The Talentless Inheritor

"How did he pierce through that armor?!"

Even though Sebastian, Gilbert, Amy, and the other famous heirs of the houses were the ones talked about, that didn't mean they were the only youth in their houses. Taking an example from Sebastian's father who had mistresses and offsprings with each of them. Those with a high position in the houses were encouraged to have more children for their houses to have more power.

If they limited themselves to one child, then if those children died or were impotent or sterile, it'd be disastrous for the house.

Because of that, besides the main branch children like Amy, Gilbert, Sebastian, Damian, and Arthur, there were also secondary branches that stemmed from their uncles and aunts. In fact, the secondary and tertiary branches greatly outnumbered the main branch.

More than half of the people in the venue were a.d.u.l.ts while the rest were youth. Although there were also children, there were only a few of them.

The ones who reacted to Sebastian's attack were the youth. However, that didn't mean the a.d.u.l.ts weren't surprised. In fact, most of them had knit brows.

"You're joking! Even if that spear were to be made by a master blacksmith, how would it be able to pierce through the Walt House's Fortress Armor?!"

"That's the Fortress Armor?!"

Amy inhaled a cold breath.

'How was he able to pierce through that armor? I knew he was training but only three months had passed!'

Even if Sebastian spent the entirety of those three months without eating or sleeping, he wouldn't be able to reach this level. Even she had to put some power into denting that armor. If she had the proper weapon, then she would be able to do even more damage than Sebastian but... it was a great feat for a regular person!

Steel plate armor, when compared to Gilbert's armor, were on different levels!

Gilbert separated from Sebastian a few seconds after he was struck. The two of them glared at each other silence.

Although he was wounded, Gilbert didn't deserve his power if he were to bawl his eyes out over something so trivial. It was just a flesh wound.

Sebastian moved first, he stepped forward and used his momentum to thrust and cut with his spear. Although Gilbert wore armor, the spear was strong enough to chip it.

"Huff..."

Sebastian attacked from several directions. Right now, he had an advantage in speed. He could've sped up more but he couldn't risk showing that he could use the Walt House's ability.

CLANG CLANG CLANG

Sebastian's attacks chipped and cut the armor here and there. He had wielded the spear for only a fortnight and his skill with it was superficial but with the stigma, he was able to do movements by moving his body artificially.

Once Sebastian broke a part of Gilbert's shoulder armor, he began to retaliate. Gilbert knocked Sebastian back with his body and then took out a mace.

Their earlier stalemate slowly became an even battle—no, Gilbert was at an advantage. His power, speed, and experience were all above Sebastian's. He forced Sebastian to block attacks with the shaft of his spear and the plates on his forearms.

"Ugh..."

Sebastian stepped forward and swung the spear. When Gilbert retreated, he took the opportunity to retreat several steps further as well.

'I can't match him in close combat, I need an opportunity to use my bow.'

As it stood, Gilbert would just close the distance between them if he used a bow. If he could use everything he had in the stigma, then it wouldn't have been much of a problem.

Sebastian made up his mind and stabbed his spear into the floor.

"Have you given up?!" Gilbert yelled and began to gather his energy. His physical prowess was growing by the second.

Facing the pressure that Gilbert produced, Sebastian held his bow in complete calm. He closed his eyes and drew the bowstring back.

As expected, Gilbert wouldn't allow him to finish. He charged forward with mace in hand. He moved even faster than before. The armor didn't inhibit his speed and movements at all.

Just when they were about to collide, Sebastian jumped. He had just barely avoided Gilbert's fist. A normal jump wouldn't have been able to tower over a person so easily but Sebastian did just that, and even more so!

Sebastian twisted his body in the air and shot an arrow. Even if there was only a tiny chance of hitting Gilbert, he was confident in his aim. There was no way he would miss at this range.

"Ugh..."

Contrary to earlier, the arrow pierced through the armor. It was the other shoulder this time and it was even deeper than the spear.

Sebastian landed and aimed his bow again. He didn't want to waste time. If he fired too early, Gilbert would see it coming.

Gilbert's expression twisted in anger as he pulled out the arrow and snapped it in half.

'Ah, my money...'

Sebastian resisted the urge to cry out for injustice and focused. Although it looked like he had the advantage, it couldn't be further from the truth.

"Sebastian..."

Amy muttered his name in worry. She was above Gilbert in terms of power and she could tell that Sebastian wasn't his match. He had been doing superhuman feats since the start of the match but if it was only that, then Gilbert would overtake him soon.

The people watching the match were on the edge of their seats. This was the first time they've seen Gilbert Walt be so dominated in battle. But, that only went for their generation. The older generation seemed to realize what Amy and Sebastian had as well.

Markus stroke his chin and looked at Sebastian with a mysterious gaze.

"What an intriguing boy."

Jonathan narrowed his eyes when he heard Markus comment. The latter quickly raised his hands in surrender, "I won't do anything."

Only when he heard Markus' promise did Jonathan turn his eyes back to the battle. The two on the stage weren't impulsive, they were both at a standstill.

"Is attacking at a distance the only thing you can do now?" Gilbert mocked.

"Is insulting and taunting me the only way you can win?" Sebastian retorted.

Gilbert's already twisted expression became even more so. His body began trembling and his energy spiked. It now completely surpassed Sebastian's energy and entered Apprentice rank.

