The demon commander moved with impossible speed, closing the distance between them in a blur. Its massive blade, wreathed in dark flames, descended toward Elijah with terrifying force.
Elijah raised his hand, summoning a barrier of void energy. The blade struck, and the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, cracking the ground beneath them.
"You're faster than I expected," Elijah admitted, sliding back a few feet.
The demon chuckled, its voice a deep rumble. "And you're just as fragile as I expected."
It pressed forward, unleashing a relentless assault. Each swing of its blade warped the air, the dark flames leaving trails of destruction in their wake. Elijah countered with precise movements, folding space to dodge the attacks and striking back with blades of void energy.
Their battle tore through the terrain, each clash sending shockwaves across the ruined landscape. But Elijah quickly realized the difference in power. The demon's strikes grew heavier, its movements more fluid, as if it were testing him.
"You rely too much on your void magic," the demon sneered, swiping at Elijah's midsection.
Elijah parried, but the force of the blow sent him flying, crashing into a jagged outcropping. Blood trickled from his mouth as he staggered to his feet.
"You talk too much," he retorted, summoning a void rift to teleport behind the demon. He slashed with his void blade, aiming for its unguarded back.
But the demon anticipated the move, spinning around with a feral grin. Its clawed hand shot out, grabbing Elijah by the throat.
"I've fought many of your kind before," the demon said, lifting Elijah off the ground. "Void magic is powerful, yes, but it consumes its wielder. I wonder, how long can you last before it devours you?"
Elijah's vision blurred as the demon's grip tightened. He struggled to summon his energy, but the overwhelming pressure of the demon's aura made it nearly impossible to focus.
"This is your limit," the demon growled, raising its blade for the final strike.
At the last moment, Elijah unleashed a desperate surge of void energy, creating a massive explosion that threw them both apart. The force sent the demon crashing into the ground, momentarily stunned.
Elijah landed hard, coughing up blood as he struggled to stand. His body screamed in pain, his reserves of energy nearly depleted.
"I wasn't ready for this," he admitted to himself, his breaths shallow. "If I stay, I'll die."
With the last of his strength, he opened a void rift and stumbled through it, escaping the battlefield just as the demon regained its footing.
The commander watched him vanish, a cruel smile spreading across its face. "Run, little human. Run as far as you like. You can't escape the abyss."
Elijah reappeared miles away, collapsing onto the ground in a dense forest. The cool air was a sharp contrast to the burning pain coursing through his body.
He lay there for what felt like hours, his mind replaying the battle. For the first time in this life—and in his previous one—he had been completely outmatched.
"I was arrogant," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I underestimated the power of the demons."
The faint sound of footsteps broke his thoughts. He forced himself to sit up, wincing as the movement pulled at his injuries.
A familiar figure stepped into view—Magnus. His grandfather's expression was unreadable as he knelt beside Elijah, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You survived," Magnus said, his voice calm. "That alone is impressive."
Elijah let out a bitter laugh. "Barely. If I hadn't run, I'd be dead."
Magnus's gaze hardened. "This is a lesson you needed to learn. Power without preparation is recklessness. The demons are not opponents to take lightly."
"I know that now," Elijah admitted, his fists clenched. "I need to get stronger. Much stronger."
Magnus nodded. "Then it's time for you to focus. The Royal Academy is the best place for you to hone your skills. There, you'll have access to the greatest minds, the best resources, and sparring partners who can challenge you. But more importantly, you'll learn discipline."
Elijah hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. But I won't forget this loss. That demon... I'll face it again, and next time, I'll win."
Magnus's lips curved into a faint smile. "Good. Hold onto that resolve. You'll need it."