.
A whole day had passed since the previous exchange, tonight I would be meeting the remaining followers, or at least the ones that are awake by that time. Like normal people, they blend into society and have jobs in the day. The important point, being to assess the elite squad of the cult. School was the same as usual, the second qualifier round went by without a problem.
Entering the arena, my body felt weightless as it carried itself through sheer momentum. As the announcer hits the end of the countdown, I kicked off, sending a large cloud of dust and destruction left behind in a trail. Even with my weakened stats, I was still around 5-10 times faster than the average student. Arriving near their vanguard party, I secured my left leg in the ground, forming a large crater. Folding my elbows, I brought my arms close to my chest in a fighting posture, and swung my leg!
Smashing through his meagre defence, the warrior was sent flying into the air before disappearing into thin air. The barrier had teleported him outside when his hp hit the minimum set by the barrier. In an instant, his hp had vaporised to the limit set by the barrier. The rest of the damage was converted to energy to power the barrier. To be precise, it was distributed throughout the barrier, concentrating on one point would easily shatter it's durability.
Having dealt with the warrior, the kick sent a large force of air pressure knocking over some plants, disturbing the gatekeeper. With another kick, I leaped through and covered the distance in another instance, unleashing my punch. I hurled all my body weight into my fist and let loose all my strength.
A similar occurrence to my kick repeated, the pressure had disturbed the surroundings while the student was sent away without a second thought. 2 students had been eliminated before someone could blink. The second one's class being irrelevant due to how insignificant his presence was.
With the flick of my wrist, ink black lines of thread extended and materialised from mid-air. They reach forth to form a Web surrounding the castle and a small portion of its surroundings, building an ominous impression upon the victims inside the castle. A command was unnecessary, the web of dark black [Demonic energy] thread tore through every small bit of surface within the barrier. Tearing through walls, furniture, floors, roofs, barricades, shields, armour, magic and people. Their meagre low tier magic would not even slow down the threads as it relentlessly cut through every tiny piece of tissue and muscle fibre.
They were teleported and healed in an instant, however the pain was very real. If it caused a trauma, I would not be able to participate again from disqualification. That would be a disappointing waste, I could still earn a lot of intangible experience from winning. Fortunately, the threads moved at such fast speeds that they couldn't feel them. Their pain had only ended in an instant after they were teleported, phantom pain.
Due to the first day, security has stepped up significantly. Patrols were regularly executed, inspection became stricter. Guards were also stationed around certain perimeters. Cress was sitting in the spectator seats, smiling and waving. Her mouth opened, the edges slightly curved upward to express her delight in my victory. With the end of the second qualifiers, I invited Cress to a meal outside through magic communication.
As students with rather poor backgrounds, we were provided with a base pocket money that could be called extravagant by some. Celebrating a victory was definitely worth spending quite a bit of it.
Walking out the school gates, it was a strange feeling not lazing in the dorm all day. The afternoon breeze cooled my perspiring cheeks, the tournament really makes one stretch and exercise. Cress followed behind, her decently large eyes gleaming brightly in the sunshine. Her pale skin also had slight traces of moisture, most likely sweating from cheering too hard, combined with her own match. She was a castle guard, if her vanguard was successful, she wouldn't need to fight at all. However, one or two occasionally slip in. She really was a reliable big sister, forming the backbone of her team's defenses.
Reaching a famous fast food restaurant, the doors creak open with the ringing of bells as 2 girls stepped through the entrance. Walking towards the counter, the surroundings, everything was pitch black.
"What's the meaning of this?!" (Cress)
"... [Demonic energy], my signature move."
Concealing my expression under a stoic mask, I address this half-day long nagging suspicion. Didn't Cress lose her memories? How could she cope with it like normal? I'm sure I didn't deal with it well.
"...! I KNOW THAT! WHY ARE YOH SURROUNDING US WITH IT?! Is there an enemy attack?!" (Cress) Terror struck her eyes, a hysterical look fitting and somehow unfitting, just like plastic trying to imitate a human being. In reality, Cress could probably make this exact expression. Her willingness to do it on the other hand, was another matter.
"Haha. You can drop the act now, illusionist. I had a lot of fun." Boring through his soul with jet black irises, I, Lilith stopped giving a smile.
"... I see, the discrepancies must be too obvious, that your memories returned." (?)
A strange croaked voice rings out while Cress's expression was completely still, most likely, the illusion is being undone.
" No, not really... You can't conceal my memories that easily, it was just like a good dream from the start... "
" But you don't possess the necessary resistances... I see, you are indeed our God, to have a higher existence for your aid... Your ascension to divinity is all but guaranteed. "(?)
" Tch, more delusions? My [demonic energy] could easily cover negative ailments shot from afar. I'm not aware of how much you know, but your leader with the infiltration skills should be able to tell you. " My cheeks stiffened from the pressure coming off, Cress's body had long faded away. Leaving a strange figure with a cloak behind.
" No, I've heard the gist of it. I even tested your power, the leader made a bet. If you had died, we would only feel guilty for having mistaken the wrong person as our God. "(?1) His voice grew unsteady, as if he was trying to convince himself more so than me. It would be a mistake to assume he could feel guilt, it seemed that his mind was rather on something else.
" It's not like death was abnormal in these parts of the capital. Just another casualty in our path for salvation. But it seems you are indeed the true article. We cannot be thankful enough for you to come down and save us. "(?2) A second cloaked figure emerged from the darkness.
"Tch! So I'm surrounded. You guys sure are awful, trying to trick a child into your fucked up fantasies of being a god."
"Now, now. Obviously, there would be some dissent when somebody suddenly claims to be their god. Let's relax first and foremost. They're heretics that are here to try to test you." (?1)
"We're at your service on the other hand, we could clear the 'doubt' faction in your place if you wish." (?2)
"... Enough games. You're all going to die, and this false God will not save you."
Speaking a tone lower, patience had simply ran out for these rambling mad men.