Leon slowly opened his eyes. His body felt like it was floating, adrift in emptiness. No up, no down, no direction—only thick darkness swallowing him whole, cold and silent, as if time itself had stopped here.
"Finally awake, boy."
Leon jolted. From within the darkness, a pair of blazing red eyes appeared. Slowly, black smoke formed a figure he was beginning to recognize—a demon in a cloak made of still-writhing dragon hide.
Satan sat upon a throne of darkness, this time clearer, more real than their first meeting. Around him, shadows moved, seeming like invisible soldiers faithfully guarding him.
"You must be wondering why I called you again," Satan began, his voice echoing.
Leon processed these words. His soul body still felt foreign, but this time it wasn't as frightening as before.
"I... where is this?"
"Inside your consciousness. Where we last met." Satan rose from his throne, floating closer. "Or more precisely, where I now reside."
Leon recalled the previous events. His blood. That black stone. Their pact. "You're... really inside me?"
"Your body is my vessel now, boy. Until you're strong enough to help me resurrect." Satan stopped a few steps before him, his eyes narrowing.
"But you've proven yourself. Using my power to survive, even if in a crude and uncontrolled manner."
Leon looked down. He remembered that massacre. Blood. Corpses. Power overflowing uncontrollably.
"I need to learn to control it," he murmured.
"A good realization." Satan smiled satisfied.
"But for now, rest first. Your body still needs time to recover."
Leon nodded, even though thousands of questions remained in his head.
Satan turned, walking back to his throne. Before completely disappearing, he said, "Oh, one more thing. You'll meet important people in the outside world. Don't tell anyone about me. My existence... is my secret, and your secret."
Leon wanted to ask more, but the world around him began to fade.
"Sleep, boy. When you're ready, we'll talk again."
---
Leon jolted awake, gasping, cold sweat drenching his forehead. Soft light entered through a large window, driving away the lingering shadows of his dream.
"Where... am I?"
Creak…
The door opened. Instinctively, Leon leaped into a fighting stance.
"A-Ahhh!"
The figure at the door screamed, stumbled backward, and fainted.
Leon panicked. Not an enemy—but a young woman with dark blue-black hair and striking purple eyes.
Quickly, Leon carried the woman and laid her on the bed.
---
Two hours later...
The girl slowly woke up and saw Leon beside her.
"Forgive me for startling you... I thought you were an enemy."
"It's alright. I was wrong; I should have knocked first."
Leon breathed a sigh of relief. "May I know... where is this?"
"You're in the Belphegor Family Palace."
Leon's eyes widened. "The Belphegor Palace? But how did I end up here?"
"My brother saved you when you were unconscious on the battlefield."
"Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Sylvaine Belphegor."
Hearing that name, Leon immediately jolted. His knees trembled, and without thinking, he knelt.
"Forgive my impertinence for speaking so casually to you, Your Highness!"
Sylvaine sighed, half exasperated. "Enough, enough! Raise your head!" her cheeks puffed in annoyance. "My family doesn't like excessive formalities."
Leon raised his head, hesitantly.
Knock! Knock!
"Sister," a deep voice from behind the door. "I heard our guest is awake?"
"Yes, Brother."
"Come in!"
The door opened, revealing an imposing demon figure standing 2.5 meters tall, smiling warmly at Leon.
"Hello. What's your name, young demon?"
Leon almost choked. Standing before him was a Demon King! "I-I'm Leon Astaroth, Your Majesty. A low-class demon from a small town in Beelzebub territory. Forgive me... for a lowly demon like me to be in this noble palace."
"A low-class demon from Beelzebub?" Satan's voice echoed in his head, mockingly.
"Of all descendants, I got the lowest one."
Leon ignored him.
Zephyr chuckled softly. "Low, high... that's all nonsense. Power is what matters. And I see great potential in you, Leon."
"He's smarter than I thought," Satan murmured. "Listen to his advice."
Leon was confused about which one to listen to.
"Honestly, I saved you because your power made me curious. A low-class demon with such a strong aura is rare." Zephyr paused.
"How about you stay here. Become one of my army commanders."
