Chapter 1012: Chapter 999: Turning the Competition into a Clan Infighting Chapter 1012: Chapter 999: Turning the Competition into a Clan Infighting “Tsk, they’re at it again!”

Within the manor, one young face after another—either boys or girls—rushed out of the buildings the moment the explosion occurred, looking toward the low-rise building that was gradually collapsing on the upper levels.

The reason for the collapse of this building was the battle between two Star Armor Masters who were furiously attacking each other, their combat repercussions swiftly destroying everything around them.

“They finally started fighting. When was the last battle? Three days ago, right? The interval between conflicts seems a bit short this time,” a young boy with a baby face muttered with dissatisfaction as he watched the two Star Armor Masters combatting in the sky.

“Sigh, I really miss the peaceful times from a year ago. I have no idea when these people will stop making a fuss,” although most of the manor’s residents were enthusiastically watching the battle, there were still some who expressed dissatisfaction with such fighting.

They were the “old” residents of the manor, yearning for the peaceful days before Jelos Douglas, the peace breaker, arrived.

But those peaceful years had gone, never to return. The manor they were now living in had turned into a battlefield, as battles could break out at any time; they had to be vigilant against attacks coming from all directions to prevent themselves from being affected by the battles and suffering injuries that would land them in the hospital.

In fact, when the manor turned into a battlefield, some residents did consider moving out, as every official member of the Douglas family had a rather substantial foundation. Even in the capital, it would be easy for them to carve out a place for themselves.

However, the clan had issued a ban: one could enter the manor but not leave, unless they were about to graduate from high school and head to the Imperial Battlefield. No one was allowed to leave otherwise.

“Forget about those times; we probably can’t go back,” a young man said, shaking his head when he heard his companion’s complaints.

“Why?”

“Just look at ourselves. Over the past year, think about how much our ability to adapt to any sudden situations has increased. And this ability to react to danger close at hand, once we reach the battlefield, how much will it increase our survival rate?”

“The clan is using these geniuses’ battles to train us, to ensure we survive when we go to train on the battlefield. They are really going to great lengths!”

“Although I understand the clan’s intentions and can comprehend them, I still can’t accept this way of life—always being on edge, it’s really too tiring,” another girl shook her head, her face showing a trace of embarrassment because during one of her baths, the bathroom she was in had been affected by the fighting. Fortunately, she had reacted quickly and donned her Star armor, thus avoiding the embarrassment of being exposed.

“Feeling tired means you haven’t fully adapted to the situation yet. You still need more time to adjust. My dad said that on the battlefield where the Empire fights with the Sky Descendants, stray bullets and combat aftershocks are even more intense. This is nothing but child’s play to that.”

“Stop discussing it, the battle is over.”

A figure fell from the sky, turning into a black streak and crashing fiercely into the ground, carving a black scar more than a hundred meters long into the neatly tended lawn.

“Haha, so much of the lawn got plowed again. The butlers are probably going crazy,” the little girl said with a giggle as she looked at the plowed lawn that exposed the dark soil underneath.

“Don’t worry, this lawn has been plowed for a year now, and the butlers are still fine and here.”

“Robert, you lost,” the victor of the battle, a girl clad in purple-black new armor and surrounded by an array of External Armaments, flew to the spot above the young man lying on the ground, bleeding, and looked down at him.

“This time, it’s bad!” Robert sighed helplessly as he lost the battle. He knew Muria’s philosophy: those with the ability could have certain privileges, while those without and still dared to be flashy could wait to get beaten up.

“Good you know it’s bad. Now tell me, head or foot,” Betty landed on the ground, ready to exercise her right as the victor.

“Head. I already tried foot last time; not very comfortable,” Robert resigned, deactivating his own Star armor.

“You chose this yourself, don’t blame me later.”

With a triumphant smile, Betty bent down, grabbed his thick, flaxen hair, and dragged him off toward the Training Ground.

A girl clad in Star armor, looking dashing, dragged a handsome-looking boy across the neat lawn, the boy’s face showing an expression of defeat, and drops of fresh blood dripping from his body, leaving behind a very striking trail of blood on the green grass.

