At the centre of Faustus City was an academy that raised and taught chivalry to new MagiKnights.
It was here that a certain man combed his white hairs while thinking about the years gone by.
Nostalgic memories were there in his eyes.
Reflecting upon the environment different people and experiments conducted to improve humanity.
As well as his failures.
He touched his desk and looked at a file that had the name 'Demi Project'. It had a think notebook.
"You're doing it again." As his hand traced the papers, he saw a colourful man at the door.
The weirdo spoke to the principal informally.
Despite his status as the 'Hero of the People' and countless achievements, it didn't seem to matter.
There was a brightness around the guest's face that signalled a good mood. Which was as usual.
It took a lot for this person NOT to be happy.
His pinkish orange jacket with flower patterns of rainbow colours gave away his personality traits.
Or that he just had a bad fashion sense.
Underneath it was a simple long-sleeved cream shirt, black tie, belt, and trousers fitting a worker.
It wasn't hard to tell what position he had.
"Solaris, are you belittling me?" Even though he said that, the principal didn't seem offended.
"Come on~ You should make some time for your granddaughter instead of this. Is research the only thing that ever matters to you?" Solaris barged in and grabbed the papers that were on his desk.
"Hey…"
"The insufficiencies that need to be taken note of after the unsuccessful Demi Project. Written by Celest Vagabond. When you look at it, this book has quite the long name." Solaris fiddled with it.
After he was done, he handed it back willingly.
"It's a research document." Celest seemed a bit defensive on the terms used for his research.
"Anyway, was it worth the effort and cost?" The two of them knew Solaris meant for than money.
"Do you have a better way to do this?" (Celest)
"Let me teach them Martial Arts properly." (Solaris)
"This isn't the same age your master came from. A few fancy moves wouldn't mature them." (Celest)
"Cultivation can still be possible." (Solaris)
"How? There is a deficiency in the air that's only gotten worse since the 2nd Eruption." (Celest)
"I know that Ether might disappear in the 3rd Eruption. I'm thinking up new methods." (Solaris)
"Tell me something useful." (Celest)
"If we can't breath it in from the atmosphere, why not use the crux of your Demi Project?" (Solaris)
"Alchemy?" Celest was finally surprised and even inspired by the idea his subordinate came up with.
He opened the notebook and quickly looked through his office for more research papers.
A new one was brought.
'Super Soldier Project No3463' was on a electronic notepad with all his research papers stored within.
"I know D Rank is the limit of the artificial approach of Cultivation, so why not bring 'them' back into the limelight? They've already suffered enough because of our problems." Solaris leaned in close.
Patting his old friend on the shoulder.
The memories of their failure and the subsequent creation of the 'Kin' flashed through their eyes.
Along with the lies they told in order to keep their secret from leaking. It'd been so many years.
"They might open their mouths." Celest rejected.
"Those who know are six feet under now. The current generation don't even know anything about the past. They think their ears and tails are a biological mutation. Not induced." Solaris pushed.
The latter having greater weight in the argument.
"…If that's the case, then they'll be useful." (Celest)
"Right~!" (Solaris)
"Looks like you learnt to be cunning to get what you want. Anyway, why did you come?" Celest narrowed his eyes towards him. There was no way a Grace like Solaris would arrive just to tell this.
They had a lot of matters beyond this.
"A lot of chaos has been happening thanks to one person. He seems to really like your granddaughter a lot." Solaris smirked at him, but there was not a hint of change in the old man's expression at all.
Despite how he had only awoke his descendants out of stasis in recent years, he had no love for them considering how they died in some sort of terrorist attack. He didn't even react at that time.
Only saying 'It is a pity' before returning to work.
Solaris tightened his fist.
'I should have known…' He felt bad for her.
"They are both Hero Candidates, but doesn't my descendant seem better than him?" Celest argued.
As if finding it stupid that some random guy could think he could come on in and drool over her.