Sebastian gripped his bow tightly and prepared to fight back at a moment's notice.

'First, aim for his joints, I won't be able to pierce his vitals...'

Just as Sebastian was formulating his strategy, he blinked. It was just an instant, it didn't even take a single second. Just a single blink, an instant that his vision was covered.

Gilbert vanished from his spot.

"Wha—?!"

Sebastian tried to look around but he didn't even have the chance to turn his head. His vision swayed and he saw his surroundings blur.

"AGH!"

Sebastian g.r.o.a.n.e.d in pain. The pain he felt made his vision flicker and he couldn't breathe properly. What came out of his mouth were gasps for air.

"What's wrong?"

Gilbert used his body as a step and looked down on him. Sebastian couldn't make his face out clearly but it was obvious he was the only person present who could do that.

When Sebastian didn't respond, Gilbert removed his foot and kicked Sebastian in the gut once more. He was equipped with armor and still had his body at the level of an Apprentice.

Sebastian's body was dragged over the floor by the sheer force of the kick. His breath was coming in gasps and he couldn't speak at all.

'My bones...'

He could feel it. Some of his ribs were broken. It wasn't the kick Gilbert did when Sebastian was down, it was the attack that he couldn't see.

"Sebastian!"

Amy yelled out and was about to rush out to stop the battle but she was stopped when Jonathan raised his hand.

"Sir, he can't take anymore!" Amy pleaded.

Instead of looking at Amy, Jonathan continued to watch the match.

"Answer me!"

Gilbert kicked Sebastian's back and sent him flying again. Sebastian's body landed and after a few seconds, he tried to get up but Gilbert mercilessly kicked him down.

"You're a weakling and you dared to provoke me! This is what you deserve! Stay at the bottom of the barrel, you worthless trash!"

Gilbert continued to kick Sebastian and send his body flying all over the stage. Many of the spectators couldn't bear to watch anymore and turned away. The children's eyes and ears were covered too.

With his vision completely blurred, Sebastian looked at the scene calmly, he couldn't feel the pain anymore.

'Is this my limit? But, I haven't even used my other trump cards...'

He had yet to reveal his flame or use the potion that Balanos had told him to make. However, his body was at its limit. The single kick from Gilbert was enough to kill a regular man and Sebastian was taking several of them.

If it weren't for the stigma, Sebastian would have long since died.

—So in the end, it comes down to this. Give up, you'll only needlessly hurt yourself more.

Even Balanos had given up. They had taken a gamble when they started planning for the duel, and that was for Sebastian to find an opening and take down Gilbert in one moment.

'That's right, it's okay to give up...'

Sebastian began closing his eyes. He tried his best but Gilbert's power was just too great. He couldn't even see the last few attacks.

"It's over..."

"He did well."

"I can't believe he lasted that long..."

Jonathan looked at Sebastian's will dissipating and was about to declare the victor of the duel but he stopped in the middle of raising his arm. He could see a new light shine in Sebastian's eyes, one that was surrounded by his despair but still managing to shine bright.

'What is that emotion?'

Jonathan peered into his eyes from afar but he couldn't quite figure out what it was. But, it seemed like he was looking at something.

Something or someone.

Sebastian looked in Amy's general direction. He could no longer differentiate the faces and bodies of the people from afar but he knew she was there. She would never leave.

'Am I satisfied with this?'

Sebastian questioned himself.

'No. Why would I be satisfied?'

'But, why did I want to give up?'

'The pain? Is it the pain that I'm experiencing?'

'The pain was too much and now I want to give up, is that it?'

'You promised her. You promised yourself. You promised Balanos, you promised your father, and you promised the world!'

"I'll show both you and the world, that I, Sebastian Sol, am not inept. I'll prove to you and I'll prove to everyone else that they're wrong."

His words rang in his head. The words he spoke to his father. That's right, he still had a promise to fulfill.

At that moment, a small flame flickered in Sebastian's heart. It was like a small torch, a flickering flame but it didn't go out—no, it didn't want to go out.

'I... am Sebastian Sol, the proud son of the House of Sol.'

Sebastian closed his eyes.

Gilbert noticed it but continued attacking. It was only when Sebastian didn't even let out any more groans did he stop. He knew Sebastian wasn't dead but he was very near. He spat on Sebastian once before turning around.

He walked a few steps and waited for the announcement of his victory. The eyes of everyone in the venue had fear, awe, and disdain but he didn't care. He wanted to destroy Sebastian completely but he still had his sanity.

Gilbert closed his eyes and waited.

Shocked gasps could be heard from his surroundings and he opened his eyes. Where was the announcement?

He furrowed his brows, something was wrong.

All of a sudden, an intense heat permeated through the air and he turned around as fast as he could. There, Sebastian stood with his bloody and battered body in the middle of a fire.

"Where... do you think... you're going?!"

Sebastian struggled to speak but his voice slowly became more intense. When he finished his sentence, he yelled at the top of his lungs and the flames roared.

"You..."

Gilbert's eyes trembled. This flame... where did it come from?!

Instead of an answer, he heard Sebastian's hoarse voice. It felt like he was facing a demon and his body unconsciously began shaking.

"Gilbert Walt, are you ready to face my anger?"