"W-Where am I? This place feels so cold. It's as if I'm floating in a void... There's nothing around me—not even the ground. It's like I'm standing on emptiness itself."
"Hehehe... So you've exhausted your mana. Must've been tough, huh?"
That voice... I've heard it before! It's the thing that mocked me!
"Hehehe, so you remember me."
I'm just thinking to myself. How can you hear me? That shouldn't be possible!
"Hehehe, that's because the place you're in isn't part of the world you know. Here, I am the sole ruler."
If you can read my mind, then you know what I'm thinking. I need to get out of here—back to the world. There are so many lives I still have to save!
"Hehehehe... Do you think you can save them all? Not even I can do that." Kih, kih, kih...
If you give me your power, I can kill them all. Even though I can't see you, I don't sense malice from you. You feel… pure.
Is this kid stupid? He doesn't know who I am, yet he trusts me? He's doomed to fail with that mindset... Still, I'll wait. The time will come.
"Hehehehe, you want my power? If I give it to you, your fragile soul would be torn to shreds."
Then at least give me a portion! I have too many enemies I need to fight.
"Then shall we make a deal, human? I'll take your left eye. In return, a fraction of my power will become yours."
Would you really do that? But what about my eye? What if others notice? What will I tell them?
"Hehehe, isn't your left eye already covered by your hair? No one will notice if you keep it that way."
Alright, we have a deal. Will I be able to use the power right away? I'm itching to try it.
"Hehehe, if you try to use it all at once, you'll die. As agreed, a quarter of my power is now yours. Grow stronger, and learn to use it fully."
Thank you—whatever you are. Will you show yourself to me? I really want to see you.
"Hehehe, you cannot see me... not yet."
So I will see you one day. I choose to trust you. I hope I'm not making a mistake.
What a foolish child... Am I really okay with giving him my knowledge and strength? Hehehe... Why am I talking like I've already lost? You deserve it, Tokito. When the time comes, this world will belong to the two of us.
The void—like outer space but without stars—slowly faded as Tokito closed his eyes once more. When he opened them again, he was lying on a creaky bed and slowly pushed himself upright. Looking to the side, he saw Kortus asleep on a chair.
Without making a sound, Tokito pushed himself out of bed and walked toward a bottle of water by the window. He gently poured some into a glass and brought it to his lips with his small hands. The sound of him drinking was enough to wake Kortus.
Kortus: "My lord? You've finally awakened?"
Tokito: "I'm sorry I didn't wake you, Kortus. I was just thirsty."
Kortus wasn't angry. In fact, he was overjoyed to see his master awake. That emotion surged through him as he leapt from his chair and threw his arms around Tokito in a tearful hug.
Kortus: "I was so scared, my lord..."
Tokito: "Why were you scared, Kortus?"
Kortus: "After you healed Nanagi, you suddenly collapsed... and your mana vanished."
So I really did save Nanagi. But I've only now learned that every time I enter that dark void, I vanish from this world. That's going to be a problem—definitely.
To comfort him, Tokito returned the hug. As Kortus slowly regained his composure, he wiped his tears with a white handkerchief pulled from his pocket. Tokito walked toward the door, clearly deep in thought.
Kortus followed behind, not wanting to leave his master's side. As they walked through the corridor with fresh-looking walls, Tokito couldn't help but glance around. The walls were decorated with depictions of demons.
Coming from the opposite direction was a figure of both elegance and immense strength. Their hair was as black as the cosmos, and their noble face resembled that of a royal. The sword at their hip was a true masterpiece.
Their mana presence was so overwhelming that it felt like a threat just to stand near them. When the figure approached Tokito, they knelt down and bowed their head. Kortus recognized him.
Kortus: "Greetings, Viscount Fujih. It's quite a surprise to see you here."
Fujih: "I only came to check on our lord's condition. We must protect those with the potential to lead us."
What a powerful aura… but he's lying. I don't believe a word he says. Detecting liars is my specialty. I learned it from years of pretending patients would get better.
Tokito: "This is your little domain, right? Why isn't it secure? Can't you even protect your own region, you useless bastard?!"
Tokito's sudden rage filled the air with his aura, wrapping around Fujih like a beast ready to devour. His gaze was sharp, like a lion stalking prey. Despite his small frame, he had enough presence to make even a viscount kneel. Just as Fujih reached for his sword to retaliate, Nanagi appeared from behind, looking exhausted.
Nanagi: "What's going on here, my lord?"
N-Nanagi... I really did save you. For a moment, I thought you were gone. But now it feels like my life has returned to normal.
At the sight of Nanagi, Tokito's mind cleared as if a fog had lifted. She picked him up and began to run, and Tokito, caught off guard, clung to her. Her scent made him feel at peace.
The two fools ran up the stairs hand-in-hand, childlike and carefree. As they reached the upper floors, they encountered someone with a bat-like appearance—horns and a tail included. Upon seeing them, the figure knelt in greeting.
"Welcome, our new king."
Tokito: "And who might you be? I permit you to tell me your name."
Aku: "I am Aku, steward of this place. I am tasked with protecting the inner castle."
This steward… his mana is incredibly strong. I can't gauge his exact level, but he's at least B-rank. Demons seem to come in all animal forms, I guess.
Tokito: "I've never seen a bat-like demon before."
Aku: "I'm not a high-ranking demon like you, my lord. That's why I still have a monstrous appearance."
Tokito: "Rank doesn't matter. You have potential. Want to fight me?"
Kortus and Nanagi immediately perceived that as a challenge. Their eyes glowed red, revealing their true forms—Kortus's teeth sharpened, Nanagi's claws extended.
Nanagi: "Is this person about to fight our lord?"
Kortus: "If he so much as touches our master, I will erase him from existence."
