Chapter 6
"Trivial Day, Maybe a Meeting."
"You useless! I give you number one so you could reach a height no one ever been to!"
"You piece of junk! Push yourself and do not dare to go unconscious before you reach the requirement I gave you!"
"You should be grateful! A random kid getting trained by a respected person like me."
"Enter the goddamn tube! I want to experiment with you! Maybe with this, you could be an undefeatable soldier in my arsenal..."
"Haah?! Just a quest like that and you risked your life for it?! You are number one! The best of the bests! Are you seriously this weak?!"
"Pathetic!"
"Maybe I should train your sister instead-"
"No-!"
"SHUT UP!"
"You know, for other "Future Overlords.", I don't particularly treat them badly, rather, I give them all they need to improve. But you? You are different, you are a kid with such a frightening amount of potential, so you do not need to worry about the treatment the others' got, for exchange, give me your all, K-01! Give me your all as the number one!"
"..."
"Haah? We're gonna spar with dumb demons?! Boring!"
"Hey! Watch your mouth wingless birds!"
"W-What?! You hornless demons!"
"Useless gods' messengers!"
"Burnable demons!"
"Horny holy creatures!"
"Naive power hungry mongrels!"
"You!"
"What?!"
"You wanna go?!"
"If you bunch aren't spineless that's it!"
Bickerings back and forth between Crimson Demons and Pseudo-Angels. He silently sits beside the pink-eyed girl who ate her meat buns in peace, observing his 'seniors' who wanted to 'go' with the Pseudo-Angels.
"Haha! That's the spirit! Kick their fair asses!"
"Fired up, my students! Exorcist those demons with all your might!"
The teachers aren't any better either, just keep fueling the already big fire. He asked 'his girl' for a share and a torn meat bun was given to him. Smiling slightly, he ate it in silence.
"Hey? Who's those two? You bring your midgets here? What's up with that?"
"They're the prodigies our clan had produced! Unlike your pathetic clan who doesn't have any hope in its future. We, Crimson Demons manage to nurtured two miracles without you knowing! Hahahaha!"
"Nonsense! I ask for a spar with them to prove your words!"
"Absurd! You have to beat us first before you could fight them!"
Yeah, his clan was good, even though they were pretty hostile towards other races, or clans, whatever. With their kouhais, especially the ones who could be considered as 'Prodigies' among the already ridiculous Crimson Demons, instead of showing contempt and cornering them, they showed compassion and respect for them. In short, he always likes his clan, The Crimson Demon. Respectable people always be respected. Instead of stab backing and scheming, Crimson Demons were rather straightforward, that, if they conflict with other Crimson Demons or with their companions, but if they conflicted with other races? Even the gods don't want to know...
He remembered a certain white-haired girl, she was lonely because of her extraordinary understanding of healing. But instead of getting praised, respected and such, her colleagues always look at her in envy and anger. She told him that because of her talent, she didn't have any companions to talk with.
Recalling her experience, he felt lucky. They might be called demons, but demons always respected the ones who were stronger than them, didn't they? Plus, the infants always protected. Either if they were normal, or talented. It was the same as animals, no matter what kind of newborns they birthed to, they would protect them until they whiffed their last breath. The strong protect the weak while the weak support the strong. Rank did exist, but when it came to treatment? There are no discriminations.
Yeah, so what if demons were comparable to animals, or even worse? At the very least, his clan don't treat their own awfully. And in the first place, they weren't demons, they were humans.
'Ah, at this age, he told me that kids always got emotional.'
Like other kids, he was sometimes emotional too. Especially that he was a Crimson Demon, a prodigy among it as well, he has big pride. But he always reminded him coldly that sometimes emotions brought demise. No matter how strong or mature he was. He was, in the end, still a kid.
But it is manageable to control his emotions, after all, maturity was there not for nothing. He continued to enjoy the food she 'gave' him and observe the spar that started because of the impudent words that came out of the students' mouths.
"Water of Holiness!"
"Spreading Lighting!"
