Hello!
Fire and smoke…
Alicia looked at his surroundings, and all he could see around him was fire and smoke. The hot temperature and smoke surrounded him, making it harder for him to breathe. He squinted his eyes, trying to see anything past the smokescreens. He saw a silhouette of a person.
"Hello! Is anyone there?" He yelled towards the direction of the silhouette.
Yet no response came. He walks forward, with the intention to find out what is going on. When he took a step into the smoke, suddenly all the fire and smoke disappeared.
He panicked, looking left and right, readying himself if anything suddenly appeared.
"Alicia…" A voice called out his name from behind. He turned around immediately and what he saw truly shocked him. There stood his mother smiling, healthy and spotless as she was before that wretched witch, Augusta, attacked and ruined his life.
"Mother!" He immediately ran towards his mother, engulfing her in an embrace.
"Is this real? Is this truly you? How? I-I saw you died!" Alicia asked. Tears were leaking on his face. Seeing his mother again was something he never thought he could do again. The images of his mother's death were etched into his mind. The purple flames shaped into a spear still haunts him.
Yet, he hears nothing from his mother. Confused with the lack of response, he let go of his mother, pushing himself against his mother. He widened his eyes.
The previous state of his mother, who's healthy, having no single speck of dust on her, and no blood that taints her beauty. Now, it's like he's living from yesterday's incident. He saw his mother in the same state as the last time he saw her. Her body, impaled by the spears. Her beautiful face now dirtied by the blood leaking through her mouth. Her body twitching in pain, trying her best to stay alive.
Alicia flinched. He was frightened by the sight of his mother's current state. When he reached out to her, trying to help her. She disappeared, like the fire and smoke before.
"M-Mother! Where are you?!" He yelled.
Suddenly, the temperature rises significantly. Purple flames emerged from nowhere, blazing through his surroundings. All Alicia could see was the purple flames. His body began to feel the intense heat radiating from the flames, to the point it burned.
The flames began to move, encircling his position. Like a serpent that circles its prey to manage it doesn't escape. He used his arms, trying to block the heat coming from the flames. What the heck is going on?! His visibility began to decrease, the flames grew brighter and hotter each second.
"Hello brat." A voice came from behind the flames. A voice he never wanted to hear again. A voice belongs to the person who killed his mother.
All the flames that encircled him suddenly retreated backwards. After the flames withdrew, Augusta emerged. The sadistic smile visible on her face.
"G-Go away! D-Don't come near me!" Alicia yelled. His fear towards Augusta evident in his voice.
His plea fell onto deaf ears. Augusta yanked his head, grabbing his hair and forcing him to look at her.
"Now, don't be scared of this old lady. You see, I'm completely harmless. AHAHAHA," Augusta's words dripped with malice, fueling Alicia's rage and grief.
"You killed my mother!" Alicia yelled to her, his voice trembling with anger and anguish. While he was scared, he did not forget the fact that she took his mother from him. His mother was the only person he knew. She was a caring and gentle soul. A person he loves with all his heart. And yet, Augusta took her from him. He will never forget that.
"Such hate on those eyes. I didn't remember killing your mother though." Augusta taunted, her grip on Alicia remains strong.
He struggles to break free from the grasp of the witch. However, the grip that she has on me was too strong for him to overcome.
"Don't even bother. With your strength right now, you couldn't even hurt a fly."
Seeing the effort bear no result, he gave up. She was true, he had no strength right now. His body still felt hot from the flames before. He was still dealing with the aftereffect. He looked at her with such hate, that no child should have.
"Oh! I do remember killing your mother. What a joy that day! Let's see it again together since you remembered it so well." Augusta declared callously, her voice filled with sadistic delight. She snapped her fingers, and countless magic circles emerged in the air, surrounding Alicia.
The magic circle came to life, transforming into a structure-like television.
"W-Wait!" Alicia cried out, his heart could not stand the thought that he had to relieve the painful memories of his mother's death.
Then, the images started to move. Countless magic circles displaying the sight of his mother's death countless times. He tried to break free again, yet Augusta was much stronger than him. Using her superior physical prowess against him, she forced him to watch the images that came to life.
