Several days passed, and so did the duels.
Countless people were disqualified, such as Ryan, Melissa, etcetera.
Now, only the four best remained until the initiation of the semi-finals, in which the top two would be decided.
Then, only one would go on to win the Tournament, bringing glory to themselves as well as their academy.
It would also bring glory to one's faction since the Tournament was one of the biggest events on Earth.
Despite the unorthodox way it was performed, it was actually worth a lot in one's reputation and future accomplishments.
"Felix, what're the pairs in the semi-finals?"
Ace asked, his eyes filled with urgency.
Felix, yawning profusely due to it being the middle of the night, muttered…
"You versus Luna. Leo versus Lily."
"No, no! Change that right now!"
Standing up with an expression that practically personified annoyance, Felix quickly headed to his office.
Practically kicking the door open, he stomped towards his desk, plopping down on it.
"Why do you want me to change it?"
He asked, revealing a gentle smile while tilting his head in confusion.
'Ugh, that's so fake.'
Having watched Felix from afar for all those years, he practically knew his personality like the back of his hand.
Actually, he knew everyone's personality like the back of his hand.
"I'm trying to create mayhem."
"Y'know, you really shouldn't be telling this to your principal."
"Yeah, the principal who's a part of one of the most dangerous criminal organizations that operate in secret?"
Forming a wry grin, Felix pointed at the window.
Approaching it, he then looked beyond the thick glass that blocked the air from passing through.
"Leo?"
Ace asked in confusion, staring at the boy outside the window.
"Yeah, he's been training like this for weeks now. I think it's the reason why he won against that Arata kid."
"I see."
He had decided to train Leo and bring him on the correct path. However, he hadn't had the chance to do so since he was so busy with the affairs of OTF.
He hadn't even met his parents in a couple of days.
"You see? I'm not a battle freak or a workaholic who adores mayhem and chaos like him. I prefer order."
"Order? Seriously? Do you think the OTF promotes order? Moreover, since when have you preferred order over chaos?"
"Since now."
"Just do it, Felix."
"All right."
Ace narrowed his eyes in confusion, wondering why his principal had abruptly agreed to his request.
However, he could not find any uncertainties or malicious intent on his face or his actions.
Moreover, his face stayed like a statue as he edited the plans for the semi-finals.
"You should probably teach him how to use [Transformation] correctly."
"Yeah, but it's pretty abnormal for him to inherit it at such a young age."
Soon, both of their faces darkened as they imagined the worst-case scenario.
"It can't be, right?"
"Even the OTF, the best information gathering organization wasn't informed of this. So, maybe it's just a speculation."
Felix tried to console Ace, whose pupils had gone dull.
"George can't be that heartless, could he?"
Suddenly, a fire lit up inside Ace's dull and lifeless eyes.
"He tried to have the inheritance of the Primal Demon engulf Leo… I will pack him pay."
"Instead of making him pay, you can teach Leo how to utilize it correctly, because he's gonna shatter his mana core sooner or later."
Immediately, after listening to Felix's very reasonable suggestion and explanation, Ace leaped out of the window, shattering it in the process.
Felix facepalmed, exhilarated by Ace's impulsive behavior when it came to people he liked or loved.
Startled by the noise and the fragments of the glass falling down, Leo glanced upwards, only to see his black-haired friend leaping at him.
He yelled loud enough for several eardrums to shatter as Ace landed atop him, crushing him in the process.
"What is wrong with you!? And why did you exit from principal Felix's window?"
"I'm here to train you, peasant."
"Shut it!"
Ace stood up from Leo's corpse, crushing bones in the process.
"Now, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to train you to use the [Transformation] technique."
"Huh?"
"Do you know the backstory of the Genesis Dragon?"
"No…"
Facepalming, Ace paced around, pondering ways to explain the story in a compact manner.