"He's managed to wrapped the Five Clans around his finger. A lot of major industries has fallen under his control, or are indebted to him. Are you really going to let him run amok?" Solaris didn't exactly hate this. He saw a lot of potential in that person.
The only thing that confused him was this control freak's lack of action regarding a new variable.
The old man looked at his black-haired subordinate and sighed, then took out a file from his drawer.
"Three clashes with the elusive Dragon Cult, and we had three wins. Terrorists ousted, and those who placed their trust in us protected. All thanks to one person." Celest told enough to explain it all.
So long as their enemies were destroyed, it didn't matter whose hands it became handled through.
"Are you not worried about this at all?" Though that person did good things, Solaris couldn't trust him.
From the way things transpired, it was almost as if someone had been able to predict the Dragon Cult.
An ambush on key figures of the city was foiled thanks this person. A traitor amongst the city's top brass was found with evidence provided by this new player. He was moving around like a tornado.
What would he do next?
There were many forces like them watching. All their attention had been taken by one man.
His name: George Radcliffe.
"Do people like us get scared of progress? If we don't like it, then flip the table." Celest mocked.
"Don't even joke about that." A dangerous look appeared in the younger man's heroic gaze.
He knew exactly what 'flipping the table' meant.
Although they were strong enough to do that, it wasn't something they should ever think to do.
"Enough jokes." Celest threw away his previous fickle attitude and spoke firmly: "It's time."
"Are the sources that trustworthy?" Solaris stared.
"The 3rd Eruption will be soon. We have to do our best to remove power generators based off of Ether Absorption around the city. We have around ten years or so to get our 'Heroes' ready to fight off the Calamities." Celest made his choice.
"…What if our Hero becomes the Calamity?" Solaris remembered how even his comrade became one.
The topic became sour due to a distant memory.
When the person they both loved and cared for became the last hurdle in the 'First Cycle'.
The eruption starting the Third Cycle wouldn't be better than the past. There was no way that being that created the those Archdemons would make a mistake the second time. It would likely happen.
"If that does happen, you know what to do." Celest gave his trust to the fists of his old friend.
Even though they were once helpless, now things had changed. Things would never be the same.
Even though they were talking about a Calamity that would likely be several times stronger than usual thanks to a Hero being the host, they had the strength and fortitude to go against such a freak.
"I will follow my duties, but… are you sure the Demon Lords will return?" Solaris felt a headache.
This wasn't good news.
"The prophesy stated they will. If not, we can be happy if it's wrong." For once, Celest shared the same sentiment. The fact all 12 Archdemons survived meant that they lost the Second Cycle.
Even if the Third Cycle's disasters were the same strength, that meant 24 calamities running amok.
Even with all their preparations over several lifetimes, they could not see a path to victory.
"…We must unite everyone. I'll help create a place for the Kin to live as a sign of peace." Celest had no choice but to take Solaris seriously on unifying the entire city itself. Even those left in the outer layer.
"Good. I think we don't need New Faustus anymore if we're showing ourselves." Solaris threw more in.
Since he gave an inch, why not take a mile?
"Fine." In fact, Celest himself had been unable to control the corruption that had happened there.
New events had uncovered that the people in the inner city may be connected to the Dragon Cult.
When the Archdemons came back, these people would be liabilities that would strangle their neck.
Solaris and Celest headed off to do it themselves.
This moment would mark a crucial point in history from the 'original work'. It barely helped them.
But little did they know that things had changed.
The fate of this world had taken such a tremendous shift that their future would no longer be foreseen.
The forces of Hell were no longer a problem.
…..
….
…
..
.
After having my arms chopped off and being injected with a syringe, those stubs felt strange.
I could feel my body heating up.
['Evolution Syringe' is being applied.]
['Job: UnLife Rioter (Jobless)' is erased.]
I felt as if my body was transforming.
[Hidden characteristic is found. 'Species: Human' is being altered thanks to the item being used.]
[New characteristic is applied. 'Species: Ghostkin' is recorded. Finding most suitable form to take.]
