★32
THIRD POV
In Star Island, an elf stepped forward as Shinn walked past, eyes fixed on him with quiet intent.
"Your highness."
"What is it?"
"Before Yami-sama saved us, I left my family back in some elven village. We're safe, but I fear that village might be next."
"You should've said this earlier."
He didn't raise his voice, but he wasn't really happy about this.
"I was just..i just think it'll be a burden for you."
"Never say that. Get ready, I'll inform the Master."
"Sure. Thank you so much. "
Shinn went over to the first hall as usual, and Asteri was with Hinamatsuri as usual. (What are they discussing all day?)
"Your Highness..."
<
Asteri dismissed him immediately, and Shinn turned around and left the hall.
<
<
<
<
Shortly after, Eto met his partner and the other elf.
"Where's the location?"
He asked, arms folded.
"Along the eastern side of Great Jura Forest."
"Ok."
He worried they might already be in danger, so Shinn teleported them to the eastern edge of Great Jura.
"The village is hidden. Follow me, I'll show you the way."
They made their way to the forest's edge, where a concealed cave lay tucked between two small rocks.
The elf led them through the labyrinthine tunnels, and finally, they arrived at a gathering of dark elves, about ten in total.
"Rally?"
One of them asked, noticing the elf who had guided the clones here.
"Yeah...it's me..sorry. I left you all."
He rushed, and they hugged each other.
<< Something's not right, Shinn.>>
<
"Who are these humans?"
"Calm down. They're the ones who saved us. And we're here to take you too."
"Good pack your things. There's no need to move. We'll teleport right away."
"We have nothing to pack. We're all ready."
<
<
"Good."
Shinn activated Yami's teleportation magic, transporting them directly to the island. Rally guided them through the area, explaining everything in detail and showing them around. As they walked, Shinn couldn't help but turn to Rally with a question.
"Why are they like that? Aren't all elves white?"
"No, they are like that because their ancestors were infected with the Chaos Dragon's miasma."
"Chaos Dragon?"
"It's a long story. It's the first ever Dragon aside from the actual real Dragons."
"Oh... I see. Does it still live?"
"No, it was destroyed a long time ago. It was also the reason for the destruction of our first ancient elven nation."
"I get it. Thanks for the information."
"No problem."
...
...
...
Later that afternoon, Asteri sat in his room, lost in thought. The quiet was broken when Hinamatsuri suddenly stepped inside.
"Hina?"
"Asteri san."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to see you."
"Oh... be my guest then."
She settled in, facing him.
"How much do you know about skills in this world?"
Asteri asked.
"I can't use magic, so I haven't focused on any of that."
She replied.
"I see."
He said, his gaze steady.
"It's not that you can't use magic, you simply choose not to learn."
"Heh?"
"Yeah. Of all the worlds the Grand Lord created, each has magic, and this one is no exception. He had a particular fondness for this world and its inhabitants, especially humans."
"These are stories I'll never know about."
"Ask me anything. I'll answer based on my knowledge."
"Ok.. if anything comes up, I'll let you know."
Asteri nods.
"There's this weird voice I've been hearing when I was fighting Guy. I need confirmation on what that is. Mind coming with me?"
"Heeh? To where?"
"Depends. Lady Ramiris or Guy's domain"
Hinamatsuri's heart skipped a beat as she heard Asteri speak the name of the strongest Demon Lord.
"G..guy? Demon Lord Guy?"
"Yeah..don't be scared. We'll only visit him if Lady Ramiris doesn't have enough answers."
"...ok.."
Asteri rose from his seat, the folds of his white cloak shimmering into existence as if woven from light itself.
The fabric flowed around him effortlessly, reacting to his movements, giving the impression that the cloak was alive, an extension of his presence. Each ripple caught the ambient light, casting faint glimmers across the room, emphasizing the aura of authority and power radiating from him.
His posture straightened, commanding attention, and the air around him seemed to hum subtly, charged with the latent energy that accompanied a being of his stature.
"You ready?"
"Yeah."
He teleported them to Ramiris's labyrinth. As usual, she sensed an intruder within her domain and decided to investigate.
"Oh, Asta-kun! Hinamatsuri-chan!"
"Lady Ramiris."
"Are you here for another confession? Or wait… don't tell me… you two are getting married and inviting me?"
She hovered excitedly, circling them with a playful energy.
"Nah, that's not why we're here."
"Then what is it?"
"It might take a while… let's sit."
Asteri suggested. Three chairs and a table materialized, and they all took their seats, while Ramiris continued hovering above them, her gaze curious and lively.
"So what is it?"
She asked.
"When I was facing Guy, I heard a mysterious voice."
"Voice? What did it say?"
"'Unique Skill: Defender acquisition successful'. I don't understand how I can get skills when we, my race, have Mega Arts?"
"You dummy, you are bound by the laws of this world. If you've fulfilled the requirements, the skill will be attained."
The voice belonged to none other than Demon Lord Guy Crimson.
"Red."
