A month had passed. We had done a lot more training ever since that day. I decided to take the group to check their levels, hoping to see a significant raise.

“Forty five…” the principal said.

“I- I am glad,” Emori said with a sheepish smile. She pulled her hand out of the machine. Her brother went in next.

“Forty four.”

“You’re falling behind, Your Highness.”

“That’s because I have many things to deal with!” He glared at me. He then glanced at his sister. “Keep up the good work.” He walked away, leaving the room. Solicea was the last to check.

“Thirty eight.”

“Nice one.” Maya did little claps. “You’re almost to level forty.”

“Keep up the good work, Solicea!”

“You too, Emori.”

I smiled as I looked at them. They were all happy with the raise of levels. We had been grinding this last month, going to whichever dungeon we could find. But, I couldn’t help but feel incredibly worried.

We weren’t even half of the levels we needed to fight the demon king. It would only get harder from here, as your body requires more magic energy to level up. I tried to smile, though, hiding my worries from the girls.

* ••

That night, I sat on bed, the windows to my room opened. Sitting beside me was a small, black crow.

“Things aren’t looking great,” Asytelar said. I had told her about the results. Both me and Maya also got checked. I was still one hundred, obviously. Maya managed to raise her level to eighty nine, just one level short of the original party, leaving me the only person above their original levels.

The two of us couldn’t carry the entire team, though. I had tried recruiting others, and many were willing after knowing that both the prince and the princess were in our party. But, as I expected, I couldn’t lead such a large group. Things would break into chaos the second we entered any dungeon. The magic energy would be spread around way too much, and no one ended up with significant progress.

To make matters worse, most of the candidates ended up being too focused on Prilus and Emori. Not only were they lower in level compared to five of us, they performed even worse than Solicea.

If we were to build a large party, we needed it from people outside the school.

Frankly, even now with their levels, there was just no way they would stand a chance against the demon king. They were making progress, yes. The prince’s slashes had gotten stronger and quicker, and he began learning to integrate magic with his strikes. The sword also helped him quite a lot. He could face high level, large enemies no problem.

Emori’s casting speed increased along with her accuracy, and her damage was no joke, either. If anything, she seemed a lot more powerful compared to someone her level. Solicea had gotten braver. She willingly chased after the enemy and struck them down with great efficiency, albeit she struggled with enemies that moved quickly.

As adventurers, they were impressive. As party members that would defeat the demon king? Honestly, it was hopeless.

“Really made me curious about the secret Emori’s hiding.”

“Secret?”

“The thing you mentioned about her?”

“Ah, that. I did mention something like that, didn’t I? Unfortunately, I could not speak of it.”

“I understand, you have your own circumstances.”

There were times in life where you would be better of not knowing about something. I wasn’t sure if this was one of those times, as we did have the demon king right around the corner.

But, considering all the things she had told me, she probably had a good reason for not doing so.

“Oh yeah, Prilus’ sword, what about that? That’s a sacred sword, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. It is a weapon handed down from generation to generation in Syla. It had been centuries since it was first forged by him.”

“Him?”

“The founder of Syla, Amoriaz Keroz Syla himself.”

Amoriaz was often discussed in history lessons. It was said that during his era, giants ruled the land, and the people were subjected to mistreatment. Amoriaz gained great power, then freed his people. After he set up the kingdom of Syla, he disappeared.

“Imagine if he’s still around. We probably wouldn’t struggle against the demon king.”

“If the him from that era still existed, then I have no doubt that he alone would be enough to fight against the demon king. It is quite unfortunate that man no longer existed. Regarding the sword, you have deduced it correctly. That weapon, while not the most powerful element, is essential in your upcoming fight against the demon king. It certainly helped ours.”

Her words piqued my interest. “Did Prilus’ grandparents fought him with it?”

“It was his grandfather. He was quite the brave fellow. Prilus’ great grandfather opposed him fighting the demon king, yet he endured. Things wouldn’t have ended as well had he not come with us, but enough reminiscing about the past. Do you have a plan, PinkCa-”

“Please stop. I don’t even want to hear that username.”

