Tokito was shaken to his core upon realizing the one standing before him was the Grand Mage Commander. He had expected an elegant, refined sorcerer—but instead, he was staring at a massive, lion-like figure.
To get down from the rooftop, the Grand Mage Commander hoisted Tokito onto his back and leapt. As they neared the ground, he used a water spell to soften their landing.
Tokito was still in shock. His eyes were locked on the enormous, lion-faced mage. One of his crimson eyes gleamed like a jewel, mesmerizing him. He was so entranced that he didn't notice the calls coming from behind.
Kortus: "Demon King! Where are you?!"
Nanagi: "Soldiers! Have you seen him?!"
Soldier: "No, my lady. He said something about chasing someone and then vanished."
Nanagi: "Wait, Kortus! I see him—over there. He's with someone!"
Kortus sprinted toward his lord's position. Without hesitation, he launched his fans directly at the lion-man's neck—stopping just short of slashing him—his eyes cold with threat.
Kortus: "What the hell do you think you're doing, holding our lord's hand?"
Tokito: "It's fine, Kortus. He's the one we've been looking for."
Rodius: "With your permission, I shall introduce myself… but please, remove the weapon from my throat."
With Tokito's reassurance, Kortus retracted his fan and stood down, taking position directly in front of the stranger. The man brushed the dust from his shoulders and began to speak.
Rodius: "I am Rodius, former Grand Mage Commander. If you've come searching for me, then it must mean our lord requires training."
Tokito: "So… are you strong, Rodius?"
Rodius: "Compared to your potential, my lord, I am nothing. I was meant to be dead long ago, but my master ordered me to stay alive—for your sake."
He really has seen countless battles... His arms are covered in old scars. Just how powerful is he? He claims to be a mage, but he looks more like a knight...
Tokito: "Then come with us. Let's make a pact."
Rodius: "With pleasure, Your Majesty. I would follow you anywhere."
Tokito: "If that's settled, let's keep moving. How long until we reach the castle?"
Nanagi: "At our current pace, two hours to the inner castle, my lord. With the army gone, it may be quicker."
Tokito climbed into the carriage alongside the mage commander, but he couldn't keep his eyes off him. It was as though he were captivated by Rodius's very aura. Rodius, noticing the long stares, turned his head.
Rodius: "Is something wrong with my face, my lord?"
Tokito: "No… I just wanted to look."
Rodius: "If you have questions, I'll gladly answer them during our journey."
Excited by the offer, Tokito turned fully toward him, scooting slightly closer, gazing intently at Rodius's face.
Tokito: "Are you really a mage?"
Rodius: "Yes, my lord. I am indeed a mage."
Tokito: "Liar. No mage can move as fast as you do."
Rodius: "Do you believe in angels, my lord?"
Tokito: "What's an angel supposed to be?"
Rodius: "Honestly, I don't know much either. I was once just a countryside demon, born and raised far from here. Everything changed the day I left my village..."
And with that, Rodius began recounting his memories—events that happened 967 years ago, but in his mind, it felt like yesterday...
Rodius, who had come from a humble village, once decided to leave home and visit the seaside. Though warned by the other villagers, he refused to back down. His body, still undeveloped and feline in shape, resembled that of a young tiger. His clothes were torn, old, and weather-worn.
He leapt over the fences and dashed through the forest, his weak legs barely keeping up with his excitement. He inhaled deeply, trying to follow the scent of the sea.
Then—he felt something. A strange mana aura unlike anything he had sensed before. It came from the direction of the sea. He was terrified… and yet, he kept running.
When he finally reached the coastline, he peeked through the trees and saw a child. The child had fins like a fish, a thick mane that resembled a massive coat, and glowing, circular blue orbs on its body. Its expression was vacant, quietly watching the sea.
Startled, Rodius accidentally made a sound. But when he looked again, the child had vanished. He looked around in panic—until something covered his eyes from behind.
"What are you doing here, little demon?"
Rodius: "I-I just wanted to see the ocean…"
"The ocean. Do you… love it?"
Rodius: "It's my favorite thing in the world."
"You… seem strong. What… is your name?"
Rodius: "My name is Rodius. I come from a village in the Veldoria region. Why are you speaking so… strangely?"
"I… can't speak well. Do you… know where the Demon King is?"
Rodius: "Not around here. You'd have better luck asking around Loropis."
"I… only wanted to know. Do you… want power?"
Rodius: "Of course! I want to be strong… just like the Demon King!"
"Power… is easy to gain. Give me… your hand."
Confused, but curious, Rodius turned to face the creature and slowly extended his hand. Just like before, the strange being's face was unreadable—but gentle. It drew a magic circle over Rodius's hand.
As the circle activated and faded, Rodius felt it—that same mana, now within him. The energy surged through his body, and the creature smiled.
"You now… hold the power of an angel. I… am a Water Angel. And now… you are a Water Angel too."
Though he didn't fully understand the words, Rodius had already decided—this being was his master. He summoned the courage to grab onto its mane and whispered:
Rodius: "Will you be my master? I want to serve you."
"That… is not possible. I am only an angel. You… must serve your Demon King. Use your power… for yourself."
Rodius: "Then… at least tell me your name!"
