Today, either I'll level up or would still be disappointed of myself.
Sweat dripped from my temples like a grime on my face as I extended my arms before me. Muscles screaming in protest like bowstrings ready to snap any moment. I didn't came this far to come this far, I will rise from this mediocrity.
Kalawarner stood in front of me like a comforting anchor in the swirling chaos of magical energy.
The various herbs and rocks scattered across my bedroom floor glowing with an otherworldly glow, each one in a different shade. Verdant green from crushed moonflower petals, crimson red from powdered dragon scales, electric blue from crystallized mana stones.
Control was everything in this delicate dance between creation and catastrophe. One wrong move, one slip in concentration, and the volatile essences would tear through my bedroom like a runaway freight train, leaving nothing but scorched walls and regret.
"Alright, let's begin"
The words left my mouth steady despite the heart hammering in my chest. She nodded once and summoned the barrier. The translucent dome materialized around us with a sound like breaking glass played in reverse, sealing us in our own pocket of reality.
My both arms were still extended toward the components scattered before me like an offering to some temperamental god. The moment my will touched them, they responded. Lights erupted from the herbs and rocks, shapes without form, colors without names, essences distilled to their purest state. They rose into the air like specters summoned from the grave, swirling and pulsing with barely restrained energy.
Focus.
The green essence twisted toward the red, drawn by invisible forces that I guided with minute adjustments of my intent. They collided with a sound like wind chimes in a hurricane, merging into each other until a new color emerged, something between amber and bronze, pulsing like a heartbeat.
Yes, keep going on. I know I can do this.
WHOOOSH!
I pulled another essence into the growing amalgamation, the electric blue joining the party. The merged essence shuddered, threatening to fracture apart into its component pieces. Sweat rolled into my eyes, but I didn't dare blink. My palms were sweaty, knees weak, arms were heavy and above all, my mana constructs burned with the strain of directing so much mana at once. But I held on, coaxing the essences together like trying to convince oil and water they were meant to be best friends.
Then all of a sudden, the colors swirled faster, a miniature maelstrom contained in a space no larger than my fist. I added another essence, then another, each one a calculated risk, a gamble that I could maintain long enough to see this through. The merged essence grew brighter and denser, the individual colors bleeding together until all that remained was, pure, blinding white light that glowed with violent intent.
Oh hell, here we go!
The essence shook more violently writhed in the air between my outstretched palms, threatening to explode and take half the neighborhood with it. But I wasn't letting anyone other than me opening the gates of heaven tonight.
"Now!" I called out, my voice cracking with the strain.
Kalawarner moved instantly, her hands glowing with violet light as she channeled her mana into the volatile construct. I did the same, pouring everything I had into stabilizing the chaotic mess we'd created.
Our energies intertwined, wrapping around the essence like chains forged from willpower itself. The light flickered once, twice, then slowly, agonizingly slowly, began to calm.
The violent shaking subsided to a gentle pulse. The blinding radiance dimmed to something almost serene. I guided the now-stabilized essence toward the big empty glass vial waiting on my desk, willing it to flow like liquid rather than explode like a bomb. It obeyed, streaming into the container with a sound like rainfall on glass, transforming from otherworldly energy to tangible potion.
I sealed the vial with a cork, my hands shaking from more than just exertion.
My legs gave out. I hit the floor hard, my ass meeting wood with an unceremonious thump that would've been embarrassing if I had the energy to care. The barrier Kalawarner had maintained flickered and dissolved, returning the room to mundane reality. I sucked in gulps of air that tasted sweet after the oppressive atmosphere of concentrated magic, letting my head fall back against the side of my bed.
It seems I've stepped to the next level of alchemy.
I succeeded without messing up, and it means now I can craft more quality potions.
The familiar ache started then, the aftereffect of pushing my body's mana production to its absolute limit. But this time, there was something else. A heat that had nothing to do with exertion and everything to do with my male hormones gone haywire. Sexual energy spike. The universe's way of reminding me that playing with powerful magic came with a price tag I'd rather not pay right now.
I fumbled for the Gravebloom Restoration vial tucked in my pocket, uncorked it with my teeth, and downed the contents in one burning gulp. The taste was somewhere between bitter and fermented disappointment, but within seconds, the unwanted heat receded to manageable levels. Thank god for small mercies.
Pushing myself to my feet required no effort that I cared to admit.
I crossed to my desk where the large glass bottle sat, filled to the brim with the fruits of our labor. The potion gleamed in the dim light of my room, catching and reflecting the moonlight streaming through the window like liquid starlight. I couldn't stop the smile that tugged at my lips. This was it. This was the breakthrough I'd been chasing for weeks. I lifted the bottle carefully, cradling it like a newborn.
I will name this one, the [ The Honored One ].
"Did we succeed?"
Kalawarner's voice came from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to find her still seated on my bed, violet eyes fixed on the bottle in my hands with an expression I couldn't quite read.
"I thought you had zero doubts about my success rate after our last brewing session, Kala" I said without turning fully, keeping my attention on the delicate task ahead.