"AHAHAHA" She laughed maniacally, her pleasure towards Alicia's suffering were evident in her voice. He shut his eyes, not having the strength to watch the disturbing memories displayed by Augusta. He covered his ears, trying his best to block the disturbing laughter echoing through the room. However, Augusta forcefully held his head in place, not allowing Alicia to close his eyes or look away. The horrifying scene of his mother's death kept replaying. Each repetition plunges the blade of despair deeper into his heart. Augusta's purple flames cruelly burned brighter, as if the flames were laughing together with Augusta. He felt trapped… hopeless.
"Please stop…" Alicia pleaded, his voice broken as he begged for her to stop. His head throbbed, and his body trembled as he struggled to breathe. He reached out in desperation, hoping for someone, anyone, to come to his aid.
Through the cacophony of indistinguishable sounds, he hears a voice.
"Wake up!"
Then the world went black. The flames and magic that made him relieved his torment vanished. Augusta's mocking laughter, and the sound of the spears penetrating his mother could not be heard anymore. Like dust blown by the wind, it disappears.
He didn't know if his plea had been answered by the gods or a stronger entity. He was not a religious boy. He didn't really delve into matters of beliefs, his mother never taught him. However, after Ajuka's thorough explanation about the supernatural, he started to question the world. The world he lived in changed. The supernatural was real, he never imagined that he lived in the same world as those he had only known about in fairytales, literatures, scriptures, and folklores. There are gods, angels, devils, fallen angels, youkai, vampires, magicians, and many other beings that exist in the world. Whilst her mother never taught religion to him, she often told him about many mythologies, stories, and legends, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, Alexander the Great, and the legend of King Arthur. He always enjoyed listening to her mother's stories, it always brought joy to him. Now, he could no longer experience his mother's story telling.
"Oi, wake up!" A childish shout brought him to his senses.
Alicia opened his eyes. He was greeted with the sight of a girl. The girl had long, flowing blonde hair that cascaded down her back like a shimmering waterfall. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of azure, seemed to hold a depth of knowledge and power beyond her years. Even though she's only a girl, in the eyes of Alicia she had an ethereal beauty, with delicate features and a porcelain complexion that seemed to glow in the dim light of the room.
As Alicia's gaze traveled down, he noticed the girl's attire—a stylish black dress that hugged her slender figure, adorned with intricate silver patterns that shimmered in the faint light. Around her neck, she wore a silver pendant that gleamed softly, catching the light and casting a faint glow around her.
Who was this girl? Why is she in his room? Questions arise in Alicia's mind.
"Geez stop staring. I've been trying to wake you up for about 20 minutes! Uncle is looking for you. Wait, are you okay?! You're sweating and you're pale!" The girl who appeared to be the same age as Alicia spoke.
Alicia's current state was worrying. His hair disheveled, his complexion pale, his body covered in sweat, and he's having a hard time breathing properly.
'It's only a nightmare…' Alicia thought. He had his hand on his chest, trying his best to calm down. His plea in his nightmare was not answered by the gods; instead, the girl was the one who rescued him from his nightmare.
"W-Who are you? What are you doing in my room?" Alicia asked after he calmed down.
"Ah! Forgive me for my rudeness. My name is Latia Astaroth. I am Aju-Aju's niece, or you're more familiar with Ajuka Beelzebub. As for the reason why I'm in your room -pardon the intrusion- is because Aju-Aju told me to wake you up! Nice to meet you, Alicia!" The girl named Latia smiled as she extended her hand towards Alicia.
Alicia shook her hand. "... nice to meet you too, Latia."
After the first meeting between him, Ajuka, and Grayfia, Alicia made the decision to stay with Ajuka for the time being. Despite being completely unaware of the supernatural world, he quickly learned from the green-haired devil that Ajuka held significant importance in the underworld. Given the recent harrowing encounter with Augusta that resulted in his mother's sacrifice, it became painfully clear that Alicia's life remained in jeopardy. Ajuka's offer of shelter, coupled with his intent to help unlock Alicia's potential as Merlin's descendant, seemed like the best option. Besides, where else could he go? Alicia had never known his father, and when he had asked his mother about him, she had always evaded the question, leaving him with no other options but to accept Ajuka's offer.
He needs to be strong…
In order to kill the person who took his mother's life, he needs to be strong to be able to fulfill his revenge. He swore on his mother's life that he would kill Augusta.