"500 Years ago, when the mana emerged, their emerged a dragon capable of destroying the entire planet with a sneeze. The dragon, who turned out to be a female, called himself the Genesis Dragon. When the seven Heroes of the generation who fought back against the Beast Tide that occurred back then died, the Genesis Dragon promised to grant a spirit animal under his command to each of their descendants. The skill is named [Transformation], and has to be unlocked by a certain object in possession of the family."
Leo gripped his temples, massaging them rapidly to cool down his overheated brain.
"I've never heard that… Who were the seven heroes?"
"Levi Kadz, Lori Hernandez, Polly Yearning, Keely Smith, Bryce Holton, Ivan Edwards… the last one is currently unknown."
"My ancestor was a hero?"
"You never knew that? Why did you think your family was so renowned around the world?"
"So, Lily, Melissa, and principal Edwards also have a 'spirit animal?'"
"I don't know about principal Edwards, but Lily and Melissa haven't inherited theirs yet."
"Then why did I-"
Unable to hold the truth from him, Ace eventually explained the situation.
"George Kadz, your father, wanted you to be corrupted by the spirit animal Levi Kadz received back in the day, the Primal Demon."
His eyes widened for a second, but he soon regained his composure, staring at his friend with his eyes, which seemed like they contained the entire world in them.
"Seriously?"
"It's the only explanation. When you received the skill, was your father in a ten meter radius of the item?"
"Yeah, he was standing next to me."
"Was there anyone else in the room?"
"Not that I know of."
"Then, it's pretty obvious that it was your father who gave you the inheritance, allowing the incarnation of the Primal Demon to corrupt your body."
When the Genesis Dragon gave the Primal Animals to the seven heroes, she created incarnations of the animal instead of giving the entire entity, since replicas could be turned into spirit animals that could be passed down from generation to generation.
The real Primal Animals were still under the Genesis Dragon.
Moreover, the animal was harmful to anyone under the age of 18 to 21, since that was when humans' bodies stopped growing exponentially.
"I–I see. Anyway, how are you going to train me to utilize [Transformation] correctly?"
"To make a pact, you need to wait until you reach an age where the incarnation of the Primal Demon does not harm your body. However, for a short boost in power when absolutely needed, you can force his Demonic Energy or Deofol into your body, forming a partial transformation that is more efficient than the one you currently use."
"Deofol?"
"Another name for Demonic Energy used by higher-class demons."
"Wait, how do you know that?"
"Books."
In actuality, Larry and Akash had given him ample education about the world outside Earth. He knew almost everything about demons, elves, Deities, and even Celestials through [Memory Transfer].
"Now, shall we initiate your training? You have a match with Luna tomorrow."
"With Luna!? Wait, how do you know about the matches beforehand?"
"Principal Felix is generous."
"No, he's not."
"Anyway, channel your mana while concentrating it near your core."
Leo activated [Mana Manipulation] while forcefully channeling his mana slower, concentrating it near his mana core.
Since the flow of the mana was disturbed more than usual, it was considered a form of Mana Block, causing Leo to feel considerable pain.
However, despite the backlash, he kept concentrating as much mana as he could near his core.
Whoosh!
Time stopped as Leo's senses disappeared into the shadows of his own body.
His consciousness was dragged down to a part of his body he didn't even knew existed.
As his consciousness became hazier, the voices in his head became clearer.
He didn't know why, but the consequences of your consciousness fading were inverted, like time had reserved.
However, the truth was far from so.
In actuality, he had been dragged to the depths of his consciousness itself, where he housed an incarnation of the Spirit Animal, Primal Demon.
As his non-existent eyes opened, Leo witnessed the monstrosity of a being sitting comfortable on an enormous couch.
He looked around, and saw that the scenery had changed.
Now, he sat in a living room decorated by lights, paintings, windows, etcetera.
It felt like he was in a regular home.
In front of him was a being that differentiated from the overall relaxing nature of his surroundings.
It was the most handsome boy he had ever seen. One had matched the looks of his friend, Ace Ambrosia.