"Well, you said it's going to be the best creation up till now"
Fair point. I didn't respond, just began the painstaking process of pouring the master potion into individual vials. The liquid caught the light with every movement. Kalawarner had the good sense not to bother me while I worked, understanding that one wrong move could ruin hours of preparation. The silence stretched, broken only by the gentle pouring of potion in the glass.
CLINK!
I filled the last vial and corked it with a satisfying press. In the next moment, The storage magic circle bloomed beneath the vials in response to my will, then they vanished one by one, absorbed into the pocket dimension I'd learned to create thanks to storage magic spells book from Rias.
Twenty high-quality vials in my first attempt.
Noice.
"These are not with any weird aftereffects, are they?"
I turned around to face my fellow partner in crime, settling into my study chair with a smirk that probably looked more exhausted than smug.
"Ofcourse, There are"
Kalawarner sighed, that spoke of experience with my particular brand of chaos. She should've known better than to hope by now.
"But" I continued, leaning back and lacing my fingers behind my head "the results will make you forget all about that. I'm sure of that"
That got her attention. Her eyes narrowed slightly, the barest hint of interest replacing her calm and composed composure. I let the moment stretch, enjoying the way anticipation flickered across her features before I delivered the good news.
"This new creation will grant peak physical strength, speed, durability, and senses, along with immunity to magical energy detection and barrier techniques, for up to an hour"
Kalawarner's eyes widened. For someone as controlled as her, that was practically equivalent of jumping up and down and screaming. I pressed on, riding the wave of her surprise.
"Not only that, it will be granting magical power closer to a High-Class Devil. And lastly, the aftereffect is merely a minor headache for a few minutes"
Silence.
She just stared at me, her eyes searching my face for any sign that I was pulling her leg. I kept my expression neutral, letting the truth speak for itself. I could practically see the gears turning in her head, running calculations, measuring possibilities, questioning whether something this good could actually be real and most importantly such a minor side effect.
Because so far none of that happened.
It seems my Alchemy skills have no limits.
"Now it seems we're all good to go" I got up from the chair, stretching my arms above my head. Relief flowed through me like shower in cold water after a tedious office work.
Finally, I made a breakthrough with my Alchemy ability and with magic as well, even if the latter is through potion use, but still an hour of magical power similar to a High-Class Devil is something that can't be overlooked.
"Don't tell me you're thinking of going to Sona Sitri to boast of your new potion creation, right now?"
Kalawarner's raised eyebrow carried enough skepticism to fill a swimming pool.
"This isn't for them, Kala... wait, I didn't tell you that, did I?"
Her expression shifted to something between exasperation and curiosity. She shook her head.
"All you told me before this session was 'remind me that I have got some important stuff to tell you about' "
Right.
I nodded, pieces clicking back into place in my exhausted brain.
"In a few days, the three of us will be going to the Underworld"
I watched her process that information, and she sighed asking if she was unsure of what she was about to ask.
"Are we attending the Gremory-Phenex engagement party?"
"Well, That's only half of it" I couldn't suppress the smile that spread across my face "Although we're all invited, I've been specifically invited by Ajuka Beelzebub, one of the Satans, for an important meeting regarding my potions"
Kalawarner's eyes widened once again, I was on a roll tonight.
"That sounds great! If you succeed in impressing him, you might get a favor from someone who invented the Evil Pieces. This is a great news, Motohama"
She got it. She understood the magnitude of what this meeting could mean.
I nodded, but my mind was already racing ahead, connecting dots, plotting moves on a chessboard only I could see.
Tonight, Rias had lost the rating game.
Which, wasn't actually a surprise to me, even with so many plot twists lately, I knew for sure she won't be winning this.
But luckily for her, I'd be breaking off the Gremory - Phenex engagement.
Initially, I didn't mind bothering myself with Rias's trouble, but with the turn of events lately, I have realised that I can get lifetime support of wealth and protection from the Gremory family, and possibly a favor from an another Satan.
Issei won't be able to come for her rescue as for everyone around him, he possesses Twice Critical, not the Longinus. While he is still out in his bed, recovering, I would be able to battle against that Phenex without any interruptions and get my hands on securing a high-rank gacha ticket for putting that arrogant Phenex in his place.
And through all this chaos, I will keep my humanity intact till the very end.
I walked up to Kalawarner where she still sat on my bed, close enough to catch the faint scent of her mellow strawberries perfume, that I bought for her. My hand reached out, almost of its own accord, caressing the side of her face.
"Shall we put a test to this new potion?"
Her expression morphed from contentment to startled horror faster than I could blink. She knew very well, what it felt like serving needs of someone who has access to the infinite stamina.
I couldn't hold back the laughter that bubbled up from my chest.
"Just kidding" I flicked her forehead with my free hand, gentle but firm "Come, let's have some dinner!"
I left the room before as I heard her sigh in relief and following behind me.
Things are going to get very interesting from now on. I can't wait to farm lots of gacha tickets in the Underworld!
— ✦ — ✦ — ✦ —
[ Sona Sitri's Mansion ]
The next morning, I arrived at Sona's mansion with a single purpose of retrieving the rest of my ingredients supply, before we head off to Underworld.
