Author's note: Hello all! Thanks for reading, here is Chapter 10! I might make a table of information soon, so hold out for that. Also, be aware that these past few chapters have been light-hearted in order to bring some contrast to what happens next! Next chapters will have some fight scenes, more background info on Dante. Fear not, the darkness is coming! Muahahahaha!!! This is not labeled tragedy for nothing! Thank you all for reading, and enjoy. We will soon be out in the world!
“My Lord Luciferus,” a soft voice sounded from beyond the door. “Dinner is ready.”
“Okay, I’m coming,” I replied. I honestly didn't even try to act noble. It was boring, and annoying. I went back to my third person perspective, looking at my progress. From what I understood, this was where my mana gathered, and ‘purifying’ it would give magic higher quality, and greater efficiency. It would also give several health benefits, like a fortified immune system, longer lifespan, stronger body, etc.
Of course, from what I could understand, this isn't the only source I can use as “fuel” for magic, like using the raw mana and energy of the atmosphere, but it was the most convenient and easiest to control. I also hadn't been able to visualize mana itself around me, even though I knew that it saturated the atmosphere in some way. I’m not sure how I know that I should be able to see it, or really how I knew everything that I do know. It’s some kind of knowledge that appeared in my head when I first began to meditate in this world, like a dim memory, something I will remember when I see it. Probably thanks to Lady Death. So, being able to visualize mana around me should be vital to my growth… Eventually. I felt my “filter” expel the imperfections from my swirling energy center, breathed in and out deeply, and opened my eyes. I could still feel the slight warmth in my abdomen, which spread throughout my body and rejuvenated me. I felt energized, like I always do after mediation.
Actually, meditation seemed to work here better than on Earth, and I always felt refreshed afterwards. I got up off the rug and adjusted my clothes. I was dressed in my usual clothes: black soft pants (I had exchanged them with some clothes I found in the wardrobe) over my trusty underwear, held up by a gray sash-of-a-belt, light leather boots and a black long sleeved shirt. I had my dark red scarf wrapped around my neck, but I had taken off my hooded cloak and weapons and placed them in my enchanted pouch hanging from my waist. It felt kind of strange, the pouch itself didn't feel that much heavier, but it was more like a weight had been placed on my back, like a backpack. It was weird, but it didn't affect me much, as it was only a slight weight, barely noticeable.
I also had put on one of the weight increasing bracelets before meditation, and I intended to keep it on until I was used to my increased weight. Then, I would add another one. I patted down my hair that had grown to mid neck length on the journey, trying to make myself look presentable. I raised my scarf over my nose in order to lessen the effects of the cur- I mean, blessing, and opened the door. A young lady wearing a maid outfit was standing outside the door.
-OH MY GOD A REAL CAT MAID!!! YAAAASSSS!!- It was a cat maid! She had light brown hair and a rather plain looking face, a scrawny figure with little curves, but her little tawny cat ears that poked out above her head and the tail that waved around behind her were so cute! And to top it all off, she was blushing slightly!
She turned around quickly, startled by my dashing appearance, said, “Th-this way, Lord Luciferus.” She walked off down the hallway and I followed her, or more precisely, that amazingly cute tail! We had cat girls at the Syndicate, but… They were strange. Most had whiskers and feline features, including retractable claws and large eyes and furry bodies… Not to say they weren't cute, but not my type. Eventually we arrived at large intricately carved double doors. She motioned for me to enter, so I opened the door. The room was large, with a long table set for eleven people. And there were already ten people seated!
-Guess I’m late.- I looked at everyone, a myriad of races. At the head of the table was a forty-something woman with orange and soft layered red leaves for hair, and bark-like skin that looked surprisingly soft. She had large orange eyes and was wearing a conservative light brown and orange dress. To her left, a fat human man wearing a formal judges’ gown. To her right a puny green-eyed woman, about fifty centimeters tall, wearing a green dress. Next to the puny woman, a middle-aged wolf woman demi-human in a black dress.
Next to the fat man was a small, meter-tall dwarf thing, with huge ears that fanned out the sides of his head and eyes so big they took up half his face. Next to him… It’s Chewy!!! Nonono, that’s not it. A three meter tall, bear-like humanoid, and extremely fluffy with long strands of luscious, soft fur covering its whole body. Next to him, an androgynous flower-thing. Like, it was literally a two meter tall flower! Like one of those flowers in the old cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland! Kind of creepy… At the other end of the table were Yerna and Ulaya! They were dressed in matching green dresses.