This visually impactful scene immediately prompted the onlookers around to pull out their communicators, recording this significant moment.

“This is so embarrassing. Sigh.” Robert couldn’t help but cover his face with his hand. Even though it wasn’t the first time to be photographed like this, he didn’t want to leave behind too many dark moments in his history.

…

“Young Master Jelos, the Star Armor Masters Competition is about to begin soon. Of the thirteen kids you’re training, seven qualify to participate. Counting you, that makes eight,”
“Mm,” Muria, who was savoring tea, nodded calmly upon hearing this. Now, he no longer cared about the competition. It wasn’t necessary anymore.

He had secured an unshakable position within the Douglas family by training those thirteen future pillars of the clan, and in terms of resources, he basically had no more needs.

“The family wants all eight of you to participate in the Star Armor Masters Competition, what do you think?”

“Why are you asking me? Doesn’t the clan have its think tank? You know their combat power; given previous competitions, is it that hard to assess their possible achievements?”

“The family has indeed deduced the potential outcomes if you eight enter the battle, but the results were somewhat incredible, so they sent me to ask for your opinion.”

“Top eight.” Muria set down his teacup and looked at Butler Paris, “One spot for each person.”

“You mean, if you all enter the battle, then the eight spots are yours? It seems Young Master Jelos is quite confident!”

“Otherwise? What was the think tank’s prediction?”

“The best outcome they deduced is exactly as you said, the Douglas clan sweeping the top eight spots of the Star Armor Masters Competition.”

“And the worst outcome?” Muria asked with a smile.

“The worst is that our Douglas family only claims half of the top eight spots,” Paris, the Butler, said with a smile, pushing his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, “We can’t underestimate the other three great families; if they notice our strength is too great, they might team up to target us.”

“Oh.”

…

“Daisy, Betty, Robert…” Muria read out the names of the seven people in front of him, then raised his head to look at the seven young men and women who appeared apprehensive, “Do you know why I called you here?”

“Star Armor Masters Competition!” Daisy, the half-sister from a different mother of Muria’s reincarnated body, blurted out without hesitation.

“Exactly, that’s why I’ve called you here.” Muria looked admiringly at the girl, and noticing his gaze, she proudly puffed up her increasingly ample chest.

“You seven will be joining me in this Star Armor Masters Competition. Butler Paris and I have just discussed this matter; the family has made predictions about our performance.”

Muria looked at the seven young men and women in front of him, who were intently listening, “The best outcome is that the eight of us will occupy the top eight spots in the competition, and the worst outcome is that we’ll only secure half of the top eight spots.”

“The family has that much confidence in us?” Betty’s face showed delight.

“Confidence?” Muria looked at the girl as if to say ‘are you out of your mind,’ “This is clearly the family’s lack of trust in you lot.”

“But occupying half of the top eight spots would be an excellent achievement worthy of entering the family records.” Under Muria’s gaze, the girl gradually lost her nerve and lowered her head, her voice weak in defense.

“Don’t compare yourselves with past participants. You’ve been trained by me for a year, and you still lack this much confidence?” Muria’s face showed his disappointment,
“There is only one goal for you in this competition, and that is to dominate all spots in the top eight. I want to turn this competition into an internal battle of the Douglas family.”

“But, brother, isn’t that a bit too arrogant?”

Upon hearing Muria’s demand, everyone was taken aback and simultaneously felt exhilarated by the goal he had set.

“Arrogant, what’s there to be arrogant about? This is the achievement you should attain with your strength,” Muria’s stern gaze fell on the seven people before him,
“If any of you dare to disgrace me, not making it to the top eight, just wait until after the competition to see what I’ll do to you.”

“Then, brother, what is your goal?” Daisy asked cautiously.

“Of course, the champion!” Muria said as if it went without saying, “Who else could be the champion but me?”

“Or do you think any of you can beat me?” Muria surveyed the seven people before him, his eyes teasing.

“If you only use your star armor and avoid coming close to me in combat, I think I could give it a try!” Robert raised his hand, grinning as he spoke.

“Get lost!” Muria swung his leg and kicked out at him…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read