A Pseudo-Angel boy shoots a beam of transparent water to his sparring 'partner', while the partner, who was surprisingly a male Crimson Demon launched a particularly thin dark purple lighting to the beam of water head-on.
It pierces the water beam, but of course, because of the thinness, the beam of water could swallow it easily. The Pseudo-Angel smirked, but the Crimson Demon's eyes were shining brightly.
"You have fallen to my trap!"
The water beam whose already arrive before the Crimson Demon was pulverized, or rather, its caster was interrupted. Out of nowhere little purple particles encircling the Pseudo-Angel, electrocuted him rather brutally.
Bzzztt...!!
"AAAAH!"
He screamed in pain, the Crimson Demon smirked and clenched his fist, the purple particles stopped for a second and they entered the body of the Pseudo-Angel through the gaps between his cells. The particles burned him inside out and finally, he passed out.
'Hmm... Spreading Lighting, a condensed beam of lighting that when collided with something, the beam would scatter and turn into invisible particles that would move and formed at its caster will. It was pretty good to trick the opponent so they would think the beam disappeared because they overpowered it. A Devil-Newbie level spell from the Crimson Demon Academy's library.'
According to his observation that's it. Speaking of spells, he was reminded by something, ah yes, 'Casting Mana Techniques'. When it came to casting spells, the method to amend the mana into elementals he used was different. While most people would amend their mana into desired forms as soon as the mana was streamed out of their body, like what the Pseudo-Angel and The Crimson Demon who were fighting earlier did. He would condense the invisible force(mana) into a point first and then he would amend it.
While the former would decrease the required time to cast a spell, the damage would be 'Damage per second' or DPS, so it was pretty inefficient for mages, as they were weak to long period battles on their own, it could be solved by powerful spells such as Wind of Demise or Thunderbolt EX though, still, not all people could learn those. As for the latter, it would do burst damage that could make severe injuries to the desired targets almost instantaneously, that if the spells itself had enough firepower, even if you use a simple spell such as Fireball!
Obviously, the method he used was the technique the Grand Magician made, so it was understandable it would be more powerful than what the majority use. Although the requirements to use it was-
One, able to smoothly pour your mana into a point and condense it. Two, able to amend the condensed invisible force(mana) into elements or any other forms. Third, able to shoot the already formed elements. And the last requirement?
To know the technique in the first place. So it was pretty difficult for people to get their hands on this particular powerful mechanism of using mana. No, it was impossible. Only the Grand Magician know this technique, and the ones he taught it were only the "Future Overlords."
And he taught Yunyun and Megumin it too, although they still weren't able to master it. At least they knew the essentials to perform it.
With nothing to do, he used her lap as a pillow and watch as the spar unfolded, seeing a smirk on his teacher's face and a gloomy look on the other teacher. He snickered and a hand covered his eyes.
"It's not good to be amused because of others' dismay."
"Nah, it's fine, don't say it like you weren't amused by it."
"...At least I don't show it openly."
With a mere flick of his teacher's fingers, the area of sparring was renovated. The students who were fighting before were fully recovered as if nothing happened. He blinked and saw a barrier covering the area.
'Ah, Invulnerable Area. A non-elemental spell that created by using a rather complicated codex. People inside it would come back to their former situation no matter how hurt they were inside it. It could be destroyed easily if someone scratch even a little bit of the sculptured codex that was required to activated it. It wasn't useful for combat as it took a long time to make the codex and could be destroyed easily. But it was perfect for sparring, testing, and such.'
Non-elementals spells were rare, but not all of them were powerful, like that one spell where you could create anything from atoms. It was a godly spell but the difficulty was more than 'godly'. Most of the non-elementals spells were from the codex and journals from the ancestors. There are Light and Dark too, but Light was especially for Pseudo-Angels while Dark was for the monsters that occupied this world.
Yes, Crimson Demon does not have Dark spells. They weren't a demon in the first place! But something else, he didn't read the history book further enough that day so...