Leon was stunned. Zephyr's attitude was completely different from any noble he had ever met.
"Accept," Satan whispered quickly.
"Opportunities like this don't come twice."
"Very well... I accept, Your Majesty. If this is a way to repay your kindness."
Zephyr smiled broadly. "Good. Sylvaine, show Leon around the palace later."
"Of course, Brother!"
"I'll take my leave now; many tasks await."
"Thank you once again, Your Majesty, for helping me."
---
"You're lucky, boy," Satan's voice sounded again as they walked. "This King is different. He sees potential, not status."
Leon walked following Sylvaine, passing through magnificent hallways. Ancient libraries, beast pens, training grounds. His eyes never stopped staring in awe.
"But remember," Satan continued, his tone turning serious. "Never mention me to anyone. My existence in your body is a secret."
"Why?" Leon asked in his mind.
"Because if other Demon Kings know I'm inside you... you'll be in danger."
Leon bit his lip. Understood.
"This is—"
BAM!
Something slammed into Leon from the side, throwing him to the floor. Laughter erupted above him.
"Oops! Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to!"
Leon looked up. Above him, a girl with short dark blue-black hair and golden-yellow eyes grinned widely.
Sylvaine sighed. "Sylphine... you're always like this."
Sylphine Belphegor—Sylvaine's twin, but with a hyperactive personality completely contrasting her sister. She wore tight black-purple battle gear, with a spear strapped to her back.
"I heard there's a new strong demon here! So..." She jumped to her feet and pointed at Leon.
"Let's duel! Weapons, magic, or mixed?"
Leon was confused. "I... can't do magic. I don't even know if I have any."
"Huh, why?"
"Because us low-class demons aren't allowed to be tested for magic."
Sylphine frowned. "Hah? Someone with an aura as strong as yours has never been tested?!" Quickly, she grabbed Leon's arm.
"Let's go to the testing room to find out right now!"
"Wait for me too, Sylphine!"
---
Upon arrival, a giant faintly glowing crystal was visible. Sylphine pushed Leon forward.
"Touch that crystal, see what magic you have!"
"But..."
"Ah, still hesitant. Sylvaine, you go first—you've never been tested either, right?"
"But.."
"Just relax, if Brother asks, I'll handle it."
"Alright."
Sylvaine placed her hand on the crystal. The crystal glowed yellow, showing small flashes, along with energy vibrations.
"Lightning," Satan whispered in Leon's head.
"She has lightning magic."
"Your turn now, Leon."
Leon hesitated. But Sylphine's push forced him forward. He touched the crystal.
Instantly, the room filled with blinding silver light. Not just light—but energy waves that made every hair on Leon's body stand up.
"Space and Time," Satan murmured, his tone changing. "Interesting."
But it wasn't over.
Suddenly, the crystal's color changed. Pitch black. And from within that darkness, something... responded.
CRACK!
Cracks began appearing on the crystal's surface, spreading rapidly like snakes.
"WHAT?!" Sylphine stumbled back, almost falling.
"Stay still," Satan commanded suddenly. His tone wasn't asking—but ordering. "Don't pull your hand back. Let them see."
Leon obeyed, though his heart pounded wildly.
The cracks continued spreading. Thick black light filled the room. Sylphine and Sylvaine stood frozen, mouths open but unable to speak.
Slowly, Leon withdrew his hand. The crystal still trembled, cracked, but began to calm.
"Darkness," Satan whispered, and for the first time, Leon heard pride in his voice. "You have Darkness magic, boy. An element that is strong and feared by them."
"Them?"
"You'll know later. Now, focus on what's before you."
Sylphine stared at him with a mixture of awe and fear. "You... you have three elements? Space, Time, and... Darkness?"
Leon fell silent. He himself didn't know how to answer.
"Answer," Satan urged. "But don't tell them about me."
"I... I don't know," Leon answered honestly. "I didn't even know I had power."
"This... is impossible." Sylphine stepped back. "Only the ancestors of the Demon Kings have ever possessed power like this. Lucifer... and Satan."
Leon almost choked hearing that name. Within his consciousness, Satan snorted.
