The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

REAS threw a punch, landing on Cyrus Lancaster's face that was already bruised and battered. Cyrus was forced to step back because of the force. He obviously didn't want to lose as evidence of how he quickly raised his leg to kick the other. 

Reas raised his arm and guarded his side against the kick. He then used his other hand to held Cyrus' leg before the other put it down. After that, he raised his elbow and was about to break it when someone suddenly grabbed his back collar and pulled him away from his opponent.

But because he was still holding on to Cyrus' ankle, the other was also dragged away with him. Being dragged on the floor like a rug, Cyrus simply cut an even sorrier figure. Reas almost wanted to laugh but then winced instead because of the wound on the corner of his lips. So, he simply released the other's ankle in disgust, as if throwing away a dirty rag.

If he managed to control his laugh, primarily because of the wound, there was someone who just outright laughed. He didn't need to look for it to know that it was definitely Ash. And it was not only the other, there were some who chortled, obviously trying their best to suppress their laughter.

Hearing this, Cyrus' face turned into the color of a pig's liver. He quickly stood up. His expression became extremely ugly. Add that to his swollen face and it just looked even more comedic. Seeing the people snickering, he knew that they were laughing at him. He clenched his fists. He had never been so humiliated. He turned to the person responsible for it all and glared daggers at him.

Reas glared back. Because he had fewer injuries on his face, only a broken lips and bleeding nose, his glare was much more threatening.

"I say, are the two of you really going to ignore my existence?" 

This voice completely ended the staring contest between the two. They turned to its owner and saw the general narrowing his eyes at them.

"So, who's going to tell me what the fuck just happened here?"

"Y-your Highness, it's Townsend!" one of the students said. "When he lost the virtual Mecha fight against Lord Cyrus, the moment he left the virtual pod, he just suddenly attacked him like a madmad!"

As if getting encouraged by that one who spoke, another one followed it up. "It's true, Your Highness. Many of us here could attest to that!"

"What nonsense are you saying?" Ash suddenly interfered, glaring at the two who just spoke. "It was obviously because there's a problem on the virtual pod Reas used. And who else could be the culprit but that guy who's constantly causing trouble for Reas these past few days?"

"You're the one who's talking nonsense! Why would Lord Cyrus even do that?"

"He's jealous obviously," Ash answered, rolling his eyes at the one who asked. "Because Reas keeps getting the first place during training, your lord ordered you, his faithful minions, to trouble him constantly. Don't think none of us had noticed it. We're not as single-celled as you guys. Be thankful that Reas only retaliated now. If I was him, I had long beaten your lord until his face became unrecognizable."

"D-do you have evidence? How dare you accuse us?!"

Ash grinned sinisterly. "What if I say that I do?" 

The students who had always followed Cyrus Lancaster obviously became panicked.   

"You better do a better job kissing that guy's ass or he might not get you out of this trouble," Ash continued.

Those students' faces turned from red to purple because of too much anger. Cyrus was no better. His expression turned even uglier. Now, he was not only glaring at Reas but at Ash as well.

Wulfric gave Leland's brother a glance. This poisonous mouth was certainly not similar to his lieutenant. In fact, he had never heard that guy trashed-talk anyone no matter how much he disliked the person. Instead, Leland would just give them a cold gaze. He was very… proper in that way. 

But obviously, Leland's younger brother was not the same. In terms of similarities, he would say that Assil was definitely more similar to Hildred. Speaking of, just where the heck was that guy?

He looked around and finally saw Hildred. The other was standing not so far away from them. His Terminal was opened and based on his posture of eating melons, Wulfric was certain that he was recording the whole thing. This damn guy and his bad taste. 

Hildred seemed to feel his gaze and turned to him. The other still had the gall to grin and walk to where he was. He suddenly understood all those times Leland almost lost his temper because of this guy.

"Wulf, I really tried to stop them earlier. But before I could go near them, they were already fighting. What else could I do?" Hildred said with a helpless look as if he truly did try.

Wulfric pinched the bridge of his nose. He probably should have brought Edmund or Slade as his assistant today and not this guy. But because he wanted to know more about how to 'chase stars', he chose him. Hildred had a lot of knowledge on things that a soldier like them wouldn't necessarily have. He should have expected that once Hildred got bored, he would no longer do his job properly.

He looked at the other with a narrowed gaze. Clearly saying, 'wait for us to come back to the base, I will definitely teach you a lesson'. The other only laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his head.

"Take the followers of Lancaster away and also that one," he said pointing his thumb at Ash. 

Hildred immediately understood what Wulf wanted to do. He turned to the 'followers' who visibly paled after being singled out by Wulf. "Follow me." Then he glanced back at the teenager with long gray hair. "You too Ash."

"Yes," Ash said carelessly before following Hildred.

"The rest of you can go," Wulfric said once Hildred took the mentioned students away. Then he turned to the two stars of the brawl. "You two, stay."