The group was unusual. When my eyes and Haki scanned them, they didn't seem truly human, yet they weren't exactly mutants or superhumans either. In truth, their energy reminded me of the gods, but its source was different, and the threat they posed was clearly distinct as well.
A few seconds after they appeared, another group entered. This one wore ancient clothing and was clearly human, but I recognized the energy surrounding them—mystical and magical energy enveloped their bodies.
A tense atmosphere arose as the two groups locked eyes, yet they didn't seem ready to act just yet.
My gaze met those of my mother and father. My mother didn't seem able to discern the enemies' energy, but she sensed their danger. My father, on the other hand, given his connection to magic and Olympian energy, appeared to grasp deeper aspects of it.
The first thing I did was smile and pretend I hadn't noticed anything.
"This pasta was truly delicious. One of the best I've ever had," I said, genuinely impressed, as our group continued eating. My brother seemed to sense something unusual but chose to remain silent.
Secretly, I used my telepathic powers to establish a communication channel between my parents and me.
'Mother, Father. One of the groups appears to be human sorcerers. The other... I'm not sure, but they seem non-human and composed of magical energy,' I conveyed telepathically.
'They're demons, son. I've encountered and fought some before,' my father confirmed, surprising and intriguing me.
'What do you know about them, Father?'
'Demons, unlike popular tales suggest, don't have a single origin. They come from various creations, with most hailing from unique magical dimensions beyond Earth. Typically, they are enemies of sorcerers and even some divine pantheons, especially since many invade Earth to sacrifice humans or steal their energy.'
Hearing this, I nodded, remaining vigilant for any energy fluctuations or anomalies in the environment.
Fortunately, we managed to finish our meal and leave without incident.
However, as I stepped outside, I paused for a few seconds.
"Father, Mother, Brother, head home. I'll follow in a moment," I said with a smile. My father glanced at me and then back toward the restaurant but chose not to comment, leading everyone away.
As soon as I saw them leave, my expression turned cold. I shifted slightly to the side, "wearing" and activating my usual combat power while retrieving a small card.
This card was one I had received from David long ago when we fought the symbiote-possessed alien. He had told me it could serve as a means of communication between us.
My eyes trembled slightly as I looked to the side.
With my Haki and divine sight, I detected a spatial and magical distortion in that direction.
A golden portal emerged from it.
From within, a young woman of about 25 years old stepped forward. She stood at 1.79 meters tall, her slender frame exuding elegance and mysticism.
Her long brown hair framed a face that carried a hint of youthful impulsiveness, though she seemed to keep it in check.
However, what caught my attention the most was the sense of potential danger she emitted. Somehow, she didn't seem much weaker than the god of war, Ares—perhaps because she wasn't exactly an ally.
Her eyes immediately met mine.
"Pleasure to meet you. I am Lívia, the current disciple of the Supreme Sorceress, the Ancient One," she stated calmly, though an underlying arrogance lingered in her tone.
"I am the Immortal One, though I wonder if there's any point in keeping my name hidden since it seems that some of my information has already been leaked by the powerful sorcerers," I responded, my voice carrying a hint of irritation. Magic was a troublesome thing, and whoever this Supreme Sorceress was, she seemed to have seen through my divine power.
"Don't be so irritated. The Ancient One is unlike any other. Your true identity was only revealed in fragments," Lívia stated.
'In truth, even certain aspects of your identity seem beyond the Ancient One's sight. A potential threat like you naturally requires some level of surveillance,' she thought in contrast.
"How can I help?" I asked.
"The request is for you to assist with the demons you must have already sensed. Their leader is an aspect of Mephisto's son, known as Blackheart. Alongside him are several incubi and other lesser demons."
"Wait, I don't recognize the names Mephisto or Blackheart," I admitted.
At my words, she paused before deciding to explain in a more magical way.
She swiftly moved her hands, conjuring a golden scroll.
"Absorb it."
I stared at her coldly, my gaze carrying the pressure of my immensely powerful lineage. A divine beast's roar and the nobility of an ancient crown surrounded her body.
In response, she unleashed a powerful mental force and mystical energy, taking our brief clash more seriously.
"Don't worry, it's only to help you gather information. We have little time."
For now, I decided to take the risk. I sent a command to Blackie to stay vigilant and destroy anything necessary, including using the small sword to counterattack if needed.
Touching the scroll, waves of information flooded my mind. Fortunately, I sensed no malicious intent.
Mephisto—a great Hell Lord. A being of universal threat and immense power. Though his son was weaker, he still possessed devastating and dangerous abilities.