"Guy?"
"..."
"You bastard, what happened to 'I'll be in touch'?"
"I planned on visiting you after attending to Lady Ramiris."
"Guy, what do you want?"
Ramiris asked, flying close to his face.
"Bored, I decided to check you out."
"What am I to you, a play buddy?"
"Don't pick a fight, Lady Ramiris."
"I pick fights. I know I will win."
"Hmm,"
"Don't hmm me, Guy.."
She got angrier.
"You two calm down. I'm interested in Guy, no homo. So, you are saying I have a skill now?"
"Unique Skills, to be precise."
"…I heard that voice twice when fighting you. And if I remember correctly, on my way to this world as well, I heard it then too."
"It's called the Voice of the World. It's like a guide master in this world. It helps people evolve and gives them skills when they meet certain requirements. Perfect entity, no bias."
Ramiris explained.
"Voice of the World.."
"Just a personal theory. I feel like it's somehow connected to Veldanava."
"The Creator?"
"Yeah."
"It makes sense... a system that balances the world."
"I won't actually call it balance because I'm the actual balance of this world. It's a punishment for losing to Veldanava."
Guy admitted, pointing at himself.
"Yes. He arrogantly thought he could defeat his Creator. To Demons, defeat means forced servitude to the winner. But Veldanava wasn't interested, so he gave him the role of mediator."
Ramiris backed his words.
"Who's she?"
Guy asked, his crimson eyes on Hinamatsuri. The pressure was too much for her. The strongest Demon Lord looking at her asks her. Anyone will fall to submission & be silenced.
"She's with me."
Asteri responded, holding Hinamatsuri's hand and assuring her that she was safe and nothing would happen.
"With you? Are you in some kind of relationship?"
"As my first friend, I must answer that. I don't know about relationships, but I just need to protect her and always have her by my side. That's how I truly feel."
"It's just a way of saying he's in love."
Ramiris whispered to Guy, but it was audible to someone like Asteri.
"Well, whatever. I'm glad you knew what happened to Veldanava."
"I'm not about to lose my entire being on someone if that's what you think. But I'll go far before that to protect them."
"Basically the same thing, dummy."
Ramiris murmured.
"Hmm.. It's just that emotions can... no, emotions are a hindrance. It is to demons, and I'm sure it is for Stars."
Hearing this, Asteri slammed his hand on the table, instantly isolating the labyrinth with a double barrier. A translucent barrier came to life shielding Hinamatsuri and Ramiris.
"Hindrance, you say? I've always wanted a rematch."
Asteri's fist struck Guy's cheek at full speed, but he remained motionless. Guy smiled back, sending Asteri crashing into the first barrier and destroying it in the process.
"I see."
Grey particles formed around Asteri's fists as he dashed, and they traded punches and kicks. It began with Guy having the upper hand, but the next second, they were evenly matched, and the next seconds, Asteri was overwhelming him.
<
Guy stepped back, gathering his energy into his fists. The two set off and were about to clash when Ramiris interrupted. She flew and stood in front of them, knowing none would dare to punch her. And it worked. They both stopped mid-way. She was boiling with anger.
"This won't be tolerated in my labyrinth!"
She exclaimed.
<
Asteri was surprised how she escaped his barrier, but it didn't matter, and the two participants' energy faded.
"You've improved a lot, Asteri."
"Why is that?"
"The old you would've destroyed their place in an instant. But we managed to exchange punches without any damage."
Asteri lets out what seemed to be a laugh for the first time.
"Finally, it worked."
"Yeah, and you laughed for the first time."
Hinamatsuri and Ramiris were surprised.
"Worked?"
Ramiris complained.
"Yeah, I've been secretly trying to fight without destroying my surroundings. Because I might have to fight here without being able to summon my world."
"Prefect."
Guy replied.
<
Hinamatsuri thought as the trio exchanged words.
"Y... you were going to test that in my labyrinth?!"
Ramiris shouted.
"Forgive me. I planned to fight him anyway. But he came to me first."
"I've also noticed something."
"What's that, Red?"
"I was unable to copy some of your moves, which shouldn't be possible. I was able to copy them last time."
"So that's what his Unique Skill specialises in."
"What do you mean, Lady Ramiris?"
"What happened before you heard that voice when you were fighting Guy?"
Asteri closed his eyes for a while.
"It shouldn't be possible, but I couldn't accept the fact that he was predicting and copying my moves. Right after that, I heard the voice. I think it said Unique Skill Defender."
"So it's okay to say your Unique Skill Defender stops your opponents from copying your moves?"
"Probably. But I didn't activate it or something."
"Not all skills need activation. Some are always on."
"...that's an improvement."
"Yeah. What did the other voice say? You said you heard it twice when you two were sparring, right?"
He thought for a moment again and spoke.
"Mirror. I heard the voice when I regretted not learning the art of copying others' moves."
"That's straightforward as you just mirror some of my moves. So your Unique Skills are the ones that give you the upper hand."