After the encounter with Latia, Alicia changed his clothes, not before the girl was told she needed to get out so he could change. Latia, her cheeks reddened by his reminder, apologizes for her indecency. Blabbering forgiveness as she ran out the room.
She waited patiently for him outside his room. Unbeknownst to her, Alicia was thankful to her presence, a comforting reassurance in the wake of his nightmare. Once Alicia emerged, they set off together, their footsteps echoing softly in the corridor. The atmosphere was tinged with a sense of solemnity as they walked, the weight of recent events still heavy on Alicia's mind. As they made their way through the labyrinthine passages of the building, Latia began to hum a soft melody, her voice filling the silence with a gentle warmth. The tune was unfamiliar to Alicia, yet somehow soothing, a balm to his troubled soul. Their journey took them past ornate paintings and intricate ornaments that adorned the walls, each one a testament to the opulence of their surroundings. Despite the grandeur of their surroundings, there was an air of tranquility that enveloped them as they walked.
Finally, they arrived at their destination, a room bathed in soft light and filled with an aura of calm. As they stepped inside, Alicia couldn't help but notice how happy Latia was when she saw who was there, it's noticeable by her reaction lightened up. And of course, by the way she ran towards the person in the room.
The room they entered was a fascinating blend of technology and comfort. Everywhere Alicia looked, he saw robot-like machinery whirring and humming with activity. One device caught his eye immediately—a contraption resembling a dust collector, its sleek design hinting at its efficiency in keeping the room clean and tidy. Nearby, Alicia spotted a series of machines designed for various purposes. One contraption appeared to be a coffee maker, its intricate mechanisms suggesting that it could brew the perfect cup of coffee effortlessly. Another machine caught his attention as it gently massaged Ajuka's shoulders, its robotic arms working in a rhythmic motion to alleviate any tension or stress. In the corner of the room, there was yet another device, its purpose not immediately clear to Alicia. However, judging by its sleek and futuristic appearance, he suspected that it was another piece of advanced technology designed to serve a specific function within Ajuka's domain.
"I brought him here, Aju-Aju!" Ajuka Beelzebub was present in the room. He's currently working on stacks of paperwork. Robot-like machinery besides him, helping him to sort out the documents on his desk.
"Good morning, Alicia. I hope you have a pleasant rest. My apologies if my niece disturbed your sleep." Ajuka said while patting his niece's head. Latia pouted for Ajuka's action, yet she showed no objection towards it.
"No, it's all good. To be honest, I was having a nightmare about the incident… I'm glad she woke me up at the right time." Alicia said while rubbing his elbow gently. The thought about having to endure that hellish nightmare made him scared. He was deeply traumatized by his mother's death, his nightmare prior only fueled the trauma.
Ajuka observed Alicia for a moment, noting the lingering traces of fear and exhaustion in his eyes. With a thoughtful expression, he shifted his attention back to the young boy, his demeanor softening slightly.
"I see. Nightmares can be a reflection of our deepest fears and unresolved emotions," Ajuka said gently. "But they can also be a source of strength, if we learn to confront and overcome them."
Latia looked between Ajuka and Alicia, her expression one of curiosity and concern. Ajuka patted her head once more before turning his full attention to Alicia.
"Alicia," Ajuka began, his tone serious yet compassionate, "you have experienced great loss and trauma. But you also have great potential within you, a potential that, if nurtured, can help you achieve the strength you seek. As a descendant of Merlin Ambrosius, you possess a unique magical heritage."
Alicia's eyes widened slightly. Many thoughts raced through his mind: the wonders of magic, how powerful he could become, how strong Merlin must have been when he was alive, and, most importantly, his main objective.
"Would I be able to kill Augusta?" he asked, his voice laced with such coldness that it took Ajuka by surprise.
"If trained properly, then yes, you would be able to kill her. However, it won't be easy. Augusta possesses power beyond your imagination," Ajuka replied stoically. He knew the boy would want revenge against the Witch of the Purple Flame. Who wouldn't? Alicia had witnessed his mother sacrifice herself to save him.
"What do you mean? How strong is she?" Alicia asked.
