After that entire debacle with the Acolyte Dusk and their base, I returned back to the dorms of the academy, where thankfully no one had even realised that I was gone. The clone that I had made of myself to stay at the dorms for myself had managed to trick everyone and I was completely in the clean at this moment.... Or at least, I was in the clean, for now. You can never know what may happen at any given time.

Now laying in the bed, the snoring from Felix filled the otherwise silent room, as I stared up at the ceiling. I was still thinking about the mystery and strangeness of the entire Acolyte Dusk and how they make no sense to exist. Like I said - they never existed in the game originally, so they were something I was unfamiliar with - especially when it came to their goals and intentions, which were not good - that was for sure. Why would they try to target and take out Alis? How did they even know that she was destined to become the 'Hero' and draw the Sacred Blade of Hope from its pedestal? Who was their leader and why did he create the organisation? Many, many questions which had no answers at this point in time.

I could only speculate and take wild guesses - but I had no concrete idea for something that the organisation would be after. They really were an 'Anomaly' in this world and its story - one that could potentially be a byproduct of my continued interference with the way the story of the game and by extension of this world is meant to go.

As I laid there in my bed, just staring emptily at the ceiling, I couldn't help but slide a bit into my own thoughts and mind. Before I knew it, I thinking about the last 13 years that I have spent living as Avis Virtiosa, the Tyrant of Demons and Demon King of Sins. It is insane to me that I first awoke in this world 13 years ago, in the body of the final boss and main villain of the game I played on a one off chance just because I managed to nab it at a discounted price. All this time I have spent learning about this world and how it works, while also ensuring that the story of the world doesn't stray too far from the path - only just far enough for it to not end with my death.

Silently continuing to just lay there with no real thoughts behind my eyes, I suddenly lifted up my right arm, before creating a small warping portal appear above me — moving my hand inside it. After a couple of seconds, I pulled my hand back out and with it, the Sacred Blade of Hope, which I spun around before stopping it - looking at the blade of the sword.

I know it was risky as hell taking out the Sacred Blade of Hope on campus, especially in a room where there is literally a person sleeping just across the room, however I just wanted to look at the sword again — just to really have it set in.

This sword - it was the key to everything.

The key for the storys original ending to come true once more and the key to my unfortunate death at the hands of the protagonist.

And yet, this same key...

Was one of the first things I decided to change about the world. Back then, I thought nothing of it, just thinking that the blades claiming before Alis would simply result in her having no way nor a reason to go to the ruins of Inara - and that was it. However, now that 13 years have passed since that moment, I have had a lot of time to think about it more thoroughly.

Me claiming this sword 13 years before it was meant to, as well as being the Demon King of Sins...

Could that have caused a greater effect on things than I had originally imagined? Could I have actually caused more things to change in that moment? Perhaps the entire Acolyte Dusk thing didn't just come in the recent years but instead... Its ground work was laid out in the moment that I claimed the Sacred Blade - the key to the very story of this entire world.

Maybe...

But, it could also be that I am overthinking things.

Exhaling, I closed my eyes before placing the blade back inside the portal before closing it. Afterwards, I turned over onto my left side, opening my eyes slightly afterwards.

'Thirteen years already have gone by.... And yet, I still miss you all...'

I thought, thinking back about my family, friends and my beloved girlfriend from my 'old life'. How have they all been? How much time has passed for them since I was summoned to this world? Has it also been 13 years for them, or has it only been a couple of minutes? Hours? Days? Weeks? Months?

Who can say. I may never find that out - and the thought of that... It sends shivers down my spine, making me feel even more saddened about my entire situation.

Closing my eyes, I exhaled again before forcing my mind to clear from any of these thoughts. After all, all they would do is hinder my ability to rest up for tomorrow. I mean, it is still school tomorrow - even if it is also Alis' appraisal that will happen tomorrow, seeing as I destroyed the testing dummies. After a bit of empty thinking, my mind eventually cleared and before I knew it, I drifted off into a deep sleep - the full moon in the sky shining into the room through the window of the dorm.