His dark grey skin was mesmerizing, while his dark hair was sleek.
His hair fell down to his shoulders, covering a certain part of the person's face.
His well-toned body that surpassed the one of Genro Govel was partially exposed due to the buttons of his white-golden shirt being open.
"Primal Demon?"
Hearing Leo's voice, which was now shaking, he cackled lightly.
His voice floated over to the lanky-armed individual, whose eyes widened at the soothing and relaxing sensation of it hitting his ears.
"Yes… Well, not really. You could consider me an offspring of the Primal Demon."
"I see. What should I call y–you?"
"Choose. I don't have a named."
Pondering over the subject for a bit, he finally came across a name that would fit the demon perfectly.
"What about… Dante."
"Dante?"
"Dante, the Inferno."
The demon's eyes lit up as he slightly nodded, revealing his acceptance to the rather unpopular name.
"So, what have you come for?"
"My friend said that I could possibly borrow some Deofol or something to use your power more efficiently."
Although Dante had been born a couple of weeks ago when Leo received the inheritance, he still possessed some fragments of the memories of his other selves and the real Primal Demon.
Thus, he was a little offended when a little boy offered to take his power.
"Firstly, since I am an incarnation, I am a lower demon. Lower demons do not possess Deofol; only higher demons do so. Secondly, you cannot borrow my power until you reach of age, or your body will corrupt."
Leo sighed in defeat as he asked of a way to leave the place.
At that moment, a thunderous voice entered the ears of both Dante and Leo.
[Lower Demon. Grant Leo Kadz the Gem of Partnership.]
"Ace?"
Leo asked, confusing by the current state of events.
He then glanced at Dante, whose face had turned pale. His eyebrows quivering and his body spasming.
"Dante, what is the Gem of Partnership?"
He asked. However, his question remained unanswered as the demon only stared at the ceiling, where Ace's voice had supposedly come from.
[Demon, hurry up.]
This time, the voice sounded ominous, as if it were a threat.
"Y–Yes, Akashic Records' servant."
Dante answered with a squeal that sounded both meek and shaken.
[Ah, don't call me his servant. Address me as his… messenger.]
"I see, m'lord."
Dante suddenly got on his knees, kneeling towards the messenger of his lord.
Despite Akash's timid personality, childish appearance, and weak physical strength, he held strength in numbers by ruling over countless members of races whose progenitors were Deities or Celestials.
That's why some of the demons, wherever they might be in the Inner Cosmos, are under Akash's rule.
Having known this, Ace could convince Dante to let Leo borrow his powers to an extent where it wouldn't corrupt his body.
It was something like a pact but way lenient.
[Now, offer that boy your Gem of Partnership.]
Although a little hesitant at first, Dante soon agreed to give the lanky-armed individual the Gem of Partnership.
The said item was given to all incarnations of the Spirit Animals as a way to let their host wield their power indefinitely.
Although this would not be the case for Leo because of his age, he could utilize a considerable amount without any pain or corruption.
Handing the jade-colored gem over to the lanky-armed individual who watched in confusion, Dante soon kneeled once again, paying his respects.
[Good. Leo, punch your sternum lightly to exit that place.]
Leo did as he was told, and soon, he felt like he was pulled into existence once again–which he was.
Zap!
The body of the lanky-armed individual recreated itself in front of Ace, who watched with a calm expression on his face.
"Now, you can mix your mana with that demon's Demonic Energy."
"You mean Dante?"
"Dante?"
"Yeah, I named him Dante."
Smacking Leo on the head due to his unoriginal naming sense, Ace urged him to sit down cross-legged.
"Now, suck the energy from the right side of your mana core while mixing it with your own mana. That's the correct version of [Transformation] one can use before they become an adult."
Nodding solemnly, Leo closed his eyes while sitting cross-legged.
He then focused on the object on the right side of his mana core, which surprisingly turned out to be a demonic heart.