[Match found.]
[Restoring damage.]
"Urgh…!" I felt like hurling, but held it in since my instincts were to not waste any nutrients in me.
Some of that barf went into my mouth and nearly flowed out my nose, but I sucked it back in me.
There was no telling when they'd feed me.
After the system stopped sending messages, I found my arms growing back from the bone up.
It felt like a miracle.
This level of regeneration felt like that 'Heal' I'd experienced from Talia. Bringing me back to life.
A new pair of hands were formed.
They were a bit different from my original. Likely because I had the 'Poison Hand' Personal Skill.
Although it was a mastered Skill that wasn't intrinsic to me, the body had a unique type of memory that was likely outside what even Asmo expected. Tiny magic fibres grew from my hands.
I could tell from how they didn't overtly show that this was a stand-in, but not exactly an Origin Skill.
I had to bring up my Status Window just in case.
[Name: Pal Weldone
Species: Haunter Wolf (Ghostkin)
Personal Skills: Mixed Martial Arts (Physical), Amalgamation Style (Uni), Willpower Enchantment (Uni), Status Scan (System), Magic Arrow (Uni)
Intrinsic Skills: Riot Hysteria (Passive Evil), Skill Acquisition (Special), Evil Resistance (Mastered), Yin Wolf Divine Physique (Innate), Wolf Pack Divine Mentaliry (Innate)
Life Gift: Psychokinetic Eyes (Yin)
Power: D (Average)
Agility: B (Rare)
Speed: D (Average)
Defence: E (Common)
Magic: D (Dark/Evil/Death/Yin/Time/Fire/Pure)]
I had lost Intrinsic Skills now, and my Magic Arrow was useless without an Origin Skill to power it.
The only thing that changed was two new Intrinsic Skills and the 'Life Gift' I felt connected to me.
From these traits alone, I knew that I'd become different from the usual 'Kin' seen at Faustus.
Unlike them, the furry wolf tail that grew out of my tail bone was made of materialised cyan energy.
Different from the dark energy used by others.
I remembered those black ears of that bunny girl I'd saved. From what I remember, the texture was the same. They were coloured so differently from my skin that it was hard to see them as part of me.
It made me more accepting that I was a Kin.
I wasn't sure of what a 'Life Gift' was at first, but then I remembered making characters with them.
If the novel was correct, a Life Gift was the same as an Innate Gift. The difference was it being intrinsic.
Life Gifts were connected to the nature of how someone existed. Like how I was a Ghostkin now.
If I lost my Life Gift somehow, then I'd lose my life and features together. If it evolved somehow, then the body that Life Gift was connected to would undergo changes to. So would my 'Innate Skills'.
The 'Yin Wolf Divine Physique' and 'Wolf Pack Divine Mentality'. Their existence changed me.
I wasn't sure what the latter did, but the former enhanced my senses and physical abilities.
Wasn't this too nice?
It was hard to tell what that woman Asmo was thinking. I had to think of a way to escape now.
While they weren't looking.
I fiddled with the cuffs on my ankles. Trying to take them off so I could bolt without ever looking back.
Things didn't go as planned.
Before I could make an effort, I heard footsteps outside and knew the door was about to open.
Deciding to lay back down.
That Succubus with blue hair arrived.
"Sorry, you have to wake up right now." The girl forced me to look at her by dragging me off.
After throwing me off from the bed, the Succubus showed no emotions while taking me away again.
"Sorry… I hope you endure." She whispered to me.
I wasn't sure what would happen next, but I wasn't liking what this conversation was implying here.
What was she talking about…?
…..
….
…
..
.
The Archdemon was angry.
Despite Asmo's earlier calmness, she was actually livid about the sealing of the entire Demon Realm.
And from the familiar Mana Signature, she knew that the person who did this was that summoner.
If any of the other Archdemons found out she was responsible for this, who knew what'd happen.
"Damn!" She threw a table. Her eyes filled with fury and anxiety. There was fear existing in her heart.
