"You guys just directed a challenge towards me, in order to show my manly pride and esteem, but don't you think you guys are already lacking in that regard!?"
His words disrupted the good atmosphere that had been created just a moment ago, as everyone turned towards him, as Kisaki Haoru asked in a cautious tone,
"What do you mean!?"
Even though he wasn't the one with the highest background and deepest pockets in there, the whole crowd seemed to have taken him as a representative.
If they had received the chance in front of them was precisely because of him, as they could clearly understand his genius.
Eric saw how fast their faces turned, and he was more than satisfied with the impact, as he continued,
"Well you see, I am accepting the challenge, and placing my beloved as part of the stakes. I am even endangering my engagement, her love for life, and especially my newfound family!
I am staking so many things here, while you are placing nothing! Don't you think this is a bit unfair!? Especially for such a righteous, and just pride man like you!
Does your manly pride not get hurt by this!? Or do you not have it!? In that case, I would say that this challenge is not valid, because a challenge is set up only amongst equals isn't it!?"
None of the people present had thought about something like this, as everything that had happened until now had been completely out of their expectations.
They had never thought that they would get such an incredible chance, as Eric's and Takeshiba Aika's engagement had already been set!
No matter how much they whined and asked for an opportunity Master Takeshiba would certainly not go back on his word, but now the one who accepted the challenge was Eric.
No matter what happened, Master Takeshiba could push everything onto his son-in-law and say that apparently, he had misjudged him.
But now there was another problem on the table, what should they place as their stake on the bet!?
While they had been able to push Eric to a corner and accept their challenge at the same time he had done the same thing to them.
They had no other choice but to think about what should they stake. Even Kisaki Haoru was caught unprepared by Eric's words, as he was thinking for the right price.
In fact, he wanted to bolster Eric's pride, and security on being able to keep Takeshiba Aika to himself, and make it just an honorary bet, but he was beaten to it, by his 'friend'.
"What do you exactly suggest Young Master Eric!?"
It was Young Master Yuzuriha, until now he had been totally silent letting everything on Kisaki Haoru's hands, but right now the situation had changed, he wasn't a total moron.
Eric had expected this guy to jump first, and he had his answer ready for him,
"How much does Takeshiba Aika value to you, Young Master Yuzuriha!?"
This clearly meant that he was letting him decide on the price. But the crowd took this wholly different as they thought that everyone would place the amount that she had to them.
Certainly, this was a crazy game, as those Young Master of the big families would certainly place a high bet in order to show their 'deep' affection to Takeshiba Aika, letting those small guys unable to even compete.
Everything for the majority of them depended on Young Master Yuzuriha's set price, only then would they be able to find out if they had a chance or not!
On the other hand, Young Master Yuzuriha seemed to be really happy with this fact, as he knew that this was his chance.
It was the perfect chance for him to get rid of many flies around, and secure his position at the top of the list directly as he said,
"1 billion $!"
Everyone had to take a really deep breath as they heard the amount that just left his mouth! Even though they expected him to make it difficult for them, they didn't expect it would be so ridiculous.
This clearly cut their wings right before taking flight, and almost none of them with the exception of those being at least from a 2nd rate family wouldn't be able to participate in this bet.
Even though they had come here just to join the fun, and broaden their horizons, it was still a huge blow to them hearing the amount in question.
This guy was clearly bullying all of them from the 3rd rate and lower families, as they couldn't even complain about this.
After all, they were living in a world where the background was really important, and the 5 big families were clearly the top of the pyramid for them.
Who would even dare to enter a fight with the 5 big families in this situation, they would be nothing more than idiots with a death wish.
For that reason, even though they felt that this was unacceptable they all kept their mouths shut, and just waited to see Eric's reaction.
They thought that Eric would be too frightened to even respond back, but they had clearly underestimated him, as Eric started grinning, like a hoodlum who had found his prey.
With a fully bloomed smile, Eric didn't let this chance slip by, as he said with a loud voice,
"As expected from Young Master Yuzuriha, a true brave warrior, and intelligent Young Master of our generation.
It seems like your love for my Aika runs truly deep, and it's not just an infatuation or obsession, so I feel honored by your challenge!
Each and every one of you guys around here should take an example from Young Master Yuzuriha, and not just bully the weak while fearing the strong! Useless!
I have to say that same as you I need to take an example from him as well, for that reason I hereby announce, whoever is able to place 1 billion dollars as stake by the end of the week, they would be eligible to the challenge!"
His words shocked the whole crowd, as it cut all their hopes at the same time. they had thought that they might still have a chance, as long as they participated with any sum, but now they were completely hopeless.
If each participant had to pay 1 billion dollars, then no more than 15 to 20 people would participate in the challenge.
But even then, this would mean that the winner would get more than 15 billion dollars and even Takeshiba Aika as his bride.
Not only would one be able to marry one of the fairies, but they would even become one of the richest people alive in one go.
Just who would be that lucky fu*cker!? Everything depended on Takeshiba Aika's word and selection. A new billionaire depended on a young lady's selection.
This would certainly become a rather good show to unfold!
Nobody doubted that people would participate in this bet with high stakes, if it wasn't for the opportunity in front of them, they would participate for their honor, and standing.
This was high society, after all, honor, and face value were more important than money!
Hearing that, Young Master Yuzuriha started laughing like a crazy animal too, as he didn't expect Eric to flatter him so much, and give him so much face.
With everything settled though, Young Master Yuzuriha, and the entourage started to get up and leave, when that guy that Eric had slammed to the desk, finally seemed to have gotten his tongue back as he said to Eric,
"Wait, does this guy even have 1 billion dollars!? Wouldn't this just be a huge joke if he can't participate in his own challenge!?"
Everyone had completely forgotten about this guy's presence as the situation had been so eventful until now, and were only able to recognize his presence when he opened his mouth again.
But unfortunately, his words didn't produce his expected reaction, as everyone in there was looking at him as if he was an idiot, and a big one at that.
Eric was the same, as he looked him from head to toe once again, and said in a serious voice,
"Man, I have been thinking this for some time now, but… Are you a true idiot!?"
Everyone wanted to say those words at the moment, and Eric was the perfect person to do it, but the Young Master didn't seem to take his words to heart as he said with an angry look,
"You... Don't go too far!"
"It's not that I want to go too far, but you truly make me wonder!"
"You…!"
At this moment, Young Master Kiskai Haoru entered the scene as he said,
"Young Master Takahiko, you are mistaking something right here I think! It's not Young Master Eric trying to enter a challenge with us, but we want to enter a challenge with him for Young Miss Takeshiba.
He is already placing Young Miss Takeshiba, his engagement, and everything that comes with it as a stake, so we are the ones who need to match his stake!
So, he doesn't have to pay the 1 billion $ sum to enter the challenge. Was I clear enough I wonder!?"
Hearing Kisaki Haoru's explanation that Young Master Takahiko would be a total idiot if he wasn't able to understand the situation.
But still looking at Eric's face made him really angry, and enraged for some reason, as he was looking at him like he was looking at some pitiful idiot.
Too bad that he couldn't do anything here though, as Master Takeshiba was already here, and he had enough brain cells to understand that he couldn't invite his anger.
So he just harrumphed and left the place, as he started thinking about how to take revenge upon Eric for today's humiliation…
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