"Name? I… am Water Angel. That… is all. I have no other name."
As Rodius let go of its mane, the waves suddenly surged forward, swallowing the shore. When they retreated, the angel had vanished.
Moments later, a system window appeared before him:
"Maximum power level available has been updated to Rank S."
"You have obtained the S-Rank Water Spell: Degriz."
From that day onward, Rodius trained tirelessly, mastering the spells he'd been given. Thirty years later, he achieved S-rank. He served various Demon Kings for over 600 years, and when he finally retired, Koloton offered him a place to live in Veldoria—his homeland.
Rodius: "…and that's the story, my lord."
Tokito: "So you gained your power from that Water Angel… Tell me, Rodius. Who's stronger—me, or the angel?"
Rodius: "As a Demon King, you have the potential to reach S-rank easily. But that angel… is leagues beyond even that."
If it once searched for Demon Kings, maybe one day… it'll visit me too.
Though right now, training comes first.
Tokito ended the conversation and gazed out the carriage window again. The houses here—so different from Dralon—looked beautiful to him.
As the central castle finally came into view, Tokito leaned forward with curiosity. Massive stone walls, four towering watchtowers, and a grand gate adorned with two wolf heads—the entrance was magnificent.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the castle gate. Without exiting, Nanagi signaled with her hand, and the gates slowly creaked open.
Inside was a vast courtyard full of enormous, blooming flowers. Soldiers patrolling the grounds immediately dropped to one knee when they spotted Nanagi. Even the castle steward came out and knelt.
When Nanagi stepped out of the carriage, all eyes widened. From within, emerged a child, a woman, and the lion-like Rodius. This time, the soldiers didn't just kneel—they lay flat on the ground, pressing their foreheads to the stone.
The moment Tokito released a bit of his aura, the soldiers began to tremble. Even though he was only B-rank, his mana was overwhelming to them.
Nanagi stepped forward and knelt beside the steward.
Nanagi: "Welcome to your castle, Great Commander. We are all at your command."
I… didn't expect such a grand welcome. It almost feels like I'm a god. To have such loyal soldiers… it feels like a blessing.
Tokito: "Raise your heads! While I am here, all shall walk with pride! The honor of demons shall never touch the ground!"
The soldiers stood, drew their weapons, and shouted in unison:
"Long live the Demon King!"
Their voices echoed far beyond the castle walls.
As Tokito entered the palace with Rodius by his side, the guards returned to their posts.
The corridor they walked through wasn't anything like Dralon's gilded halls. It was modest—red banners hanging on the walls, black stone floors.
When they reached the throne room, even the door was plain. No gems. No gold. Just stone.
Tokito gestured to Nanagi.
Tokito: "Why is this palace so simple?"
Nanagi: "Lord Koloton is a viscount who values his people more than decoration. His spending reflects that."
The garden outside was stunning… but the castle is humble. A leader like him must truly care for his city.
When the throne room doors opened, Tokito's eyes locked onto the throne—short and black, with X-marks engraved on its corners. Two heavily armored throne guardians knelt in silence.
"Welcome, my lord. We are the guardians of the throne. Speak, and we shall obey."
Throne guardians, huh? That armor is insanely thick. Their mana is dense too… I'll be safe with them around.
Tokito: "If you're here to guard me, then stand on either side of the door."
"As you command."
He walked further in, observing the room. The triangular windows caught his attention. The room was enormous—more like a training hall. The ceiling could fit two trucks stacked atop each other.
When he reached the throne and tried to sit, he couldn't reach it. Kortus helped him up… but accidentally made him sit on his tail.
"Owwww!"
Tears welled in Tokito's eyes. Kortus quickly lifted him up and freed his tail.
Sniffling, Tokito pointed where Rodius should stand. Nanagi took position to his left, and Kortus stood to his right.
Tokito: "Finally… I've made it to the throne. Not as easy as it looks."
Rodius: "You'll need a bigger, grander throne soon, my lord."
Tokito: "No, this one's fine. Koloton chose it. What do those X-marks mean, Nanagi?"
Nanagi: "Lord Koloton never sits on the throne. Only the Demon King may sit there. If anyone else does, the guardians' eyes turn red… and they attack without mercy."
Must be a spell of some kind. Hey, system—analyze this throne.
"This throne contains a binding spell. Only those registered by the system as 'Demon King' may sit upon it. The throne guardians are magically bound to protect it."
Just as she said. Koloton's loyalty to Demon Kings… might make him my strongest ally yet.
Tokito: "Alright, understood. Now then—Rodius, it's time. I want training. Intense training."
Rodius: "I guarantee I can get you to A-rank, my lord. But the training won't be easy."
Tokito: "A challenge, huh? That sounds perfect."
Rodius: "One warning, though. At the end of training, your mana will rebel. I recommend not using magic for a while afterward."
Tokito: "I don't care. If it gets me stronger in two months, I'll do anything."
Rodius: "Then we begin tomorrow."
Tokito leapt off the throne and shook Rodius's hand. The lion-like warrior looked genuinely pleased to finally begin training his destined lord.
The next morning, Tokito sat at the breakfast table, ready to begin the first day of his new path.