She flapped her wings. “I thought it was quite cute.”

“No, it’s not.”

“It seems you have changed. Not that it matters. Everyone changes, even the sturdiest of people. So, do you have any plans, Fortisbel? As the party leader, I trust you have cooked up something in your mind.”

I tried thinking about it but shook my head. I didn’t have that much experience in fighting outside a game. In a game, you could just go in, study enemy attack patterns that wouldn’t change, and come again the second time already prepared. I didn’t know if revival spells existed in this world, but even if it did, I didn’t want to risk the lives of my teammate.

All we could do now was try our hardest, as unexciting as that sounds.

“Do you have any info about the demon king?”

“You have fought the demon king in the game, have you not?”

The demon king did appear early in the game. After that, players could relive the moment by going into a special training arena in the game that mimicked the demon king. The guard at the arena said that the moves were exactly as they were when the heroes faced him, but the strength had been reduced.

“Yeah. A couple times, actually.”

“I had put everything I know in that game.”

“Will the move set change?”

“That I could guarantee.”

So practically everything from that side of the game was useless. As I thought about some other ways to defeat the demon king, I remembered the massive raids I used to conduct in a different game.

“How about looking for outside help? Like from adventurers and knights?”

Asytelar shook her bird head. “Are you forgetting something, Fortisbel?”

“What is it?”

“The world you play on Earth and this world here, while the same, is also entirely different.”

“Different?”

It looked the same so far. Well, there are many differences. Many of the cities grew in size, with more shops selling more advanced tools and… hold on…

In the game, the demon king was still fresh in everyone’s mind. In this world…

“You’re saying, the people of this world are growing lax because they don't know the demon king will return?”

“Precisely.”

“It all made sense now.”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The game was set in the year 513, one year after the party sealed the demon king. The story revolved around how the demon king would return, so strong warriors were needed to finish him once and for all. Being an MMO, such a game would continue until they didn’t have enough money to support themselves and shut down. There was no definite end to the main story.

Back then, the news of the demon king’s return was everywhere, so while the people celebrated, they still prepared themselves for his return. Today, hardly anyone even remembered what the effects were like, as the kingdom had rebuilt most of the areas that were destroyed.

“Today, no one remembered the fact that the demon king was sealed, not killed.” Asytelar lowered her head. “Me and my apprentice had tried warning the people, but without any proof, our words were ignored.”

“Must be hard.” She looked so worn out that I couldn’t help but feel bad.

“Maybe I should try again? We have the magic stones as proof.”

“It should be fine, although I doubt they’ll believe you.”

“Right…”

The people no longer believed that the demon king would return after waiting for so long. There was no reason for them to believe my words. King Torez claimed that they would investigate it, but after more than a month, there was still no news.

Also, a friendly reminder that the months in this world consisted of twenty-four days. A week shorter than on Earth, but still long nonetheless.

“It’s been almost a hundred years, though. They’ll probably celebrate his ‘death’ in a few months. You’re sure the demon king’s returning?”

“I wish I was mistaken, but I am sure.”

“Uhh… I wish there were hints.”

One option would be to check the South Sea, where his castle was located. The problem was, it required specialized equipment to access, not something readily available. If I told King Torez I wanted it, I may be able to get it, but who knows how long I would need to wait. By the time the equipment was done, the seal might have already been broken.

“Maybe it is hopeless…”

The crow flapped her wings and jumped onto my lap.

“While I agree that things are looking quite grim, your companions already have things that we did not have one hundred years ago. It is too early to give up, Fortisbel. Besides, even your existence is something we did not have.”

“I still couldn’t wield four elements, though.”

“But you are making progress, are you not?”

“... Yeah… You’re right. I’ll try to find an opportunity as soon as possible.”

“I shall look forward to your good news. It seemed the day had gotten quite late. It is time for me to take my leave. Have a good night, Fortisbel.”

“Good night.”

