"🌟 Join the Azeroth community on Discord and dive deeper into the world of Algernon's journey! Share theories, get exclusive updates, and connect with fellow fans—your next adventure starts here! 🚀 [https://discord.gg/cnM3X9wjtv]" you can copy it from SYNOPSIS
This will help spark interest and encourage people to join your growing community!
_______________________________________
Algernon stood at the edge of his training grounds, his breath steady despite the grueling session he had just finished. The once lush terrain around him was now a scorched battlefield, a testament to his relentless pursuit of power.
His mastery of demonic energy had reached new heights over the months, his aura now carrying the distinct weight of a Mid-Class Devil at its peak—just a step away from breaking into the realm of High-Class.
He exhaled deeply, allowing himself a brief moment of satisfaction. "Just in time," he thought, as the system's timer indicated the meeting with his next potential peerage member was imminent.
This time, the stakes felt different. He wasn't dealing with a delicate situation like Kuroka's; if his assumptions were correct, this meeting would demand raw strength and conviction.
After preparing his equipment, Algernon donned the intricate mask he had used during Kuroka's recruitment. The mask symbolized the identity he chose to wield when venturing beyond the bounds of the Gremory House—a presence both enigmatic and commanding.
Fifteen minutes ahead of the scheduled time, Algernon arrived at the cave deep within fallen angel territory. The place exuded danger, even in this outer area. While no full-scale battles raged here, the atmosphere was tense, the kind of place where a wrong move could provoke an attack.
Algernon moved silently, every step calculated. Even with his growing power, he wasn't arrogant enough to underestimate the territory's hostile inhabitants.
He didn't have to wait long. As the system's timer reached its mark, Algernon sensed a powerful aura approaching. Then, from the shadows of the cave entrance, a figure emerged—a young man with stark white hair and piercing blue eyes.
Algernon's lips curved into a smile beneath his mask. So, it really is him.
"I've been waiting for you, Vali Lucifer," Algernon greeted, his voice steady and resonant, the cave amplifying his words.
Vali stopped mid-step, his sharp eyes narrowing. His expression was guarded, yet there was a flicker of intrigue. "You know my name," he said, his tone cold. "Who are you?"
"You can call me Azeroth" Algernon tilted his head slightly, the dim light casting eerie shadows across his mask. "I'm someone who knows much about you—perhaps more than you expect. A direct descendant of the original Lucifer. The wielder of Divine Dividing, one of the Longinus Sacred Gears, and the inheritor of the Vanishing Dragon Albion's soul."
Vali's eyes narrowed further, his posture tense. "Bold words for someone hiding behind a mask. Why should I care what you know about me?"
Algernon ignored the jab, his voice calm but carrying an edge of authority. "Because I know more than just your titles. I know your story. How your father despised you, not for your weakness, but for your overwhelming potential."
"A devil with immense magic reserves, paired with the divine power of the Vanishing Dragon. You were hated for being something neither side could fully control. Betrayed and tortured by your own bloodline."
Vali's expression darkened, his fists clenching. "Careful," he warned, his tone icy. "You're treading on dangerous ground."
Algernon pressed on, undeterred. "Am I wrong, though? You've been cast aside by both the devil and human worlds, yet here you stand, stronger than ever. That's why I'm here—to offer you a place where your strength will be acknowledged and respected."
"To invite you to my peerage. Together, we could conquer worlds and rewrite the rules of power in this realm and beyond."
Vali let out a short, humorless laugh. "And what do I gain from this? Don't tell me you're doing this out of some noble desire for power."
Algernon's expression remained calm, though his voice took on a more assured tone.
"This is about ambition. I'm building a peerage of the strongest beings, a force consisting of strong, capable individuals who will help me carve my path to supremacy... And you… you're the perfect candidate. With your power and your hunger for battle, you'll have everything you desire—revenge, strength, endless opponents to test yourself against."
Vali's lips twitched into a small smirk. "You're offering me a chance for endless battles what I've always wanted, huh? And why would I choose to serve you instead of continuing on my own path?"
Algernon's eyes gleamed with certainty. "Because on your own, you're bound by the limits of this world. No matter how strong you become, no matter how many battles you fight, you'll still be confined to the likes of Great Red or the Ouroboros Dragon—a ceiling that even the strongest have never surpassed."
"But with me, you'll break free of those chains. My path isn't restricted by the boundaries of this world. Together, we'll rise beyond the impossible, reaching heights no one has ever dared to dream of."
Vali studied him for a long moment, then shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't follow weaklings, and I don't serve under anyone unless I see something worth respecting. If you want me in your peerage, you'll have to prove that you can keep up with me. Only then will I consider joining you."
A challenge. Algernon smiled beneath his mask, already knowing where this conversation was heading.
"Fine," he said calmly, "If that's what it takes. We'll see if your power can match your words. I accept your challenge, Vali. Show me if you're worthy of joining my peerage."
Vali's grin widened. "Then, let's see if you can truly handle me, Azeroth."
With no further words, Vali vanished in a blur of speed, his figure reappearing behind Algernon in the blink of an eye. His foot connected solidly with Algernon's ribs, sending him flying into the cavern wall. Dust and debris scattered from the impact, and for a moment, the air grew still.
But then Algernon emerged, unscathed, brushing rubble off his shoulder as if nothing had happened. "You're fast," he said, cracking his knuckles, "but speed alone won't decide this fight."