"Before we talk about Augusta, you must know about the Biblical God's gift, known as Sacred Gears. It is a special, powerful artifact bestowed to certain humans. These artifacts grant the wielders special power and unique abilities. Some Sacred Gears are powerful enough to rival and surpass the abilities of supernatural beings like devils, angels, fallen angels, and such. Among the Sacred Gears, there is a special class known as Longinus. These are the most powerful Sacred Gears that have the potential to even kill gods. Do you understand up to here?" Ajuka explained.
Latia's head throbbed slightly when she heard her Aju-Aju mentioned Biblical God.
'What the heck? There's so much I don't know about this world…' Alicia nodded to Ajuka, gesturing for him to continue his explanation.
"There are thirteen Longinus. One of them is wielded by Augusta, the Incinerate Anthem. She's strong, Alicia. Not only because of her Sacred Gear, she possessed mastery over tons of different magic. She's not known as Augusta of the Purple Flames because she's a pushover." Ajuka dropped the bomb on him.
His demeanor changed in an instant. The cold-confidence he has before gone, the only remaining is a glimpse of uncertainty and fear.
'I can't be scared… No matter how long it takes, how hard it is, if there's a chance, then I'll take it.' The boy reignited the fire in his heart.
Ajuka observed Alicia closely, seeing the determination in his eyes. He knew that harnessing Alicia's potential would require immense dedication and hard work. The boy was raw, untrained, but with the right guidance, he could become a formidable force. Ajuka decided to take a different approach with Alicia, recognizing that the boy's trauma and grief could either be a hindrance or a powerful motivator.
"You have the potential to become incredibly strong, Alicia. But it's going to take time, effort, and patience. You need to learn control, discipline, and the principles of magic from the ground up," Ajuka said, his tone firm but encouraging.
"I understand," Alicia replied, his voice steady. "I'll do whatever it takes."
"Good. We'll start with the basics and work our way up. Latia and I will assist you in your initial training." Ajuka nodded approvingly.
Ajuka stood up from his ornate chair, the heavy fabric of his cloak swishing softly as he moved. His gaze fixed on the door across the room, an excited glint in his eyes. Without hesitation, he strode purposefully towards it, his steps echoing lightly against the polished marble floor.
"Follow me," he commanded, turning briefly to address the two blondes who had accompanied him. There was an air of authority in his voice that brooked no disobedience.
With a nod, the pair fell into step behind him, Alicia's expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation. They trailed after Ajuka as he led the way through the opulent corridors of his domain, their surroundings a testament to his power and influence.
Finally, they arrived at their destination – a very spacious training room tucked away in a secluded corner of Ajuka's domain. The room was filled with an array of equipment and devices, each designed to hone the skills and abilities of its occupants.
"Welcome to the training grounds." Ajuka announced, his voice carrying a tint of pride. "Here, you will learn and train, Alicia. There are many devices here that could help you. For example, there's a device that could measure your output of magic, a robot that could be a sparring partner - you just need to tune it to your level, a device that makes targets fly in the air, a machine…" Ajuka ranted about the machinery and devices complementing the room, his pride in his creation evident by the way he talks.
"Geez… There you go again Aju-Aju. By the time you finish your explanation, I'll be a thousand years old!" Latia stuck her tongue out as she made fun of her uncle.
Ajuka couldn't help but chuckle at Latia's playful jab. "Ah, but Latia, you know how important it is to understand the fundamentals. Besides, a little patience never hurt anyone."
Latia rolled her eyes dramatically. "Fine, fine. I'll try to contain my excitement," she teased, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
As Ajuka regained his composure, he shot Latia a mock glare. "Just for that, I might have to make your training sessions twice, no thrice as long!"
Latia gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "You wouldn't dare!"
The two shared a lighthearted moment of banter, their laughter filling the room. It was a sight to behold. Gone was the cold, calculating, and commandeering aura Ajuka has. Now, the green-haired devil seemed to really enjoy the playful banter between him and his niece.
Alicia smiled. The happiness in the room was contagious, even to him.
'Huh, that's the first time he smiled ever since he came here.' Ajuka thought after seeing the blonde-haired boy smile.
"You should smile more, it's pretty," unexpectedly, the words slipped from the girl's lips, catching her by surprise. As soon as they were out, she realized what she had said and instinctively covered her mouth, her cheeks flushing with a deep blush.