A hand rubbed his cheek softly, he just enjoyed the gentle treatment he got from her, with the softness of her thighs which covered by her skirt, he was about to enjoy it to the fullest by sleeping before an annoying arrogant voice called him out.
"They said you were prodigies right? Why don't you have a spar with me?"
Fluttering his eyes, he saw a flushed face and bright pink eyes staring at him, a look indicating "Just ignore it." was obviously what those eyes of her were saying. He was about to comply but something else happens that kind of disgruntled him.
"Ah, the majestic pink eyes of yours had bewitched me-"
"Hey! Don't disturb our kouhais! You naked bird!"[1]
A few shadows loomed over his sight. Adjusting his eyes for a moment to erase the drowsiness, he used her thighs as a platform to put his hand on it and pushed himself up, earning him a quiet squirm. He looks forth and saw a couple of his 'seniors' and a white-haired boy but instead of aqua eyes like what the majority of Pseudo-Angel students had, this boy had deep blue eyes.
His eyes were similar to the girl he met in that place, but their blues were lighter. The girl that day had blue eyes as deep as the sea.
'Probably a candidate of the Future Overlords, considering that his age was the same as me.'
This boy must think that because he and Emica were prodigies and have the same age, they were the pair made by the heavens. He only shook his head and stood up, running his fingers through his hair lazily.
Haah, really, 'A pair made by the heavens'? What sort of bullshit did he talk about a moment ago? What are these nonsenses?!
Anyway-
Unfortunately, while he was a candidate...
He was already one. A retired one. An experienced one. The number one.
Plus, this girl right here? He could confidentially say she was his. Not without reasons, she said it herself when they departed at that place.
And a 'couple' more of them... uhh-
"If someday we met again, I'm yours, my King."
He had no idea what she was saying by calling him a 'King' But his mother always told him that a girl's heart couldn't be studied like magic. It was something a male like him couldn't understand, but as long as he understood what was her intention, he would be alright. That's what she said.
Arms securely linked to his, he tilted his head at the white-haired boy who looked at him challengingly. With a first thrust onto him, the Pseudo-Angel prodigy exclaimed without a single doubt.
"Let's spar!"
Around them, the students have an anticipation look on their face, whether they are Crimson Demons or Pseudo-Angels, even the teachers' eyes secretly glinted. The seniors who have antagonized the white-haired boy because he went to challenge him a moment ago wasn't any different.
Of course, a showdown between two 'Equal', Who doesn't anticipate this? But...
"I'm sorry, but you are no match for me."
Putting his palm up, he shook his head at the boy and walked past him, with the raven straight-haired girl following him and tightened her grip on his arm.
'Ah... what should I eat for today? I could ask Emica to buy me and Megumin some food, Yunyun was a Chief's Daughter, so she doesn't economically strive...'
"...Deathblow."
A quiet chant was heard, no one could probably hear it, after all, it was from a candidate to become one of the "Future Overlords" Unfortunately, it was an amateur move for the chanter's target.
Swiftly shifted his head to the caster, blue eyes widened in surprise by the sudden motion and before he even knew it, the wind spell he cast perished and a fist appears in front of his eyes. Drifting his blue eyes slightly, and a pair of glowing green eyes stared at him straight on. Even though there were no bloodlust or a certain scary aura, he felt like it was the most terrific thing he ever saw in his life.
"...You understand now?"
Putting his arm back on his side, he inquired him flatly with his dimmed green eyes stared at him. The Pseudo-Angel boy nodded subconsciously. He said a name and the boy widened his eyes.
"Michy had the same eyes, but they were much deeper, impressive that you pursued destructive spells as a Pseudo-Angel. You gotta improve."
"M-Michy-sama-!"
Before he wanted to ask him about her, green eyes already drifted from him and with a flick of his fingers, the pair of Crimson Demons were gone.
"M-Mekh-sama!"
Turning his head to his subordinates voice, and his widened eyes were widened even further. There, behind him was a severely damaged building, and the building behind it, and the building behind it, and the building behind it...
