[Name: Fuller]
[Race: Demon]
[Species: Ifrit]
[Rank: Higher Demon (Unevolvable any further)]
[Class: Flame Trickster]
[Level: ???]
[Attributes - Unknown]
[Skills: Perfect Act, Medicinal Flames, ???, ???]
[Danger Level: Extremely High]
[Name: Perfect Act
Effect: The user can deceive anyone below their level or rank. This deceit involves acting the way the target wants to view the user]
[Name: Medicinal Flames:
Effect: User can utilize flames for healing.]
'Level up your Observation skill to learn more. Note: Skills shown have been applied to the host or against the host.'
Amari's eyes widened a bit. He had never seen the skills of a higher being on the biological chain. Was it because of the Observation skill level up?
He'd also never seen anyone born as a higher rank being!
"So, should I ask why you didn't help us with the monster, or are you going to take the initiative and explain it as you should do?" He finally said after recovering from his shock, arms crossed and staring pointedly at Fuller.
The other demon looked back at his wall and shook his head before speaking.
"I had no choice. The young lady's father is strict. He would never let anything happen to his daughter, even if that meant putting others directly in danger. However, that does not mean he wants a spoiled brat. He gave me explicit instructions not to interfere unless something drastic happened."
Amari didn't want to admit it, but he understood where her father came from. He released his arms and looked away from the red-skinned demon.
"Didn't the situation with the Spore Goblin Fairy count as a drastic situation?" he questioned.
Fuller nodded.
"Then why-" Amari started again but was cut off.
At this point, the other demon lost his expressionless face. His red skin turned a shade lighter, which Amari guessed meant he was pale.
"Well, that's the thing. We Ifrits are very susceptible to mental attacks. We are a species of demon that uses emotion to trigger the mana in our body, which is often a fire element. As such, we are the best sources of firepower in direct combat and the weakest links in mental battles."
Amari noted his change of tone throughout his speech and furrowed his brows.
'He's angry about something.'
Fuller didn't want to talk about it, so Amari changed the subject.
"If you were this strong all along, why did you allow me to beat you up?"
The other demon's lips curled into a smirk for a brief second but returned to its languid state soon.
"Because it was better for you to vent your pain. I have experienced it as well. I know how it feels."
Amari fell silent. He'd just assaulted a man who could kill him at any second.
"Back then, in the room. You said you would do the same for someone else. Were you talking about Lilia?"
Fuller frowned and his eyes went alight with flames. Amari noticed the brief incursion and muttered a barely audible "Never mind".
"Why did you call me here if you are not willing to talk?" He asked again once the dust had settled.
"Hmm, this is quite difficult to say, but I shall try my way," Fuller said, tapping his feet against the floor rhythmically.
Amari nudged Belat, to which the pup responded by moving over. He then glanced at Fuller to see if he noticed the small action. However, the demon didn't notice or care.
After a few minutes, Fuller ceased tapping. "Let us make a deal. I want something from you, and I will offer something in return."
"What is it?"
"I need to do something. And in the meantime, I need your help to protect Lilia."
Amari had already rejected the offer inwardly, but he held himself firm. "And what do I gain from this transaction?"
Fuller moved closer and whispered. "Your chance for revenge against the Palenia Family. How do you feel about that, Raion'shalang?"
Both brothers looked at each other, hearts beating against their ribs. Shadows rose from the ground swirling around them harmonically. The lights in the room flickered a bit and the shadows moved dangerously. However, they disappeared shortly after.
Amari's face returned to calm. He knew there was no need for that, though. His interest was as clear as the sun in the sky.
He had one question, though.
"Why?"
Fuller staggered slightly and looked at Amari strangely. He sighed and trailed a finger across his left arm, softly caressing the entire arm.
The brothers stared at the arm, but there was nothing out of the ordinary about it.
"Well, I guess you could say they took someone from me. When you mentioned invaders in our first meeting, there was hatred in your eyes. I realized that you were just like me. That's why I included you."
Amari scrutinized Fuller's face. He wasn't lying.
"Alright, I will work with you to get rid of them. Just explain what my role is, and I'll help you with it."
"It's simple. You protect Lilia while I'm away. Nothing but that."
[Chain Mission Activated]
[Mission Details: Protect Lilia while she attends the Demon Academy]
[Rewards: Access to the second mission]
The mission notification popped up and left soon after.
He didn't want to find out. Not that he had a choice at this point.
"Okay," Amari nodded slowly.
Fuller let out a strange guttural grunt and walked over to his desk. He opened a drawer and brought out a large book, slamming it against the reading table.
Amari leaned over and grimaced. He didn't know much about the demon society since Reida and Felaud couldn't teach him much about it. There was one thing, however, that would always be present in any society. It was the words written.
THE RULES
"Oh, you've got to be kidding."
"That's just the first book."
