Chapter 9: The Demon Realm (9)
"Alright! This is a beginner's manual for basic magic power! It's what the lower to mid-tier demon children learn around their third year after birth!"
Karuti handed me a book.
"Ah!"
I remembered this! It was one of the books I saw a long time ago!
Except for me, other demon kids used to read this and practice something from it. So, this was the introductory manual for magic power.
It had been so long since I last saw it.
When the other kids were reading this, I was always excluded…! While the little demon brats were happily communicating with each other, I was continuously inferring what the words I heard meant in my mind!
Too many concepts didn't exist on Earth and in Korea, so it was hard to cross-reference, compare, and guess the words and their exact meanings.
"But third year?"
"Kyuse oppa, you shouldn't feel bad about that. You really are at that level."
Karuti, with her arms crossed, said this like a teacher.
Right. What Karuti said was true. One always had to coldly recognize and accept who they were. That way, they could survive.
"I understand, Master! Please teach me! No matter what, I'll master it!"
"Good enthusiasm!"
Karuti looked very pleased.
"After all, demons who like books also like to learn something! Now, open it!"
"Yes!"
I immediately opened the book and started reading from the first page.
First of all…
"Oh."
I could read it. Now, I had no problem reading, listening, or writing. The introduction of the book had an overview and purpose of the writing, and after quickly scanning it, I skipped directly to Chapter 1.
"What's this?"
And then, there was the demon anatomy illustration.
Unrecognizable magical diagrams.
This was considered basic?
"This book is tailored to our bloodline. Only the children of the Duchess, our mother, can learn from it. It's the same for you, brother. Shall we start with the practical part? Sit here."
"Yes."
I took a seat.
"Relax your body and close your eyes."
I did as instructed.
"Now, try to feel the magic power within you."
"Uh? How do I do that?"
"Just do it."
"…"
I gave it a try.
At least theoretically, I knew that I had magical power within me. But I had no clue how to use it. I felt like it was there, but I was lost whenever I tried to use it.
So, I just focused on physical training.
-…
I tried to concentrate and attempted the same thing I did earlier.
Of course, I didn't feel anything.
"I don't… feel anything. Honestly, I've tried to feel it multiple times on my own. But I always fail."
"It's always hard in the beginning. Above all, the magical power you possess, Kyuse oppa, is so minuscule that it might be difficult for you to even feel it. Normally, it's challenging when you're on your own."
Just as I was about to ask something, Karuti exclaimed confidently.
"But that's why we have teachers and an educational system! Today, Karuti will be your teacher!"
"Wow!"
"It's tough on your own, but with a smart teacher like Karuti to assist you, you can overcome challenges much more easily! Especially at this beginner stage!"
Wowowowow!
Learning from an expert was always quicker and more accurate rather than searching blindly as a newbie!
"Who knew it could be this systematic!"
"Of course, it's systematic. Most of our clan serves as soldiers for the Duchess. Educating them with knowledge for battle is of utmost importance."
Here came the pragmatism.
"Stay still. Karuti will assist you."
"Yes!"
Immediately, Karuti went behind me and placed her hands on my back.
Then, suddenly,
ㅡWhooosh!
Something!
Something was…!
"Ah, ugh…"
I could feel something!
"Inside me, something's wriggling!"
It was entering through my back and moving around!
Even though I wasn't sure, if I suddenly gave this sensation to any random person on Earth, they would surely freak out. They would think there was a bug or some device inside them!
"Gah!"
The intense energy that came in was like a loach squirming under my skin, and it stimulated somewhere deep within me. Through that, I realized that my magical power was concentrated there.
Near my heart.
ㅡSwoosh.
The energy passing through my heart moved my magic power. I could feel that sensation properly. This must be the sensation of using magical power.
"Do you feel it? Your magic power?"
"It's moving…"
"Remember this sensation. This is how you utilize your magic power. From now on, keep using it like this and get used to the sensation. That's step 1."
ㅡSwoosh.
Then, Karuti removed her hand from my back. At the same time, the energy swirling inside me disappeared.
"Eureka!"
At the same time, I quickly recalled that sensation, felt my inner magic power, and tried to use it on my own… It was frustrating, and it felt like I couldn't do it now, but it seemed possible! It was like that feeling when your leg fell asleep – you would try to move it, but it would barely respond!
"I've got the hang of it! I got it, Karuti! I've got the hang of it!"
"Hehehe, you catch on quickly. Now that you've gotten the feel of it, you should be able to decipher the book on your own."
"Thank you!!!"
"Once you're accustomed, practice using it. Pay attention to your breathing… like this. I'll help with this, too."
With that, Karuti guided me.
I devoted everything to focus on the lessons. What Karuti was teaching me now was the basics of the basics. For demonkind, unless they were in the slave class, it was a skill everyone normally knew. However, for me, it was a glimmering thread of hope more than anything else.
I must master this to survive…!
If I could master it, I could progress on my own without a teacher! Just like I used to work out on my own to build up stamina! That was all I needed!
