Chapter 29 - Two Demons

The battle of two mages could attract a lot of attention, enough for it to become an event for a village or even a town if the mages were known for something.

Thus, a battle between two dark mages versed in the demonic arts would be both a disaster and a feast of unique events that everyone would want to see.

"Hah, too bad you're not a mage, we could have had an interesting battle between us." Drakar smirked, looking around, "Apparently you're smarter, you're more experienced than the others though... how is that possible?"

Crackle.

Silently, Evan pulled his sword from the icy ground, breaking the frozen chains into links.

"Evan! Run, you can't handle him!" Halvor exclaimed, genuinely concerned for Evan's fate.

Drakar frowned.

"Shut up!"

Drakar swung his hand, causing one of the chains to move and cover Halvor's mouth like a gag.

"You." Evan pointed his sword at Drakar, "Use your demonic art."

"Agh...?" Drakar's eyes went wide in confusion, then...

"AHAHAHAHA!!!" Drakar laughed furiously, shaking the space.

"I defeated an Amplifier with my powers, and you suggest I use demonic art against you? Boy, have you lost your mind? Do you really think you're worthy of me taking such a risk?!"

Evan raised an eyebrow, then he shrugged, "Fine, in that case, I'll just have to make you do it."

"Hah, you can try."

Whooooooooooooooooooosh.

At the same moment, Evan burst forward quickly approaching Drakar with a completely confident look.

"Heh, decided to attack... Your catalyst will be able to hurt me it's true, but... Considering you're a Commoner you don't stand a chance." Drakar said calmly, putting his hand forward.

A blood barrier appeared in front of his palm right before Evan was to attack. Evan's eyes flashed as he stopped abruptly, thrusting the tip of his sword into the ground and raising a cloud of dust.

Drakar's eyes narrowed as he jumped aside, stepping out of the smoke screen, not wanting to get hit by the attack.

"Bastard! You think that's going to stop me!" Drakar frowned, waving his shield like a fan, causing a torrent of wind to blow dust to the side. 

However, Evan wasn't here, Drakar only saw Evan's fleeing back, who had already gotten close enough to the main larva to put his plan into action.

Drakar realized what Evan was about to do too late, so before he could react, Evan's sword was already thrust into the main larva, slicing its flesh lengthwise.

"No! Stop!" Drakar exclaimed, creating dozens of bloody spikes and launching them at Evan.

Evan's eyes flashed as he jumped aside, dodging the barrage of scarlet blades at the last moment. Some grazed him, tearing his clothes, and leaving a cut on his shoulder.

"I am your opponent, don't you dare touch larva!"

"Hah, then why haven't you killed me yet? I bet if I had Amplifier against me, my head would be rolling on the ground by now, separate from my body, obviously." Evan smirked, then he shrugged, "Whatever. I'm not going to touch that disgusting thing again, because I've already achieved my goal!"

Evan pulled a crystal compass out of his pocket.

Drakar was wary, for the artifact could be a serious problem. Even a commoner could use artifacts since they naturally absorbed mana for long periods of time while maintaining their combat capability. Like catalysts, artifacts could have different abilities and forms, sometimes going as far as something really crazy and unexpected. 

However, very soon Drakar felt the demonic energy emanating from the compass, but he had no time to think, for Evan threw the compass straight into the main larva.

The compass was covered in thick, dark blood as the arrow inside began to spin violently in all directions until the sphere exploded.

At the same moment, sharp shards at lightning speed began to spin around the main larva to simultaneously pierce and turn into particles of light, making it disappear from this world and become food for the 70th demon.

The contract appeared in front of Evan, quickly burning in white flames, leaving behind a silver earring attached to the outside of his ear. The earring contained three tiny white crystals infused with energy. 

From such a small accessory emanated a majestic, noble aura that could only be possessed by a knight of light or...

'You've kept your end of the bargain. This main larva is above reproach... Well, enjoy your reward caster. I hope we meet again and you surprise me once more.' Seere's voice spread in Evan's head along with a smile passing across his face.

"What... What was that just now...? What's that earring?" Drakar muttered in disbelief, looking at Evan.

Evan smirked, "Come on, you probably should have figured it out by now."

"No... It can't be... You know demonic arts too...? Which demon from the court made a deal with you!?" Drakar exclaimed like a madman.

'The court...? What the hell is he talking about?' Evan was puzzled.

"Rgh! It doesn't matter anymore, I can figure it out myself!" Drakar wheezed through gritted teeth before pulling out a scroll with a demon sigil from under his coat.

To Evan's surprise, this sigil was not familiar to him. None of the 72 demons possessed such a sigil which could only mean one thing - this was a different demon.

"Baron Farnath - summon!" Drakar exclaimed, causing the sigil to shine brightly.

At the same moment, Drakar's eyes flashed, and behind him appeared a silhouette hovering above the ground.

It was a tall man with red skin covered in crimson protective plates, black armor, and two eerie wings with blood dripping from their tips. His aura was both strong and weak, for this world was not the creature's home world.

In a second, the demon and Drakar made a deal, their minds merging as had happened before with Evan and the other demons.

Then, Farnath disappeared as well as the contract they made, and in Drakar's hand appeared a long scarlet staff with a crimson crystal.

"Hmm... It's probably a demon from one of the next courts, but it's still too weird... How could a commoner like you have a contract with a demon that even I don't know about?" Drakar frowned, pointing his staff at Evan, "Be prepared to answer my questions. Until I know everything I will not let you die!"

Evan nodded and took a step forward.

"This was probably meant to scare me, but let me ask you a question..." Evan muttered before raising his head, revealing his insane grin.

"Do I look scared to you?!"

Evan exclaimed while a white aura spread from him. For a moment, the silhouette of a handsome man on a winged horse, like a rider descended from the heavens appeared behind him. Quite ironic for a 70th demon.

Then, Evan picked up a rock from the ground and threw it directly at Drakar as if taunting him.

"Tsk. You thought you could play a joke on me?" Drakar frowned, reaching his hand, about to catch the stone.

At the same moment, one of the three crystals in Evan's earring shone brightly, then he and the stone switched places.

Now, Drakar had to catch the broad, sharp sword coming at him with great force.