Because unlike other Archdemons, she could really end up 'dying' if the others tried to kill her.
Sweat covered her face. There was a lump in her throat that wouldn't go down. What should she do?
Who should she punish?
It was then the door to the master bedroom of the mansion was opened. Four figures had walked in.
Maple was excluded since she was a War Demon.
Not needing a partner for spiritual sustenance.
Asmo returned to her earlier mysterious attitude again. Not showing a hint of her pettier side.
"One refusal…" She looked at the elf next to the wolf and saw a boring amount of fear within her.
It was likely she'd listen to them obediently so long as she was fed and clothed. It was a good sign.
"Armbinder." When Asmo spoke that word, a silver restraint for BDSM use was taken from nearby.
The elven woman didn't resist. She let the Incubus man restrain her arms while looking at the floor.
At her own feet.
Then the gaze shifted to the afro sacrifice that had been given to her. His value was now nothing.
After all, she took all that made him special.
Pure Mana, Regression, Poison… and now after she decided to punish him, she would take much more.
"Shave him." This was her first punishment, but the moment she said that, it brought a savage reaction.
"YOU FUCKERS!!!" It was a surprising reaction. He had been acting so obediently until this point.
However, he wasn't good at hiding his emotions.
Asmo caught his treacherous look, and didn't plan on ACTUALLY giving him three punishments.
She giggled like an innocent girl when seeing how much he treasured something like a hairstyle.
Humans were so stupid.
The Archdemon pointed at him, and he wasn't able to move as a telekinetic power held him in place.
After being held down, Edith was the one who actually shaved his head as the punishment.
"Stop it… Sorry, s-stop it…!" There was even a hint of begging in his tone to keep his afro hairstyle.
"Does it mean so much to you?" Asmo stopped her daughter with a gesture and asked her captive.
Pal looked at her and nodded his head.
"Too bad. Cut it." She didn't care about it.
The fact he was so attached to it was amusing to her. She felt like he was a funny one indeed.
"AAARGH!!!" Even as Pal was kicking and screaming about it, Edith continued shaving it.
The mechanical shaving tool's buzz made it seem like they were balding a sheep. Taking off its coat.
His struggles died down when the last bit of hair on his head was taken. Making his head clear.
The afro he'd made part of his identity no more.
In anger, his Life Gift activated and made his eyes glow. A tremendous amount of spiritual power started to push against Asmo's telekinesis, but it wasn't enough for a hundred year demon to sweat.
"So that's what you got~" Asmo spoke in familiarity towards her new dog's abilities he now gained.
With a flick of her thin wrist, Pal suddenly felt an abnormal power covering the entirety of his eyes.
It put pressure around the insides of it. Making his vision falter. Just then, his eyelids would not close.
Then, he was greeted with darkness.
His voice went quiet. His screams so terrible that he couldn't even voice them with his weak throat.
Devolving into sobbing when the pain came.
"Edith, take care of your new dog." Asmo didn't care of it was a wolf or a duck, it was a dog now.
And dogs needed to learn how to be loyal.
Obedience was only natural.
"Let's put some restraints on him just so he remembers his place." The Archdemon spoke up.
She flicked her finger, and a snapping sound got Edith to bring something that could be useful.
It was a dog collar, and a thigh restraint that was worn on the torso like a kinky chest harness.
Edith and Asmo jointly forced him into a compromising position with his legs held high.
His thighs being drawn towards his belly.
They didn't help him walk. Instead forcing him to crawl awkwardly due to his twisted body position.
Asmo laughed to Edith's discomfort.
There was only one person finding joy in Pal's messed up situation, but they didn't help him.
Putting him and helping were two different things.
"You two will live with those restraints for the rest of your lives. Get used to them." Asmo clarified.
She then waved them away.
Both the Incubus and Edith took their sex slaves out without another word. It was to protect them.
Because they knew any more exposure might destroy these two beyond what they could handle.
Their lives as tragic side characters started here.