In the underworld, within the grand halls of the Gremory household, a significant event was unfolding. The air was thick with tension as silence hung over the gathered servants and attendants. Lady Venelana Gremory was in the throes of labor, while her husband, Lord Zeoticus Gremory, remained steadfastly by her side, offering his support.
"ARGHHHHH!"
"Push, my lady! Keep pushing!"
"AAAAARRGGHH!"
Finally, the anguished cries gave way to the sweet sound of a newborn's wail.
"Uwaa... Uwaa!"
"My lord, it's a girl," one of the nurses announced with joy. A baby girl, wrapped in a soft blanket, was gently placed in the nurse's arms. Her crimson red hair and brilliant blue eyes reflected her noble lineage.
But the event wasn't over yet. "Now, prepare for the second," urged the midwife. Another wave of effort and time passed, and soon another cry filled the room. "It's a boy," the nurse declared as a second child, also with crimson red hair and sparkling blue eyes, entered the world.
Venelana, exhausted but overwhelmed with joy, reached out. "My children… let me see them," she whispered. The twins were carefully placed in her arms, and she gazed at them with profound love.
Zeoticus smiled warmly at his wife. "So, my love, what names shall we give our children?"
Venelana looked down at her daughter first. "The girl shall be named Rias," she said softly. Then, turning to her son, she declared, "And the boy, his name will be Maxius."
--- Four Years Later ---
Maxius' POV
It has been four years since I was born into this world. From the moment I opened my eyes, I have been giving my new family plenty of surprises. Like my father and siblings, I was born with crimson red hair—a hallmark of the Gremory clan. However, unlike the rest of my siblings, I lack the power of destruction, a fact that made me the subject of much gossip among the high-ranking devils. My parents were deeply concerned, but honestly, I couldn't care less about what others thought. After all, I had something even more unique—an ability I call Game World.
By the time I was three months old, I had started walking. At six months, I was talking, and by seven months, I had begun reading. This rapid development shocked everyone around me, even among devils. Interestingly, it seemed to influence my twin sister Rias. Whenever I reached a milestone, she would follow soon after, almost as if she didn't want to be outdone.
My favorite place in the entire household is the family library. It's a vast, quiet sanctuary filled with ancient tomes and modern texts on magic, devil history, and various mystical sciences. I spend countless hours here, poring over volumes that cover everything from the origins of devil clans to advanced magical theory. Through my extensive reading, I quickly grasped the significance of our family's prominence in devil society—a legacy both revered and scrutinized by many.
It was during these long hours of study that I stumbled upon the concept of magicules—spiritual particles that form the essence of mana and are heavily influenced by the thoughts and emotions of living beings. These magicules act as the fundamental building blocks of demonic power. However, my understanding didn't come solely from the library's resources. The knowledge was greatly supplemented by my Fantasy Archive, a unique database of information I access mentally, derived from another world—specifically, the world depicted in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. This fusion of learning sources provided me with insights far beyond what any ordinary devil child could comprehend.
Through further exploration, I delved deeper into the concept of spiritons, the fundamental units of spiritual matter. These spiritons serve as the core components that form magicules, holy power, and aura—three essential forces that shape the spiritual and magical realms. In this world, aura is known as Touki, a life force that can be harnessed to enhance physical abilities and bolster defenses. Understanding spiritons opened a new dimension of possibilities, allowing me to comprehend how different energies interact on a fundamental level.
Furthermore, I began an intensive study of infons—the smallest and most elemental particles that exist within all forms of matter, including souls. Infons are unique in that they carry information at a subatomic level, serving as the blueprint for both physical and spiritual constructs. This knowledge not only deepened my understanding of existence itself but also hinted at future applications in manipulating matter and energy with precision.
--- Maxius' Room ---
Inside my room, an extraordinary scene unfolded. I was seated cross-legged on what appeared to be a lush field of grass, though this was no ordinary field. It was part of a meticulously crafted pocket dimension, a unique space I had brought to life using my Game World ability. The air was fresh and tinged with the scent of wildflowers, and the sky above shimmered with an ethereal glow, adding to the surreal beauty of the environment. Across from me sat a young woman with long, flowing black hair, a delicate beauty mark beneath the right corner of her mouth, and elegantly framed glasses with dark red rims. She wore a pristine, long-sleeved white blouse accented by magenta-trimmed fabric and a flowing pink skirt. Barefoot, she exuded a calming presence, her serene demeanor making the setting feel even more magical.
This woman was none other than a perfect clone of Lolopechka from Black Clover, brought into existence through the combined use of my demonic power and the vast knowledge stored in my Fantasy Archive. Every detail, from her appearance to her gentle mannerisms, was replicated flawlessly, making her indistinguishable from the real Lolopechka. Through this creation, I had not only gained a teacher of immense magical prowess but also the ability to immerse myself in a tailored learning environment, pushing the boundaries of what I could achieve.
"Teacher, if I master mana control, will I be able to use Mana Zone?" I asked eagerly.
Lolopechka smiled gently, her serene gaze resting on me. "Yes, Maxius, you can, but remember, Mana Zone is not a simple skill. It's a pinnacle technique that demands mastery over mana control at an exceptional level. You must learn to not only control your own mana flawlessly but also attune yourself to the flow of mana in your surroundings. High-level mages train for years to even grasp the basics of this technique. True mastery comes only when you achieve perfect harmony with the mana around you, turning the entire area into your domain."
After finishing my lesson with Lolopechka, my training continued. My next set of instructors was an unusual Duo—Dracula Mihawk, and Hakurou. However, calling them instructors might be a stretch since they mostly sparred with each other, leaving me to focus on body conditioning. Despite spending hours in the pocket dimension training, only a few minutes passed in the real world, thanks to my ability to manipulate time within the dimension.
These training sessions were grueling, but they were also exhilarating. With each passing day, I grew stronger, gaining mastery over my body and sharpening my mind. Though I had yet to wield a sword, I knew that day would come soon enough.
For now, I focused on laying the groundwork, determined to one day become a force to be reckoned with—not just in this world but in any world I might encounter.