Yerna was to the right of the empty seat of honor and Ulaya to the left. And next to Yerna… A stunningly beautiful woman, with long purple hair and purple eyes, and a purple dress that hugged all the right places, outlining her wondrous curves perfectly. A full chest and an amazing ass with a perfect waist! And curving back from her forehead over her head, a pair of slender red horns. She had pure white skin and dark purple lips, and long dark eyelashes. Extremely beautiful. The moment I entered, all eyes turned on me, and the beautiful woman’s mouth gaped slightly open, revealing a set of perfect white teeth, with slightly elongated canines, and a slight redness invaded her cheeks. And I immediately knew that this was another demon.
-Well shit… I am so fucked if she knows the Luciferus family.- I glanced at the dryad-looking woman at the other end of the table. She grinned mischievously, and said, “Hello, Lord Dante Luciferus. I am Gala Koula, the current Matriarch of the Seven, rulers of Sylva, and a judge at your trial.”
-Oh! So she’s the one that was my ‘friend’. The puny woman squeaked next, “I am Ohelia of the Green Elf tribe, one of the Seven.” And that started everyone off. The fat man was Gordo Obeso (haha wow so accurate), the wolf woman was Vela Woodswolf, the rat-dwarf-thing was John of the Bat-Ears, the flower thing was simply Flora, and the Chewy thing… was Chewbucca of the Wookelies. Wow. Coincidence? I think not!
Finally reaching the demoness, Gala said mockingly, “I am sure you know of Lady Beatrice Tamiela, of the Tamielus family, a high noble demon family, and close with the Luciferus family. She is here now on a vacation of sorts, and wanted to explore a bit.” Gala’s grin was extremely wide now, and she winked at me mischievously. My heart stopped for a moment and my mouth almost dropped to the floor.
-She knows!- I thought, my face cramping.
“My my, Dante. Is something the matter?” Gala smiled widely.
-She’s going to blackmail me!-
“N-no, nothing’s wrong!” I stammered, my voice muffled slightly from my scarf. “It’s just that,” I my eyes darted around the room quickly, trying to make an excuse. “It’s just that her beauty took my breath away!” I said, desperately trying to cover my blunder. At this, Beatrice blushed, flustered, and Ulaya puffed her cheeks at me. Gala’s face, in the meantime, was almost taken over completely by a gigantic smile.
-You’re the real demon here!-
“Oh Gala, stop teasing the poor boy!” Vela the wolf woman exclaimed, glaring at Gala, who just shrugged innocently. Vela turned to me, saying, “Don’t worry young man. We all knew that you aren’t of the Luciferus family. We weren't going to kill you anyway!”
-That doesn't make me feel any better!-
“So why am I alive then? I mean, I did commit first degree murder and destruction of property, as well as torture and disturbing the peace.”
She continued, “Don’t worry, just sit down and we’ll talk a bit. It’s dinner time anyway!”
I blinked, surprised. -I am getting off too easy… They want something from me, I know it!-
I sat down slowly, glaring at the chuckling Gala.
-I’m glad you're okay,- a familiar, soft, melodic voice whispered in my head. I glanced at Yerna, who was looking down slightly with her face hinting at concentration.
-Yeah, we thought something might actually happen!- Another voice, louder and more brazen, shouted in my head. I looked at Ulaya, who nodded in my direction.
-Sooo… Why are you all in my head?-
-Nononono,- Yerna quickly denied my thought. -I just formed basic telepathic connection between us using the mana around us as a catalyst! We can’t hear any thoughts that are not directed to us!-
A loud clapping brought me back to reality.
“Isn’t it rude to hold private conversations at a dinner table?” Gala said, frowning slightly. Yerna blushed, embarrassed.
“S-sorry! I- I mean, we just wanted to know how Dante was doing!” Yerna said, glancing down nervously.
Ohelia the elf woman just chuckled, and squeaked out, “It’s fine, just remember that some of us are sensitive to atmospheric mana fluctuations, and it makes us uncomfortable.” Ohelia shivered slightly, as if a breeze had blown through the room, and John the rat-bat-thing nodded slightly in agreement, his ears twitching.
“Y-yes! I’ll stop immediately!” Yerna said, waving her hands frantically. I felt a sudden pull at the back of my head, and I saw Ulaya pout a bit at the sudden disconnection, but didn't say anything. I head a slight gasp from John, and his eyes widened for a second. Gala was also noticeably shaken by something, even scared, but it was quickly replaced with a smile.
