From Aria's POV:
"So that's your true face."
The demon's cold voice echoed through the forest. Causing Aria to shiver.
The named demon stepped forward, slow and deliberate, his clawed feet crushing the charred leaves beneath. His grin twisted wider. "I see it now—you're not just some kid, you're a walking disaster."
His voice was low, venomous, reverent. "You're the reason my danger signals are screaming. You're a walking calamity to us demons."
Caelum didn't speak.
The black cape roared behind him like a living void, frayed at the ends like it was stitched from shadows and fury. His expression was empty. Cold. His eyes shimmered with a colorless sheen, unmoved by the demon's towering form.
He stepped forward.
The fight began.
The first clash was thunder.
The demon's claw collided with Caelum's blade, sparks erupting, mana rippling in waves across the scorched forest floor. Caelum's body jolted, thrown back by the sheer physical strength of the demon, but he twisted mid-air, landing in a crouch.
[Sharpness] – Mastery 1.1 [Flash] – Recalibrated.
He darted forward again. His sword sliced air.
Fast!
The demon laughed. "But not fast enough."
A swipe of the claw met Caelum's ribs. Blood sprayed. He didn't flinch. Instead, he adjusted. An upward cut caught the demon across the cheek. Shallow—but it bled.
The demon paused. For the first time, he felt something akin to... concern.
Caelum advanced, relentless.
Every strike was tighter. Every dodge closer to perfect. His fighting wasn't passionate or desperate. It was mechanical—inhuman in its indifference.
Another blow to the shoulder. His arm nearly snapped. Still, his eyes didn't waver. His blade came up again, this time almost severing the demon's hand.
"He's learning me in real-time," the demon realized.
Caelum's breathing was shallow. Blood loss mounting. But his movements became something else—merciless. Efficient.
The demon struck with his tail. Caelum let it pierce his side.
In exchange, he buried his blade into the demon's neck.
They locked eyes, face to snarling face.
"You're no longer human," the demon growled.
Caelum answered with steel.
The demon in an attempt to defend itself and escape struck at Caelum with his claws.
But he was too slow.
The blade twisted. With a final surge, he dragged the sword upward through the demon's skull. Black blood exploded as the monster fell, its body twitching violently.
Then silence.
Caelum stumbled.
His vision blurred. His trait retracted. The shadows peeled off him like shedding skin.
He collapsed to one knee, then onto his side, breath ragged. Mana drained. Muscles torn. Bones cracked. His mind was... dull.
He didn't feel fear.
He didn't feel anything.
Just silence.
Aria had watched everything.
Hidden behind the branches, her hands trembled. Not from fear. From awe. Confusion.
"That... wasn't normal."
The way he fought. The way he let himself be hurt. The way his eyes stayed cold.
That wasn't human. She should've just left, but she ran toward him.
He was barely conscious when she reached him.
"Crazy" she muttered, kneeling. She channeled a healing spell, cradling his head with care she didn't understand.
No response.
She looked at his closed eyes.
"Who are you?"
*******
When I woke, the world felt... muted. Distant.
[System: Trait Fully Awakened – Monarch of Ruin] [Status Effect: Emotional Dampening Active]
I stared at the ceiling.
Everything was dull.
I remembered the fight. The blood. The voice of the demon. The power. The darkness.
But not the fear.
And that, somehow, was more terrifying than anything else.