The One Beneath None!

"Couldn't you let Ron do it when you know your power is not environmentally friendly?". Igneel asked Caroline with a deadpan expression.

"Cough, I only did it because your majesty was here". She replied, a bit embarrassed.

"Well whatever...oh, how interesting, Max, you sense it too right?". Igneel was replying to Caroline when he sensed something from the area of impact.

"Yes, but how is it possible though?". Max replied.

The others were confused as to what they were talking about. And so, Igneel waved his hand, the force it generated blew the smoke away, leaving the site clear. The only one shocked by this act was Silvia who still didn't understand what it meant to be beyond Level 10, the others didn't think much of it.

They were shocked by something else, the creature Caroline had blown up was getting back together in the crater. It's scattered flesh was gathering together with the end goal likely being reforming the beast again.

"What!?, how's that possible?" Caroline asked in shock. Not even the most regenerative beast in the forest could do such a thing after all.

"Does this mean it can't be killed and we can only wait for it to die on its own then?". Iliana asked, but for some reason her gaze would move to Max and Silvia, especially to their hands that were in each others embrace.

Pzzzt!

As soom as she finished speaking, Igneel pointed forward. A silver bolt flew out, consumed all the creature's fleas and erased it from existence.

"Everything perishes little girl". Igneel spoke up, answering her question about whether it could be killed.

"Hmm". Max made that sound out of nowhere.

"What?". Igneel asked him.

"Oh, nothing, you just gave me a great idea for a good spell...I'll show you in the future if it works out". Max replied.

"Oh okay. Lets return then". Igneel didn't think much about it and left. Everyone following behind. What none of them knew was that Igneel had just inspired Max to create the most devastating spell their world will ever see.

.....

"So you gonna explain, what these abyssal creatures are?". Max asked Igneel when they got back.

"Oh nothing much, just creatures you gave in control to their mana turning it into twisted energy that makes them killing machines that die within a few days. Even mana has its dark side after all, just that only those who peer into its abyss see it, hence the term "abyssal creatures". Before we thought that only low level creatures were susceptible but oh well. Anyway I recommend not getting drunk on your mana son, if someone with our magnitude of strength turns into such a creature, the world might be doomed, well at the very least this continent wouldn't survive.". Igneel explained nonchalantly.

"Well...I don't know which part of that seems like it's "nothing much" to you but okay. So how often do they appear?". Max asked for more information.

"Around here, not too many times but among humans, those greedy little creatures, they appear quite often actually. Those they call them the "devil possessed" just because they are especially susceptible to holy magic... though that's only because they are always the just trash Level 1-4. Well at least their holy churches got a reason to stay relevant from it". Igneel said, conveniently throwing some shade on the humans while he was at it.

"Oh, is that so....that reminds me, there's something I want to tell you father". Max said.

"Sure, go ahea....wait, I forbid you from doing anything sexual with her until she's at least sixteen you hear me!". Igneel was about to answer nonchalantly when he thought of something and shouted at Max with eyes wide open and having an accusatory look in them.

"Sigh, I want to visit the human kingdoms". Max ignored what his dirty minded father was saying and said what he wanted to say.

"Cough, oh....what!?, why would you want to do such a thing? Don't tell me you've developed an interest in all of them just because one is good?". Igneel was embarrassed at overthinking things but quickly forgot about it when Max's words finally hit him.

"No, as you can see, although mother's condition isn't getting worse, it doesn't seem to be getting better either. So I thought since you can't leave her or act as you want there, I should go. I am already thirteen yet I've never heard my mother's voice". Max said with a neutral voice, but traces of longing could be felt in his voice.

Silvia who was basically like his tail now was shocked and saddened to hear his words. She didn't know that even people of their strength had troubles and such sad back stories. She also managed to guess that the king of Crypt likely had something to do with it which is why he had gone to kill him. She couldn't help but feel even more hatred for him but at the same time was glad he did it, because if he hadn't, Max wouldn't have had a reason to go to Crypt and ultimately meet and save her. Her thoughts were all over the place and full of contradictions.

"Oh, is that so....do you have a lead?". For the first time in who knows how long. Igneel spoke in a serious time as he looked at his son. His goofy acts so far were also partly to make sure Max doesn't miss his mother too much, but it seems a child will always think of their mothers no matter what. He could understand as he would find himself remembering all the good times he had with Grace whenever he looked at her laying unmoving on the bed. If he hadn't been keeping her alive with his devine mana she probably would have long died.

"Yeah, I learned a few things when I went to kil... discuss with the king of Crypt. Although he didn't know anything, maybe Thomas from Madar does.". Max said.

"Oh, Madar huh?". Igneel spoke as his aura started to go berserk. If Max hadn't quickly contained it, Silvia and Grace in the cabin close by might have exploded into bloody mist. That's just how strong Igneel was.

"Sorry for losing control like that and thanks for containing my aura before I did something I could never live with". Igneel said after regaining control of himself. At the same time he couldn't help but be scared of the possibilities that could have happened if Max wasn't around. He could have killed one of his two reasons for living. He promised himself to never let his emotions get the better of him ever again.

"Sure, I plan to set off in a few days". Max didn't like being thanked by his father since in his mind it was only natural for a child to assist their parent. So he just shrugged off the thanks and continued with his talk.

"Okay, tell me if there's anything you n..." Igneel was speaking when he was interrupted by someone.

"I'll go with him!" Iliana came out of nowhere and shouted, interrupting Igneel. Everyone looked at her weirdly. She, seeing this, realised what she had done. Her face went red with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry for interrupting your highness and eavesdropping...just that I was passing by and happen to overhear you all talking. I feel young prince is still too young to travel alone so I'll volunteer to go with him." She apologized and didn't wait for anyone to say anything before continuing with her words.

Of course the only one who thought she was just passing by was Silvia. She, Max and Igneel all knew that she had definitely been deliberately eavesdropping while pretending to be hunting close by. This is a habit she has developed in the recent years, ever since Max had told her he loved her and wanted her to be his wife when he grows up two years before. Max was teasing her like the usual, and since he was still a kid he thought she'd only take it as a joke but....

Iliana was a weird one who started imagining her future life with an eleven year old when he grows up. And from then she had been staying close to him whenever she could. Max of course found her actions cute, so he didn't call her out on it. He was an old dude inside after all.

Igneel who had noticed this remained quiet. To him, Iliana was only thirteen years older than Max, with their lifespans of well over five hundred years, thirteen years was nothing. Not to mention it was the brat Max who coaxed an older lady at eleven years old, so he really couldn't do anything about it. He wondered how Grace will take it when she finally woke up. Not to mention Max seemed to have brought another one home too. The little pervert.

"Sure, little aunt, you can come along". Max said with a smile.

"I told you to stop calling me little!". Iliana pouted before turning around and disappearing. But a smile flashed in her face just before she left.