Ajuka glanced at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes at her bashfulness.
"T-Thanks…" Alicia said to her compliment, his cheeks slightly red due to the embarrassing comment.
"Y-Your welcome…" She replied, as her hands were on her back. Her embarrassment could be seen by all of them.
Seeing the hilarious and embarrassing interaction of the blondes, Ajuka couldn't hold back his laughter. "Hahaha, okay let's carry on, shall we?"
Both of the blondes nodded in unison. Their cheeks still reddened.
"Before we begin to understand the complexity of magic, you must open your pathway first, Alicia. Sit down in the middle of the room." Ajuka said to the boy, while pointing his finger to the middle of the room.
"T-Then what?" Alicia said after he was seated. The cold floor brought shivers to his spine. It was cold and the thin fabrics of his clothes didn't really help him.
"Close your eyes and focus on your breathing, it should help you concentrate. Feel the energy inside you, the mana coursing your body." Ajuka said.
Alicia followed his instructions, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths. At first, he felt nothing, but gradually, he began to sense a faint tingling sensation, a subtle presence that he hadn't noticed before.
"I feel something…"
"Good, now try to reach it."
As Alicia focused on the sensation, he felt a stirring within him, a flicker of energy waiting to be unleashed. With each breath, the tingling sensation grew stronger, pulsating through his veins like a heartbeat. It was as if he could feel the very essence of magic coursing through his being, waiting to be harnessed and wielded.
"Keep going, Alicia. You're doing great," Ajuka encouraged, his voice a steady anchor in the sea of Alicia's concentration.
The sensation grew stronger, stronger, and stronger each second.
"Alicia, stop gathering mana!" Ajuka's voice sliced through the air like a whip, urgent and commanding.
Alicia's concentration shattered at the sound of Ajuka's voice, his eyes snapping open in surprise. But it was too late. The mana he had been gathering surged out of control, swirling around him like a tempest unleashed.
Panic flooded Alicia's senses as he realized the situation. The quantity and density of the mana kept increasing with each passing moment, its chaotic energy threatening to overwhelm him. With a flicker of instability, the volatile mana reached its tipping point.
In an instant, the air crackled as the mana exploded in a blinding flash of light and power. The force of the explosion sent shockwaves rippling through the training room, obliterating all the devices existent.
"Latia, get behind me!" Ajuka immediately conjured a shield made by magic, in order to block the mana outburst from Latia.
Alicia was thrown backward by the force of the blast, his body crashing against the hard floor with a sickening thud. Pain lanced through him as he struggled to regain his bearings, his ears ringing from the deafening roar of the explosion.
"Alicia!" Through the haze of pain and confusion, Alicia could hear Ajuka's voice calling out to him, his tone filled with concern and urgency. With great effort, Alicia pushed himself to his feet, his muscles screaming in protest as he staggered upright.
"I'm... I'm okay," Alicia gasped, his voice barely above a whisper as he fought to catch his breath. Sweat dripped from his brow as he shook off the shock of the explosion, his heart pounding in his chest like a drumbeat.
Ajuka rushed to Alicia's side, his expression a mix of relief and worry as he helped the boy to stand. "You're lucky it didn't kill you." Ajuka said, his voice grave.
"You must be more careful when handling mana. It is a powerful force that must be respected and controlled at all times. You must feel it. Understand it. Stabilize it." Alicia nodded, his eyes wide with newfound understanding.
'The density of his mana is outstanding! I would've never thought that a ten year-old were able to gather mana that dense! So, this is the mana of the human who has Merlin's blood coursing in his veins.' Ajuka thought to himself. He never expected that Alicia would have that level of density in regards to mana. Sure, he knew that the boy had potential. However, having the same level of density with an adult magician is another thing.
"I want to try again." Alicia announced.
Ajuka smirked with the confidence the boy had, gesturing to the boy to proceed with his training. Meanwhile, Latia was a little scared due to what happened prior.
'Feel it' Alicia closed his eyes, and began concentrating.
'Understand… stabilize' He gathers the mana, then focuses on stabilizing the flow.