-Guess they are sensitive to this,- I thought, shrugging.
“Well, let’s get this feast started already! I am famished!” Gordo said, and Chewbucca growled in agreement. Gordo the fat man clapped his hands twice, rolls of fat jiggling from his brusque action. Immediately, a couple doors at the sides of the room opened and a few people dressed in servant clothes rushed out pushing trays with various covered plates. I glanced back to the demoness and found her sneaking peaks at me, but she quickly turned her head away when I caught her looking at me.
-Oh my, I am such a lady-killer!-
I looked back to the food being served.
-Come to think of it, I haven't eaten since breakfast!- My stomach rumbled in agreement.
My plate was placed in front of me, and a veeeery familiar odor wafted up to my nose.
-It can’t be…-
I slowly removed the covering, and found… The deer steak from last night! It was exactly the same as yesterday!
“Ahem,” I tried to get Gala’s attention, who was currently digging into an extremely bloody steak. So much for a vegetarian dryad…
“Yes, ‘Lord’ Dante?” She glanced up from her meal, emphasizing ‘Lord’
“Would the chef for this meal happen to be… The manager of the Fluffy Bed Inn?”
“Hehehe… Maybe,” Gala said, and dug back into her steak.
The next thirty minutes was full of the clanking of utensils on plates, and loud chewing from Obeso and Chewy. Flora the plant-thing just sat there, and I noticed it didn’t have any kind of food in front of it.
-What is that, even? A mutated plant?-
Anyway, after we were done, the talking started.
“So Dante, do you know why we have not executed you?” Ohelia asked.
-How is she even still alive? She ate a steak larger than her! She’s visibly bloated!! Doesn't that hurt!!!-
“Umm, no?”
“It is because you’re—“
“A wizard, Harry!”
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing, please continue,” I said, waving my hand dismissively.
-Had to do it…-
Vela cleared her throat and continued for Ohelia. “Dante, you know that the Goddess of Death is feared and hated in most places, along with her Champions, right?”
“Mhmh.”
“Well, you are quite lucky that you are in the Sylvan continent. Here, even if the Goddess of Death is not worshipped, she is still respected and honored, due to her friendship with our patron goddess, the Goddess of Nature. We also tend to try to stay on the good side of the gods in general, if you know what I mean. It’s never a good idea for common folk to irk a god,” Vela said, chuckling nervously.
“Yes, sometimes the gods ‘accidentally’ tend to smite people that annoy them,” Gordo agreed, nodding vigorously and causing tsunamis to appear on his flesh.
“Also, a Champion always has immense potential, and having one in your favor is always a good thing,” Gala said, a glint in her eye and wiggling her eyebrows.
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-Well… You’re not playing around with words, are you?-
“Okay, well, thanks for, you know, not killing me and all. Really appreciate it.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. We couldn’t go and waste such… Assets…”Gala smiled predatorily, looking me over voraciously, her gaze lingering at my chest and the God Beetle in it… I think. I hope…
“Hey hey, my eyes are up here you know!”
“Ahem… Sorry,” Gala said, not looking sorry at all. “Anyway, I know about your original intention; you want to register at the adventuring guild, right?”
“Wow, yeah, you’re right! How did you know?” I asked, surprised.
Gala grinned.
-Wait, why does that grin feel so familiar…-
“Let’s just say, Mithra and I go waaaay back,” Gala said, her grin growing wider.
-Well… That explains a lot, actually…-
Vela continued for Gala. “Anyway, from what you did to the douche bags, who were, by the way, E ranked adventurers, I would guess you are at least around the CC ranked Warrior range.”
I tilted my head quizzically. “CC ranked?”
Gordo nodded, once again causing tidal waves to roll across his neck and face. “Yeah, the standard rankings in the adventuring guilds, set by the dwarves about a few thousand years ago when they founded a system to facilitate the measuring of danger, or strength of people and beasts that went adventuring into the wilds of Otta go something like this:
E
EE
EEE
D
DD
DDD
C
CC
CCC
B
BB
BBB
A
AA
AAA
S
SS
SSS
-Wow, that’s a lot of ranks…-
“Why would anyone want to get ranked anyway?”
“Well, for people of poorer classes, they have an opportunity to obtain riches and preferences if they reach a certain level, and may even be sought out by their native countries to serve. This gives many a chance at a better life. For nobles, it is the prestige that comes with being highly ranked, and the pride of belonging to a powerful nation and representing a part of the power of your nation.”
