"Hhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! It hurrrrtttttsssssss!!"

Subjected to the holy light that disintegrate all evil, the gluttony demon Orcus screamed in anguish.

He had sensed no trace of holy power, and the sudden appearance of the demon's bane spelled trouble even to the mighty gluttony race.

"Again!"

As the first attack had failed to kill Orcus, Ark didn't drop his guard and rained more light while casting more light spells to attack Orcus.

(Hehe, got you now!)

Ark knew that light magic had one absolute advantage over all magic: speed. Spells fired at the speed of light are impossible to avoid.

Still, Orcus continued to stand.

"Amazing...! How do you have light magic?"

Naturally, he didn't have. But with no focus to spare, he didn't answer Liliana and kept raining beams of light.

The fact that he could keep going surprised him as it meant Liliana still didn't run out of mana.

(Why. Are. You. Not. Dying!?)

"You braaatttt!!!" Darkness exploded with his roar, diverting the light away.

It was bad. Unable to finish him in one go had given Orcus an opportunity to recover from the pain and react.

He was by no means unscathed. Blinded by rage and pain, Orcus ignored his tattered body. If he were to escape and focus on recovering, he just might survive, but all he could think of is revenge.

"Just like him! You piss me off just like that damned guy!"

The brat who trapped Orcus thousands of years ago. He had trusted him, treated him like kin, disciple, all for a stab in the back.

It might have been a strech to compare two different people from completely different eras, but the resemblence hit him like a bolt of lightning.

He was a Demon Lord, serving the Demon King as the right hand. Knowing one day he would be the one to rule. But then, he was betrayed and sealed by his weakling of a disciple.

Charging to kill, Ark spoke to Liliana. "Together!"

"Yes!"

Orcus vaguely remembered feeling weak magic power and no element, so he disregarded him at first. The other two were half demons and a bad match against him, so, joyful at his regained freedom, he was once again lax.

And now, another weak brat has outmatched him, this time for good.

A golden magic formation that seem to encompass both fire and light was constructed in front of the raised intertwined hands of Ark and Liliana.

" "Holy Light Whirlwind!" "

Chanting together, Ark and Liliana fired a tornado of golden light.

'The arrogance of the strong is my downfall, huh? I should have learned my lesson last time.'

Engulfed by the light, Orcus' darkness was fully consumed, and his body dusted away.

"W-we did it! We won... Ark? Ark!?"

But Ark no longer heard any voices. Too exhausted to remain awake for even a single moment, a different kind of darkness engulfed his world.

◇◇◇

"Gluttony demon!?"

It was completely coincidental that Silvia heard the fuss raised in the room designated for commanders meetings.

As the 1st Knight Order of Arcadia, Jupiter's HQ was conveniently located in the capital and was the easiest to access.

Well, depending on the commander. Some could use flight magic or run fast, while others needed to travel normally. Only the Sage could teleport though.

She was just done with practice when she overheard the term of gluttony demon.

Naturally, as the daughter of a duke, Silvia was well educated and knew what it meant. The worst race of all demons.

So, she ended up eavesdropping.

"As I was saying," Silvia recognized the owner of the voice to be Elizabeth. "Three members of my order encountered an ancient gluttony demon. Historical records confirmed it as a gluttony demon who was about to invade an ancient city mysteriously disappeared. It had been subjugated."

Silvia held her breath. After her commander told her that Ark joined the Solitary Wolves, she realized not much is known about that order. Many people don't even know that the famous Sage is the leader of such group.

However, being as well connected as Silvia is, she managed to unravel the mystery: it is an order composing mighty demon blood, secretly protecting the country.

Even still, without light magic, especially for demon blood, the gluttony demon race is unstoppable.

"Casualties?" It was Julius.

"None."

Everyone gasped.

"Who exactly were the participants?"

"Kristan Tenebris, Liliana Flamberg... and Ark."

Hearing the name of her rival, Silvia was instantly convinced. It was Ark. He was the main reason the demon was safely defeated. She didn't know much of the other two, but stuck to her gut feeling.

"Hmm, you said the demon was sealed. Is it correct to assume it was weakened?"

"Yes."

"So let me guess, that Tenebris kid assassined him before it managed to recover, or that Flamberg managed to overwhelm his absorption in the weakened state." Completely disregarding Ark, a commander she couldn't recognize by voice suggested.

"No, Ark played major by controlling Liliana's magic power to defeat the demon. It was thanks to Ark that all my subordinates made it out alive."

"B-but...!"

"That is all."

Elizabeth left the meeting, encountering Silvia who tried to hide. The attempt made the sage chuckle.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"If it isn't the kingdom's most promising star."