Asytelar flapped her wings and flew out the window. I watched as she disappeared into the night sky before pulling the windows shut. It was already eleven by the time the discussion ended. I didn’t have school tomorrow, but I promised to continue grinding with Emori.

“I better go to bed.”

I cuddled up underneath my warm blanket, drifting off to sleep not long after.

* ••

Something about her that only I can see…

We were in a dungeon north of the capital. With Maya busy in her club, we couldn’t get far on our own. Emori, while not as obvious as his brother, was still a princess. Using her power, she asked for a carriage that took us here. Her parents were weirdly happy to see her taking action and asking for something, so they provided her with everything she wanted.

She only asked for a carriage to help her grind levels, though, and only one way. We would use Teleport to return because of it being quicker.

The girl herself was currently fighting off hordes of monsters. The monsters we faced varied depending on locations. In this dungeon, they took the form of human-like magical zombies.

They were quite disgusting, if I'm being completely honest. In a way, Emori blasting right through them was impressive.

Using light magic, she struck through them, obliterating them. Her high level made it relatively easy to take on many of them. I stood next to her, wearing a Ring of Experience to prevent my body from absorbing any magical energy.

“Emori, left.”

“Okay!” She turned to her left. A white circle appeared in her right eye, the symbol of Light Spear in front of it. She aimed her wand forward, and a light in the shape of spears stabbed right through the monsters, killing them in one blow. She continued attacking, mastering her Light Spear while trying out other spells. After a short while, the dungeon fell silent, with tons of magical stone scattered on the ground.

The two of us began gathering our loot, stuffing them down the sacks we brought with us. After we cleared the floor, we headed deeper.

“Oh, a treasure chest.” I walked toward the inconspicuous looking chest. While mimics exist in this world, they aren't common. My gamer sense told me that this chest is safe, so I kneeled down beside it, and,

A spear of light stabbed through the chest just as it was about to open its top, shattering it and turning it into a magic stone.

“Fortis, are you alright?” Emori asked in a panic, coming next to me.

“I’m alright, thanks.” I smiled wryly. I guess my gamer sense could be wrong sometimes. I could probably handle that mimic on my own, though.

“You did well. Come on, let’s continue,” I said, deciding to praise her anyway. I heard that people like to be praised, and that it would help them grow quicker. Maya mocked me when I did that to her, though.

“Do you think a dragon would care about such measley praise?” She said back then, smiling nonetheless. I wonder if she would react the same now.

Emori’s face lit up and she nodded vigorously “Okay. I'll follow you.”

We continued our descent down the dungeon, taking on more and more monsters. Emori must be rising rapidly in levels, as I could see the slight change she gained as she absorbed more magical energy.

After a while, we managed to arrive in the boss chamber. This room was probably a lobby of some kind a few thousand years ago, but now it was no more than ruins surrounding a single monster eating inside.

A dinosaur-like beast, eating a stack of magic stones. These monsters didn't actually need to it, but I guess this one had that side of its source copied.

Once we entered its vicinity, it lifted its head and turned to us. It stomped its feet, likely trying to send us away. Once it realized we weren’t leaving, it charged our way.

I wielded my magic wand, casting Bind and holding it down in place. Like the tiger, this monster was powerful. Within a few kicks, it freed itself, but I held it long enough for Emori to strike. A ray of light stabbed through the dinosaur’s head, but it dissipated right after.

“It’s not strong enough?” Emori exclaimed.

“Its skin must be resistant to magic. Alright, let me handle this.”

Emori stepped backward. I switched wand, choosing a fire wand, when a black shadow flew through the sky. I noticed it coming, but couldn't jump in time.

Something heavy struck my chest, sending me flying into the walls.

“Fortis!” Emori yelled. My body ached all over. My level one hundred body took the blow quite well, but had I been a low level, I would have been dead.

“Urgh…” I tried to move, but the blow embedded me into the walls.

What just happened?

The dinosaur readied its tail for a strike, its eyes square on Emori that stood underneath it.

