The look on Erelya's face was terrifying—so damn intense it made my skin crawl. But it wasn't bad, exactly. It was just... predatory. Her eyes burned with hunger like a beast ready to strike, and what had caught her gaze so viciously was—
"...Food?" I muttered, stunned. "It's just food."
"Why do you look so impressed?" I asked, watching her expression with growing confusion. Even I—once a dirt-poor commoner—wasn't this blown away by dinner. And she was supposed to be demon nobility?
"It's to be expected," she replied calmly, her eyes still locked on the plate. "Food where I'm from wasn't this nice."
She didn't say where she was from, though. I narrowed my eyes.
"How bad could it be?"
"Well… everything was either too spicy or too salty," she said, picking up a piece of meat.
"I personally like spicy food," I said with a shrug. It was true. In fact, I felt like this food could use a bit more heat.
"You say that now," she replied, sipping her wine with effortless elegance. "But you'd have a heart attack after a single spoonful where I'm from."
I scoffed. "I highly doubt that."
"You won't understand until you've tasted it," she said, not even looking at me anymore.
"Alright, maybe I'll try it later."
Dinner crawled by at a strange pace. Erelya kept eating—no, devouring—everything the kitchen staff brought out. Their faces were frozen in some mix of awe and panic, but also… joy? They just kept feeding her, like they were excited to challenge her appetite.
After we finished, I dragged her along as I made my way to my mother's study. I had a request to make.
On the way there, I glanced at Erelya suspiciously.
"Hmm… are you still the same size?" I asked, squinting as I pinched her cheek.
"What the hell are you doing?!" she yelped, flailing as I kept a tight grip. She tried to fight back, but the food must've weighed her down—she couldn't shake me off.
"You seem chubbier," I said bluntly.
"W-What…?! What disrespect! I am not fat!" she cried, finally slipping from my grasp.
"Better not be," I said, smirking. "Because I will mock you for it."
I pushed open the door to my mom's study and stepped inside, grinning to myself.
Ever since my duel with Vaelen, people thought I'd just accepted my loss and moved on. And to be honest, I had. But that didn't mean I was done.
I didn't want to get stronger to become a hero, or a villain. I didn't want to enforce justice or destroy the system.
I just didn't want to follow the law.
I didn't want to break it either. I'd rather become it.
My will—my word—would be the only authority I'd ever bow to.
But right now... I was still too weak to talk like that.
So I stepped forward.
"Good evening, Mother."
"Yes, dear—why so formal? I prefer when you call me 'Mom'... or we could try 'Mommy'?" she teased, flashing a bright smile through her laugh.
"Mom," I corrected, blushing a little. "I'd like you to teach me practical magic."
She paused, setting aside her quill.
"Of course, dear. But… you're still quite young. And honestly..." she trailed off, giving me a look.
"You're inexperienced. Magic isn't like swordsmanship—you don't just pick up a wand and start blasting. It takes discipline."
"But I'll make up for it with effort," I said, fists clenched, eyes burning with resolve.
"I know, dear, but it's not that easy."
"Please." I dropped to my knees. "I'll do whatever it takes."
She looked at me silently for a moment… then sighed and smiled.
"Alright. But you'll need to work very hard."
"Yes!" I beamed, practically bouncing to my feet. Excitement surged in my chest like lightning—I was going to do this.
As I left the room, I felt like my whole body was buzzing with energy. I was ready. More than ever.
"Why are you suddenly desperate to learn magic?" Erelya asked as we stepped into the hall.
"I want to be strong," I replied honestly.
"You could've waited a few more years."
"Yeah, I could've. But don't you want something from our contract?" I asked, giving her a pointed look. She was keeping something from me—I could feel it.
"I do," she said. "But I want both of us at our peak."
"Why?" I asked.
"I won't tell you yet," she replied, floating in front of my face with that usual smug air. "But yes, you do need to get stronger. You need to be prepared."
"Don't worry," I said with a grin. "That's the plan. I'll become so strong, not even the law can stop me."
"But why magic specifically?" she asked, eyeing me.
I smirked. "I came up with a ridiculous battle technique."
That shut her up.
My mom handed me several thick, dusty books later that night. I dove into them with everything I had. I trained harder, read deeper, and studied longer.
I had been weak once.
Erelya didn't make me stronger—she gave me a second chance.
And I was going to use it.
Time blurred into pages of study, hours of silent rage, and nights lit by flickering mana.
The boy who once knelt in front of his mother was no more.
And eventually…
It was time to enter the Dravenhart Royal Academy.
Three years later.
After years of relentless training, the day had finally come—the entrance exam for Dravenhart Royal Academy. If I passed, I'd officially join as a student. It would be my first real step into the world beyond the manor.
"Are you scared?" my mother asked softly, cupping my cheek with warm fingers. To her, I must still have looked like the child. But I was twelve now—and mentally, far older.
"Nope," I said with a calm smile, trying to assure her.
"That's a lie. He's freaking out," Erelya said, materializing midair just in time to ruin the moment, grinning like the menace she was.
"How is that any of your business?" I snapped, shooting her a glare. Some things never changed—no matter how much time passed.
"You're my—" Erelya started before being rudely interrupted by a voice I instantly regretted hearing.
"Oooh... So it's you, Kael."
I turned with a wince, already recognizing that nauseating tone. And sure enough, there he was—Vaelen. Standing like he owned the entire kingdom, with that same punchable smirk plastered on his face.
"Yes, it's me. What about it?" I asked, irritation crawling into my voice.
He just laughed and tilted his head. "Aren't we buddies?"
That smile of his… I hated it with a passion. And yet, for reasons unknown to me, the girls around us seemed to melt over it, giggling like idiots.
"Why do you hate him so much?" Erelya asked, hovering beside me. "I mean, yeah, I don't like him either, but hate's a strong word."
