1 year later

One year passed after my achievement of creating a new magic system. During this one year, I performed countless tests, and as it was concluded, the system was perfectly stable with the addition of Abyssal Runic Magic instead of Aesir one.

Everything was going very well. My business was generating more and more Soul Coins, which is very important for the upcoming war. Several Arcane Mechanical Automatons stuck up on 100,000, unfortunately.

I lacked materials, so I ordered to stop further production and focus on building fortifications, magic towers,s and fortresses around my territory, to fortify it for war.

I have also trained extensively in the Dark Light Clan Trait and reached Expert-ranked mastery over the Clan Trait. Now I could open ten Dark Light portals that could constantly generate Dark Light Spears, which dramatically boosted my combat prowess.

The most important thing that happened during this year was that I would soon reach the Ultimate-Class in energy reserves. I was currently at the High-Class pinnacle and was holding back as I needed to prepare some things before reaching Ultimate-Class.

I did my research properly.

When one reaches Ultimate-Class in terms of energy reserves, I didn't know the process for those who focus on body training or physique refining; a huge qualitative change in density and quality of the Energy comes.

To have it as smooth as possible, I need to strengthen my foundation when reaching Ultimate-Class. For devils, the most common ways to reach higher classes were two. One of the simplest ways was to just age, but that is extremely slow. If some had low innate talent, their progress in decades might be only a few units of demonic energy increasement.

"Architect, is the ritual ready?"

I asked about the state of the ritual.

Today I planned to reach the Ultimate-Class, and I planned to use ancient rituals that my grandfather used to reach Ultimate-Class. Hopefully, after the ritual, not only would I be Ultimate-Class, but also at least early-stage.

[Yes, it is.]

Answered Architect in my head.

I nodded, satisfied.

What also was the biggest difference between the High-Class devil and the Ultimate-Class devil was that upon reaching the Ultimate-Class, devils would awaken their True Name. Upon awakening the True Name, some tended to get special abilities; some True Names strengthened already existing abilities.

Also, there were another two abilities of True Names.

The first was when it came to Devil Contract. Basically, Ultimate-Class devils could, due to their True Names, breach the contract and suffer little to no backslash, as in the contract was never mentioned the True Name of the devil. That gave Ultimate-Class devils great leverage against their contractors; they could easily cheat them.

The second was that, during the combat, as long as the enemy wasn't aware of the True Name of the devil, then you basically get some boost in combat abilities. I don't know how exactly it works, but it had something to do with the Laws of the Universe.

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"After I reach the Ultimate-Class and familiarize myself with my new strength, the expedition can commence."

I said with a bloodthirsty grin.

During the past year, I had three dates with Venelana. From a human point of view, it may sound like we never see each other, but it wasn't like that for devils. Our long lifespans made our perception of time and many things different. I have greatly enjoyed spending time with her; she was a funny person, responsible and supportive.

She encouraged me to pursue my magic research, and I have even taught her my Tier Magic System. Truth be told, after I reached Ultimate-Class, probably the higher end, I planned to release it to the public. It would significantly strengthen devils before the Great War and save many lives.

Both of us had many things to do besides the courtship responsibilities. Venelana reached Ultimate-Class last week; her talent was better than mine. I had a cheat in the form of an STC A.I. Architect. Still, it was annoying that my own talent was low; truth be told, my talent was rather average.

Since then, I have started researching a bit about enhancing innate talent for some things, and fortunately for me, many human magicians have done something in the past. Humans of Draconic Deus were pitiful as they were weak and fragile, so they searched for a way to enhance their innate talents to rival those of supernatural beings.

Myrddin Emrys, or by his other name, Merlin Ambrosius, invented one such ritual. I had that ritual formula in my library, as I had my people rob that library where it was hidden.

It required many precious resources from the various Pantheons... my heart bled when I had to spend too many Soul Coins, but alas, it was for the greater good.

I had combined that ritual into a ritual that my grandfather used to reach Ultimate-Class, so I am rather curious about the changes it would incur.

Combined with STC A.I. and terrifying genius-level magic talent, I wonder what heights I will reach. I am aware that my current talent was ordinary and that it needed to be changed.

I went to find two other Generals of my armies that were currently residing in Castle Fuerig as they were overseeing the training of my legions.

General Amyke and General Azerath. Both of them were of Ultimate-Class and were much younger than General Borke Zagan. Also, they were common devils that had rather special abilities. General Azerath was born with a terrifying physique and had an immense talent for Touki, Senjutsu, and Martial Arts.

While General Amyke was a swordmaster, and on top of that, he was also a magic swordmaster. Short-lived races couldn't master swords, and only those with astonishing talent may achieve such a feat. The magic arts for swordsmanship would take several lives, but long-lived species didn't have such a problem.

I ordered both of them to actively stand on guard, as I would be reaching Ultimate-Class. I didn't want any unforeseen circumstances as I was also undergoing special rituals.