I approached the main entrance and rang the bell. The chime echoed through what sounded like a very empty house.
Nothing.
I rang multiple times but still no answer.
"Could it be... she is at school?" I frowned, checking my watch "But today is Sunday. Then again, does that applies to someone who has work and discipline ingrained in her DNA?"
I reached for my phone, intending to call and confirm my suspicions -
BOOOOM!
The defeaning crash resonated from somewhere behind the mansion, rattling windows and sending birds scattering from nearby trees.
What the hell?!
My hand shot forward, armament haki flooding through my knuckles in a wave of black steel. The door didn't stand a chance as wood splintered and exploded inward, sending fragments scattering across the entrance hall. I didn't slow down even for a bit. Walls were just suggestions when you had haki and zero patience. I punched through another one, another one, then another, leaving a trail of destruction in my wake as I carved a direct path toward the source of the noise.
The backyard stood before me like a scene from a Avengers Endgame.
I skidded to a halt, my shoes digging furrows in the grass, and just... stared.
The scene unfolded before me in all its brutal clarity: Sona and her entire peerage scattered across the manicured lawn like broken dolls someone had tossed aside. Bruises painted their skin in shades of purple and yellow, their uniforms torn and dirt-stained. Tsubaki's glasses sat cracked on the ground three feet from where she was sprawled. Saji was clutching his chest, his face pale and sweaty. The others looked equally battered, some groaning softly, others too exhausted even for that.
And standing in the center of it all, one hand resting casually on her hip, was
Lady Sitri?
She was dressed in a black sports bra and shorts while looking at the fallen peerage members.
"It seems another one intends to join us for the fun"
She said in a nonchalant tone, like she'd been gardening rather than using Sona's peerage as punching bags. She turned to face me, as a playful smirk tugged at her lips, the kind of expression that said she knew exactly how dangerous she was and found it amusing.
"Good morning, Motohama kun"
. . .
After a few moments of awkward explanations of defeat from Sona, whose voice like someone trying to maintain dignity while beaten to hell, I got the full picture. Rias had lost to Riser in the Rating Game last night. Lady Sitri had grown curious about Sona and her peerage's strength. Curiousity apparently turned into a "friendly duel," which in turn turned to "brutal beatdown of everyone at once".
All of them versus her. And she'd won without breaking a sweat.
Lady Sitri sighed, her shoulders rising and falling with the exaggerated motion of someone delivering disappointing news.
"Dear, you and your peerage aren't impressive as well. If they would have put up against Riser and his peerage last night, the result would have been the same"
Sona's hand clenched into a fist at her side. But she didn't argue and didn't try to defend herself or her peerage. Because she knew. The analyzation from an Ultimate-Class Devil couldn't be wrong, especially not from her own mother. That kind of remarks had to sting worse than any enemies or friend's.
I stood there, still processing the scene, when Lady Sitri's attention swiveled back to me.
"You"
I met her gaze, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
She crossed her arms beneath her chest, the motion drawing attention to muscle definition that spoke of years of her combat training.
"I heard from Sona that you have shown great combat skills by severing the hand of an expert swordsman and single-handedly slaying three fallen angels"
Her smirk widened, taking on a playful smirk that made my survival instincts scream warnings.
"I challenge you to a duel"
In that instant, The blue screen appeared in my vision, visible only to me, thankfully, because trying to explain my gamer system to an Ultimate-Class Devil seemed like invitation to another disaster. Text scrolled across the interface:
. . .
[ QUEST: SPAR WITH AN ULTIMATE-CLASS DEVIL (LADY SITRI) ]
[ DESCRIPTION: Engage Lady Sitri in a friendly spar to test and refine your combat abilities ]
[ REWARD: 1x RANK 5 GACHA TICKET ]
. . .
A Rank 5 ticket. For sparring with an Ultimate-Class Devil?
My eyes tracked from the quest notification to Lady Sitri's confident stance, then slid sideways to where Saji was frantically making throat-cutting gestures at me from behind a particularly unfortunate shrub. His expression screamed "DON'T DO IT".
Judging from how much she holds back. I gave Saji another glance, noting the way he was still caressing his wounds, it's going to be far from a friendly duel.
"Sona, I'll appreciate if you don't interfere with the young one's decision."
I blinked. Sona was probably about to say same words as her pawn, but her mother's words interrupted in half way. The warning was gentle but absolute. Lady Sitri's violet eyes hadn't left my face, watching my reaction with the intensity of a mad scientist observing an interesting specimen.
"So what's your decision, boy? You're not all talk and no action, are you?"
That's such an obvious ragebait.
And yet.
"I accept your challenge"
Lady Sitri's laugh echoed across the destroyed backyard as she heard my declaration.
"I commend your courage in facing my challenge instead of fleeing"
Well, I can't possibly decline an offer of securing a Rank 5 gacha ticket.
Sona's peerage looked their gazes on me with varying expressions of horror as I approached Lady Sitri while rolled my shoulders, ready for some actions after such a long time.
"Now then, shall we begin our duel, Motohama kun~"
. . .
A/N : Throw powerstones for faster updates!
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