Utilizing the map function of my phone I arrived at the outskirts of Ariena. Only then did I realize that since we had split up I didn't have access to the unlimited credit card anymore. I could make another identical card but since its serial code would be exactly the same it wouldn't work out.
It was high time to make some money for myself. Now, how to earn a lot of money without getting too much attention from the authorities. So, selling something valuable was out of the question.
But what if I sold something that the buyer wouldn't show others. Or I'd just recruit someone who is rich and desires power.
I floated above the slumbering city and opened my dragon eyes.
"Show me those with the desire for power and the wealth to back it up!"
My gaze roved over the city a few times and I memorized all potential candidates. There were three in total, the bar of wealth I had set was the limiting factor.
I phased through the darkness examining the candidates one by one. This one was too greedy, he simply wanted power to amass more wealth. That one was too slaughter-happy, he'd start a genocide if he received such power. The third one was an old man, he appeared to live alone in his colossal estate. It probably had more than a hundred rooms but they were all empty safe for the one he was currently in.
His desire for power was by far the strongest but also the purest as a quick look into his mind revealed to me.
The old man had a granddaughter, parents died in a car accident, he sought to take care of. Alas, his talent for magic was below average and his age was catching up to him. He knew that he wouldn't live much longer but was also the only relative his granddaughter had left. Combating age was not particularly difficult if one was a mage, the power coursing through a one's body would do so by itself. However, using magic to counteract age within another one's body would require the use of time magic at a decent level. Something that was incredibly rare in this world that had risen from the ashes of the great war.
He was a good candidate. I had made my selection! The fact that he was asleep was also favorable, mortals' minds were so vulnerable in their sleep and they would think it all a dream unless proven otherwise.
'Mortal, I feel that you seek power.'
Short and simple, without revealing too much about myself I could assess his reaction. If I openly showed interest in his wealth that would give him leverage to ask for more. I wanted him to clearly know that he needed me more than I needed him.
'Are you the demon that has come to take me to hell?'
'Interesting question for a mortal but no, I much prefer being called a devil if you must. And I have not come to take you but because I felt your desire. I could help you obtain such power...'
'For a price I assume. I doubt someone referring to themselves as a devil would kindly give such strength to anyone without asking something in return.'
'What an astute sense of observation. Yes, I will help you, for a price.'
'I will not give you my soul!'
'And why would I want your soul? The soul of a mortal who doesn't practice magic is basically worthless. I accept two things as payment. Money or loyalty.'
'Wouldn't my loyalty also entail you having control over my money?'
'Of course, but I never said that I valued them equally, did I? For money I'll give you enough power to survive another three years. If you give me your loyalty I'll show you a path where you can grow stronger as long as you put in the effort.'
'Such a method doesn't exist!'
'Do you want it or not? As long as you accept my conditions you can be with her for years to come.'
'Be with her... You know about Lucy?!'
'Of course, I know of your every desire.'
'Then it's not much of a choice I have here, is it?'
'What are you saying? Naturally, you have a choice and even if you decline my offer I won't go after a child.'
'I'll need some time to think about it...'
'Sure, we have all night for you to think about it.'
He didn't take all night. He sorted his thoughts in silence and came to a conclusion shortly after. He mentally got on his knees, a very difficult concept seeing as we were just two wisps of consciousness in an endless void, and recited some horrendously long oath that I had mostly chosen to simply overhear.
'Very well, I'll impart a technique known as the raven god beast body secrets to you. Also, book a hotel room for me.'
'Why the need for a hotel room? You can just rest in a room in my estate.'
'That will do, however, I won't be staying here to rest. My meeting with the others will only be in three days so I'll go explore the lower realms. This place is for when I return.'
'Others? They must be demons then since there is only one devil.'
'And that is one of the greatest stunts one of us ever pulled, making you believe there is only one of us was a true masterpiece. But this should not concern you for the moment. Just train hard and let me see the fruits of your labor when I return.'
With that, I transferred all the relevant knowledge into his mind and broke off the connection.
It was time to see what had become of the lower realms. I knew that they had been entirely destroyed during the great war but by now they should have recovered. Holding that thought I sent my senses deep down towards the more of the world until I found a floating kernel of space. Grabbing ahold of it I wove a spacial bridge between my current position and that kernel I had detected.
I flashed down that bridge and reappeared above a primal jungle.