• • • • • •

The Next Morning. . .

I was up early together with Felix. We had a bit of tendency to wake up early and train for the day, working out to stay in shape as described by Felix. At first, I was a bit annoyed that I also had to wake up because he wanted, but over time, I eventually grew used to this and began using these morning workout routines to sharpen my skills with a sword.

I know that sounds strange, why would I need to do so if I have spent over 13 years preparing for the main story to begin and am very skilled when it comes to swordsmanship? Well, the main reason is that while I may be decently skilled, I am yet to master it. I wield not only the Demonic Blade of Despair but also the Sacred Blade of Hope, which technically makes me a dual wielder and thus makes fighting a bit more complicated.

Anyways — Currently me and Felix were out in the training ground next to the student dorms. He was busy running laps around the field, while I was holding two training swords tightly in my hands, training with them by swinging them continuously in a rymth.

If I wanted to master the way of fighting with two swords, I had to make sure I was using two swords for training and constantly trying new things with the two swords to becom more and more skilled with them. While I was training, one thing was still inside my mind — The Hand of Time, Myariard. I already mentioned how the Acolyte Dusk was never inside the original game and that I considered them to be an 'anomaly' possibly caused by constant meddling with how the events of this world were supposed to go.

However, setting that aside, the one thing I still couldn't figure out is who on earth was Myariard. In the game, yes, there were time manipulation spells, but those were inaccessible to the players and most of the time were seen during cutscenes. Something to note about them is that they are incredibly strenuous on the one who casts them as well as have major negative consequences. In the games lore, there weren't that many individuals who were capable of utilising time manipulation spells, as they also required extensive mental training. At most, I think the Golden Dragon Saint, the Gods and the Demon King of Sins were the only ones capable of using time manipulation spells.

Later on it was revealed that Merlin was also capable of such a thing, however only for a few moments, as he didn't have the mental strength or stamina to keep the spell active.

And yet... This Myariard individual... He cast a time manipulation spell — and one that was the hardest to maintain active in the form of 'Time Stop'. This spell, in the lore and the books that I have read in the castle, was the most difficult one to keep active as it took the greatest amount of strength and stamina to keep active — let alone even cast. Most individuals that attempted to cast it, ended up with their brains physically melted by the spells intensity, which is a very graphic description if I say so myself.

I was just racking my head over who could be Myariard, while continuing to swing the two swords, until I kind of lost attention to my surroundings and with the next swing, almost hit Felix, who had appeared infront of me. Luckily I stopped the blade just in time, before it dealt any damage, however the impact of it definitely made Felix look a bit nervous.

Felix: "Woah... Careful - you almost jammed that into my head."

I breathed a bit heavily, before exhaling and pulling back the two swords, spinning them around and then sheathing them back into their scabbards on my belt.

"My apologies Felix. I got a bit lost in my mind."

Felix: "Oh no worries at all. Nothing happened after all, right?"

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

He stated, giving me a smile. I shed a slight sweat, before raising an eyebrow. I knew from the game that Felix was a bit of a musclehead at times, but did he seriously not realise that if I had actually hit him, it could have probably sliced his head off?

Well, probably not. To Felix and the other students, I was just another human student attending this academy, who just so happened to come from a secret noble family that had deep ties with the royalty of the Dragonborn Kingdom. No one knew of my true identity, so I don't expect them to know of my true strength — and yes, I will be ignoring the debacle I made when I lost control and accidentally used the Black Flare Magic at the magic test run by Merlin.

I exhaled again, before crossing my arms and looking at Felix with a sceptical and curious gaze.

"Anyways, do you need something?"

Felix: "Well, I was wondering if you would allow me to have a mock battle with you before school. I have been watching you train with those two swords for a while now and so I would like to see how good you are with them."

Felix suggested, before walking over to the weapon rack and taking out a longsword, swinging it around for a bit before spinning it and walking back over to me. I was unsure on how I should reply to this request.