"You gained an extra life due to the Gem of Partnership. Now, no can fully destroy you until they shatter your demonic heart. Well, you won't be able to move after getting your physical body destroyed, though."
Not paying attention to Ace's explanation, Leo desperately took the black energy out of the demonic heart, mixing it with his mana.
Suddenly, a thunderous voice exited Leo's body as the features of a demon were displayed.
A black tail with a pointy end.
Two black horns with ends encompassed in orange flames.
Two enormous wings engulfed in dark flames.
And finally, a black tooth that seemed to be larger than any of his other teeth, making him look like a vampire.
"Perfect."
Ace commented on the majestic appearance of the lanky-armed individual that sat before him.
'He finally turned handsome, just like me.'
Revealing a toothy grin, Leo soon stood up, admiring his newfound appearance while using [Transformation].
His eyes were now filled to the brim with power and confidence that contradicted his lanky appearance.
"I request a duel, Ace."
"You wanna fight your teacher? Such rudeness shall not be allowed, Mr. Leo."
Although he retained the surname, he wasn't in the family anymore.
Thus, calling him Mr. Kadz seemed a little weird to Ace.
Chuckling, Leo gathered mana in his hand, which turned into a grey mixture of energy as soon as it manifested.
The molecules radiated a hint of bright and dull, contradicting each other to an extent where Ace swore he could see both revolving around in the manifested mana and demonic energy.
"All right. I'll accept your request."
With his regular, leisurely smile, Ace readied a stance, studying the powers of his opponent.
'Since it's a demon… amplification of energy and use of the property of darkness? That completely contradicts his fighting style, though. I wonder how he'll utilize it. Wait, he doesn't even have a skill related to the property of darkness.'
Immediately, the property of darkness oozed out of Leo's body, immediately incinerating anything it came into contact with.
'Never mind. I believe that's a combination of [Self Darkness-Affinity] and [Darkness Radiation]. Did he get those from the demon itself, or did he already have them?'
In actuality, Leo had just received these skills from Dante as a present towards the friend of the messenger of his lord.
Of course, the latter was still a lower demon, so it did not possess much strength.
However, the amplification of one's energy and the process of bestowal was definitely possible for the handsome demon.
The darkness that oozed out of Leo's body encompassed his fists as they glowed black with a hint of red.
Combining [Berserker] with darkness, velvet-colored veins popped out of the lanky-armed individuals body, as if he were about to explode with sheer power.
Leo felt excruciating pain trying to control the sheer amount of mana he possessed, causing a little to drizzle from his sternum.
As mana and demonic energy was mixed with his blood, it formed an acid capable of tearing through the ground, entering a depth no one had ever explored before.
'Mana Overload.'
Ace sighed, trying to discern the severity of the overload.
It seemed Leo could control most of the demonic energy. However, some of it had gone berserk even after he had received the Gem of Partnership, showcasing his near-useless mana control.
He was well-versed in using mana only for physical combat.
Utilizing mana for conjuration or long-ranged attacks was very difficult for the lanky-armed individual, since he had never attempted it.
As darkness oozed out of his body at a rate considerably higher than before, Ace quickly ran over to him, suppressing the leakage using his own mana.
He used aether as well, trying to block the leakage while also nourishing his soul to increase the potential of Leo as well as Dante.
As the purple substance entered Leo's body, Dante's eyes widened to the size of saucers, estimating just how powerful the messenger of his lord was.
He had heard about aether from the memories of past demons related to the Primal Demon, and knew most of the things about the world.
However, he had only ever heard one story about aether… Outer Gods.
Now, he had received a chance to witness the substance firsthand and watch as it nourished his body and his host's soul.
Moaning in pleasure, he secretly thanked Ace for the substance he had delivered, sitting cross-legged to absorb the essence of it.
"I will never forget such a deed, Messenger of the Great Lord, also known as the Akashic Records."