"You should know what he's done to me," I replied, the muscles in my jaw tightening.
"I do," she said, puzzled. "But it's easily solved, isn't it?"
She smiled. "Just beat him in a match. That should shut him up."
"…Yeah," I muttered, glancing toward the arena. "That could do it."
Problem was—Vaelen wasn't weak. Every time we clashed, I ended up tasting dirt. He always made sure to frame it as training, but his blows were never light.
"You're still too weak. Too inexperienced," he'd say, laughing. That mocking voice... it echoed in my skull like a demon's screech.
'But slightly experienced now i see'
"Kael Virehart," the announcer's voice echoed across the stadium.
I inhaled deeply.
"It's finally time."
"You don't need me to tag along, do you?" Erelya asked, her tone unusually gentle.
"I can handle it," I replied with a nod.
"Good. Then I'll go keep your mom company." She gave a lazy wave and floated off in the opposite direction.
---
The arena was massive—polished stone glimmering under the sun, banners fluttering in the breeze, and a hush of anticipation hanging in the air.
"So, you'll be my opponent?" said a hulking figure stepping into view.
He cracked his neck. "Name's Garron. Garron Flint."
"Yeah, we heard the announcer," I replied dryly. "No need to repeat it."
"Tch. Cocky brat. I'm gonna beat you senseless," he growled, cracking his knuckles.
"Is this your intimidation routine?" I asked, snorting. "Pretty weak."
The arena went still. A silence fell—pregnant and loaded.
[BWEEEEE!]
Garron vanished—his speed impressive. In an instant, he reappeared behind me, a blade pressed near my neck.
"Weak—" he began.
WHAM.
I slammed my fist into his face before he could finish the sentence. Blood sprayed from his nose as he stumbled back, dazed.
"At least let me finish talking," he groaned, clutching his face.
He screamed in rage and began powering up—an oppressive air falling over the arena. The pressure made it harder to breathe.
"He's using aura," I muttered, clenching my fist and swinging it down to ignite my own power.
---
Three years earlier
"So, what battle style did you come up with?" Erelya asked as we stepped into a training arena.
"You said I can use mana and aura, right?" I asked cautiously.
"Yes. And thanks to the aether core inside you, your control over both is abnormally refined."
"So I could be like… a battle mage?"
"Exactly," she said, beaming. "Most swordsmen can use some magic, and mages might wield a blade—but you, Kael, can do both at once. You can shift between styles mid-combat. That alone sets you apart."
"…So this might actually work," I said, a small smile forming.
Erelya was there every step, her quiet strength pulling me through the grit and grind of training. It wasn't just difficult—it was brutal. Some days, the technique slipped through my fingers like smoke, and the Haiki no Tobari flared wild and fierce, burning through my skin and pride.
Pain sliced sharp, but each scorch, each failure, etched itself into me—a cruel teacher that carved the slow, jagged path to growth. Progress came in whispers and stumbles, small victories wrapped in sweat and ash.
---
Back to the present
"You think yelling like that helps?" I asked, walking calmly toward Garron.
"It means I'm gonna crush you!" he roared, lunging with killing intent.
Haiki no Tobari: Homura no Kanmuri.
(Dominion Veil: Crown of Embers)
A searing crunch split the air as a crimson aura erupted around me—flames curling from my skin like molten wisps. My body radiated intense heat, my eyes glowing like twin furnaces.
In the stands, Erelya hovered with a bag of popcorn.
"At first, I thought this was impossible," she mused, stuffing more into her mouth. "But seeing this... he really is the right vessel."
Despite Garron's impressive charge, he halted just outside my range—his instincts screaming at him not to cross it.
"Good reaction," I said, stepping forward. "Had you entered that zone, you'd have already lost."
"You're… on fire," he said, his voice trembling.
"I know. It's my technique."
In a flash, I disappeared into his blind spot and slammed my palm into his head, driving him down with brutal precision.
K.O.
The crowd was silent. The flames crackled around me, casting dancing shadows.
"Ladies and gentlemen… I don't believe what we've just witnessed!" the announcer cried. "Kael Virehart has transformed into what looks like a flaming demon and crushed Garron in a single, fluid strike!"
"This match goes to Kael Virehart!"
---
As I walked off the stage, Erelya zipped to my side.
"That was nice. You did good."
"Thanks."
"But you didn't need to go that far," she said, smirking.
"I didn't need to," I agreed. "I had to."
"As the new student? A former commoner?" I continued. "If I lost, I'd get crushed—socially and literally. I had to establish hierarchy early."
"Hah… I guess that makes sense," she said with a shrug.
We reached the stands—only to be greeted by a shocking sight.
"What the hell is this?" I asked, staring at the mountain of empty popcorn cartons stacked beside her seat.
"I got hungry," Erelya said innocently. "Your mom kept feeding me."
"…Is that so," I muttered.
"Mom?" I called out.
"Yes, dear?" she answered sweetly.
"Please stop feeding her."
"Why?" she asked with a pout. "She looks so cute when she eats."
"She's going to get fat. And then she won't be cute anymore."
"I am not fat!" Erelya snapped.
But… I could've sworn her voice sounded heavier.
"Cut back on the snacks," I said with a sigh.
---
Soon after, it was time to leave for the dorms. My parents had already returned home—I wouldn't be staying at the manor anymore. It was the beginning of a new life.
"It's not a big deal," Erelya said, watching me drag my luggage. "You're not even sharing a room."
"Yeah, well… gotta flex the money."
"Wow. Sounding like a noble already."
"I do love money."
'626'.
"There it is!" Erelya pointed at the door marked with my tag.
I opened it—and one word escaped my lips.
"Wow."
"You can say that again," she said with a teasing grin.
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