"H-hi, Lady Elizabeth. S-soryy for spying on you..." Having being caught red handed, Silvia could only apologize.

"Don't mention it. I understand why you would find the subject interesting. Would you walk me to the exit?"

For Elizabeth to ask that it meant that she wanted to speak Silvia. While she showed courtesy toward the commanders, there was no reason not to teleport straight home.

Taking her cue, Silvia joins the sage as they walked. Or more accurately, as she walked. Elizabeth merely floated with magic.

"Ark is amazing. I thought I was getting stronger, but he leaves me in the dust."

"Indeed, he does." Elizabeth sounded strange, as though choking a laugh. "You are a cut above what you used to be. Honestly, your talents are dazzling even to my eyes."

But still.

"But Ark is a different kind of strong than you. He has strength of mind greater than most people, even a prodigy such as yourself would find it difficult if you were in his position."

Being talentless on the level of the soul itself but still not giving up is rarer than a drop in the desert.

But Silvia wasn't aware of Ark's lack of talent. She had grown biased as he managed to defeat even her in an overpowering manner.

"The strength of mind..."

Wasn't she living a life filled with efforts, with a goal and purpose? Wasn't it that that granted people strength? If in the past someone'd have asked if she had a strong mind, Silvia wouldn't even hesitate.

Now however, she found herself lacking.

"Ah, I forgot to mention." Elizabeth suddenly bursted the bubble of thoughts. "He also overdoes it too much. Ark has yet to wake up in days now."

"Is he okay!?"

"He is fine..." a mischievious smile appeared on the sage. "Would you like to see him?"

"W-what are you saying?! I can't just leave t-to go see him!" Blushing for no obvious reason, Silvia didn't understand her raging heart.

The man that defeated her. Her rival.

She wanted to see him. But for some reason, it felt as though the reason isn't just to see if her rival is fine. It was something else, something unrecognized.

"Nonsense, you are coming with me." And without letting her decide, Elizabeth teleported away with Silvia.

◇◇◇

Ark was in a dark room.

Inside it a scenery was projected. It was a kid getting beaten up by bullies.

"What's with that memory... wait, that isn't me."

The kid with black hair and obsidian eyes much like Ark made it seem like the memories of his own childhood.

Ark doesn't remember much of his childhood. Knowing his lack of talent and worth even from back then, he had suppressed the memories of that time as it was filled with despair and anguish too great for him to endure.

It isn't like everything is erased. The big details and some good memories are all in there. Since he wasn't keen on recovering some useless memories, Ark didn't delve much into the subject.

So he wasn't able to tell with a glance. But looking more closely, Ark noticed that the face is different from his own, albeit the resemblence.

"Wait... aren't they demons?"

Some of the kids had red, blue or green skin color. Some had horns or tails. It was the bullied kid that looked the closest to a human.

The projection got closer and closer, and the kids dispersed while running away.

"Boy," it was Orcus' voice, much younger and vibrant. "The weak cannot defeat the strong."

"What do you care, sir?"

"You challenge the strong as though it is obvious. I find your vain actions amusing."

By now, Ark understood what this dream is. It was the rare occurence called 'Demon Slayer Dream'.

Those who killed strong demons may experience some memories of the demon. It is only once per demon, and is rare. Once every thousand demons is still lucky. In fact, Ark was the only one experiencing this peculiar phenomenon, unlike Liliana.

"How do you know it's vain? I may one day surpass them! I will one day become the Demon King!"

"Fool! You can never reach that place with your measly talents. It is I, gluttony demon Orcus, who shall rule our kin!"

As the fearsome gluttony demon, just the sound of this race is enough to convince everyone in the possiblity.

"Wow, sir is amazing. Let me follow you! I want to be just as strong!" The kid expressed respect and enthusiasm in front of the proud demon.

"Hmph, a brat like you is delusional." Orcus' haughty attitude was annoying to even see. "But I like your guts. Follow me."

Smiling, the kid follows Orcus.

It might appear as the kid is just happy to follow a strong demon, but Ark knew better.

He had seen through the facade in an instant. After all, it was similar to his own. However, the kid was much worse.

If Orcus was as sensitive as Ark, he would have realizes that from the moment the kid was called vain... no, from the moment Orcus said there was something he cannot do, the mind of the little devil gushed with elaborated and profound killing intent.

That same child had grown and executed his revenge on all the bullies, and then went for the demon that belittled him. For Orcus who grew fond of the boy and taught him directly.

He was as petty as Ark and even crueler. The embodiment of a devil. No wonder Orcus compared the two. He might have instinctively sensed the similarities.

