Asmodeus, I Come to Bargain
"I am Duke Asmodeus, the Prince of Hell. The Demon Overlord. Become my chosen mortal, and I will fulfill any of your wishes!" a demonic voice boomed in the area.
The demon had red skin with two huge horns on a draconic head, making him look like a dragon.
In front of him, a human stood up with no fear, his blue eyes reflecting the big demonic face with a solemn experience.
"Asmodeus cut the crap. I came here to bargain."
"Puny human, what do you even have that will interest me?"
The human was a handsome teenager with golden hair, wearing a school uniform with "Royal Valtara Academy" written on the badge.
"What do I have? Don't turn this around, Asmodeus.
You need me to free you.
All the crap you pull outside, you think that is working?
My deal is simple: I will free you in exchange for control over your power."
The man said with confidence, his blue eyes holding not a single ounce of fear despite it being the first time he had seen this kind of creature.
His name was Rafael. He was now in his last year of high school.
You may wonder how a high school student turned into a fearless young man trying to capture and coerce a demon.
To find this out, we need to turn back time and start from the beginning.
Three years ago, inside a decent house, despite only having two people living in it now, the atmosphere was quite festive.
Rafael's steps were light as he ran through the stairs, "Sis! I got it! I got in."
"Rafael! How many times have I told you not to run on the stairs? What if you fall?" An attractive woman in her early twenties looked at Rafael with a warm smile on her face.
She had long autumn-brown hair tied in a ponytail and sparkling blue eyes.
"Look, sis," Rafael said excitedly, showing a paper he had just printed out.
It was a congratulatory email telling him he had just been accepted into one of the more prestigious schools in their city, Royal Valtara Academy.
Not only had he been approved, it said he would get a 100% scholarship as long as he could keep his grades up.
Seeing this, his sister excitedly hugged Rafael.
"I knew it! There is nothing you cannot achieve if you put your mind to it, Rafael. You really make me proud."
Rafael chuckled with a silly grin, "Of course, whose brother am I? How about you, Sis?"
His sister broke the hug and then walked back to the stove.
"Of course, I got accepted. Who do you think I am? If my little brother can achieve anything, I can do it too."
"With this, we should have no problem in the future," Rafael said.
The woman gave a nod. "Yes, with my new job and less expense on the school, we should be able to survive now, even without their savings."
The mention of "them" quickly changed the atmosphere. Both siblings looked at each other with a complicated gaze, deep sadness hidden inside.
But it didn't last long until his sister, Reina, tried to change the topic. "Alright, let's celebrate. I bought some good meat today."
Smelling the delicious aroma in the air, Rafael said, "No wonder it smells so tasty.
As I thought, as long as the ingredients are good, no matter who the chef is, it will be delicious."
Reina raised the steel ladle in her hand. "My dear brother, do you want a taste of this again?"
"No, thank you. And don't forget, tomorrow I need to go to the school to finalize the registration.
I'm sure my lovely sister doesn't want her handsome little brother's face to turn ugly."
Reina's lips twitched at Rafael's shameless remark.
"I don't agree. Don't you know there are animals that have black on both eyes? People find them cute.
Maybe we can test now if it's the same for humans."
Rafael then clasped his hands together, making a resounding clap, and said, "My beautiful sister, this poor brother of yours asks for your forgiveness.
Give me some mercy. I am sure you don't want this handsome brother of yours to be called a panda on the first day."
"You glib tongue, I pity any woman who ends up with you in the future. I hope you won't two-time them."
"No way! I am a sole believer in one man, one woman.
I never get it, those man who wants many wives. Don't they know how miserable it is?
Just see my life with you, my dear sister. If it's just lust, I will have as many flings as I want..." Rafael wanted to say more but stopped as he felt Reina's cold gaze.
Reina's lips were still smiling, but Rafael knew it was not her usual smile.
"Look, Rafael, I am glad you feel you can tell your sister everything, but please, I don't need to know that. And don't you dare play with someone's heart."
"Of course not. I promise you, sis." Rafael said as he raised his thumb.
With a hurting head, Reina turned back to continue her cooking.
'Just what can I do with you…
I will never be able to stay mad with your silly smile like that,' she thought as her smile widened.
The siblings ate together, sharing a heartwarming moment.
After finishing, Rafael helped his sister clean all the dishes despite her insisting she didn't need any help.
Seeing her brother's back leaving to his room, Reina's heart turned heavy. She knew Rafael was not like that in the past.
He had become more expressive and made many jokes, all for her.
After their parents suddenly went missing one day, leaving both of them devastated.
"Rafael! Don't worry about the scholarship.
Just enjoy your school. With my wage, I can take care of it."
Rafael stopped at the stair step for a moment. He then turned back, raising one of his hands like showing a muscle, "What are you talking about, sis? Do you doubt my ability?"
"Of course not, you silly. I just want you to enjoy life."
"And you too, sis…" he said with a solemn tone, but it only lasted for a moment.
His lips then turned into a warm smile, "Good night, sis."
"Night, Rafael," Reina replied back.
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