As he continued to focus and stabilize his mana, Ajuka and Latia watched in awe at the display of his newfound power. The air around him seemed to shimmer and crackle with energy, his mana radiating an ethereal glow that illuminated the room in a soft, otherworldly light. With each passing moment, Alicia's control over his mana grew stronger and more refined. The once chaotic energy now flowed smoothly and effortlessly, like a gentle stream guided by his will. It was a sight to behold, witnessing the transformation of a raw, untamed power into something beautiful and controlled.
"Wow…" Latia's amazement towards Alicia's mana was palpable. The mana exuded was beautiful. It gave a sense of serenity, an eerie feeling of tranquility, and it made her feel safe. Like nothing was going to happen to her, as long he was here.
"It's beautiful…" Latia said to Ajuka. The latter nodded in agreement.
Alicia's mana density was now off the charts. Previously, when it was unstable, it had matched that of adult mages. But now, it surpassed them by a significant margin. Ajuka had never expected that the human sitting in front of him, only ten years old, would possess such a level of mana density. It equaled or even surpassed that of higher-ranking magicians.
As Alicia opened his eyes, a sense of accomplishment and determination shone in his gaze. He had overcome the initial setback and proved that he was capable of mastering the art of magic.
"I did it," Alicia whispered, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and pride.
"Yes, you did," Ajuka replied, a proud smile gracing his features.
"But remember, this is only the beginning. There is still much to learn and master on your journey to becoming a formidable magician." Alicia nodded, his determination unwavering. He knew that the path ahead would be challenging, but he was ready to face whatever obstacles stood in his way.
"Thank you, Ajuka. And thank you, Latia," Alicia said, gratitude evident in his voice. "I couldn't have done it without your guidance and support."
Latia beamed at him, her azure eyes sparkling with pride. "Anytime, Alicia. Just call me when you need advice, or anything else. That's what friends do, right? W-We're friends, aren't we?!" Latia stuttered a bit at the end.
"Friends… I like that," Alicia said, his voice warm with genuine emotion. He had never had a friend in his life, and the idea sounded comforting. "Then I'll be in your care, Latia."
With a bright smile that could even rival heaven, Latia nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! We'll be the bestest of best friends, Alicia!"
"Congratulations once again, Alicia," Ajuka patted his shoulder. "You showed great potential before. To be honest, I am not that profound in human magic. Hence, I'll be assigning a mentor for you. Just need to call in a favor, and we're all set."
"A mentor?" Alicia asked. The tint of curiosity danced in his eyes.
"Yes, there is someone who is more knowledgeable in terms of human magic than me." Ajuka said.
After Ajuka's declaration, the atmosphere in the room shifted with anticipation. Alicia felt a surge of excitement mixed with a hint of nervousness at the prospect of having a mentor. He wondered who this mentor would be and what they would be like.
As if reading his thoughts, Latia chimed in, her voice filled with curiosity. "Ooh, I wonder who your mentor will be, Alicia! Maybe it'll be someone really cool!"
Alicia couldn't help but share Latia's curiosity. He had never received formal training in magic before, and the idea of learning from someone with extensive knowledge and experience was both thrilling and daunting.
Ajuka chuckled at their excitement before regaining his composure. "Indeed, your mentor will be someone with considerable expertise in human magic. They will guide you, teach you, and help you unlock your full potential."
With a nod of understanding, Alicia turned his attention back to Ajuka, his eyes alight with anticipation. "I'm ready to meet my mentor whenever they're available."
Ajuka smiled approvingly at Alicia's eagerness. "Good. I'll make the necessary arrangements now."
With a confident stride, Ajuka walked to the edge of the room. He conjured a magic circle on his ear and engaged in a conversation, the details of which remained indistinct to Alicia and Latia. However, they caught snippets of words like "favor," "tutor," "laboratory," and "bishop."
After the conversation between Ajuka and the unknown man concluded, he returned to join the blonde duo.
"Who were you talking to, Aju-Aju?" Latia asked.
"You'll see. They are on his way right now," Ajuka teased his niece, earning a pout from her. "Alicia, the tutor who will train you is someone who has a busy schedule. So, I strongly advise you to now waste his time."
Ajuka's mysterious conversation left Alicia and Latia curious, but Ajuka remained tight-lipped about the details. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he assured them that they would find out soon enough.
