The Demon That Laid Dormant

Relin

"I thought that you were calling my name."

Faltering now would be a complete giveaway. I cannot give them any chance to be suspicious.

"What is your name?"

"Ren…"

I haven't turned around yet. I did not dare to do so. The overwhelming strength and dominance in the gaze didn't let me.

"Shall we talk?"

"... sure."

It was better to go along with him until I knew their true intentions.

"Good. If you have refused, we would have to use force but it's a good thing you didn't. Now, let's go."

The man wrapped his arms around my neck and that's when I got a glimpse of him but what I saw was...

"Levithan Guild…"

That man was Relin Ivy, the Vice-Guild Master of one of the five most influential guilds- the Levithan Guild!

"Hoh? Are you a fan? Haha, sorry but I don't give autographs."

All of a sudden, I could feel cold sweat running down my back. The bloodlust inside him took the form of a monster behind him and glared at me.

'Fuck…!'

What the hell did I do now? He shouldn't have any reason for releasing his bloodlust like that?!

The students passing by us coughed and gasped for air. Even they were affected by the immense pressure which fell on them like a gushing waterfall.

But… why was no one paying attention to the source itself?

'No time to think about that now!'

I had the urge to make some distance immediately but the aura around him disappeared before I could make any move.

"Haha, sorry sorry. I was just testing you and you passed! You know how to think and act rationally."

What?

"You see, to those students passing us, I am just like a stranger they have never met. You see this thing?"

He pulled out something from behind him. It was an orb and I knew what that was.

"The Orb of Disguise…?"

"Bingo! Also, this is a B-rank Orb."

Shit! Doesn't that mean I just gave myself away?!

"And you saw right through my disguise. That proves it…"

'I am fucked!'

I tried my best to stop the agitation from showing on my face but I didn't know for how long I could hold on.

"... you are not someone ordinary, right?"

Wha…?

'Perhaps…'

<Yeah…>

'I am safe…'

But I couldn't say for sure. It seemed like he was saying something else and thinking something else.

"Let's talk."

With his arms wrapped around me, he dragged me to the school.

***

'This guy… I still don't know how he figured me out, but I have to be wary around him.'

Relin Ivy was not from any family that held so much influence, rather, he was an orphan that came into the Tower after losing everything on Earth. His parents died in the Israel War when he was only 6. He was taken by an orphanage at the age of 7 that was shut down in political strife. Since then, he raised himself in the darkest corners of some slum- stealing, beating and doing whatever he had to do to survive. And when even the world abandoned him, he had no choice other than to enter the most mysterious existence on Earth- the Tower. The existence of mana in the Tower and its environment which gave everyone chances to grow presented a huge opportunity to rebuild his life. He trained and trained and rose to the top only with his sheer strength and will.

For Relin, violence was the key to everything. Absolute strength and unshakable dominance that makes everyone bow their heads and their knees dig the ground- that's the most suitable way one could describe Relin.

But it was unusual, very unusual for Relin to be cautious of someone.

He clearly remembered the description of the Demon that caused a wildfire in the media of the Tower, the Demon who brutally murdered more than 120 students in the Central School of Magic and Combat.

'Ominous white hair that strikes fear, red eyes that craved for bloodshed, a devilish smile taking pleasure from death and excruciating screams, and finally, the name, Ken Raizer.'

'Is this guy really just an unlucky child?'

Most of the things mentioned in the description were absent.

'Ominous white hair that strikes fear, red eyes that craved bloodshed, a devilish smile taking pleasure from death and excruciating screams… is this guy really capable of that?'

The doubt only grew as he observed the young man further. Not only did the young man see right through a B-rank Orb of Disguise, he even tried to get away from Relin when he released his bloodlust. But now that Relin scrutinized the boy, he could not help but think all of that was only a fluke. Not only did the boy seem sloppy, but Relin also couldn't feel any kind of mana from the boy. And moreover, he was obviously a Potential-less.

'Maybe he has good senses?'

But for some reason, Relin was being put on the edge. Something about the young man by his side kept him on his guard all the time.

'Or was that all my imagination? Well, not that I care, I only came here because it seemed interesting. If he does anything fishy, I can just kill him.'

"Sir, you are staring way too much."

"Oh~ you've got some guts to say that to me."

"I am feeling uncomfortable, that's why."

"Still, is that something you would say to the Vice-Guildmaster of Levithan Guild?"

"..."

The boy was silent as if he didn't have anything to say.

'Heh… this boy sure is interesting.'

"We are here."

"Eh?"

Relin and Ren stood in front of a door with a sign on it that read "Headmaster's Office".

***

Headmaster's Office? Why the hell did this man bring me here?

"Shall we go in?"

"Hmm."

But I didn't have much of an option but to go. I nodded slowly.

"Good."

Click!

'Not even a knock…'

<This guy has a great deal of power. I am sure you also noticed, right?>

Even Lan, who was usually very stubborn when it came to acknowledging someone else, is saying this. I really shouldn't do anything stupid.

"Coming in~!"

Relin stepped into the room as if he was entering his own room.

'I have no choice but to follow.'

I also followed after Relin like a duckling, keeping my face down.

"Tch, at least knock before you come."

A thundering roar shook me and I looked toward the source with my guard up. Again, this man was also powerful.

A build that was comparable to retired wrestlers and eyes deep and calm as the sea. Was this man the Headmaster of this school? I didn't want to get in a fight with this man.

"Haha, we are old friends so that isn't needed, right?"

"Haa… still shameless as ever. So, tell me."

The Headmaster's face became grim and glared at me with fierce eyes.

'Haa…'

It was obvious what he was going to say next.

"Why are you here with a Potential-less?"

***