image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]
Arbos trailed quietly behind Arbious as they made their way through the bustling heart of the capital, a place where Demi-Humans were a rarity. The city's towering structures and shops surrounded them, and the majority of the populace consisted of humans, focused on their daily activities.
Unfortunately, the people's gazes were far from welcoming. Instead, they glared at Arbos with disdain, their cold, hateful looks making it evident that he was seen as an inferior, relegated to a subservient position under Arbious, who exuded wealth and power through his attire. It was fear that kept the onlookers silent, unwilling to speak out against Arbious for he looked as a powerful noble.
It was a common sight in this society for Demi-Humans to be relegated to servant or slave roles for those of higher status, and the crowd simply assumed that Arbos was yet another slave under Arbious' control. This presumption only fueled their disdain for the Demi-Humans, a prejudice that was cast on Arbos almost instantaneously.
As they reached the town square, Arbious abruptly halted, causing Arbos to glance up with confusion, trying to grasp the reason for the sudden stop.
"Uh, Master Arbious?" Arbos questioned, uncertain of the situation.
Often, teachers were regarded as 'Master' by the demi-humans. It was a courteous title given to them in respect.
Arbious, with a disapproving look at the onlooking crowd, murmured, "Look at them... These disgusting pigs."
Arbos scanned the surroundings, still unable to comprehend Arbious' words.
He felt hatred towards the humans, however, Arbious was someone who radiated of it. He didn't bother hiding his emotions and even went out of his way to point it out.
"You don't feel it, do you?" Arbious inquired, fixing his gaze on the boy before him.
"Feel what?" Arbos responded, unsure of what Arbious meant.
"The hatred surrounding us... These humans have been looking at us, no, rather, looking at you with disgust and disdain this entire time."
The words deeply affected Arbos. He knew he was looked down on, however, he could do nothing about it.
With a gentle smile, Arbious spoke, his gaze set on Arbos.
"Not that it matters anyway..."
The young boy was all too familiar with the way humans looked down on Demi-Humans, so it was no surprise that their presence in the heart of the capital would be met unfavorably.
However, Arbious was different. He treated Arbos with respect, refusing to adopt the prejudiced views of others. This fact only deepened Arbos' admiration for the enigmatic man who carried the name of the Demon God, and his respect grew even more so as he noticed how the people around them restrained their true feelings, showing a peculiar reverence towards Arbious.
"Let us head to my home. We should be close now," Arbious suggested, seeking to escape the judgmental gazes of the crowd.
Arbos nodded in agreement, understanding that his presence in this area was merely tolerated, and any altercation would only escalate matters.
As they made their way into the residential zone, designated for the elite and wealthy, Arbos marveled at the opulence around him. Towering buildings, reaching three to four stories high, were meticulously constructed from chiseled marble, exuding an air of luxury that surpassed anything he had ever seen. In comparison, the dwelling where Arbos lived was made of modest clay and hay.
Finally, Arbious halted before a building siMilar to the others in the area. Climbing up the stairs to the house, he pulled out a keychain from his pocket and glanced at Arbos standing beside him.
"This is my humble abode. Please, come inside," Arbious warmly invited.
With his key, Arbious unlocked the door. A door that was adorned with intricate patterns etched into the wooden exterior—an unmistakably unique entrance.
As the door swung open, Arbos gasped in sheer awe at what lay inside. The interior was like nothing he had ever seen before. The floor was a smooth expanse of marble, creating an overwhelming sense of vastness and space.
They stepped inside, and the living room greeted them, with the kitchen positioned to the side, complete with a stylish bar. At the forefront of the living area stood an elegant, long marble table, surrounded by incredibly fancy chairs. Arbos couldn't help but compare it to their own home, where they had only two chairs crafted from sticks. The stark contrast emphasized the immense wealth of Arbious who owned this place, further fueling Arbos' curiosity about him.
The capital being above ground allowed an abundance of natural light to flood in through the windows, eliminating the need for candles. The brightness bathed the room, giving it a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Despite the ample light, an intense coldness permeated the space, likely due to the marble's properties. Elves, including half-elves like Arbos, had a natural immunity to cold, yet even he could feel the chill seeping into his skin. Arbos looked at Arbious with confusion, noticing that the extraordinary cold didn't faze him in the least. Arbious appeared unaffected as if he weren't even human.
Arbious nonchalantly hung his coat by the door and proceeded to the kitchen, while Arbos continued to take in his surroundings, captivated by the bizarre yet enticing environment before him.
He followed quietly behind Arbious, who seemed somewhat reserved. Entering the kitchen behind him, Arbos settled on a stool by the kitchen counter, observing curiously as Arbious opened an unusual white door.
It was a cold box, or rather, a refrigerator. As if the room couldn't get any colder, the fridge's chilly air further reduced the temperature.
