-Changed from artifact to Relic-
"That's refreshing," Crim observed his hands, walking to the bulky man unconscious. He seemed resilient after a few attempts, unlike the other two who succumbed to the drain. Leading the young man to just use a knife to finish him off.
After a few more, Just in case stabs he approached the terrified girl.
"So now, you mind telling me?" Crim smiled.
The young woman nodded, much to the young man, please. The demon stood quiet facepalming at the outward show the newbie had shown. The ability he used was not without its shortcomings and backlashes.
-'Don't use that skill often.'
The demon said, reading his thoughts Crim understood the reason, giving a slight nod.
"My best friend is a magical beast. And Derek one day brought out a hunting squad to steal her, I was knocked unconscious unable to do anything until when I opened my eyes she was gone.
I don't want her to die, she's precious."
The women contested, and Crim pondered the possibility of taming the beast for himself. But then again, if he wanted some proper rewards an alliance was necessary until he extracted what was needed.
"Hmm, I suppose I can help."
Help? The blond woman didn't believe that for a second. A man that killed somebody with zero hesitation wanting to help out of his goodwill? What kind of fantasy was that?
So, what's your game, huh? I know a killer like you doesn't just show up for kicks. You after cash, fame, or maybe a shiny relic?" The young woman proposed her words a mixture of skepticism and curiosity. Her bluntness brought a smile to the young man's face.
Before answering the young man asked the demon a question:
'Do you know where the relic tied to your sister is hidden?" Crim inquired, giving his round chin a thoughtful pinch.
'I do have a lead on the first relic, but I'm still in the dark about the other two," Scizon replied, looking somewhat desolate. 'One of them is in some fancy-pants academy on a nearby planet. Can you believe it? They're using it as a paperweight. The place is called 'Haleside Prestige.'"
Crim sensed Scizon's simmering anger but reminded him, "Don't let it eat at you unless it's vital. Keep it in the back of your mind for now." Reciting fake words from some book that did not affect somebody who could read his mind.
What he meant was: "Don't worry about it. If needed he's gonna pay later anyway."
Summoning the last of her strength, the girl mustered the energy to tilt her head down and meet Crim's eyes. Surprised the young man continued.
"Ever heard of an academy called Haleside Prestige?" The young man asked, brushing aside his mispronunciation.
Crim tilted his head and the Attacker nodded, inquiring further in her mind the girl became bewildered, "So, he wants to attend this school? It's not about money?"
The girl sighed.
"Seems plausible as long as you save Palis..."
The young man nodded, but a few seconds later she passed out cold and the young man was unable to do anything.
"Do I have any ability capable of healing?"
Scizon shook his head, suggesting a different outcome.
'Just meditate and try to extend your Power essence. The Best thing you can do is blood splatter, the only reason you could change the thug's blood flow was because they lacked a core. So there's nothing else you can do at the moment.
Also don't get cocky, you can't even beat a level 1 mage at the moment without underhanded tactics. So I would suggest you get some consumables for spells after you finish."
Crim sighed, he had forgotten about the fact he needed to extend his Power essence, with 3 months to do so, he needed to be ever so careful cause at the moment he had gotten a deserved reality check.
'Wait? This girl doesn't have a mana core too?'
The young man was surprised: for the thugs, it was normal for them to get their mana core destroyed just in case they tried anything funny, but a natural-born cripple going to fight alone? Is she crazy?
***
"Your Highness, the subject has awakened," reported a butler with small black horns and silver hair, standing before a throne of the finest cotton and steel. Despite its lack of intimidation, the Madman was content with its comforting embrace.
"Oh, he survived? I thought he would meet the same fate as the others. Anyway, did you bring any snacks?" The King patted his tummy, eyeing a cheeseburger presented on a fancy plate as if it had come from an exclusive restaurant for the wealthy.
"I'm sorry to say this, but how can you digest such distasteful food? Wouldn't blood or fresh meat satisfy you more?" The butler inquired with dignified curiosity. The Madman simply waved his hand.
"You know how vampires are allergic to the sun until their blood reserves are full enough to counteract its effects? It's a bit like that but for taste buds."
The butler had another question to ask, but the King glanced at his watch and sighed, "Ask me later; you're dismissed for now."
The butler left with more questions than answers, pondering why a demon like Aaron Darcey, who possessed eternal life and strength surpassing gods, was so deeply invested in this peculiar experiment.
=Authors Corner=(A place for I the author to advertise you adding it to the library, so do it)
For 2 extra short stories = 10 Colls one day
For 200 plus more words for the next 4 chapters = 20 Colls One day
For the Extra fight scene = 30 power stones
Hope you have a good day, but in the meantime hope you can add to the library. this book has been struggling quite a lot so I would appreciate the help. Thanks for reading if you managed to get this far hope you enjoyed the story, despite what it lacks so far.