“I see, and the stronger people are, the better they can live… So, let me guess. An E ranked person is just about what an average person is, while an SSS ranked person is practically god-like.”
“Exactly!” Gala exclaimed. “And, there are different categories for different types of registerers. Classes, if you will. In fact, most soldiers and magicians in all armies tend to get ranked at the adventuring guilds in order to estimate power and maybe receive a higher position within the armies, as the rankings are usually extremely reliable. You can register as a warrior, soldier, martial artist, magician, alchemist, healer, etc. Each category, or class, will have a different kind of ranking test, and that test will determine the rank you start with within that class. And, if you want, you can register for more than one test. Take, for example, Lady Beatrice,” Gala gestured to the demoness, and I turned to face her. She blushed slightly but held my gaze defiantly, purple eyes scanning mine.
“She is a CC ranked magician and a DD ranked duelist. Though not uncommon to be ranked above D in more than one class, it is still very good.”
I broke contact with Beatrice and turned back to Gala. “So, basically the adventuring ranking system is used for practically everything. Are monsters and magical creatures also ranked this way?”
“Yes,” Flora said. I was somewhat taken aback by his intrusion into the conversation, as Flora hadn't spoken at all until now. Even its voice was androgynous! Soft and thick, like it was speaking through heavy clothe covered in nectar. “Magical creatures are also ranked the same way until they reach the equivalent of the B rank.
Once they reach the equivalent of the B rank, they form a solid soul-stone, where a consciousness forms and a strong soul are housed. From there, they are called Sentient Beasts. This rank has levels of its own, simply being a first, second or third stage Sentient Beast, with third stage being the bottleneck for reaching the equivalent of A rank. For magical creatures who reach this stage, they will be able to form a body in the likeness of a dominant race, like demi-humans, demons, or any other of the dominant races.(Author’s note: Dominant race refers to one of the races that naturally has sentience, unlike a magical creature that achieves one through evolution. These are the demons, dwarves, humans, demi-humans, and citizens of Sylva.)
These magical creatures are called Divine Beasts, and are once again categorized into three stages. And finally, there are the ones who have reached the equivalent of S rank. They are called God Beasts, and have unimaginable powers of destruction. These beasts are quite rare though, so you may never meet one. Though beware, the stronger the beast is, the stronger the effects of their soul-stone is and the possibility of losing your will and soul to one, and being overwhelmed.” Flora, finished, went silent and just sat there.
“Ah Flora! You forgot to tell him that you are a Third Stage Sentient Creature!” Gala blurted out.
-Oh, so that’s why it looks like that. Flora must be close to becoming a Divine Beast as well, seeing how humanoid it looks.-
Flora turned its head to Gala. “He did not need to know that.” Flora made a heavy sighing sound. “But, it cannot be helped, seeing your nature. Yes, I am a Sentient Beast, and I was chosen by the previous Seven,” Flora said, turning back to me.
-Wow. Cool, it seems that Sentient Beasts are treated like people here. Well, then again, from what I’ve heard, Sylva seems to be the most diverse and least discriminatory nation of the others.-
“Well, that was a delicious meal! We must thank Jacek later!” Gordo belched, patting his extremely large belly.
“Graaawr!” Chewbucca growled in agreement.
-Seriously, that can't be a coincidence… Wait, where did I hear that name before…-
“Wait, I knew it! That cannibalistic satyr-guy is the cook!” I shouted triumphantly, recalling the owner of the Fluffy Bed.
Gala smirked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, my dear ‘Lord’ Dante Luciferus. Anyway, now that we are done with this marvelous dinner, it is almost time to sleep,” she said, glancing at the clock above the main entrance. It was already 23 hours! “Tomorrow we will take you and your partners to the adventuring guild to get you registered, so think about what classes you want to register as and get ready for tomorrow,” Gala said, looking at me and Ulaya and Yerna meaningfully. “Beatrice will come with us as well. She has completed a few jobs already, so she’s going to turn them in.” Beatrice nodded in agreement. “We will gather you at 8, so be ready by then.” We nodded, and quickly got up from the table. I said my goodnights to the Seven, and went out the door with Ulaya and Yerna. Beatrice didn’t say anything and quickly left down the hall, her backside swaying in a seductive manner. Ulaya noticed me staring and pouted a bit, grabbing my arm.
“Dante, what category tests are you going to apply for?” Yerna asked inquisitively.
“Well, I’m going to be Warrior!” Ulaya said loudly, hanging on my arm and pressing her… Lumps against me.
