Head of branch Alexandre Eswald

"From now on, I'm the head of this branch. Those who are against it..." Alex's gaze became sharper.

"...make yourselves known."

After Alex's declaration, silence reigned in the arena. As the members of the branch family looked into his sharp eyes, they gulped in apprehension.

The current Alex didn't resemble his usual self; some, like his daughters, had never seen him like this. With his slightly pale face, he looked very fierce, not different from a war commander, which he actually was, but they didn't know about it.

Alex's gaze then focused on someone in particular – none other than his uncle Robert, the very one who had opposed his ascension to the head of the branch years ago, claiming that he was weak and useless.

"Don't you have nothing to say ?" Questioned Alex.

Instead of answering, Robert jumped from his place and landed in the arena. When his feet met the ground, there was a booming sound.

He then started to walk towards Alex. Seeing the way Robert carried himself as he approached Alex, Grace thought about intervening to stop him, but in the end, she just watched like the others.

A few seconds later, Robert came face to face with Alex. He was shorter compared to Alex, but no one thought so due to the towering aura he exuded.

"Years from now, when I said that you were unqualified for the position of the head of the branch, was I wrong ?" Asked Robert.

"No, you were right. However, things have changed since then," replied Alex.

"Did they?"

"You tell me, am I still 'weak and good-for-nothing'?"

"No, you seem decent right now," replied Robert.

"Decent?"

"Yes, 'decent.' What did you think I would say, that you are incredible? Boy, stay down-to-earth. There are many other Level 4 individuals stronger than you. Hell, you're not even close to the strength your father had when he was at Level 4!" exclaimed Robert.

Alex's father was Robert's rival and greatest obstacle. It was because of that he was the one who knew Theodore the most and respected him. Of course, the relationship between the two of them wasn't good, but he still respected his brother.

"Your current strength is far from your father's, but at least now, unlike before, you seem willing to be something other than a lazy bum. So, for now, I will bet on you and accept that you become the head of the branch, on the condition that you promise to take the position of the future heir of the Eswald family," said Robert.

"You don't have to worry about that, it was never in my intention to lose in the first place" replied Alex.

"Good"

With that, Robert lowered his head and bowed to Alex, showing that he accepted Alex as the new head of the branch.

Since he was just ascending to the position of the head of the branch, people weren't required to kneel before him; they could do it, but it wasn't obligatory.

After Robert, Adrian, who was just behind the whole time, came forward and also bowed to Alex. Then, Amelia next to him reciprocated.

After those three, the other members of the branch started to move down to the arena, one by one. Every member of the branch bowed to Alex.

Before long, everyone in the arena was bowing to Alex.

'I quite like this feeling of conquest' thought Alex as glanced at the bowing figures of everyone.

"Raise your head" said Alex after a few seconds.

Everyone raised their head and looked towards Alex.

"I won't bore you by saying some noble nonsense; I'm not even good at that to start with," said Alex with a chuckle.

"I won't also promise to do incredible things or say things like ' with me as the head of the branch, the branch will only prosper, and we will all live comfortably', no, there will be many ups and downs, perhaps even more downs than ups. But I will promise you one thing..." Alex's gaze became serious.

"... I will restore this branch to its former glory, reinstating our lineage to its original position as the main branch—a position it should never have lost in the first place. Not just that, but I will also bolster the whole Eswald family higher than it has ever been. For that..." Alex's gaze became softer, and he smiled.

"... I would need your help as I can't do everything by myself, so, are you willing to help me?"

"The members of the branch could feel Alex's commitment to restore the branch's honor and position. This caused them to feel a mix of reverence, acknowledgment, and even anticipation. They could feel their blood boiling at the prospect of regaining everything they had lost. So, they replied to Alex's call."

"YES, WE ARE WILLING TO HELP YOU!"

Be it those of the older or younger generation, they all responded to Alex with determined eyes.

"Good, I will count on you from now on"

"With that, it was official; Alex was now the head of his branch of the family, a branch that would, in the future, lead the whole Eswald family once again.

"I have a lot of things to say to all of you, so we will directly move to the meeting room," ordered Alex.

Everyone nodded and started walking towards the meeting room, with Lilia leading them.

"What do I do with this?" wondered Alex as he glanced at the armor made of smoke containing many attributes.

"It would be a waste to just let it dissipate in the air," added Alex as he compressed the smoke into a round ball.

"Hmm" as he walked behind everyone, Alex kept pondering on what to do with the smoke.

It contained too many attributes to let it dissipate, and it's not like he can store it or keep it with him everywhere.

"Ah, I can try that for the time being, but I still need to find a solution fast" Exclaimed Alex.

Alex opened his mouth, then swallowed the ball of smoke!

He was going to store the smoke in his body, since he was immune to smoke, he had nothing to worry about. 

The problem was that stopping the smoke from dissipating was going to consume his mana, even though it was within his body.

'Later, I will ask Lilia about this; she might have a solution, but for now, it's time for the meeting.'

As he walked toward the mansion, Alex smiled.

'Head of branch Alexandre Eswald, I like how it sounds'