"What is that thing?" Arbos inquired, intrigued by the strange appliance.
Arbious turned to face him, extracting a delicate and tender-looking piece of meat from the fridge.
"That's a cold box. It helps keep food from spoiling," Arbious explained.
"Huh...?" Arbos questioned, shivering from the cold within the room.
Observing his confusion, Arbious proceeded to elaborate on the concept.
"This box is imbued with magic to maintain a cold environment, preserving the items inside. When exposed to hot air, perishables like meat can spoil quickly. With this invention, humans can store food for longer periods."
His eyes fixated on the meat before him, Arbos felt his hunger grow, and his stomach grumbled in response.
Seeing the boy's hunger, Arbious smiled warmly and placed the meat in a metal pan.
"You must be hungry. How about we prepare something to eat?"
Arbos couldn't refuse such an offer and eagerly anticipated the next intriguing device Arbious would employ.
Arbious proceeded to another cubical apparatus, adorned with an array of buttons and dials—a stove. Turning one of the dials, Arbious ignited a fire from the stove, setting the pan atop the flames.
Arbos was at a loss for words; he had never seen anything like this before.
As the oil in the pan sizzled, mingling with the tantalizing aroma of cooking meat, the entire room was enveloped in an enticing fragrance, making Arbos even hungrier.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
After a few moments, the meat was perfectly cooked. Arbious delicately arranged the steak on a clean plate and set it on the counter.
Arbos couldn't help but feel tempted to dig in immediately, but he restrained himself, not wanting to be disrespectful to Arbious.
He returned to the fridge, retrieving vegetables and other toppings for the steak. Skillfully, he chopped and prepared them, arranging them beside the main dish.
The plate looked magnificent, perhaps befitting the tastes of the wealthy, Arbos thought.
Carrying the enticing plate, Arbious walked over to the table and placed it down, gesturing for Arbos to join him.
Though still somewhat suspicious of Arbious, Arbos couldn't resist the allure of fine food. For the first time in his life, he was offered such a treat without any conditions.
Eagerly, Arbos rushed over and took a seat at the table, while Arbious sat at the head.
His chair was different than the others. It was the head of table after all, however, this carried itself more of as a throne rather than anything else.
It was audacious, and cool at the same time.
Arbos picked up the fork and knife, ready to relish the meal. However, he before he began, he noticed that Arbious had no food before him.
"You're not eating?" Arbos inquired, concerned.
Leaning back in his throne, gazing out the window, Arbious replied, "I'm not particularly hungry. Please, enjoy your meal."
image [https://i.imgur.com/7fgH3qs.png]
Arbos savored the meal, savoring the flavors of fine food he hadn't enjoyed in a while. He felt grateful for Arbious' generosity but couldn't comprehend why the man was being so kind to him.
Glancing at Arbious with curiosity, he noticed the patient gaze awaiting him to finish.
"You're a quick eater," Arbious remarked.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Arbos looked down at his hands.
"Don't fret; food is meant to be enjoyed. I'm glad you liked it," Arbious reassured him with a warm smile, dispelling any self-consciousness.
It was something about his smile mixed with his red eyes, almost as if he was a demon. Everything he said, every facial expression gave Arbos the creeps.
With a simple gesture, Arbious sent the plate back to the kitchen.
Silence filled the room, but Arbious decided to break the thin ice, not allowing it to take hold.
"Say... your mother, how is she faring?"
Arbos was taken aback by the unexpected mention of his mother, but he couldn't exactly refuse to answer his question, especially after all he had done for him.
"She is... unhappy."
"Unhappy? Why?" Arbious inquired further.
"The humans... they took everything from us," Arbos replied, his voice tinged with sadness.
"So, your mother is an elf?"
Each question was calculated, each expression a facade, and yet, he kept answering truthfully. Was it because of fear or... something else? He did not know for certain.
"Yes, she is."
"And your father is human, I take it?"
"Mhm..."
Arbious' questions were remarkably direct, cutting to the core of the matter.
"And why is it that you have an interest in magic?" Arbious inquired, his gaze penetrating and full of curiosity.
The question proved to be a challenging one, leaving Arbos pondering the exact reasons behind his fascination with magic. He knew he possessed a natural talent for it, but there was more to it than that. Unaided by any formal teachings, he took it upon himself to delve into research, exploring the mysteries of magic. However, he couldn't divulge the truth to this man; admitting to stealing the infernal scripture, an act considered heresy, seemed unwise, especially since he sensed malevolence emanating from Arbious, almost as if he were a demon himself.
In the midst of his inner conflict, Arbos decided to be cautious in his response, choosing his words carefully. "I want to save people..."
Arbious chuckled, a dark gleam in his eyes, before bursting into laughter. His reaction sent a shiver down Arbos' spine, as if confirming his suspicion about the man's sinister nature. Though every instinct told him to flee, his mind resisted, torn between fear and curiosity.