"She knows her history."
"You have to promise, Leon." Suddenly Sylphine gripped his shoulder firmly, her eyes serious. "Never show anyone that you have more than one element. Especially that Darkness."
Leon blinked. "Why?"
"Darkness... is a forbidden element. The element of the ancestors, considered too dangerous. If other Demon Kings know you possess it..." Sylphine didn't continue, but her gaze was explanation enough.
"Cowards," Satan hissed. "They fear their own shadows."
"I understand." Leon nodded firmly.
"I'll be careful."
Sylphine breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. Let's go to the training grounds. I'll teach you both how to use magic."
---
At the training grounds, Sylphine began teaching them the basics.
"First, you must focus your energy at the point you want. Like this." She concentrated, and in her palm, blue lightning crackled.
Leon tried. And failed. Again. Again.
"Why is it so hard?" he grumbled in frustration.
"Because you're forcing, not flowing."
Satan's voice in his head. Leon almost snapped, but restrained himself.
"Then how?" he asked silently.
"Calm down. Feel that energy. Don't fight it. Let it flow like blood in your veins."
Leon took a breath. Closed his eyes. Tried... to feel.
Within the darkness of his consciousness, he saw it—a small glowing purple current. Not wild, not chaotic. Just... flowing.
Slowly, he directed it to his palm. Opened his eyes.
In his hand, thick black energy swirled calmly. Controlled.
"You did it!" Sylphine exclaimed in surprise.
"There, that's it," Satan whispered satisfied.
Sylvaine, who had been quietly observing, smiled faintly. "Amazing, Leon."
But Leon wasn't satisfied. He still remembered yesterday's massacre—power overflowing uncontrollably. This was just the beginning.
"Come on, let's duel briefly to test your abilities, Leon!" Sylphine was already ready with her lightning spear.
"Let's try!"
At Sylvaine's signal, the battle began.
Sylphine attacked first. Leon, still unfamiliar, was overwhelmed by her speed. But amidst the fight, he began to sense something—not just Sylphine's attacks, but also... her weaknesses.
"Look," Satan whispered. "She always bends her right knee before jumping."
Leon watched. And when Sylphine prepared, he was already moving. Her spear missed, and Leon managed to retaliate, grazing a bit of her hair.
"Wow, you're starting to get used to it!" Sylphine chuckled.
The battle continued. Leon was still losing, but every second he learned. Every failed attack, every blow hitting his body, he absorbed as a lesson.
"Not bad," Satan commented. "For a first-timer, you learn quickly."
"You're... quite good too," Sylphine hissed between exchanges. "I like it!"
But before they could continue, Zephyr appeared.
"Enough, you two."
Sylphine was startled. "Brother!"
Leon was equally startled. "Your Majesty."
Zephyr smiled, but his eyes were sharp. "Your fight has made a mess of this place. Next time, try to hold back a little."
"He's right," Satan murmured.
Sylphine grimaced. "Sorry, Brother!"
Leon also bowed. "Forgive me, Your Majesty."
"Tomorrow, Leon," Zephyr continued, "you'll undertake your first mission. To fend off a pack of wolf monsters approaching the city."
Leon straightened his back. "Ready, Your Majesty!"
---
That night, Leon lay in the Belphegor Palace room. For the first time in his life, he slept on a soft mattress. But his eyes wouldn't close.
"Will other Demon Kings... eliminate me if they learn about this darkness power?"
"Maybe," Satan answered, his voice sounding lazy. "Or maybe not. Depends on how fast you grow."
Leon stared at his palms. Traces of wounds from Sylphine's spear were still visible.
"Who exactly was strong enough to kill you, Lord Satan?" he asked silently.
"To make you end up inside me?"
Silence lasted quite a while. Leon thought Satan wouldn't answer.
But finally, the voice returned. Softer. Heavier.
"It's a long story, boy. When you're strong enough... you'll know."
Leon sighed. Outside the window, the full moon shone brightly.
Tomorrow, his first mission began. And he had to be ready—not just physically, but mentally. Because he was no longer fighting alone.
=== CHAPTER 2 END ===