"...W-Wha-?"
He stumbled and fallen down, looking up at the destruction a mere punch caused. His whole form was shaking because of the terror he felt just now. It was as if the person before was warning him-
'Tremble, you're no match for me.'
No, it wasn't filled with arrogance. It was filled with truths, it was like a law of nature. That was to show how exaggerating the feeling of the destruction that person caused was.
'I-I... asked for a spar to that kind of person...'
The other Pseudo-Angels react the same way as he did. While the Crimson Demons opened their mouth in amazement. Of course, as for the teachers...
"...Was the tester misjudged the brat's power? With this kind of force, he could easily become a Devil-Intermediate, no, even a Devil-Master wouldn't be a problem. At that age to become one of those students... It hurts my head."
"What sort of monster Crimson Demon had nurtured...?"
...
"GODDAMN IT! I NEED TO REPAIR SOME SHITTY BUILDINGS AGAIN!"
A certain aloof teacher screamed out in frustration.
On the rooftop of the academy, he clenched his fist while enduring the barrage of 'punches' she gave him. Looking up at the sky as the warm breezes softly stroke his hair.
'Of course, I was stronger than before.'
Cafeteria, Crimson Demon Academy.
"Onii-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-"
"Yes, do not fret, my little sister, your dearest brother I, am here."
A 'reunion' between siblings, Megumin clutched onto her big brother tightly and keep making happy noises. He merely grinned and reply her hug by, of course, hugging her.
Removing her from him, which attaining him a whine from her. He flicked her forehead softly and exclaimed out, with her rubbing the sore spot he flicked at.
"Hey Megumin, I want to introduce someone to you."
"...It is a friend?"
"Well, it is essentially, but-"
"What does that mean?"
"...Ehem, what I meant was-"
Before he could complete his words, a pink-eyed girl appears beside him and start to hug his arm. Shocking Megumin. He could only smile nervously and gesture to the girl to introduce herself. She nodded obediently and bowed to his little sister.
"It is pleasant to meet you, soon-sister-in-law."
"Wah- Wha- Onii-chan?! What's this supposed to mean?!"
"Emica, choose your words considerably."
"Yes, of course. I mean, it is pleasant to meet you, I'm one of your brother's girlfriends."
...
...
...
He sighed in dismay, giving the girl beside him a pinch on her back with the invisible force(mana) that earned him a squirm from her. He looked at his trembling sister and fixed the situation immediately.
"Ah, sorry Megumin, her name was Emica, she's 6 years old, the same as you. She frequently misunderstood the thing she said. What she means by girlfriends were my female friends, not... that. And the one before was meant to be a joke."
She wasn't trembling anymore, and smiling brightly at his friend, giving her a handshake which she accepted instantly as a glare of her 'master' was secretly directed at her.
'Finally, my king treated me the way he was supposed to.'
"Hello, Emica-san! My name is Megumin, the sole Explosion user in the whole continent! When it came to magic power, no one could compare with me! Except for my Onii-chan of course! He's the strongest!"
"I definitely agree with that."
"I think we could get along pretty well!"
'I got the first move to interact with his little sister. Guys, I apologize, but in the first place, I was supposed to be in the lead!'
"We definitely could!"
With a determined look on her face, she started to have a conversation with Megumin and surprisingly, Megumin was a good person to talk with. She listens really well and would give her own opinion on the matter. It makes sense, after all, her king would definitely train his little sister.
K-01, or Kazuma, her friend, master, and king. The person she respects the most.
Everything about him is admirable, his mentality was strong, magic was unquestionable, his physical strength was enough to destroy a whole mountain with a mere punch. Maturity? Search for a kid more mature than him, and it would be impossible. Wits? He could outwit the Grand Magician!
Nothing! Nothing he's imperfect at!
The moment he showed his unfathomable power in that mission, she immediately knew that he was worth following.
He was number one, the best of the bests, the master of masters. Those monikers were implanted into her head unconsciously by herself.
