"Um... not to throw dirt on your generosity or anything, but... Is this okay?" Terys speaks, sneaking glances at Damocles who stands silently beside me.
He's probably concerned about the atmosphere he'd be bringing to Aeolia since most of my generals have already voiced their displeasure of humans.
"Isn't that something I should be asking you?" I ask, turning slightly to look at him. "You just sold out your fellow men."
"I don't really have any loyalty or trust towards my fellow humans," He says rigidly but calmly as he follows behind.
That's a bit extreme, but I can't say I don't understand him. Because even before coming here, I felt that way on Earth. Though something must have really happened in this guy's past to make him hold his kind in such contempt.
"Here. Take this." I state, handing him a healing and stamina potion from my inventory.
"Uh..."
"They're potions. Drink them, they won't harm you."
"Oh. Thanks."
I pull out another item from my inventory that I never thought I'd use on a human.
"Turn this way."
After downing the potions I gave him, and restoring his strength and vitality, he does as asked and looks in my direction. As he does, I slip the item on his neck.
"Huh? What is this?" He asks in confusion as he gazes down at the collar tightened around his neck.
"What does it look like?" I remark. "It's a slave collar. But more than a slave, you're more like a pet. It's just insurance so you have no thoughts of running away or doing anything stupid."
"...I understand."
Without much complaint, he puts it on, dawning an expression that says he really doesn't much mind. Just as I am about to leave, Agamemnon walks in with his usual chilling expression, and stands patiently behind me, like he is waiting.
I turn to Damocles and say, "Well then, I'll leave our new friend to you." before walking away, Agamemnon silently in tow.
In the short trek to my chambers, Agamemnon remains silent, even though I thought he wanted to talk to me about something important. My eyes flick to the wall and glance at the standing mirror hung on it, before I move to the center of the room and open the system window.
I still have school to attend, so I change my form to that of my human one, and finally Agamemnon speaks.
"My lord has learned an excellent skill it seems. Though it would mean you would not be able to present your true form around the people who believe you to be human."
Hm? Just as he finishes the sentence, my eyes fall on the mirror before me, and a small gasp escapes my lips. Crap! I get what he's trying to say now. I completely forgot. The current appearance of my demon form is the exact same for my human form except the black hair, red eyes, and horns. Anyone who sees both would assume we were twins or at least brothers. Which means if anyone saw 'Aeolus' after seeing 'Alice', it's natural they'd assume a connection which would put a major dent in my plans. Don't tell me this is why he followed me.
"Please be careful, my lord."
Agamemnon says politely, bowing with a small, almost nearly invisible grin on his face. Of all my subordinates, Agamemnon is the only one who low-key lectures me, which is why calling him a 'subordinate' makes me feel like I'm just playing myself.
"Mm. I'll be going now. I'm off to school." I respond, inching away as I hide my unease with a stiff expression.
"Yes. Have a good day, my lord."
With that, I snap my fingers, activating the magic circle pattern littered around the room and all over the castle, causing me to be instantly teleported miles away from Aeolia, and just a few miles from Dorma. I took caution, extending the range of the magic circle to make sure not to be sighted anywhere near Aeolia, as I'm sure a few scouts are hiding around the area.
~
"Morning," I greet, settling down on my usual seat beside Darius in class. As expected, I still received a lot of stares as I made my way to class, though it was a bit rowdier that usual.
"Good morning," Darius greets back, smiling as he notices Larien walk in as well.
"Hello," He says as he takes the seat next to me.
"Everyone seems to be excited about something," I remark, gazing at all the students chattering actively.
"Hm? Oh I suppose you wouldn't know," Larien starts. "The Averos competition is coming up pretty soon, so challenges to select team leaders are going to be held today. It's why everyone is so excited."
"Averos competition huh? What's that?"
"It's a popular competition held in Dorma annually, involving students of the four biggest magic schools in Halrio. Agusta, Hepbrim, Dorma Institute of Magic, DIM, and Averos." Darius summarizes for me.
"Since Dorma is the capital and in the middle of the other three geologically, it is always hosted here." Lucien adds.
"It is a chance to really gain fame as a capable mage, and I hear you can even win unique grade artifacts as rewards." Darius chimes.
"It is really popular among the nation as it shows the efforts and capabilities of the country's young and brightest mages, knights and swordsmen. Even members of the royal family come to watch. It's quite exhilarating but very difficult. I hear even death is a possibility."
"I see. So other than the evident gain of fame, and a few unique grade artifacts, what other incentive is there to participating in this competition?" I ask, actually finding this a bit exciting.
"The rewards and artifacts are usually why people join, but gold is also offered to the winning team." Darius answers.
"And the team that wins is christened with the title of 'The Braves of Light', and the team leader is given the exclusive title, 'Angel of Light'." Lucien continues.
Braves of light and Angel of light? As dumb as names get, but I think I've actually heard of the term before. I can't really put my finger on it but I know I heard it before in the game. Though if it's subjective to the Dremid continent then it's probably no wonder I can't remember.
It would honestly have been more efficient to start this conquest in the Teskor continent that I know more about, but if it's anything like the game, then that place has some ridiculously strong people. It would be wiser to start from low to high.
I turn my gaze to Lucien and inquire, "What does being an 'Angel of Light' do for you?"
"I would say the position is on par with an Arcantum, the highest position in the mage tower, or one of the commanders of the round table, the Padel of the Order of Knights. You could gain quite the authority, especially with the church." He responds.
Wow. All strong sounding people. Especially this 'commanders of the round table'. Don't tell me it's a group of really strong guys? Then where were they when Aeolia was raided? They might stop by some time so maybe I should tell Dionysius to tighten up defenses some more? But even these 'Braves of Light' sound strong too.
"So... what does one need to do to be considered for a team leader position?"