On one hand, it could be a good way to see just how skilled I have gotten in swordsmanship with two blades and without the use of special powers or magic... And then on the other hand — If I at any point just put in a little bit too much strength, I could end up either smashing the school training weapons or even potentially harming - or killing - Felix, which was the last thing I wanted to do. I thought about it carefully, throwing a look over at Felix who simply smiled widely at me, looking quite confident.

I felt a little pressured for a bit, before exhaling and looking at him with a friendly smile.

"Alright, let's have a mock battle."

Felix: "There is that spirit!"

Felix stated, spinning his longsword again, before stopping and walking to the other side of the field. I chuckled lightly before walking over to the opposite side and unsheathing the two blades, spinning them immediately afterwards and then taking a battle ready stance. Felix also took a stance ready for fighting, putting his left hand out infront of him before looking at me with a serious expression.

Felix: "Alright — On your marks... Ready... Fight!"

Felix stated, before announcing the beginning of the mock battle. Immediately, we both leapt at each other before hitting our blades against one another. Then, we began to exchange blows, with Felix surprisingly moving very agilely and dodging my two swords very well, while at the same time delivering swings that had considerable power behind them back towards me.

I was actually struggling a bit to even predict his next strike as there wasn't a clear pattern to Felixs swings, making them feel a bit random.

'Guess this is the skill of the boy who will become the apprentice and then the next commander of the Human Army after Gilgamesh...'

I thought, before taking a step back and blocking an incoming heavy strike from above. Felix smiled widely while looking at me.

Felix: "Hey, not bad! You're quite good at this Anker!"

"Thank you - I suppose. But you shouldn't get distracted and speak during a fight."

I replied, smirking before pushing Felix back and throwing the sword in my left hand up into the air, before sprinting towards Felix with the other sword. I quickly forced him to defend, before kicking his legs causing him to lose his balance and fall. Before he could regain his balance, I quickly caught the other sword that was coming back down before swinging them in an 'X' shape — sending Felixs sword flying out of his hands and off to the side, stabbing into the ground.

Then, before Felix could get up, I put my right sword against his neck. Felix looked up at me with a slightly nervously expression, before exhaling and laughing lightly.

Felix: "Well done Anker. I admit defeat."

Felix stated, before smiling. I exhales and then smiled as well, spinning both swords and sheathing them back up, before helping Felix back up.

"You fought well as well. You're definitely more well versed with a blade than magic."

Felix laughed, standing back up and brushing off his clothes from the dirt and dust.

Felix: "You flatter me Anker. Anyways, let's place these weapons back and head back to the dorm room to prepare for the school day. We have the entire day at the Magic Theory class after all."

Felix stated, before walking over to the sword I had knocked away earlier, pulling it out of the ground and then spinning it — to remove any dirt from it. I watched him for a bit, before exhaling and taking off the two training blades on my belt off of it and walking over to the same weapon rack as Felix, both of us placing the swords back in their place and then turning to walk back to the dorm building to prepare for the day.

Later. . .

08:17 In the Morning. . .

Me and Felix were walking through the school halls together, walking towards our first class of the day while making our way through the rather large flood of students in the hall.

Daniela: "Anker! Felix! Wait up!"

Daniela called out to us from behind, causing the two of us to stop and look towards her. As the girl ran up to us, she breathed heavily before leaning down a bit and taking a hold of her knees.

"Is everything alright Daniela?"

Daniela: "Y-Yeah... Sorry, I just noticed that my class has Magic Theory the whole day together with your class, so I figured I could find you two to walk together with."

Felix: "You're with us in one class for the whole day? Sweet! Then all three of us can be together."

Felix stated, very excited while I simply exhaled before smiling and looking at Daniela, giving her a friendly look.

"Alright, great to hear. Then I guess we can walk together."

I stated, before turning around and continuing to move, with Felix and now Daniela following after me. Once we resumed moving, Daniela brought up something interesting.

Daniela: "By the way, I heard that apparently the royal guard of the royal family had come to the school this morning for some business — do you two have any information on that?"

Felix looked at Daniela with surprise.

Felix: "Eh? The royal guard in the school? Seriously? That's the first I've heard of it..."

