching the events for a long time took a step back, goosebumps went down her body and fear was in her eyes.

ʼNo way... Did Gladius decide to fight Baren? Thatʼs bad... That could ruin everything. Shit, why did he do that? Iʼm sure Baren will be furious!

Gladius doesnʼt know what he can and canʼt do! He just does whatever he wants!ʼ

Silvana wasnʼt the only one with similar thoughts, many of the guests were expecting to see a fight between Baren and Gladius. They didnʼt know much about Gladius except that he was extremely strong.

”Hahaha...”

A short laugh rang out.

”Hahahahahahahaha! Damn, that was awesome!”

Baren exclaimed with a fiery look, a joyful, wide smile on his face.

”Letʼs do it again! Did you attack at full strength? Damn! It was just a flick and I flew more than ten meters away breaking through a concrete wall with my back!”

Baren looked at his hands, feeling his fingertips tremble with anticipation.

It seemed that the only one who wasnʼt surprised by Barenʼs reaction was Gladius, though... no, there was someone else here.

Gladiusʼs gaze shifted sideways, from Baren to Adam.

ʼYeah, those two are definitely alike in some ways. Most would become aggressive, some would be wary or frightened, a few would run away, and amongst all that, thereʼs no wrong choice. After all, I attacked him for no reason, though I didnʼt inflict any wounds on him.ʼ

Gladius looked at the smiling Baren, continuing his musings.

ʼThose two want more, and hereʼs the curious thing... Agh, maybe Aiden is right and the difference between Natural and Artificial Phantoms isnʼt about Spark, Artifacts, Evolution Tree, and so on at all...ʼ

Gladius narrowed his eyes, remembering how Adam reacted when he let out his intimidating aura, instilling fear even in Zarot and Mariel.

ʼDo they want to see more power and experience such a thing again because they are Natural Phantoms or did the part of them responsible for that desire help them survive at the most crucial moment? I doubt the Spark or their Evolution Trees made them smile now, the reason is something else...ʼ

Step. Step. Step.

While Gladius was pondering, Baren already walked back with a fiery, joyful look. He hadnʼt released his aura yet, but for some reason, the guests next to which he passed got shivers on their bodies, their instincts telling them that it was better to move back to a safe distance.

”Hey! Stop wondering! Letʼs fight!” Baren said confidently.

Marielʼs eyes went wide, quickly filling with terror when she realized what Baren wanted to do.

Zarot smirked for a moment, but then quickly regained his serious expression. No one was supposed to see this.

Realizing that disaster could happen, Mariel reached forward, going to say something, she should stop Baren, for his own sake.

Sweep.

Gladius waved his hand as if trying to get rid of a pesky fly that picked an opponent beyond its powers.

”Nah, letʼs do this some other time.” Gladius calmly said before pointing to his uniform, ”Iʼm busy right now. Iʼm a waiter here, so this isnʼt going to work out.”

Baren looked at Gladiusʼs outfit, tilted his head, and asked with a raised eyebrow: ”Are you an idiot?”

When Mariel heard this her heart beat faster and her eyes went blank.

”Hahaha, no!”

Gladius laughed, turning around and stepping aside to one of the nearby tables that somehow miraculously remained intact.

”Iʼm not dumb, I consider myself pretty smart, at least above average.” Gladius shrugged before abruptly turning around and throwing something at Baren.

Oddly enough, Baren didnʼt have time to react, Gladiusʼs throw was too fast, even for him.

ʼHmm? Did I catch something in my teeth?ʼ Baren pondered, feeling some sort of round, slightly elongated object wedged between his teeth.

Throwing a glance at Gladius, Baren waved his hand nonchalantly and clenched his teeth together. His eyes went wide for a moment, sparkling like gems.

”Oh, an olive! Where did you get it from?” Baren exclaimed joyfully.

Gladius only stepped aside, revealing a table covered with appetizers and alcohol.

Baren looked around and scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

”Right, itʼs a wedding. I guess I was the one who acted stupidly.”

Gladius spread his hands apart.

”Thatʼs okay, it happens to everyone. Anyway, we took on too much attention. One way or another, the wedding has to have some outcome.”

Barenʼs eyes went wide for a moment when he glanced at Adam.

”The Rule of Power. Hah, so... what happens next? The Marzo Family has to pick a fighter?”

Gladius nodded deeply before pulling his phone out of his pocket and tapping the screen a few times, he paused before the last one.

Then, slowly and intriguingly, Gladius turned to the side, his narrowed devious eyes complementing his twisted smirk.

”Itʼs time to raise the stakes, isnʼt it?”

Gladius pronounced predatorily, glaring intently at Franz, who gulped at his tone and eerie aura.

Tap.

Gladius tapped the screen one last time, triggering an unstoppable reaction whose outcome was that every family of the Twelve Branches, every nobleman both high and not, became aware that Adam Vinter had used The Rule of Power, right at the wedding between the Marzo and Rouzet Families.