Guy remarked. He didn't smile but, Asteri seemed happy.
"Rejoice, like it or not,you're stronger than your past self."
"... yeah, what about reaching the ultimate level?"
Guy sighs.
"Those are the requirements. An immense amount of energy, an unyielding will, and a soul. You possess the will, there's no doubt about that, but I can't say whether Stars even have souls.
As for the second condition: to awaken an Ultimate Skill, one must be a spiritual lifeform. And you aren't one. A spiritual being wouldn't take a Nuclear Cannon head‑on and emerge unscathed."
"How can you say that for certain, Guy?"
Ramiris asked.
"It's as simple as he said, Stars are manifested wills of the Supreme Star God. Wills don't have souls, I don't know about you people. His entire race is an anomaly in short."
The entire hall fell into a heavy, expectant silence. Every eye was fixed, every breath held. Then, breaking the quiet, a soft voice spoke, one that had been quiet all along.
"Guy-sama might be right,"
She began, her tone steady but filled with conviction.
"but Asteri-kun is… Asteri-kun. Even among the Stars, he's an anomaly. He's different. Special. If no one else can achieve this, he will. So, Asteri-kun, I know you'll reach the ultimate level, even though you aren't a spiritual lifeform. Why? Because you're you, no one else can be you."
Her words hung in the air, echoing with an almost tangible warmth. Hope blossomed across Asteri's face, a rare, unguarded moment leaving him momentarily speechless.
Ramiris, hovering nearby, nodded with a serene smile, adding weight to the declaration.
"She's right. Asteri never breaks his promises. On his journey in this world, he will reach the ultimate level. There's no doubt in that."
The hall seemed to brighten subtly, not with light, but with the presence of certainty. Even those who had doubted before felt it, the unshakable confidence that radiated from Hina-chan's words and Ramiris' affirmation. In that moment, it wasn't just belief; it was destiny acknowledging itself.
"Hmm. Rooting for him won't change anything, but it'll push you to strive harder, Asteri. I may have underestimated this human before… but not anymore. She is your strength. Don't lose her, no matter what."
Guy stood, his presence commanding yet calm, and began walking toward the exit.
Midway, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder.
"Today was… enjoyable. Three Demon Lords and a human having a conversation something I've never witnessed. Perhaps that's why it's so entertaining."
And just like that, he vanished, leaving the three alone in the hall.
"T… three? Did he just say three?"
Ramiris asked. Guy never slipped on his words, he meant this.
"Yes, Lady Ramiris."
"So… Guy has acknowledged you as a Demon Lord, Asteri-kun."
She said, a mixture of awe and amusement in her voice.
Asteri remained silent, still absorbing the surge of confidence and validation he had just received from Hinamatsuri.
Finally, he spoke, calm yet polite.
"U… thanks for your time, Lady Ramiris. I'll be in touch."
He teleported them back to the Star Palace. The two were sitting on different couches. No one spoke for a long time, and Asteri broke the silence.
"This is the first time I've ever expressed gratitude to anyone in this world. And it belongs to you, Hina. Thank you."
"U..no, no problem, really…"
She waved it off lightly, her voice a little flustered.
"I said I'd cheer you on, right? I'm just keeping my word."
"...I was lost in thought, trying to figure out how I could become a spiritual life form and awaken an Ultimate Skill. You stopped me before I went too far. For that, thank you. I truly mean it."
She hesitated, then spoke more quietly.
"There's too much to lose if you abandon your supreme status for a single achievement. It might be worth it in theory, but once you become a spiritual life form, you'd be vulnerable to attacks that target spiritual bodies. That means you could die…"
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"I… I don't want that."
Asteri's eyes widened, the realization settling in.
"I didn't consider the disadvantages."
"I'm not ordering you or anything."
She added quickly.
"But next time… please try to weigh both the advantages and the risks before deciding."
"I will."
He nodded without hesitation.
"I'll take your advice seriously from now on. And don't worry, Stars are immortal. I won't die, so you don't have to worry, okay?"
His tone was gentle, reassuring… perhaps a little too confident.
Hinamatsuri smiled faintly.
"Um… okay."
Before anything else could be said, hurried footsteps echoed down the hall. The door slid open as Issei rushed in, voice bright and impatient.
"Mama, it's time to eat! Everyone's waiting for you."
"E... eh...I'll be right there, Issei."
"Ok. Hello, Asteri."
He waved.
"Issei kun... Mama will be descending now... go wait for her. Okay?"
"Um,"
He nodded, turned around, and left the other kids storming off along with him.
"You should join us too, Asteri san."
"The food is only for those on the second floor. If I join, I might change the plan. Maybe next time."
"...o...ok... well, see you later."
Hinamatsuri waved and left the room, leaving Asteri behind.
< But, I still don't understand she's my source of power. Nah, this doesn't need critical thinking. It's simple. She's the only one who volunteered to cheer me up no matter the situation. I guess that's what it means. Well whatever...>>
.....
....
...
..
.
To be continued...