Suddenly, Arbious underwent a remarkable shift in demeanor, instantly calming himself. His ability to control his emotions was uncanny, further adding to his enigmatic aura.
"Apologies if I seemed to belittle you, but the whole concept of power is about suppressing others, not protecting them," Arbious remarked with an unsettling hint of truth in his words.
Arbious leaned in, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he fixed his gaze on the nervous boy.
"So? What say you?"
He thought to himself and what Arbious said made sense to him. You wouldn't make a sword to defend yourself, you make it to bring harm. That was the whole purpose of a weapon, and yet it was a brutal truth that he had to accept.
"I understand."
"Good." He reaffirmed, leaning back into his chair in disappointment by his answer.
"I want to begin your training at once. But I must warn you, I don't think you're capable of passing your test."
The entire time Arbious was testing him, and yet this was the first time he had mentioned a test.
"Test?"
Remaining obscure and mysterious, Arbious stood from his chair in a swift yet elegant form. "Follow me." He speaks, gesturing for the boy to follow.
Despite every word from Arbious feeling malicious, Arbos felt an inexplicable compulsion to follow him, suppressing any worries that surfaced in his mind.
The interior of the home seemed like a vast labyrinth as they moved through multiple entrances and corridors. Finally, they reached a dead-end wall where Arbious stood in silence.
"Master Arbious?" Arbos asked, puzzled by their destination.
"Shush," Arbious commanded, and Arbos fell silent, anxious about what was about to unfold.
Under his breath, Arbious uttered an incantation, nearly silent but still audible. In response, the wall in front of them sank into the ground, revealing a hidden staircase leading underground.
An eerie, demonic aura permeated the air from below. As an elf, Arbos was highly sensitive to such energies, enabling him to distinguish between good and evil with ease. The demonic aura within the depths revealed by Arbious, however, paled in comparison to the malevolence exuding from the man himself. There was no doubt in Arbos' mind—Arbious was truly evil.
"Your test awaits you deep within, yet you must take the first step inside willingly." Arbious declared.
Swallowing hard, Arbos felt apprehensive, but he couldn't find the courage to refuse. With hesitant steps, he descended the stairs into the darkness, his wide-open eyes intently seeking to uncover the mysteries that lay ahead.
image [https://i.imgur.com/lhqCDcB.png]
A tied-up, blindfolded man struggled against his restraints as he heard approaching footsteps, attempting to scream but only managing muffled sounds.
The sight of the bound man left the boy's heart sinking with unease. "What IS THIS?" he questioned, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and confusion.
"This man here is the very human who assaulted you today. I took the liberty of capturing him as a present for you," Arbious replied, each step he took toward the captive emanating malice.
With a calculated move, Arbious removed the blindfold, revealing the terrified eyes of the man to the boy.
On the floor lay a demonic circle of power, siMilar to the magic Arbos had been attempting to harness. Though he didn't fully comprehend its significance or abilities, he sensed a distinct difference between what he had drawn and the sinister circle before him.
The circle pulsed with red, infernal energies, seemingly alive and active.
"Trash like him... they deserve to be disposed of... Don't you think?" Arbious posed the question, his finger running down the anxious human's face as he broke out in cold sweat from his unsettling and commanding tone.
Fear gripped the boy's body as he understood the horrifying request Arbious was making.
Arbious conjured a magical portal in the air before the boy's horrified gaze. From the portal, he retrieved a dagger, its fine blade adorned with intricate runes. The weapon seemed to have seen its fair share of bloodshed, with traces of stains marring its sharp edge.
Arbos watched helplessly as Arbious threw the dagger on the ground before him, a sinister invitation he couldn't ignore. The boy was paralyzed, unable to move as he confronted this dark and chilling reality.
However, although he understood the request, it was still something he wasn't willing to understand. Arbos blankly stared at the knife before him, silence and confusion running through his mind.
"You will either kill him, or you will kill yourself. Make your choice," Arbious declared.
Arbious knew that the boy only needed to hear the words, and as the words left his mouth, the same fear that the captured human felt ran down Arbos's spine.
As Arbious crossed paths with Arbos, he gave the trembling boy one last chilling stare, leaving him in a state of fear and uncertainty.
"Power is not for the weak... If one is to rise, others must fall."
Arbos looked blankly at Arbious, his face etched with terror and fear as he gazed at his red eyes burning with infernal hatred and darkness beyond anything he could ever imagine.
With that, Arbious gave him all he needed, and as such, he headed back up the stairs whence he came and firmly closed the door behind him, leaving the boy to decide for himself. A decision that would either be the end of him, or the beginning of a dark and sinister path.
image [https://i.imgur.com/Qj0qq7o.png]