As the door creaked open, Theodore strode inside, his hand tucked casually in his pocket, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Fooling the two women had been almost too easy. Confidence radiated from him as he glanced around the dimly lit chamber.
"Shadow, check for traps," he instructed coolly, his voice low but commanding. Though a magical barrier encased him, he trusted nothing in this place.
The room was eerily silent as he ventured further. With each step he took, ancient torches mounted on the walls burst to life, their flames flickering with a strange, unnatural hue. The light revealed a figure bound in chains at the center of the room.
Theodore stopped in his tracks, his sharp gaze fixed on the captive. He didn't move closer but slid his small hand deeper into his pocket, his fingers brushing the comforting hilt of the dagger hidden there. The bound figure stirred, its chains clinking softly in the silence.
Then, its eyes snapped open!.
In an instant, the creature began to transform. Its flesh shifted and twisted grotesquely until it took the shape of a man with unnervingly sharp, snapping teeth and long, disheveled hair that hung in dark strands around its face.
A deep, guttural voice rumbled from the creature. "There's a familiar scent about you, human." Its piercing gaze locked onto Theodore. "I am Belial. And you are...?"
Theodore's smirk widened into a grin. He didn't answer, instead raising a hand. Shadow materialized beside him, its dark, amorphous form coiling like smoke, ready for his command.
Theodore smirked as he crossed his arms, speaking with confidence. "See, I'm a disciple of the Temple of Shadow. The old man said I should tame you, Belial."
At this, Belial let out a deep, guttural laugh, his sharp teeth glinting in the flickering torchlight. "Tame me?" he growled, inching forward, his predatory movements filled with anticipation. "I've been itching for a fight."
"I promised you I'd rule the world," Theodore said calmly, his voice filled with conviction. But before he could continue, Belial lunged, his fist hurtling forward with devastating force. Theodore barely dodged in time, the creature's punch obliterating the stone wall behind him, leaving a massive hole.
Stretching his hand and rolling his shoulders, Theodore muttered under his breath, "I see... Words are wasted on a filthy creature like you."
With a sharp intake of breath, Theodore's fist began to glow, shimmering with dark aura. His form blurred as he speed-blitzed toward Belial, landing a devastating punch that sent the creature flying across the chamber.
Belial groaned as he climbed to his feet, wiping blood from his lip with the back of his hand. His smile twisted into something even darker. Without warning, he slammed his hand into the ground, creating a massive crater beneath them. The floor trembled as he charged, aiming for Theodore's legs.
Reacting on instinct, Theodore leaped into the air, twisting his body mid-flight and landing a powerful kick to Belial's face. The force knocked the creature back, but it only seemed to enrage him. With a growl, Belial lunged again, his razor-sharp claws slashing through the air.
Theodore deflected the strikes with his mana-infused fists, their collision sparking bursts of energy. He retaliated with a sharp punch to Belial's jaw, sending him staggering. The clash intensified, their movements growing so fierce that the entire temple began to quake under the strain of their battle.
Panting heavily, Theodore noticed the cracks spiderwebbing across the ancient walls. "Enough!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos. "This is pointless. You're injured."
But Belial only sneered, his expression filled with malice. "You think I'll stop because of that, boy?" Despite his injuries, Belial's power remained overwhelming, and Theodore could feel the gap in their strength.
He sighed, frustration flickering across his face. "If words won't stop you..." He raised his hand, channeling the deepest reserves of his shadow magic. A massive sphere of black energy began to form, pulsating with raw, malevolent power.
Theodore unleashed it.
The room was consumed by the dark energy, the explosion so immense it shattered the temple and pierced the heavens. The energy surged like a black pillar of power, reaching into the clouds. Across the world, monsters and other races turned their eyes toward the ominous display. The sinister aura sent ripples of fear and curiosity through the land.
As the energy subsided, Theodore collapsed to the ground, his body wracked with pain. Every bone, every muscle screamed in agony, and he couldn't suppress the anguished cry that tore from his throat. He clutched his side, gasping for air, the aftereffects of his own attack leaving him battered and vulnerable.
Through his blurred vision, he saw Belial standing over him. The demon smirked, his voice dripping with mockery. "Is this the limit of the Temple of Shadow's disciple?"
Theodore's vision darkened, his body refusing to move. As consciousness faded, his final thought was one of bitter regret. Is this the end?
The last thing he saw was Belial's twisted grin before the darkness claimed him.
—
Theodore's eyes snapped open. He found himself lying in his bed, dressed in fresh clothes. The familiar surroundings of his room greeted him, but his gaze quickly fell upon Belial standing nearby, a smirk playing on the demon's lips.
"Why didn't you kill me?" Theodore demanded.
Belial chuckled, his tone casual yet tinged with amusement. "Because I lost, boy. That energy blast of yours... It seems you're more interesting than I first thought."
Theodore raised an eyebrow. Belial's appearance had shifted; he now wore a sharp suit, his demeanor refined and gentlemanly. "What's with the outfit?" Theodore asked.
Belial adjusted his tie with a modest smile. "I've decided to become your butler. It suits me, don't you think? I even used a little magic to... convince the staff to hire me."
Theodore's shock was apparent, but it soon gave way to wariness. The once-feral demon now spoke with a level of poise and humility as if he had been a butler for years. "Why?" Theodore pressed.
"I enjoy a challenge," Belial replied, bowing slightly. "And you, young master, are unlike anyone I've met."
