Belicus gritted his jagged teeth, his entire body wrapped in a violent red aura that seemed to set the very air ablaze. The ground beneath him cracked and trembled, unable to bear the weight of his swelling power. His fingers tightened around the haft of his infernal axe, veins bulging with a demonic pulse. His voice boomed like thunder, low and filled with rage.
"I don't know what trick you pulled to regain your youth, old man. But no parlor trick will save you now. I'll end you, no matter the face you wear!"
Darius stood firm, his stance light, yet unshakable, his youthful figure tall and graceful beneath the soft light. His hair, now long and shimmering pale blue, swayed gently in the breeze. His sharp eyes gleamed, half-lidded, as if even this display bored him. He brought his right arm behind him, the sword in his left hand poised with subtle elegance.
He smirked, his tone dripping with noble sarcasm, his voice refined, smooth, and almost amused.
"Oh yes… you've caught me. This is nothing but a mere trick. Just a simple magic that lets an old man borrow the strength of his prime. How clever of you to notice."
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze locking onto Belicus, eyes glinting like tempered steel.
"But let me show you why our family never needed other tricks. Let me remind you why the Cross name inspires fear—not because of swords, not because of magic… but because of this."
Darius straightened fully, the very air around him seeming to still as his presence grew heavier. His right arm drew back, his left hand extended the sword forward with precision. His stance was perfect—polished by decades of mastery.
Belicus spat in disgust, his snarl twisted into a grin as he crouched low.
"I'll just split you in half! Let's see how noble you look then!"
With a demonic roar, Belicus leapt, his axe raised high. The weapon came down like a crimson comet, burning with speed and hatred meant to cleave Darius apart.
But Darius… merely shifted.
A single step. A subtle sway. He glided an inch to the side, so effortlessly that it seemed the wind itself had guided him. The massive axe struck nothing but earth, splitting the ground with a thunderous crack.
Their faces passed inches apart.
And Darius spoke, voice cool as a mountain breeze, a smirk curling his lips.
"Ah… a fine breeze you created there. Almost refreshing."
He gave a small, polite nod, as if he had just commented on the weather.
"I do hope your next strike is meant for me, not the shadows."
Belicus growled, baring his teeth, and suddenly released the axe from his left hand. His jagged arm swung in a wide arc toward Darius, aiming to crush him on the spot.
Darius shifted his body slightly, eyes sharp and focused. "Too slow. Try harder."
Belicus snarled, gripping his axe with his right hand mid-motion. Without pause, he brought it down in a vicious strike, the blade howling through the air as it aimed for Darius's head.
In that instant, there was a sharp, metallic crack. Darius's blade shot forward, faster than the eye could follow, and struck Belicus directly on the side of his knee. The jagged, demonic knee joint buckled from the force, sending Belicus crashing down onto one leg. The ground beneath him cracked under the impact.
Darius stood tall, his sword lowered but ready, watching Belicus kneel before him.
"Ah, my apologies — did I cause you to drop something?"
Belicus's breath came heavy, his shoulders rising and falling as his red, demonic aura pulsed violently. His grip on the axe tightened, claws digging into the weapon's handle as he tried to rise, fury burning in his eyes.
Belicus's voice thundered across the cracked battlefield. "How arrogant!!" he bellowed, fury shaking his whole frame. His roar tore through the air, and with it came a violent blast of wind, like a storm breaking loose. Dust and shards of rock exploded outward, the ground beneath his feet splintering from the force. The gust swept across the field, rattling broken trees and sending loose debris flying.
Darius stood firm, the wind whipping his cloak and hair. He raised a hand casually, waving at the air before his face as if brushing aside the smell of rot that came with the gust. "How stinky."
His eyes sharpened, glinting like steel under the afternoon sun. Then—he was gone. The ground where he stood cracked from the force of his step, but his figure had blurred, vanished in an instant, leaving only the echo of his movement behind.
In a flash, Darius reappeared right in front of Belicus, so close he could see the wild gleam in Belicus's eyes, the twitch of rage in his jaw. "A fatal opening."
Darius's knee shot up with brutal precision, slamming into Belicus's stomach. The impact sounded like a hammer striking stone, the force folding Belicus's body inward as the breath was ripped from his lungs.
Without giving him a chance to recover, Darius's right hand formed into a sharp spear shape, and with the same speed and power, he drove it into the exact spot his knee had crushed. The strike sank deep, the shockwave from the hit rattling through Belicus's chest.
Belicus's growl turned into a broken gasp as his body lost balance, his strength faltering. His monstrous frame began to tip forward, but before he could hit the ground, Darius's left hand shot out, fingers tightening around one of the jagged black horns sprouting from Belicus's head.
"Were you inviting me to strike? How kind."