….
Two hours and one thousand rules later, Amari and Belat walked out of Fuller's room with ashen faces. Their backs were hunched after the long and uncomfortable sitting session, and their ears almost bled from the repetitive and suspect rules.
"What kind of rule is 'stay away from my daughter peasant'? Especially since I'm protecting her in the first place!" He grumbled to himself, as he walked to his room.
Amari stopped at the smell of food and looked over to the dining area where Lilia and the other demons sat. Three large torches illuminated the room at the corners, casting shadows where the light didn't reach.
An extra table was propped up next to the one he knew. There was a large food spread and a few seats. Probably for himself, Belat and Fuller. Ken played the flute and another sang along. The rest joined in from time to time in between bites, harmonising with them.
Amari strangely did not curl back at the sight. Social settings had not been his forte. He could never talk to multiple people at once in his past life. Now? He felt like he could even deliver a speech if necessary!
He looked away from the merry-making and focused on Lilia's lithe figure. The woman he wanted to protect. Some of the rules made him shift to the edge of his seat, but nothing drastic.
His gaze lingered for a second too long and Lilia's face twisted into a frown. She looked around the room before staring up at him and meeting his eyes. Her face flushed and she looked away for a second.
Amari froze for a second, thinking he had done something wrong, but Lilia quickly got out of her seat to wave. Her second hand covered her cheeks in a conspicuous fashion.
When he looked back down, Lilia had just dropped a mug. She called him. Or more accurately, she mouthed it.
"Come downstairs."
Amari looked behind him, then back at Lilia.
"Me?" He asked and she nodded in response.
After considering his options, he shrugged and went along with it.
It was either this or looking at his status panel and trying to figure out the newly added things written there.
While ignoring Belat's funny looks, he quickly descended the stairs.
"Hey!" Lilia called out, running up to meet him at the stairs' foot. "What were you doing up there for so long? I was worried about you."
Amari was taken aback by the level of familiarity but leaned into it after some thought. After all, they'd just survived a life-or-death battle and he would take care of her for a while.
"Uh, I was just talking to Fuller about some things," he answered, scratching his back.
"What things?" she leaned closer, frowning. "I hope he hasn't bothered you. If he has I'll give him a piece of my mind!"
Amari jumped out, shaking his head. "No nee-"
The beautiful demon girl cut him off and grabbed his arm. He tensed up at the sudden wind against his face. She was fast.
She flew atop the wooden floor dodging any oncoming demons as she reached for the empty table with food on it.
Before he had a chance to react, he sat on the long bench holding cutlery. Opposite him, Lilia grinned cheekily.
"Sorry, standing for so long was uncomfortable. What were you saying?"
Amari peered at the girl's figure for a while. She wasn't the shy girl he'd met on that barren wasteland.
[Name: Lilia
[Race: Demon]
[Species: Ifrit]
[Class: Princess Of Flames (Observer Rank)]
[Rank: Lesser Demon (Birth Rank: Evolvable)]
[Attributes]
[STR: 170]
[AGI: 190]
[STA: 120]
[INT: 300]
[MP: 600/600]
[Skills: Innate Fire Manipulation, Fire Grimoire Spells
Her skin was as red as ever, maybe even redder. Her horns had grown slightly since their first meeting a few days ago. However, those were the only signs he could see from the get-go. Otherwise, she still looked normal. Nothing to explain the sudden behaviour shift.
"What are you guys doing ove-?" he asked, trying to take his mind off the topic.
She interrupted him for the second time. "Aren't you going to eat?"
Amari stared at the food like a monster staring at its prey.
He shoved a large piece of meat into his mouth, loud chewing noises coming out a few seconds later. After a minute, he grabbed a large mug next to him and downed it quickly.
"I was starving!" He let out a sigh of relief, then turned back to Lilia who was now collapsed against the table, murmuring incoherently.
He walked over to her side of the table and gently shook her hand. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Uhhh…" The girl's groans made him more aware.
She reeked of that familiar scent. One world or the other, it smelled the same.
"Damn!"
He looked at the large mug Lilia had dropped before inviting him down. It was so obvious. She was drunk!
"Come on, let's get you to bed." He sighed and grabbed the girl, carrying her bridal style to her room.
She buried her head in his clothes and whispered. "I like your smell."
Amari didn't know what to make of that. "I like yours too," he said, climbing the stairs slowly to ensure she didn't fall out of his hands.
A while later, they reached Lilia's room. He stood in front of the door and rested Lilia on one hand while using the other hand to weakly push it open.
The door opened and Amari rushed to put the girl on her bed. He averted his attention from the demon girl's room decor and hurried back to the door.
But…
As if caught in something, his clothes shook a bit and tugged. Amari turned back.
"Please… don't leave." Lilia's voice called out, absent of her usual energy.
"Alright, I'll stay."