"Phew… For today, that'll be it. I have to leave now."
"You're leaving?"
"I have various things to do. For Karuti."
"Hehehe, with such a smart mind, you must have many responsibilities. Thank you so much, Karuti! I've improved a lot because of you!"
"You looked pitiful earlier, but now you seem happy."
"It's all thanks to you!"
"Hehehe, yes. You mustn't forget Karuti's grace. Come to the library again tomorrow. Ah! And I'll give you homework! Selected by Karuti!"
"A book to read just before dying!"
"Yes!"
Karuti responded with great joy when I replied loudly. She was really cute. How could such an adorable child come from that inhuman Duchess?
"Pick one from them, read it, and then write a post-reading reflection! Then, Karuti will teach you something else!"
"Look forward to it. I'll write it as if I'm giving an expert critique."
Suddenly.
Karuti tilted her head.
"A critique? Do you know such words, Kyuse oppa?"
"Eh? Oh, yes. It's not like I've never heard it. I've heard it before."
"Really? Anyway! See you tomorrow!"
After bidding farewell, Karuti ordered her familiars to tidy up, and I left the library first.
"Ah."
For the first time in 10 years, I had a conversation with a kind person. That fact felt more precious than anything else… Thinking about the future made me anxious, but I didn't have time to think about that right now.
"I'll start by reviewing what I learned today."
I will review today's achievements to the fullest and make them mine. I have to pour my passion into it. Only then could I move beyond the level of a demon child.
"Let's do the set amount and then read the novels Karuti gave me."
Let's assume my current magical power was roughly 3. I should utilize and consume that 3 to the fullest. And while doing so, I needed to study the magic introductory book.
"Phew."
I headed straight to my room.
"No way! Isn't that the product of a lesser birth?"
"He's the finest trash handpicked from our duchy!"
"Ha ha ha! Hey! Was your name Kyuse? Hurry up and become the Demon King to conquer the middle realm!"
Of course, on my way, there were demons who recognized and ridiculed me, but I only dealt with them to a slight extent. I didn't have time for that now.
"These demon bastards…! Once I become the Demon King, I'll overthrow all of you!"
Let's get on with the work!
"He really is an unusual older brother."
I wasn't particularly interested in those of lesser birth, but after seeing and talking to him directly, it was quite intriguing.
He was definitely a descendant born from a high-ranked egg.
There were various kinds of high-ranked eggs that the Duchess gave birth to, but male descendants born from that lineage mostly possess similar characteristics and abilities.
They needed to be aggressive and violent. After all, most male descendants existed to fulfill the role of warriors.
"To think that someone like Kyuse would evoke sympathy from me."
In contrast, Kyuse seemed very out of place. I could see his pitiful aspect, but the rest… was certainly unique.
"Hehehe, if he doesn't write a reading reflection, I'll have to scold him."
Just as when I was lost in thoughts about Kyuse.
Squeak.
The library door opened, and a bizarre-looking creature walked in on its arms.
Thud thud.
It walked on its arms purely because it had no legs. In fact, it didn't even have a lower half.
With a massive mouth resembling that of an abyss and abnormally swollen muscular arms, it was the only thing attached to its round body.
It was a summoned demon.
"Kraaaaak! Kraaaaaak! Lady Karuti! Lady Karuti!"
The strange summoned demon had the vocal cords of a young angel attached.
"Quiet. Where are the prisoners?"
"Pris-oners! Pris-oners! Interrogation finished! Interrogation finished!"
"Well done. Summarize the report."
"High Heavens! It seems we found the location in High Heavens! A plan to deploy Supernova! Acquired from the angel prisoner!"
"What."
"Acquired from the angel prisoner! Acquired from the angel prisoner!"
"Ah… I hoped it wasn't true."
Karuti sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"Incompetent fools. This is why I didn't want to work with those Ozvalka bastards. What are we going to do if they get defeated there?"
"Waiting for command! Waiting for command!"
"…But is it true? Can you lie to Karuti?"
"Cannot lie! Cannot lie! Waiting for command! Waiting for command!"
"Block them. At least buy some time."
"Kraaaaak! Defense command! Defense command!"
"Deploy those Ozvalka guys no matter what."
"Ozvalka guys! Ozvalka guys!"
"You can leave now."
Upon Karuti's gesture, the quacking summoned demon turned around.
Squish.
From the summoned demon's mouth, an angel's arm, replacing a tongue, reached out to twist the library door handle.
"Oz-val-ka guys! Oz-val-ka guys!"
"Be quiet…"
The summoned demon left, and Karuti was alone again.
Sigh.
Indeed, reading was her only solace. Should she pile up books and build a new home? Reorganizing the books on the shelf in a new order might not be a bad idea.
But then again, reading…
"Hmm, Kyuse mentioned he wanted to live."
If the Supernova of High Heavens was deployed, there was nothing she could do but buy time. Now, the angels might mimic the demons' advent rituals. If that happened, wouldn't Kyuse be in deep trouble?
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