"I see. If this is such a great threat, why don't you deal with him? No offense, but you seem more than capable," I asked, curious about her reasoning.
"Of course I'm capable. However, there are two reasons. First, I cannot conceal my energy as efficiently as you can. Second, he already recognizes my presence. If he senses my intervention, he may send even more of his power here."
There was also another reason she left unsaid—this was a direct request from the Ancient One.
I nodded, but I wasn't about to just agree.
"Alright, but what's in it for me? Dealing with dimensional or magical threats is your responsibility, so why should I help?"
Leaning back in a relaxed stance, I awaited her response.
"What do you want?" she asked, irritation lacing her voice, but she still posed the question.
I raised two fingers. "Two favors. Whenever I need help from the sorcerers, no matter the reason, you must assist me."
My demand clearly frustrated her, leading to some negotiation.
In the end, we agreed on a single favor, one that would not violate the rules of the sorcerers. In return, she could call upon a larger number of sorcerers, including those of higher ranks, at least under her authority.
"Alright. It was good doing business with you," I said, shaking her hand.
Without delay, I activated Zetsu and the Wind Sound technique while examining an object she had placed in my hand. Meanwhile, the sorcerers had begun battling in the Mirror Dimension I had seen earlier.
The item, resembling a small key, was supposedly meant to help me enter this unique dimension and assist them.
Like a wind spirit, I vanished toward the entrance.
As soon as I left, Lívia moved her fingers gracefully, and a small portal formed in front of her.
"I greet the Sorcerer Supreme. Master, is this action truly necessary? Wouldn't he be the future Sorcerer Supreme?"
A woman's voice emerged from the portal, carrying a blend of youth and ancient wisdom.
"No, he is not destined to be the Sorcerer Supreme. However, he may be vital in protecting Earth and even the universe from threats—including aiding sorcerers in prevailing against the evils to come... witches, Mephisto, ancient and lost gods, dimensional beings... many things are lurking. You could say this is a small test to further assess his abilities."
Lívia seemed to understand but asked another question.
"And what about this favor?"
With a smile in her voice, the woman replied, "A gamble. I want to see at what point he will be able to use it. And don't worry, my dear. In case of danger, I will personally intervene or block any unforeseen events."
Hearing this, the young sorceress did not respond. She didn't want her master's involvement, and though she didn't fully comprehend, she decided not to question further. She ended the "magic phone call."
Her gaze shifted into the distance, and she murmured, "I'll ensure that Blackheart notices nothing and is unable to interfere."
And just like that, with a literal step of magic, she disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.
I didn't take long to reach the indicated area, and my gaze shifted to the system screen.
< Mission: Demons vs. Sorcerers. Received >
Mission: Demons vs. Sorcerers
Objectives:
I - Help the sorcerers deal with the invading demons.
II - Defeat/prevent Blackheart from increasing his influence on Earth.
Reward for completing both objectives:
Supplementary books on Fuuinjutsu and Juinjutsu (including Rank B and some Rank A).
Description:
The sorceress named Lívia has made a request. Using your abilities, you must help the sorcerers deal with the invading demons and prevent the powerful entity known as Blackheart from increasing his influence and presence on Earth. However… could there be other motives behind this request?
The reward itself intrigued me, but what truly caught my attention was the final line of the system's description.
"It seems more complicated than I thought, but hopefully, it won't be too overwhelming," I murmured.
Finally, I placed the key at the exact spot where my eyes had detected the strongest distortion. The key glowed even brighter here.
As soon as I placed it in that space, reality fractured like a shattered mirror. I stepped through, and inside, everything felt different.
This time, I moved with more caution, observing the dimension in greater detail. My knowledge and sensitivity to energy, magic, and other aspects had improved, allowing me to analyze everything more thoroughly.
The magical energy of this space was much more tangible, easier to manipulate—almost as if it were the perfect environment for practicing magic. Even my own internal energy felt simpler to control, though it was still different from the spellcraft of Harry Potter or dimensional energies.
My mental sea roared, my Haki spread out, and my eyes scanned every inch of this realm. My wand appeared in my right hand, while my left hand channeled the power of my phantom lineage, gently moving the energy around me.
"Fascinating," I murmured.
But I quickly had to shift my focus elsewhere.
I felt powerful magical energies erupting in the distance.
"Tsk, looks like I can't waste time playing around."
Stowing my wand, I cloaked myself—not just with Zetsu and wind, but also with the unique energy of my lineage, subtly enhancing my stealth.