'Yeah, and it sounds like trouble.'

I thought, looking down a bit with a serious expression across my face. The Royal Guard was the highest of the highest order of guards within the kingdom, being trained personally by Gilgamesh to be able to protect the King of Evelia no matter what may happen to the rest of the guards. The Royal Guard was also led by another individual and not Gilgamesh like the rest of the guards, since the royal guard was a completely different faction.

I believe the leader was another man with a name that linked back to a character from my old world, but I cannot remember what that name was... Oriel? Uriel?.... No those don't sound right... It was definitely something on 'L' not 'O' or 'U'....

I thought about it for a bit, sort of diving deep into my thoughts, before Daniela tapped my shoulder causing me to shake my head and look around confused.

Daniela: "Everything alright Anker?"

"Wha—? Oh... Don't worry, I'm fine. Just got lost in thought for a bit."

I replied, before letting lose a small chuckle. Felix and Daniela looked at me sceptically before exchanging gazes with one another and then exhaling, before Felix lowered his arms and placed them inside his pockets.

Felix: "Well anyways — we're almost there. It should be class 423..."

Felix stated, as we looked around for the right class room, before being stopped by a sudden call from behind.

?: "Excuse me students, would you know Anker Hilldervia?"

A voice spoke from behind. Me, Felix and Daniela stopped, before looking back at the man who had spoken to us. There, stood a man dressed in light armour, which was coloured white and had deep gold accents across it as well as a Lance on his back. He had long dark crimson hair and his eyes were golden. On the mans armour, there was a giant Insignia — shaped in the shape... Of the Human Royal Familys crest.

I looked at him with a bit of confusion, while everyone else in the hall way just watched from afar in anticipation.

"Yes, I am Anker Hilldervia. Can I help you?"

The Man in armour smiled before bowing towards me lightly, with his right hand on his chest.

Lancelot: "I am Lancelot, the commander of the Royal Guards. On the orders of the King of Evelia, I have come to pick you up for an audience with the King."

The man introduced himself, finally refreshing my memory. Right, I had forgotten — the commander of the Royal Guard was named Lancelot and was an extraordinarily skilled individual when it came to close range combat as well as had grand protection from the Gods, which made him even more powerful.

Powerful enough that he would mostly be a challenge for someone like Dvirt should they clash.

Felix and Daniela, as well as all other students in the hall all let out a consecutive gasp, while I remained silent and looked at Lancelot with a slightly nervous expression — unable to exactly push out any kind of words.

The King of Evelia... Wants a meeting with me? For what reason could he want me to show up before him in the castle...

After a bit, Lancelot stood back up, while I exhaled.

"For what does the King seek me?"

Lancelot: "That is information you can only learn after coming with me. Do not worry, all your lessons for the day have been excused and you will not face any punishment for not attending. Now, if you would, follow me."

Lancelot explained, before turning around with his deep crimson cape flowing a bit. I looked at him with an even more nervous expression, before looking at Daniela and Felix, whose stares told me enough — they were telling me to just do as Lancelot said.

Feeling a bit cornered, as well as not wanting to drag any more attention to this, I exhaled before turning to face Felix and Daniela.

"Well, have fun you two. I'll try to be quick."

Felix: "Hey, no rush. It's the King who is asking for you to appear before him."

Daniela: "Yeah, it's something you can't refuse... Just go and see what he wants with you. We can wait for you to return for as long as it is needed."

The two of them said, their words soft and reassuring. What great friends these two were to me... Well, I guess I have to thank my meddling for that.

I exhaled lightly again, before smiling and turning around.

"Alright. Thanks you two."

I stated, before quickly catching up to Lancelot, who began moving as soon as I joined his side, both of us walking to the staircase that led back down. Seems like trouble has struck me again...

I can only wonder, what on earth does the King of Evelia have to do with me? What does he want? Who knows... But whatever it may be, I msut be careful — should they find out that I am the Demon King of Sins, my entire operation will come down crashing in an instant.

• Next Time •

[ (23.) A Royal Request & Familiar Summoning. ]