The Demon That Laid Dormant

Preaparation

"Hmm…"

But of course, I couldn't just leave them like this. I knew they would talk about me as soon as I went. It was a common trope after all.

<You really are not normal for staying to eavesdrop.>

"Hmm…"

He really was an idiot to think I was expected from the start. If I were normal, then I wouldn't have gone through a spiral of beatings, piss, disdain, hatred, and loneliness. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil…

'Please shut your mouth for a while.'

I shut him off. I couldn't have him run his mouth thoughtlessly and get on my nerves.

<Tch, so mean.>

'Shut up.'

"Well, I guess I'll take my leave now." He bowed deeply and left.

"..."

The Headmaster was left alone, watching the door to his office close off.

"...that slimy bastard. He sure knows how to choose the words in front of me."

The Headmaster paced his office seemingly deep in thought.

What was he thinking? Unfortunately, I had no means to know that.

"Ren… please be useful to me."

'Hold it in, hold it in.'

The very first thing a Potential-bearer learns is to sense bloodlust. And this guy was the Headmaster, a monster hiding something far more ferocious inside him. If I accidentally leaked some bloodlust, I would turn into dead meat even before I knew it.

"Use…"

But there were more pressing matters. I didn't know about the conference they talked about, nor did I know how they would use me.

But…

"Interesting…"

They wanted to use me. Even though it was a pretty concerning thing for me, I found it amusing for some reason.

"Hmm… I think it's about time for me to make a move too."

I wanted a high school life to satiate my curiosity but I had no reason to stay here much longer.

"Two years?"

I would be gone from this school in two years.

***

The dorm rooms were much bigger and more comfortable than I expected. I was not used to this at all. I was more used to being in a small room barely managing to fit the bed and other stuff. But of course, this was, by far, not a bad feeling. Having enough space was never a good thing…

But it was not like I never had a big room for myself. I had, and I had my parents with me at that time too. This room brought bad memories.

"…"

There was no point in dwelling over the past any longer. It was better to face the present that lay on the table in front of me.

A thick and ominous book that seemed to be centuries old lay on the table. It was wrinkled beyond repair, the pages were hanging on their last thread, and who knew, maybe most of the contents had already disappeared into oblivion. I had no means to know other than seeing it for myself.

<...>

But, strangely, this guy was keeping quiet for a while now.

"You became mute or something?"

<...no. You carry on.>

This book was my parents' last gift to me before they died the day after. Since then, I avoided this book, as it reminded me of their bright smiles and loving words. That day was still vivid in my mind. That was the day when I received my last gift. That was the day when I played with my father for the last time. That was the day when I ate my mother's delicious and warm food for the last time. That was the day when I slept with my mother and father for the last time. Now, it was just a memory that seemed to fade away at any moment now.

"..."

I shook my head and brought myself back to reality. That was why I hated this book.

"Phew… let's just get over with it."

I touched the book, its rugged texture brushed past my fingers. It was a nostalgic feeling but I couldn't remember. Where was this uneasiness coming from?

I opened the book and its first page greeted me with a wave that was all too familiar in my veins and my body. It could also be called my second lifeline. It was proof that I was different from others on this planet. The first page unveiled the Arte in it. It was tremendous as if it had been holding onto it for so long.

I began to run my eyes and turn the pages. As I read further, the more my astonishment grew. This thing was literally a cheat item. From the first floor to the 98th floor— every hidden piece and most efficient method to clear the floors were recorded in it. This was more than what I could ask for, this was a blessing. And then I reached the last page... only one sentence was written on it.

'To Daemonium.'

"Lan."

<...>

The Arte and the last page gave it away.

"My parents were demons."

<Yeah…>

"Tell me."

<They barely escaped from the Goddess' clutches and managed to settle on Earth somehow. Since then, they kept laying low until…>

"The Tower opened up on Earth two years before my birth."

<Yeah… that was the Goddess' way to declare that it was her that governed this world.>

"..."

<They couldn't hide anymore and…>

He stopped, his shaking voice trailing off at the end.

"They died."

It was the Goddess, that fuckin' bitch. She was the one behind everything— the demons' annihilation, Lan's sealing, my parents' death, my miserable life… everything!

I shook in anger. Rage flowed in my head like a tsunami. If possible, I wanted to fuck up the Goddess so badly now even if I died.

"Haa…"

But it was not the time to explode yet.

'Let's just keep it in so that I can explode when the right time comes. Yeah, let's do that.'

I closed the book and stared out of the window at the distant horizon spreading across my vision. Now I knew what I had to do in order to get stronger, fast.

***