With ruthless grace, Darius yanked the horn downward, forcing Belicus's face toward him. His knee rose again, smashing squarely into Belicus's face with a thunderous crack that echoed over the ruined field. The demon's head snapped back, and Darius didn't stop—he turned with the motion, using his grip on the horn to twist Belicus's body, and slammed him with overwhelming force into the ground. The earth split beneath the impact, dust and broken stone shooting up in a ring around them as Belicus's body hit the ground like a meteor, leaving a deep crater beneath him.
Belicus lay sprawled in the cracked earth, the crater beneath him still smoking from the force of his fall. His body twitched, dust and debris settling over his twisted form. The ground around him was scarred with deep lines where Darius's strikes had landed, each one a mark of precision and power.
Darius straightened, his cloak fluttering gently in the breeze that now swept over the ruined field. He lowered his blade until its tip touched the ground, the steel biting slightly into the broken earth. His sharp gaze rested on Belicus's struggling form, unimpressed.
"Is that all?" Darius spoke, his voice steady, calm—almost bored. "It's been barely five minutes."
He let out a quiet, dissatisfied sigh, as if this duel was beginning to disappoint him. Shifting his weight slightly, he drove the tip of his sword a little deeper into the ground with a soft thunk.
"Do you need a moment to collect yourself? I can be patient."
The air seemed to hum with tension, the battlefield silent except for the faint crackle of disturbed energy and Belicus's ragged breathing.
Darius stood tall amidst the scarred earth, the breeze carrying the scent of ash and torn soil. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword, but his mind, even in this moment of battle, drifted for a heartbeat elsewhere.
He lifted his head slightly, eyes closing as if to shut out the broken field around him. I wonder... is young master Adrian continuing his training as I instructed? The thought was steady, noble, filled with quiet concern. That boy, so full of potential... soon, his half-siblings will arrive. The gathering draws near. I pray no discord will mar the event.
His brow furrowed faintly as the wind swept his silver-blue hair. And the Sorin family's headwife… what is it she truly seeks from us? That woman does nothing without purpose. What aim lies hidden beneath her visit? Our family stands at the edge of too many shifting currents.
He opened his eyes again, sharp and clear, his focus returning to Belicus sprawled before him. No... I must end this now. For Adrian's sake. For the sake of the house.
Belicus, his jagged limbs trembling, forced himself upright, his breath ragged and wild. His roar echoed across the cracked field, fury and desperation mingling in its sound.
Darius watched, a faint amusement in his eyes, and let out a soft chuckle.
"Are you standing or dancing? I can't quite tell."
He tilted his head ever so slightly, as if genuinely pondering it.
"Or is the earth so dear to you that you can't bear to part from it?"
Belicus bared his fangs, his voice deepening, warped by the demon's taint.
"I will kill you! Too arrogant, old fool!"
A violent red flare ignited in his palm, crackling like a storm of blood and rage. With a furious snarl, he hurled it toward Darius, the blast tearing through the air with a hiss — brrrrggggghshhh!
But Darius merely shifted his head slightly, the flare missing by a breath's width. His gaze stayed locked on Belicus, unshaken.
"A futile effort."
Belicus grinned, his eyes glowing with malice.
"Even if you dodge that… did you think the villagers can do it?"
Darius's expression darkened, his eyes sharpening, the playful air vanishing.
"It seems you've mistaken me for an easy foe. Allow me to correct that."
In the blink of an eye — fwshhh! — Darius's figure blurred, and he reappeared at the village gates. The deadly flare sped toward the homes beyond, its heat curling the air.
Planting his feet, Darius twirled his sword in one smooth motion. The blade's point aligned with the oncoming flare. His right arm thrust forward, his left hand steady on the hilt, drawing the weapon close to his face — calm, precise. The steel gleamed in the sunlight.
"You should feel privileged. This blade's dance is a legacy far beyond your reach."
The breeze stirred around him, lifting his long hair, carrying a hush before the storm. His eyes closed, breath steady — then snapped open, sharper than a hawk's.
In a single, flawless motion — shinnnnnng! —
"Tatsugaeshi!"
A brilliant streak of white-blue light erupted from the sword, slicing through the red flare — zzzzzz-BOOM! — disintegrating it. But the energy didn't stop. It raced back toward Belicus, the air shrieking as it tore forward.
GUUOOOHHHH!! Belicus's cry of pain rang out as the force struck him, lifting him from his feet, hurling him through trees — CRAAASH! CRACK! BWOOOM! — monsters shattered like glass in its path, the world trembling from the shockwave.
Darius drove the blade deeper, the force still roaring outward — WHOOOOOM! — a wave of pure power bursting from the point of impact, splitting the ground and clearing the air in a blinding gust of light.
As the dust began to settle, the world grew quiet once more. The trees, shattered and splintered, stood as silent witnesses to the destruction. Cracks ran deep across the ground where the shockwave had torn through. But of Belicus—his broken body, his demonic weapon—there was no sign. The air itself seemed cleansed of his foul presence.
Darius stood at the heart of the ruined field, his blade lowered, his chest rising and falling slowly. The breeze of the afternoon wrapped around him, gentle and cool, carrying away the last traces of battle. His long, silver-blue hair swayed with the wind, catching the fading light of the sun.
