Seven years have passed in the Terra world, the realm where Seku was reborn, a world dominated by demons.
It has been seven years since the tragic event in which Seku was killed by a speeding truck. It has been seven years since he last heard that voice echoing in his mind, and it has been seven years since he was reborn as the son in a demonic family of this new realm.
Seku retains the memories of his previous life, but he has also acquired new memories from his current existence.
Seku was astonished that his name remained unchanged, unlike what typically occurs in most isekai narratives. To this day, Seku is still taken aback that the voice within his mind refers to impoverished individuals as scum.
He is now seven years old and is undergoing training with Avari, who is now 24 years old and recognized as one of the most powerful members of the Aristocracy in this world.
Seku has gained knowledge about the world's system and the ranks assigned to those deemed worthy.
The lowest rank, known as the Dregs, resembles beasts. They take on forms akin to insects, wolves, or grotesque masses of flesh. Lacking hands, they possess only claws. Communication is beyond them; they can only screech or growl telepathically. Residing in slums or wastelands, they are regarded as livestock or forced labour by the Nobles. This rank is automatically assigned to individuals with a power level below fifteen thousand.
The Dregs rely on pure instinct for their power. They exhibit physical resilience and can sense incoming attacks, yet they possess no trace of magic in their blood due to their inherent weakness.
The middle rank, the Aristocracy, consists of demons with humanoid forms. They are strikingly beautiful yet unmistakably demonic. Capable of speech, they wear clothing and construct cities. They inhabit citadels and generally regard the Dregs as "unclean or scum." The average demon in this rank has a power level of at least fifteen thousand and one.
Members of the Aristocracy can access a unique form of magic known as Blood Arts. Through Blood Arts, they can manipulate fire, blood, or shadows, but they must choose only one of these elements, as attempting to wield more than one could lead to their own destruction.
The highest rank is occupied by the Celestials, who are akin to Gods. They shed their demonic red and black hues, transforming into white, gold, or silver beings resembling Angels. They govern the world, and their mere presence exerts a gravitational force that can crush those nearby. To attain this rank, an individual must possess a power level of at least three million.
The Celestials possess the ability of Realm Creation, allowing them to alter reality within a localized area by establishing a barrier around it, effectively trapping anyone within that barrier.
***
During their training session, Avari instructed Seku to halt as they were about to take a break.
"I cannot defeat you in combat, even with this speed," Seku lamented.
"You will eventually succeed; you have potential, little brother," Avari reassured him to boost his confidence regarding his abilities.
Seku then gazed ahead and noticed the city along with its towering walls in front of them.
"When can we enter the city?" Seku inquired, his curiosity piqued as he had never been there before.
The city, known as Nightfall Kingdom, is one of the seven principal kingdoms ruled by one of the seven deadly sins, until that fateful day when the Shadow King was vanquished, leaving Nightfall Kingdom without a ruler, a fact unknown to its inhabitants.
"Not until you are strong enough, brother," Avari replied in a nurturing tone.
"Why is it that I cannot go now? Am I not strong enough?" Seku inquired, his voice laced with frustration.
As Seku and Avari were on the verge of an argument, both of them sensed a corrupted soul nearing the city.
"Damn, it's a husk," Avari exclaimed urgently as she sprinted after the husked demon with incredible speed.
Seku meant to inquire about the meaning of a husk, but Avari had already dispatched it and obliterated the core within its chest.
"Apologies for that, brother," Avari said, noticing Seku's disheartened expression.
"What is a husk, big sister?" Seku asked, seeking clarification from Avari, as he was unfamiliar with the term.
"Husks are demons that have consumed an excessive number of souls, leading to their corruption and transformation into mindless entities," Avari explained cheerfully.
"Why do you sound pleased?" Seku remarked with a scoff, confused by his sister's indifference towards the transformation of beings into mindless creatures.
"It's because it's enjoyable to eliminate them," Avari replied candidly, as if her words did not sound alarming at that moment.
"Sure, sure, anyway we should head back; mom will be worried about me since it has already been two hours since we left," Seku suggested calmly, as if Avari's comments had no effect on him.
"Come on, you are no fun! I want to fight some more husks; I am bored, Seku," Avari said with a dissatisfied tone and a huff.
"Fine, we will find more husks, but I want to defeat them to see how enjoyable it really is to battle them," Seku suggested with a smirk, not just proposing an activity to further concern Angelita.
"You're entertaining when you're serious, Seku," Avari remarked with a broad smirk she had been holding in all day.
"Indeed, I must be entertaining and serious for my older sister, mustn't I?" Seku remarked as he and Avari began their journey into the deserted wasteland, where the majority of the Demonic Husks are found.
"That's correct, for if you were dull, I would have simply declined to train you, despite our mother requesting it," Avari replied, raising her eyebrows as she draws her blade.
"Well, I would have discovered a method of training if you had not wished to train me," Seku retorted with a scoff.
"Yes, I am aware you would; we ought to cease our conversation now, as we are nearing one of the numerous husk nests, with at least 10 husks in each nest," Avari informed Seku, to which he nodded, comprehending her intent.
As Avari and Seku drew closer to the nest, they summoned their demonic weapons, preparing to confront demons that had lost control of their own bodies.