Placing my hands on the dark crystal, it ominously dimmed and decayed.
"Calculating…"
"Is that a good sign?" I asked the examiner, my curiosity getting the better of me.
He ignored me, his focus solely on the dark surface that absorbed the light around it. I shifted my attention to the colorless crystal next, mildly apprehensive. Why am I even taking this one? I know I have fire; have you ever heard of a water phoenix? Nah, I just want to check the grade.
As my palms connected with the crystal, it shined an intense black.
"No, no! I can't have another darkness; what's the use in that?"
"Wait!" the examiner's voice rose above the crowd's murmur.
"Why is the crystal burning?" I exclaimed, pulling my hands back slightly.
"Calculating…"
Darkness: SSS++
Abysmal Flames: SSS++
I couldn't help but laugh, the sound echoing in the air, because my talent—my abilities—had reached the highest possible rank.
The whole arena erupted into cheers, everyone on their feet, yet amidst the cacophony, only my laughter could be heard. Even the examiner looked shocked, an expression I never thought I'd see on his usually stoic face.
As I walked back to my seat, the confidence swelling within me felt intoxicating, as if the future I envisioned was already unfolding.
"Congrats!" one of my friends called out, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Thanks!" I replied, a grin spreading ear to ear.
"That was epic and insane!" another chimed in, high-fiving me as I passed.
"Power couple, pfft! Hahahaha…"
As I turned to voice my humor, Crimson, my closest rival and friend, abruptly ignored me and left to meet his fiancée, Natalie. With nothing else to occupy my time, I decided to follow him—a choice that, in hindsight, became incredibly revealing.
As we approached, Natalie looked up and bowed her head, uttering, "I greet your highnesses."
"Why are you greeting your fiancée like that?" I asked, baffled.
"Like what, Prince Leo?" she countered, glancing up with a mixture of confusion and humor.
"Like that." I pointed at her posture, frowning slightly.
"It's the rule, your highness," she reminded me, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Enough with the formalities, girl," I replied, a teasing smile breaking through.
"Leo, give us some space," Crimson interjected, clearly wanting a moment alone with Natalie.
"I haven't congratulated her yet," I protested, feigning innocence.
"Just go," he urged, his tone more serious.
"Power couple, haha!" I laughed, but as I turned to look for the car, I saw them—my rivals, always so quick to pounce.
"We greet you, most powerful Leo," one of them scoffed, a smirk plastered across his face.
"Pretty-faced boys, how far?" I shot back, unable to resist a jab.
"Leo, Leo, Leo," another chimed in mockingly, "your face is starting to wrinkle at such a young age!"
"Zin, the one with the lesser talent," I retorted, my confidence unwavering.
"Touch! Touch!! Touch!!!" came the chorus from my rivals, taunts rising amidst the laughter.
"Such a poor boy," another added, trying his best to sound condescending.
"At least Troy and Henry are a bit better," one of them piped up, trying to divert attention away from Zin, who was clearly fuming.
Zin, easily the most handsome among them all, couldn't take it any longer and stormed off, anger flashing across his features.
"You got Zin right there," I noted, satisfied.
"I know," my friend replied, smirking.
"He will be alright," I said, trying to quell any lingering concern for him.
"You know the most painful thing about you is that with your talent, you can never be king," he stated bluntly, eyes fixed on me.
"The crown prince who never became a king," another echoed, laughter bubbling in his voice.
"Are you done?" I shot back, a hint of irritation creeping into my tone.
"Yes, so what's next for us to do?" he inquired, nonchalantly.
"Wait until school starts before anything else," I replied, the thought both exciting and nerve-wracking.
"Okay," came his agreement.
"Later! See you guys next week!" he bid farewell, his voice mingling with the din as he left for the car.
Don't misunderstand me and the incubus boys; we might be quarreling, but we are still the closest of friends, especially Zin, despite the rivalry.
Never mind what I just said to Zin; he might be the least talented among us, but he later became the head of their tribe and the most powerful of them all. His journey would often bewilder me, even to the extent of marrying a powerful sorceress. No, let me not spoil it—there are stories yet to unfold.
As I approached the car, I felt a wave of anticipation sweep over me. I decided to check my status—curiosity tinged with a hint of self-doubt gnawed at me.
**STATUS**
Name: Leo von Saar
Age: 12 years
Gender: Male
Race: Demon
Class: None
Stage: F-
**ATTRIBUTES**
Strength: F-
Agility: F-
Endurance: F-
Intelligence: F-
Vitality: E-
Charm: D
Mana: F+
**BLOODLINE:** Abysmal Phoenix
**AFFINITY**
Darkness: SSS++
Fire: SSS++ (Abysmal Flames)
Skills: None
Am I really that dumb? This confirms it all.
What I saw was indeed the future, a tapestry of fate woven in cryptic threads.
Ah, it seems that I have to start training and reach S rank before going to AMA—Academy of Magical Arts, the place that beckons with untold opportunities and dangers alike.
Speaking of which, that old cultivation manual would be a fantastic technique to delve into. Which demon doesn't want to become a devil? Devil is the highest form a demon can aspire to, a feat achieved only under extraordinary circumstances. Nobody has ever reached that level except my father, who stopped just short at the half-devil stage. That's why he was regarded as the strongest in his era; when four apex-ranked warriors ambushed him, he emerged barely alive, with only one surviving the onslaught. His stories were the stuff of legends, and I longed to follow his path.
**CULTIVATION RANKS**
F
E
D
C
B
A
S
SS
SSS
APEX
HEROIC (False Devil)
SAINT (Devil)
MYSTICAL (True Devil)
The highest rank currently is Apex, and legends say there are only seven apex-ranked beings in the world—my brother being one of them. It filled me with a strange mix of pride and envy; could I ever surpass him?
In the vision I'd seen, the most dangerous times are destined to arrive in about six years when the Rakshasas launch their full-scale war on the border—a moment that would shake the very fabric of reality as we know it.
The vision felt almost like a tale—a story that unfurled within my mind. It all began at AMA and revolved around a Duke's heir named Eden. With his astonishing SSS++ talent, he quickly became the strongest in his first year, eclipsing even my own nephew and the human prince, Jin. His journey led him to save his mate from Rakshasa's relentless attacks, becoming a beacon of hope and a role model to many.
He built a harem of girls across different races, and in time, he saved the world.
Happy ending, right? Not so fast. Although he saved countless lives, in the process, he managed to wipe out all demons from the face of Archideia—a consequence that sent shivers down my spine.
I also foresaw the arrival of Oregon, the god of the Rakshasas. Only a true devil could hope to challenge him—a daunting reality that lay ahead.
In a decade's time, everything will change.
When the fate of the world rests on your shoulders, don't view me as a hero. No, I only wish to safeguard what matters—to save Mistville.
The entire world could crumble, and while I wouldn't bat an eye, if Oregon were to descend, safety would be a rarity.
Crimson returned at last, and as we made our way home, I reflected on the immense responsibility that awaited me. I would be ready—prepared to carve my fate amid the chaos. The seeds had been sown; now, it was time to grow.