He lifted his gaze toward the sky, the warmth of the sun brushing his face. A soft sigh escaped his lips.
"So much effort… for so little result."
He turned, stepping lightly over the scarred earth, his posture straight and sure as he began the walk back toward the village. The ground crunched beneath his boots, but his steps were graceful, as if the weight of battle no longer touched him.
Behind him, he left only words, carried on the wind like a quiet farewell:
"Your story ends here. A short one, wasn't it?"
And as he walked, his body began to change. The strength of youth slowly faded — his long hair shortening strand by strand, the sharpness of his features softening, the burden of age returning to his form. But even as the years reclaimed him, Darius's voice remained steady, his spirit unbowed.
"A man's true strength is not in how long he stands young, but in what he protects while he stands."
With that, he disappeared beyond the trees, the sun dipping low behind him.
---
The soft glow of the setting sun bathed the forest in warm orange light as Adrian finally emerged from between the trees. The gentle breeze carried the rich, mouth-watering aroma of grilled meat. His eyes lit up when he saw the small pond glistening nearby, and beside it, Iria was crouched near a crackling fire, turning skewers of red boar meat over a bed of glowing coals.
Iria glanced up, her silver-brown hair shimmering under the fading sunlight. She smiled brightly, waving her hand with a cheerful energy that made the air feel lighter.
"Young Master Adrian! Just in time!" she called, her voice carrying a warmth that matched the fire. "After this, we're all set to eat. You need meat to make your body stronger and larger, you know! It's important for growing up healthy!"
Adrian blinked, watching her for a moment. His innocent mind couldn't help but wander. In his thoughts, a silly image formed—he pictured himself eating tons of meat and suddenly… his chest swelling, growing larger and larger like Iria's. His imagined self's shirt tightening, and his imagined chest comically bouncing and swaying side to side.
"Huh?!" Adrian shook his head quickly, his cheeks flushing red as he tried to get rid of the strange thought.
The system's voice chimed in his mind, calm and detailed.
「Ah, young master Adrian, eating meat won't make your chest grow like that. That's simply not how the body works. But in Iria's case… hmm, perhaps the meat really is going somewhere—though where exactly, I'll leave to your imagination.」
Adrian's blush deepened, and he tried his best to act normal.
Iria tilted her head slightly, noticing the look on his face.
"Is there something bothering you, young master Adrian?" she asked, her eyes kind and curious.
Adrian waved his hands quickly, still flustered.
"N-no! Let's eat!" he said, trying to sound enthusiastic as he hurried over to sit near the fire, eager to change the subject.
The scene settled into a peaceful quiet, the only sounds the crackle of the fire and the gentle rustling of the forest as the stars began to peek out from the darkening sky.
The campfire crackled softly as Adrian sat quietly outside the tent, the cool night breeze brushing against his face. Inside the tent, Iria was already asleep, breathing deeply and peacefully, a little drool at the corner of her mouth as she rested after their meal.
Adrian glanced at the flickering flames, then muttered, "Summoning." The system interface appeared in front of him, glowing faintly. A list of categories floated on the screen
Adrian selected Monsters. "Alright, my first summon after all that work. Let's go."
He tapped Spin Summon and used up all 500 RP. A bright light spun in front of him, the magic forming a circle as if drawing in energy. The spinning slowed, and the light gathered tightly into one point before bursting outwards in a soft flash.
From the glow, a small figure appeared on the ground. She had fox-like ears, long brown hair, and wore a blue outfit that looked light but decorated with fine patterns. Her eyes opened slowly, large and gleaming as she looked at Adrian with curiosity. She stood there quietly, her tail swaying gently behind her.
Adrian stared at her, amazed. "I really did it… my first summon."
Adrian blinked as the glow faded, revealing the figure of the fox-eared girl standing before him. She tilted her head, her large golden eyes gleaming softly in the firelight. The little fox tail behind her swayed left and right, clearly full of energy and excitement.
Adrian stared at her for a moment, his mouth slightly open. "But... why does it look like a kid in a kung fu shirt?" he muttered, confused and a little amused.
In response, the fox girl beamed brightly and raised her arms, striking a playful, dramatic pose like she was showing off her strength. The way she did it made her look even cuter, her tail wagging faster as if proud of herself.
Adrian sighed, his lips curling into a small smile. "This... is my first summon?" he whispered, still a bit in disbelief.
The fox kid slowly stepped forward toward Adrian, her small feet barely making a sound as her fluffy tail wagged behind her.
"I... I need... white..." she said, looking up at him.
Adrian blinked. "Come again?"
"I... need your... your... white..."
Adrian tilted his head, confused. "White?"
"W-white... es... s... essence..." she managed to say, fidgeting slightly.
Adrian froze. His face slowly turned red. "E-essence?! What the hell is this summon?!"
The system chimed quietly in his thoughts. "Young Master, I believe she's referring to energy... or mana. Please calm down."