Dinosaur’s tail… no way…

Strasversaus, a demon spell that allowed a single body part to move so fast that it blurred, turning it into a shadow. I failed to notice the dinosaur’s tail coming toward me. A dinosaur shouldn’t be able to utilize such a spell, hence why I didn’t expect it. That meant,

This dinosaur is affected by the demons.

“Emori watch out!” I yelled as loud as I could. Emori leaped up to the air, barely dodging the dinosaur’s tail coming toward her. A Light Spear symbol appeared in her eye, striking the dinosaur.

I tried forming a spell, then I realized I didn’t have my wand with me. It had been knocked out when the dinosaur’s tail struck me. Without my wand, I could only use elementless spells, and there weren’t many that could be used to attack an enemy.

Below me on the ground, Emori dodged the dinosaur, evading strike after strike. It struck using its claws, its tail, even its jaws, with Emori getting dangerously close. Emori continued blasting her spells, doing her best. One of the strikes managed to wound the dinosaur.

I squirmed, trying to use my strength to damage more of the walls.

“Emori!”

The dinosaur’s tail swung, and she wasn’t fast enough. She brought her two hands diagonally over her chest, using it to shield herself. The tail slammed into her, sending her tumbling into the side. A wall of dust covered the air. When it dissipated, it revealed Emori lying near the walls. The dinosaur approached her and roared.

I thought about using Connect to contact help, but unless they could teleport to this dungeon, it would be useless. I decided to try using Boost next. It's a spell that boosted my physical ability. It was a risky spell, with a massive drawback. I ignored that drawback, focusing on freeing myself.

Emori managed to get up, but then the dinosaur roared. Surprised from the sudden roar, Emori fell to her back.

“Emori, run!” I yelled.

As if understanding my words, the dinosaur leaped high into the air and landed near the entrance, blocking the only escape route.

This is bad this is bad this is bad.

I tried my hardest to move my limbs. The walls cracked, giving me enough of an opening. I pushed myself out of its embrace, falling down to the floor. I hit the floor with my head, breaking my concentration, losing control of the spell.

Shit!

Boost’s drawback kicked in. The energy left my body, preventing me from moving. I forced my body to move, managing to lift only my head. Emori dragged herself backward, closer to the wall. The dinosaur pushed forward, using its tail to encircle her. Emori jerked her head left and right, looking for an escape route. The dinosaur opened its mouth, inching closer and closer.

“Ah- ah-” Emori shivered, looking up at the wide open mouth.

“Emori!”

Emori’s eyes flickered. In her right eye, appeared a magic symbol.

I gasped.

A massive beam of white light appeared in front of her eye and pierced right through the dinosaur’s jaw, taking out the entire head. The dinosaur’s body fell limp and disappeared into the air, leaving nothing but a single magic stone.

“What… the?” My mind went blank.

Emori took a breather, then turned around looking for me.

“Fortis! Are you alright?” She ran to my side. “Fortis?” She got close and held my head, bringing my attention back to her. I forced a nod. “I’m fine, but I’m stuck here for a few more seconds.”

The drawback of Boost was that it sucked all the energy from your body, making it unable to move. How long you couldn’t move depended on how long you used the spell. Once I fell and broke the spell, the freeze period began.

“Should I carry you?”

“No, don’t worry. I should be fine within a few- Oh, I’m fine now.” I stood up and moved my hands. I took my nature wand and healed both of us, then searched for the fire wand that I dropped.

“Ah, here it is.” I took it and returned it to my belt.

“That was scary…” Emori mumbled as she picked up the magic stone. She handed it over to me. As expected, the magic stone had the demon's symbol carved on it.

“Sorry, that was my fault. I didn’t notice the tail strike.”

Emori held my hand and shook her head. “No, it’s not just your fault. I should have watched your back.”

“The strike came from the front, though?”

“I guess. But still, it’s not your fault.”

“Thank you, let’s return.”

I stuffed the magic stone into the sack and held Emori’s hand, using Teleport to bring us back to school.