As they waited for the arrival of Alicia's new tutor, the atmosphere in the room was charged with anticipation. Alicia couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. This mentor could be the key to unlocking his full potential and helping him on his journey to seek vengeance against Augusta.
After what felt like an eternity, there was a magic circle erupted on the floor.
Ajuka's smirk widened as he saw the crest on the magic circle, Latia's eyes went wide, leaving Alicia with curiosity.
When the figures showed up on the magic circle, Latia immediately kneeled.
"Lord Lucifer!" Latia greeted. Her tone carries a respectable tone. Something, Alicia never heard before.
"Oi, you never called me Lord Beelzebub! Y'know that I have the same standings with him!" Ajuka said to Latia, while the former pinched the cheeks of the latter.
"Ouch, Ouch. It hurts, Aju-Aju! If you're not busy holed up in your man cave, then maybe I would consider calling you that!" Latia yelled.
"No need for formalities, Latia," The first figure said, after he laughed from the exchange between the uncle-niece duo. The figure is a handsome man who seems to be in his early-twenties. He has shoulder length crimson hair and blue eyes. He wears a white suit, adorned with a royal-ish robe, similar to what Ajuka wears.
"It's been a while, Ajuka," The man called Lord Lucifer said to Ajuka before he set his eyes onto Alicia. "So, is this the boy?"
"Yes, I presumed that Grayfia already informed you, Sirzechs?" Ajuka asked the red-haired man.
"Yup! She already told me about everything." The man named Sirzechs answered. His eyes trailed over Alicia, a pique of curiosity and interest glims on those blue orbs.
"Excellent. Alicia this devil is Sirzechs Lucifer, formerly Gremory. He is a Maou, he wields the title of Lucifer. Me, him, and two others share the title of Maou. I am Beelzebub, he is Lucifer, and the two others are Leviathan and Asmodeus."
Alicia's eyes went wide. The devils present in the room were the epitome of devilkind. He immediately took a knee, showing respect to the red-haired devil.
"Lord Lucifer…" Alicia said, a trail of nervousness evident in his voice.
"Oi!-" Ajuka said before he was interrupted by Sirzechs.
"Stand up, Alicia. You may call me Sirzechs. Again, no need for formalities with me," Sirzechs said, with a tone of sincerity.
"Forgive my rudeness, I haven't introduced Mackie to you." He then gestured to the other person who came with him. \
The person's appearance is that of a skinny man in his late twenties, with sharp eyes, long and wavy hair which is a mixture of black and blonde. The long slits of his eyes and his shallow eyes gave him a bewitching aura.
"This is MacGregor Mathers, my bishop." Sirzechs introduced MacGregor to Alicia.
"It is nice to meet you, Sir MacGregor. My name is Alicia Claudius Ambrosius." The descendant of Merlin introduced himself, extending his hand in the process.
Lucifer's bishop took his hand and shook it. "A pleasure."
"Now, since we're all acquainted. Alicia, MacGregor here will train you in the art of magic. He's a former human who mastered the arts. Latia. you could also join the training session, when you're not busy training with me." Ajuka said to the children in the room.
Alicia nodded eagerly. Latia, who recovered from her stupor, responded, "I look forward to learning from you, Sir MacGregor."
"Please, just MacGregor, or Mac, anything's fine," MacGregor, or Mac, said to the girl.
"I assure you that the both of you will receive the best training possible. Magic is a complex art. However, if you understand it, then there's nothing impossible to achieve." Mac said, a faint smile planted on his face.
Alicia felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. If Sirzechs was a powerful devil, surely it would also mean that MacGregor is strong too, right? Having a strong mentor would help him in ways he couldn't have imagined. He was really thankful towards Ajuka. He vowed to himself that somehow, he would repay his debt to Ajuka.
"Your training will start tomorrow at dawn. Be prepared for a rigorous regimen," MacGregor Mathers declared. With that, he vanished into the magic circle he conjured, leaving a faint glow in the air where he once stood.
"I'll also be taking my leave with Sirzechs. There are matters that we cannot neglect," Ajuka said, his tone serious yet reassuring. The two Maou then conjured a magic circle, their forms shimmering as they prepared to depart. In a flash of light, they too were gone, leaving the room eerily quiet.