-So… Soft… Softer than… Fuck. Can’t let my thoughts go there.- I said, catching myself from remembering certain things. Every time I did, I got terribly sad and angry, almost to the point of losing control. My head would begin to hurt, and I could feel a dark storm surging within, and I couldn't remember why. I just knew that I loved Sasha… Her from the recent memories I’ve been having, and that something happened. Even at the School, I couldn't remember. I just knew something, and it was as if my mind was avoiding remembering on purpose.
All I knew was that she was gone. I hadn’t seen her again after I blacked out for a period of time… Well, actually, I knew I hadn’t blacked out, the memories just… Slipped away. After that period of time, I was the only C series experiment left at the School, and my memory had gone all fuzzy. Probably the Syndicate itself had something to do with it, but I had never tried to remember. The dreams I had since coming here had shown me some things, and I had remembered and relived my experiences with Sasha. I felt I was getting closer to that period, but… I was afraid of what I might find. So, I gently unwound Ulaya’s arms from mine, and said, “I don't know, I’ll think on it overnight. You guys should rest as well, we have a long day tomorrow.” After that, I quickly left and got back to my room. I undressed and crawled into bed, and quickly fell asleep.
———————--------------------------------------
[At the dining room, Gala and John]
Gala and John sat there at the table, alone. Gala’s previously light humor was gone, and she sported a dark expression. John sat in his chair, shivering.
“John… You felt it, right?”
John nodded, wide eyes gleaming with fear.
“Yes. That moment… I don't think he realizes, but…”
“Yes,” Gala said darkly. She could remember. When Yerna disconnected the link between her and her partners, Dante’s energy seeped out from the temporary void left from where Yerna had connected to Dante. And in that moment, in that fraction of a second…
“Terrible darkness. Anguish, sorrow, madness, rage… How can a mortal contain that, and not even know it himself?” Gala whispered, her voice trembling slightly. In that moment, Gala had felt a a terrible wave of anger and madness wash over her, like a sea of blood that almost suffocated her. John had also felt it, and undoubtedly Ohelia had felt it too, though she probably couldn’t connect it to Dante. Only S ranked Magic Users and up could feel with detail the emotions and memories through energy and mana. John’s heart had almost burst from the agony, the all-consuming rage that he felt from Dante, and for a moment he felt like he would die from the pain transmitted through the wave of energy and emotion Dante had unwittingly unleashed.
“How could a child live like that? That pain, like a thousand deaths, a thousand years of torture… What has he gone through?” John continued shivering. “G-Gala, it is unsafe to keep him alive. I am sure you felt it as well…”
“Yes… He is far beyond sanity. His anger and madness… If given the chance, he would slaughter everything in sight…”
“He is a danger to us all! What was Lady Death thinking! And what’s worse, it was building up! It’s like his emotions are trapped and boiling! Something is keeping him from snapping, but his episode at the marketplace is testament that he is close to losing it!”
Gala nodded. “My guess is that he has locked away his emotions, and sealed whatever is causing his pain, so he does not know himself about his emotions. He contains his rage, his pain, underneath a thin layer of sanity, but something is causing it to crack. It’s as if a piece of his soul itself has been torn away, and the space left was filled with rage and hate.”
John shivered again. “What are the gods doing to this boy? They should leave him alone before he truly awakens whatever lies deep within him! Something happened in his life that damaged him so greatly he would destroy the world if given the chance, and they are trying to bring it out!”
Gala nodded gloomily. “But what can we do? We are mere mortals, playing out on the whims of the gods. We cannot kill him, as it would bring the rage of the gods. All we can do is wait it out and hope the floodgates do not open while he is within the city. Fortunately, he is still weak, but his potential is limitless. If he becomes stronger… His rage might consume even the gods.”
Gala recalled the feeling. Boundless rage and madness, pain on a scale she had never seen before, all of it held back by a tiny string of sanity. In her 700 years of life, never had she seen such hate that could consume a whole race of beings with anger. Even the demon emperor, with all his hate towards the humans, could not compare. It threatened to swallow her, tear her to pieces, destroy her, kill her, rip her limb from limb, torture her body, smash her bones, eat her heart, kill everything she ever loved… Gala found herself sweating and shivering profusely. In that moment, she had heard words through her highly trained sensitivity to energy, words that were his… And someone else’s.
-I see.- Gala smiled grimly. -So, that episode was but a fraction of his rage. To make me, an SS ranked Mage, shiver like this… He is not normal.- With that final thought, she said goodnight to a terrified John and left to go to her room.