And the fact that her natural instinct told her to obey him. After all, as a Crimson Demon, it was only natural to obey their superiors, the Crimson Devil. Instead of resisting, she wholeheartedly accepts it. Who wouldn't? This is the person who was respected by the prodigies from the four transcendent races. No one could pull that off.
Of course, except for himself.
But undoubtedly, he had a weakness. To control his power.
She was sure he would master it in the future, and he would be 'Perfect'.
Well, until she learned the burdens the number one had to go through. Especially when the Grand Magician urged them to do the mission with him. It hurts her pride but he was the one who always accomplished the mission all by himself. The Grand Magician always told them that it was necessary for experience. One day they ran away and departed, surprisingly, the Grand Magician didn't stop it. Why did they followed him? Well, he's the person they looked up to, a person they wholeheartedly hailed as their leader, that was it. When they asked the reason why, he would tell them-
"What I had to go through was filled with immense danger, I fear that if I was gone, he would do it to someone else."
She was aware that the whole operation was still going on, but thankfully, ever since the "Ran Away Accident." happened, the Grand Magician's operation was under supervision by each race representatives.
She smiled giddily and continue her conservation with Megumin enthusiastically, which made Megumin happy. Her emotions were surprisingly genuine.
He observes them who were having conservation on a refectory table in silence, hiding with the invisible force as he leaned on a pillar, eyes half-lidded and bangs covered his forehead, he looks vague if someone could see him
'Emica, a Crimson Demon from the main clan, the 10th daughter of the Crimson Demon Clan's Sovereign. Her pink eyes, a trait only the Sovereign's children could have, including the Sovereign himself. He allowed his daughter to be nurtured by the Grand Magician and was supposed to be the number one amongst the "Future Overlords." But because of an abnormality, Me, she was only the second. Of course, she doubted me at first, but because of that happened, she, like the rest of the prodigies, began to accept me, and thus, because we came from the same clan, we became friends rather fast.'
Reminiscing the past, he glanced at them and saw Yunyun appears before the table. Getting 'assaulted' by Megumin with a scream, shocking her in the process. She was introduced to Emica by his little sister who vigorously talks about her. Yunyun was apparently interested in the subject of the thing they were talking about and they went to bickers about things he genuinely did not understand.
He saw students start to come into the Cafeteria and talk with each other. Grey-haired black eyes. Blond-haired green eyes. White-haired blue eyes. Black haired crimson eyes. Although Demi-Gods have various traits, the one that stands out the most was the one with grey hair and black eyes, so Demi-Gods are often referred to as that. The same goes for the Empyreans.
Sighing to himself, he disappeared and appears on top of a rooftop, the roof of the grandest building present. The Teacher's Palace. Teachers here were respected, to the extreme degree. They were trump cards for each race and their power was unimaginable.
Shifting his head upwards, he pointed his index finger to the sky and a mystifying phenomenon happened afterwards.
"Retribution EX."
Black lighting dominates the sky above the sky, only magicians whose reach a certain degree could see them. With the concealment spell, which he coated the whole spell, whom the AOE was insanely wide with his mana, the only ones who could see them were the Overlords.
What an insane accomplishment!
Green eyes shimmered brightly, they blankly stared at the shining sun in the sky. Even its rays couldn't engulf the brightness of the black lighting he cast.
'It's time for a meeting with the Overlords.'
He was a retired Future Overlord for a reason. After all, he was already an Overlord.
The Overlord of The Overlords.
"Hmm... I wonder where Onii-chan went to? He always likes to disappear mysteriously... what a weird habit... Oh well!"
"Well, maybe he had some unfinished business?"
"Good guess, Yunyun."
As they talked with each other, the pink-eyed girl puffed her cheeks, irises glimmering brightly and her gazes focused on the sky. They were obvious annoyance within them.
'Guess it's time for a meeting. Wonder why he did that, Tsk.'
[1] It was some simple joke. You know, angels have wings, so do bird, so without their wings, they were pretty much 'naked' You get what I'm saying?