Now, only Alicia and Latia remained in the expansive training room. The silence was almost palpable as Alicia turned to Latia, his eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and uncertainty. Latia gave him a supportive smile, sensing his inner turmoil.
"Everything's going to be okay… relax and let's make the best out of it!" Latia encourages her friend.
"Yeah, it's just that… I don't know how to say it," Seeing Latia's comforting gaze upon him, made him continue. "My life changed in an instant. There's so much happening… the truth about my ancestry, the supernatural world, all of these were unknown to me before… M-My mother died, Latia… The only person I knew, died, sacrificing herself in order to save me…"
Tears were slowly leaking from his eyes, dropping onto the cold floor.
A warm feeling suddenly grew, as Latia hugged him. The hug came out of nowhere, yet Alicia showed no signs of resistance. Instead, he leaned into the embrace, letting Latia's comforting presence envelop him.
No more words were exchanged between them. Alicia tears slowly subside as he finds solace in Latia's embrace.
Latia pulled back slightly, giving Alicia a reassuring smile, a small blush adorned her features "I'll see you later!" With that she immediately stood up, turned around, and ran through the doors. Disappearing from Alicia's sight.
The comfort Latia gave, ease his mind.
As Alicia sat alone in the now-empty training room, he took a few moments to collect himself. The weight of everything that had happened recently still lingered, but the warmth of Latia's hug had provided a much-needed comfort. He wiped away the remaining tears from his eyes and took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come.
With resolve in his heart, Alicia rose to his feet and made his way to his room. As he walked through the hallways of Ajuka's Domain, he couldn't shake off the sense of anticipation mixed with apprehension about the training that awaited him.
The next morning arrived all too soon, and Alicia found himself standing before the imposing figure of MacGregor Mathers. The powerful devil regarded him with a stern expression, his presence exuding an aura of authority and strength.
"Are you ready to begin your training?" MacGregor's voice echoed in the spacious training grounds.
Alicia squared his shoulders and nodded, determined to make the most of this opportunity. "Yes, I'm ready."
For hours on end, Alicia immersed himself in the rigorous training regimen laid out by MacGregor. Under the devil's watchful eye, he pushed himself to his limits.
"I-Is this torture… I thought we're training about magic!" Alicia asked with a ragged breath. Truly, the regimen MacGregor set out was a torture to him. He was only ten years-old for God's sake. The devil ordered him to run until he couldn't even feel his legs.
"Endure it. This is only the first day. There's still a lot of time," Mac answered while reclining on a bed, sipping coffee from a mug on his left, and flipping through a magazine he had been reading. "Besides, you can't withstand mana properly if you have a bad physique."
As the grueling training continued, Alicia found himself tested in ways he never imagined. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, and his breath came in ragged gasps as he pushed himself to keep going. MacGregor's training methods were relentless, pushing Alicia beyond his physical and mental limits.
Through it all, Alicia gritted his teeth and persevered, fueled by a determination to become stronger. He knew that this was just the beginning, that if he wanted to survive and thrive in the supernatural world, he would need to push himself harder than ever before.
Despite the physical strain, there was a sense of exhilaration coursing through him. With each passing moment, Alicia could feel himself growing stronger, more resilient. He was determined not to let his circumstances define him, but rather to rise above them and emerge as a force to be reckoned with.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, signaling the end of another grueling day of training, Alicia collapsed onto the ground, utterly exhausted but also filled with a sense of accomplishment. He may have been pushed to his limits, but he had endured, and he knew that with each passing day, he was one step closer to realizing his full potential.
With aching muscles and a weary but determined spirit, Alicia dragged himself to his feet and made his way back to his room. Despite the physical and mental toll of the day's training, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride swelling within him. He was on the path to becoming something greater, and nothing would stand in his way.
So, Alicia will be trained by MacGregor Mathers, he's Sirzechs Bishop. Not many stories mentioned him, and i just used him cause i think he was the man for the job.
Hey guys, I'm sorry for the late update. There's so much going on and I can't ignore my priorities. I hope you had a pleasant read for this chapter. Feel free to drop a review and I'm sorry if there's anything wrong in terms of grammar, spelling, vocabs, since english is not my first language.