After dismissing Belial, Theodore sat cross-legged on the floor to meditate. As he concentrated, the lingering pain in his body became evident—several bones were still fractured from his fight.
I need to rebuild myself, Theodore thought, devising a plan to strengthen his physical form. Alongside meditation to replenish his mana, he resolved to lift weights and practice rigorous swordsmanship.
As his focus deepened, his thoughts drifted to the nature of the world's power systems:
• Magic Circles: Formed on a mage's chest, they determined a user's magical rank.
• Beginners: First to Third Circle.
• Advanced: Fourth and Fifth Circle.
• Intermediate: Sixth and Seventh Circle.
• Masters: Eighth Circle, with only three recorded Archmages in history.
• Aura Stars: Exclusively for swordsmen, these stars reflected physical prowess. The highest rank, the Tenth Star, was a legendary achievement. Theodore's father, the King, had reached the Eighth Star, making him one of the strongest warriors in the kingdom.
Theodore smirked. I'm the only one in the kingdom to master both magic and aura.
Suddenly, Theodore felt a familiar presence. He summoned Shadow, the dark entity emerging from the ground to deliver its latest findings. It tossed the ethereal forms of Sky and Cadi's souls onto the floor.
Theodore observed them with disdain. Thanks to Shadow's ability to interpret the speech of spirits, their words echoed in his mind.
"You monster!" Sky wailed. "Why did you use us for your schemes?"
Theodore scoffed, unbothered by their outrage. "I have no reason to explain myself to the dead. My goal is simple: to take over the world."
As Sky sobbed, a sudden wave of knowledge overwhelmed Theodore's mind. It was the book's doing—a surge of dark magic. He laughed maniacally, delighted by the newfound power.
Channeling his energy, Theodore created four shadows. Two immediately devoured the souls of Sky and Cadi, their forms shifting. They gained human-like bodies, albeit with dark, shadowy skin. Theodore observed their new abilities:
1. Priestess Shadow: Gained healing abilities from Sky, a former priestess.
2. Scholar Shadow: Inherited the ability to decipher ancient languages from Cadi.
The shadows groaned at their "lame" names, but Theodore ignored them. Content with his progress, he noted his magical circle had advanced to the Fourth Circle—a feat unheard of for a ten-year-old. His aura had also reached the Third Star, though he vowed to train harder in swordsmanship.
A knock echoed through the room in the dead of night. Theodore dismissed the shadows as they retreated into the ground. "Come in," he called.
The maid entered, her damp hair clinging to her face, her white gown clinging to her form. Her pale skin and green eyes glowed softly in the dim light. Theodore raised an eyebrow, curious about her appearance.
"Why are you here so late?" he asked.
The maid approached without hesitation, pushing him onto the bed. She straddled him, her fingers tracing his face. "I wanted to satisfy you, young master," she purred.
Theodore's expression turned to one of shock and disgust. "I'm ten years old!" he snapped, his mind racing. Is this world full of pedophiles?
The maid chuckled, pressing a kiss to his lips. She claimed they had kissed before, back when he was eight, and he had forgotten.
Theodore felt a pang of pity for the original owner of his body. He was groomed and poisoned by this woman, he realized grimly, remembering how she had been sent by the Queen.
His pity quickly turned to rage. Dark energy surged as Theodore summoned a hand of shadowy magic, wrapping it around the maid's throat. Her eyes widened in shock as she struggled for breath.
"Did you think I wouldn't figure out your plans?" Theodore sneered. "You've been poisoning me for years. That's why the real Theodore died. But now, I'm here, and I'll make your life hell."
The maid threw a dagger in desperation, but Theodore's barrier deflected it. The blade rebounded, embedding itself in her leg. Screaming in pain, she demanded to know who he truly was.
"I am Theodore," he said coldly. "And I'm going to make everyone suffer—starting with you."
He summoned his shadows, who tore the maid apart, piece by piece. Her screams filled the room until her soul was consumed. A shadow transformed into her likeness, becoming the new Mimi, an infiltrator assigned to spy on the Queen.
Two weeks passed. Theodore's training progressed, and his strength grew exponentially. He even managed to defeat Shadow Armor in a sparring match, though the gap in their power remained significant.
One day, the King summoned him. As Theodore walked through the palace, he encountered the Queen. Her angelic features were marred by a strained smile as she greeted him.
"You're looking healthy and handsome," she remarked sweetly.
Theodore's smirk was sharp. "I'm living well, thanks to my father's wages—and the little surprises you send to my palace."
Her smile faltered briefly before she composed herself, bidding him farewell. As she walked away, Theodore noted the fury in her eyes.
Inside the King's office, Theodore bowed in respect, waiting as his father continued his paperwork. After a long silence, the King finally spoke, asking about Theodore's health.
Theodore replied politely, masking his disdain. When offered money, he refused, shocking both the King and his butler.
"You've changed," the King muttered.
After dismissing Theodore, the King confided in his butler, admitting his guilt over neglecting his son. The butler, though hesitant, admitted that the King had been a poor father.
The King resolved to mend their relationship, ordering Theodore to dine with him and the royal family.
Back at the training grounds, Theodore swung his sword with renewed vigor, his rage fueling every strike.
Belial appeared behind him, amused by his anger. "You're as cold as ever, young master," the demon said with a grin.
Theodore didn't look up. "I don't care about building bonds with a man like him. My only goal is destruction."
Belial's smile widened, his excitement palpable. "Then let's bring the world to its knees."