Death Heir’s Devouring System

"What do you mean by that?" Azrael asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I guess it's because you haven't grown in any clan; you don't know the way they function and think," Seyra muttered, shaking her head.

"Raven Wavecrest, by your words she had been Radiant Proven… before you killed her."

Azrael didn't follow the logic. "So what? It's normal for things to go wrong in Rifts and for humans to backstab each other."

"It's the fact that she has reached extraordinary power, so much so that had she returned to the human realm, she would immediately be hailed as a celebrity. A person reaching such a Purity Rank so young happens very rarely. And naturally, her clan, Wavecrest, would have pushed her forward with Thandor as a hero until they achieved a level of fame rivaling that which Seraphina and Isolde have enjoyed until now."

She paused momentarily.

"No… She would have been even more famous, becoming a world-renowned hero. Yet you slay a person with so much potential. To rub salt on the wound, you aren't part of the big three clans. Even worse, you aren't part of a clan at all. If this information gets out, it would cause Wavecrest to lose face. So they might decide to get rid of you altogether."

Azrael frowned. 'Of course, why didn't I think of that? These people are called the Elite. They wouldn't blink if I killed normal humans, but if I harm one of their own, it would earn their wrath.'

"This might not have been an issue… if you returned alone from the Rift or killed the ones that had been with you. But now just one Chosen is enough to go towards them and inform them of your deeds."

He massaged his temples. 'If I am targeted by the Wavecrest, things could get very messy. It seems I will have to take on Seraphina's offer sooner than expected. Maybe she could put in a good word for me and convince the higher-ups from the Flameborn clan to protect me?'

Seyra, guessing what he was thinking, shattered his hopes.

"The Flameborn clan could be even more hostile to you than the Wavecrest."

Now that tipped him over the edge. "Why? I saved their so-called angels multiple times from death! At the very least, they should hail me as a hero, not be hostile towards me!"

A sly smile tugged at Seyra's lips. "Then tell me, who do you think orchestrated the attack on the Moon Breakers?"

Azrael blinked once, twice, thrice. His mind connecting the dots.

"You don't mean—"

"Who should have benefited the most?" Seyra challenged.

"Just imagine for a moment: their two angels entering a Rift unprepared after an organized terrorist attack happening in the rival school. Yet despite it all, they conquer the Rift and survive, becoming legends by stunning the world."

The more his teacher spoke, the more sense her words made. After all, Seraphina and Isolde had higher than normal Purity Ranks before they entered—they essentially had been ready to challenge a Rift with great odds of success.

"But they didn't manage to dominate it completely. You were there, rivaling their power and saving their lives. Their achievements are still exceptional, but not to the legendary status the Flameborn clan would have hoped for."

This was a far-fetched theory. Still, Azrael always assumed the worst and acted accordingly.

"Do you think that they realized it?" He asked.

"No," Seyra said, denying the possibility. "They haven't realized it yet; they are young, after all, and cannot comprehend how the older ones think."

That was a relief, at least. Still…

"What the hell," he cursed.

"So by surviving a hell I had no business being in, I've managed to anger two of the three great clans?"

"All three, actually," Seyra corrected.

Seeing his stunned silence, she added, "Have you forgotten? I was from the Vaelthorn clan before joining the government. You are my pupil…"

"So I naturally become their enemy?" He guessed.

"Something like that."

Just when he was beginning to question his actions, his teacher stood up, motioning for him to follow.

"But fear not, this is a normal, even expected result. Sharing your tale with me reinforces you as an invaluable asset to the government. We would spare no expense to train and keep you alive."

Her high heels echoed in the corridors.

"From now on, you are either going to be with me. A member of the government with similar status to me or in crowded areas. After all, being a part of us means no one, no matter how powerful, can afford to harm you in public."

'As long as I am not alone, I should be fine,' Azrael summarized what his teacher was telling him.

"So where are we going?"

Wordlessly, Seyra opened a metal door leading to a reinforced room with soundproof walls.

"The best way to train you would be with VR gear that simulates reality perfectly. There you will not be held back by things like exhaustion, and even sleeping could be delayed for weeks—all in the name of gaining experience."

She motioned for him to lie on the bed, and he complied.

"I don't really like this method of training. You will be at risk of assassination during the VR simulation. But with me being here, you have nothing to worry about."

She handed him a headset, lighter than expected, its insides cushioned with padding.

"Be careful; that thing costs about ten times the average house."

Azrael's eyes widened momentarily as he inspected it.

"The reason for that price is because it simulates all senses perfectly—even pain. Which is essential to familiarize you with real battle. Now put it on—you won't waste much time there. I just want you to experience the interface."

She paused before adding,

"Only look at the enemy simulation, and don't choose anything too crazy to fight. I don't want you to get discouraged just as you become Proven."

"I can't promise anything," Azrael dismissed her worries before putting it on.

Immediately, he found himself in a dark space, standing over nothing.

'I feel perfect,' he noted. There was no trace of exhaustion—his mind was clear.

With a flick of his finger, he called forth his items one by one. Just as he suspected, they were simulated perfectly.

"I can see why this was popular in the Moon Breakers," he mused, scrolling through the options.

They seemed endless: Team Battles, Duels, Challenges, Battle Royals, Tournaments, and more.

He ignored them all—naturally, it wasn't the time to explore the option of battling other Chosen. Instead, his gaze fixed on the enemy simulation.

Two options were presented: either select a premade monster or create his own.

Without hesitation, he chose the premade option.

'If the three clans really decide to come after me, I must be ready to face anything.'

His thoughts sharpened as his finger moved.

Unfazed, he slid upwards through the Danger Level until he reached the highest one.

Genocide.

Shifting his attention to the second column, he did the same with the Corruption Rank.

Unholy.

Just as he hoped, one being appeared for selection—his end goal, the abomination he had sworn to devour at the end of it all.

He took a deep breath. He knew he was far from ready, but there was no harm in testing himself against the strongest being. Even if only to see just how vast the gap in power truly was.

Steeling his resolve, Azrael selected the Genocidal Unholy Moon.

"Surely fighting a god from the start isn't that crazy."

He chuckled darkly to himself as a colossal moon began materializing high in the sky.

[Simulation completed.]

[Engage combat?]