I-It was a joke... Just a joke! I think they got really mad. I need to defuse this.
Tokito: "Come on, Nanagi, let's go. I'm bored now."
Nanagi: "As you wish, my lord."
Tokito's words softened the mood. He hopped out of her arms and walked ahead, gazing at the objects around him. A vase on a table caught his eye, adorned with magical circles. When he picked it up, water suddenly appeared inside.
Tokito: "Water? Where did this come from?"
Kortus: "Hmm… I believe that's a magical item, my lord."
Tokito: "What's a magical item, Kortus?"
Kortus: "It's when you draw a magic circle on a normal object and say 'Magic Infusion'. I think the vase you're holding is enchanted with water magic, which is why it filled up."
Examining it more closely, Tokito noticed unfamiliar script on the magic circles—unlike Japanese. He wanted to take the vase with him to study it, but eventually returned it to the table.
This vase could be worth investigating… but I've got bigger goals. I need to get to the throne room and strike fear into everyone. It's time to set out.
Tokito: "Let's go. We need to reach Hestoria as soon as possible."
Kortus: "Please wait a little longer, my lord. The army won't be ready until evening. We lost many in the last battle."
Nanagi: "I'll rally the troops faster for you, my lord."
Tokito: "Don't push yourself, Nanagi. The mana in your body is weeping."
Nanagi: "How you know it master? Only A-Rank can sense mana status."
Wait, how can I know her mana status? Screeen, show me something good.
"Mana Status refers to the current condition of mana flowing through a being's internal mana channels. Mana tends to gravitate toward races it favors, supplying them with more power. The quality of mana depends on its current state. If mana is constantly overused, it becomes frightened and begins to cry. In such cases, the user must circulate the mana gently through their body to calm it down and restore its balance."
Tokito: "Thanks for the long explanation. I think I finally understand. My mana's always cheerful, so when I use my aura, everyone around gets scared. I'll make sure to use it wisely from now on."
The trio, who had been climbing upward through the castle, began to descend instead—returning from where they came. Tokito, deep in thought, held his chin with one hand as they walked.
Suddenly, Nanagi and Kortus stepped forward and took their lord's hands. Tokito's cheeks flushed red.
Their warmth made him genuinely happy. From an outsider's perspective, it looked like a child joyfully walking hand in hand with his older sisters.
Then Tokito pulled away from their hands and began to run like an excited child. Kortus and Nanagi jogged behind him, smiling protectively.
Unbeknownst to them, someone was watching from afar—a girl with a rose hairpin in her hair and a dress covered in roses.
She had clearly arrived without being seen. Her gaze locked onto them with a predator's intensity, her expression saying: "So… that's my prey."
Moments later, a vine emerged from the wall, wrapped around her, and pulled her away—vanishing her presence entirely.
After descending the final staircase, Tokito and his guards emerged into the city. They decided to explore the quiet streets of Dralon.
Tokito dashed from shop to shop, marveling at all the unusual goods he came across. He wanted to buy whatever caught his eye.
Tokito: "Hey Kortus, do we have any money? I want to buy something here."
Kortus: "Unfortunately, my lord… you haven't officially ascended the throne yet, so we don't have funds under your name."
Nanagi: "I have some money with me, Your Majesty. If you'd like, please use it."
Tokito: "That would be great. I'll repay you—don't worry."
As they chatted, a demon resembling a large wolf overheard them and extended a claw.
Sensing the hostility instantly, Nanagi reached for her sword.
The suspicious figure approached Tokito, pulling out a dagger—only for Nanagi to already have her blade at his throat.
Nanagi: "One more step, and this will be deemed treason against the Demon King. I'll execute you on the spot."
Demon: "And who the hell are you supposed to be? You trash should know your place! This kid is the Demon King? If this is a joke, it's not funny."
Nanagi: "Are you unaware of who you're speaking to? I'm Nanagi, Commander of Koloton Veldoria. The one I'm guarding is the ruler of the Loropis region."
Demon: "Hah! You really think I'd fall for some dumb fairytale?"
Just then, a squad of soldiers parted the crowd as a familiar face approached—Fujih. Seeing the commotion, he made his way to Tokito and bowed before him.
The mocking wolf demon froze in fear. His hand trembled, and nausea churned in his gut.
Fujih: "Good evening, Demon King. What a pleasant surprise to find you here. I wondered where you'd gone after disappearing."
Wolf Demon: "T-This child—?"
Fujih: "You've spoken enough, worthless mutt."
Without even drawing his blade completely, Fujih beheaded the wolf demon in a flash.
Even Tokito, who had sharp eyes, couldn't register the movement—it had happened too fast.
Fujih bowed again after the execution. His sheer strength left Tokito uneasy.
Tokito (thinking): H-He cut off his head in a single blow… and we didn't even see it happen. If he were my enemy, I'd stand no chance. I still have a long way to go. I must become stronger—fast.
Tokito: "Ugh… His blood got on me. I hate dirty blood."
Fujih: "Forgive me, my king. It is our duty to execute anyone foolish enough to call you a child."
Tokito: "A child, huh? You expect me to believe that's all?"
Fujih: "…Pardon?"
He's playing dumb. Lying, definitely. But I can't confront him now. I need to go—my army must be ready.
Tokito: "It's evening already. Let's go back."
Fujih: "It was an honor to host you, my king."
Tokito left the marketplace and returned to the castle.
As always, the army was gathered at the gates, waiting for him.
This time, all three climbed into the carriage—Nanagi on the right, Kortus on the left. Nanagi looked a bit shy.
As the horses began to move, Tokito's journey to Veldoria had officially begun.
But what awaited him there? Would he encounter the former Grand Mage Commander? And if so… what would transpire between them?