(Sheesh, what a little monster. That Orcus bastard is almost pitiful, but he deserves as much for trying to kill me.)

It's amazing how Ark is completely oblivious to the resemblences.

If he'd have seen, he might have tried to improve himself as a person... or not. He is one piece of work.

"Well, that's an honestly disappointing memory. I have no use knowing that a little devil was adopted who know when. If it was a secret to greater power of something..."

But the memory had already begun to fade.

It was time for Ark to wake up.

"...."

Opening his eyes, Ark finally awoke and confirmed his surroundings. He was at the Solitary Wolve's infirmary.

At the side of his bed lied Liliana. Too tired of waiting for Ark to wake, she fell asleep.

"Hey.... Silvia. I did not expect to see you there."

(At least be like Liliana and sleep. Why ruin the perfect atmosphere!?)

Looking at him visibly flustered, Ark should have skipped a beat inside. Instead he blamed her for ruining his chances to hit on Liliana. All the while wanting the situation to be the same with Silvia.

"I'm sorry..! I will take my leave!" Silvia ran off the room.

(Did she start to fear me because of my awesomeness? Poor her, must be trembling... actually, who cares?! This might be usable in battle, hehe.)

As Ark was thinking nonsense as usual, Liliana had woken up.

"Ah... Ark! Ark! I'm so glad!"

"Hey, hey. I am fine now. No need to cry."

(It's your damn fault. Your mana burned me from the inside out, you radiator! I was nearly made like my mother's cooking!)

Why must he act like a gallant prince when in reality he is so petty most demons would lose? Also, what kind of son insults his own mother's cooking, even if it really is just charcoal?

He makes someone as beautiful and kindhearted as Liliana cry, yet blames her. Give her back those tears, scoundrel!

Liliana continued to cry for the unworthy man. He slept for many days, making her more and more anxious. It was really hard for her.

There was nothing Ark could do or say besides letting her cry on his shoulder.

"...."

(Why do I have to listen to your wailing when I was the one damaged? This idiot elf... if not for the red hair, I would thrown her out of the window.)

Ark hoped there is a less stupid red hair girl so he could give up on the elf. Being prettier also wouldn't hurt.

Several minutes later, Elizabeth came and sent Liliana out to talk to Ark privately.

"Now, I casted a barrier to prevent eavesdropping, so feel free to speak as you like."

"Is that even necessary?"

"Not unless you don't want our cute little Sylphid discovering your cheatings. Disillusion is probably something you want to avoid."

Ark didn't know how he'd die if Silvia learns the truth about him. Will she kill him? Or her crazy doting father will?

He hated both options.

"And so, I will cut to the chase." The expression of Elizabeth turned serious. The tension in the room peaked. "How did you use light magic without attribute or blessing?"

So it was as he had guessed.

Using light magic is normally impossible for someone without the attribute. You could get a blessing from the goddess of light, but such people had to devote their lives to sanctity by the goddess' doctorine.

(From the very beginning, light magic is fundamentally different than others. Just like dark magic, it is unnatural.)

Dark magic could only be used by demons and rare humans. It originated from a different realm so no wonder the use of it isn't common.

The same applies to light. The gods have blessed humanity with the antithesis of dark magic to counter the invading demons.

Ark had no attribute for either, and it wasn't something he could even somewhat use like other elements.

So how did Ark use light magic?

"The sun."

The answer was no else than the giant heat ball that keeps life on earth from the frost.

"The sun?" Even the Sage didn't understand Ark right now.

"Commander, there is a giant source of light element constantly sending the world its element. I would naturally want to use it."

"But how?"

"I used Liliana's magic power to construct a magic formation to concentrate sunlight and fire it as a weapon, empowered by mana due to lack of time. By gathering light element, I'd temporary access to light magic."

It was only possible thanks to Liliana providing her mana and so Ark could create something like magnifying glass.

In fact, he had only collected little of the element to use for spells. Most were just his controlling sunlight and purifying it to make sure Orcus didn't absorb some.

"But sunlight is impure. The gluttony demon could definitely have absorbed it."

"That's why I seperated the elements beforehand. It's wasteful but I didn't have another choice."

"I understand." The serious expression from before seemed like a lie now. "As expected, you are a madman. Well then, good luck."

(Madman you parent! And what do you mean good luck?)

However, his free spirited commander had already teleported away.

Confused, Ark barely paid attention to Silvia as she entered again, even more flustered than before.

But then, her words granted her his full attention.

"Ark, l-let's go on a date!"

Ark's troubles showed no sign of ending.