Vali raised an eyebrow, impressed but undeterred. "You're tougher than I expected. Let's see how far that toughness takes you."
This time, Algernon took the initiative. In a burst of speed, he closed the distance between them, his fist engulfed in a swirling sphere of compressed demonic energy.
Vali barely managed to raise his arm in defense as Algernon's punch collided with him. The sheer force sent Vali skidding across the cavern floor, his boots leaving deep grooves in the stone.
Vali grinned as he steadied himself, a faint trickle of blood running down the corner of his mouth. "Finally, someone who can land a hit. I was starting to think this would be boring."
Algernon didn't respond. Instead, he pressed his advantage, unleashing a relentless barrage of punches and kicks. Vali was forced to retreat, his usually impeccable footwork disrupted by Algernon's overwhelming precision and power.
As Vali dodged another strike, Algernon extended his hand, releasing a burst of compressed demonic energy that exploded upon contact. The blast caught Vali mid-dodge, sending him tumbling to the ground.
"You're on the backfoot, Vali," Algernon said calmly, his voice echoing through the cavern. "Do you still think this is a game?"
Vali pushed himself up, laughing despite the pain. "Not at all. Now I know you're worth fighting seriously."
Vali stood, and a sudden surge of power filled the cavern. White, ethereal wings erupted from his back, their radiance casting an otherworldly glow. The oppressive aura of Divine Dividing made the air heavy, causing the very ground to tremble under its force.
"So, this is Divine Dividing," Algernon muttered, his expression unchanging as he analyzed Vali's new form.
Vali grinned. "You're quick to adapt, Azeroth, but let's see how you handle losing your strength."
In an instant, Vali was upon him. Algernon dodged the initial strike, but Vali's hand grazed his shoulder. A strange sensation coursed through Algernon's body, his power being siphoned away.
"Your strength is now mine," Vali said with a smirk as Algernon leapt back, putting distance between them.
Algernon narrowed his eyes. "Interesting ability. But relying on it too much might be your downfall."
Vali's grin widened. "Bold words for someone losing power by the second."
Algernon shifted his stance, his crimson aura dimming slightly but still burning with intensity. Using his latent magical control, he created several illusions of himself, each one radiating a faint aura to mask their true nature.
Vali's eyes darted between the copies, his wings flickering as he prepared to strike. But Algernon anticipated his move. The moment Vali lunged at one of the illusions, Algernon appeared behind him, delivering a devastating uppercut to Vali's jaw.
The force lifted Vali off the ground, and Algernon followed up with a downward strike, slamming Vali into the cavern floor. The impact created a small crater, the force of the blow shaking the walls around them.
Vali coughed as he pushed himself up, his wings flickering unsteadily. "You're a tough one, Azeroth. I'll give you that," he admitted, wiping the faint trace of blood from his mouth. Despite his bravado, the signs of exhaustion were evident in his stance.
Algernon stood a few feet away, breathing heavily. His crimson aura was dimmer now, the draining effect of Divine Dividing taking its toll on his body.
The overwhelming sensation of his power being siphoned away had slowed his movements and weakened his strikes. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain upright as the familiar weight of exhaustion pressed down on him.
"Clever ability," Algernon said, his voice steady but edged with effort. "You've managed to strip away a good portion of my power. It's no wonder they call this a Longinus."
Vali smirked, though his breathing was labored. "And yet, here you are, still standing. Most opponents crumble long before this point. You're more stubborn than I expected."
Algernon's gaze sharpened. "Stubbornness is one way to put it. I'd call it determination." He took a deep breath, steadying himself. Despite the strain Divine Dividing had placed on his body, he refused to let it dictate the outcome of the fight.
Vali's wings flickered again, their radiant glow dimming slightly. The prolonged use of Divine Dividing had taxed him as well, his reserves of demonic energy struggling to sustain the constant activation. Still, he remained confident, his icy-blue eyes focused on Algernon.
Both fighters stood in the silence of the cavern, their heavy breathing echoing in the stillness. The ground around them was cracked and scorched, a testament to the intensity of their battle.
Vali deactivated Divine Dividing, the wings vanishing in a flurry of light. "I've had enough playing around," he said, his voice calm yet deadly serious.
Algernon smirked. "Good. I was thinking the same thing."
The two rushed at each other, their auras clashing in a spectacular display of light and shadow. Vali, relying on his raw combat skill, unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one calculated and precise. But Algernon matched him blow for blow, his movements fluid and unpredictable.
The cavern became a battlefield, every strike sending shockwaves that cracked the stone beneath their feet. Algernon's power seemed to grow with each exchange, his unyielding determination pushing him beyond his limits.
As the battle reached its climax, Algernon unleashed a final attack. Channeling all his remaining energy, he condensed it into a single sphere of raw power. The orb pulsated with an intensity that made the air around it shimmer.
Vali, sensing the danger, summoned his own energy for a counterattack. The two attacks collided in a brilliant explosion of light and darkness, the resulting shockwave shaking the cavern to its core.
When the dust settled, Algernon stood tall, his body battered but his eyes burning with victory. Vali lay on one knee, breathing heavily, a faint smile on his face.
"You're stronger than I thought," Vali admitted, his voice tinged with respect.
Algernon extended a hand to him. "Join me, Vali. Together, we'll go beyond the limits of this world and conquer what lies beyond."
Vali regarded it for a moment before clasping his hand firmly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You've earned my respect, Azeroth. I'll join you… but don't think I'll blindly follow orders. I live for battle and strength, nothing else."