The Prince of Demons

I was slowly refilling my <Mana Reserve> while I recovered from my duel with Ufr. My body was aching all over from all the exertion and stress from fighting him; my joints were the worst from all of the quick shifts in speed I did. I need to prepare for when Ufr comes back to finish our duel. My joints either need to be worked out somehow or reinforce them better. Moving and adjusting at the high speed proved to be brutal on my joints to an unsustainable level. If Miril used this <Technique> regularly with how my joints felt, she would barely be able to walk around by now. I might have had the speed and movement somewhat correct, but I did not have the control or reinforcement correct whatsoever. What's the difference? What do I need to do? This probably was the biggest hurdle for this <Technique>, using it without annihilating my body in the process. Using it to run in a straight line was not that bad, but the instant I had to start pivoting or using it to augment physical attacks my body greatly protested such action. It had to be possible, it was just an issue of how. My <Techniques> are starting to come together; I just need to improve how well they work and can be sustained.

Ikol was subtly leaning against me as he was trying to make sure I was healing; he gave me a minor lick when I began test flexing my leg. Ikol and Ufr both can brute force through attacks like that which is problematic for when I try to hit them. Ufr was able to move at Miril's speed but felt a bit different now that I was reflecting on it. I think that's his version of his mother's <Technique>. Ikol gave me another tiny lick for which I glared at him. I am not dying here, stop looking so forling concerned. It was hard to be mad at Ikol because he had his massive pouting eyes looking back at me, seeming immensely upset. What was his issue? Ufr like nearly everyone else looked down on his brother which irritated me, but was that what was currently bugging him? Does everyone just discount Ikol because he is dumb? After I beat Ufr, I was going to get Ikol to defeat him for the victory lap. Ufr deserves to be beaten into oblivion. I took a few calming breaths as I needed to focus on now, and what was bothering Ikol so much.

What's wrong, Ikol? I checked. What was he so upset about?

Brother is ylu ylu, and you got hurt. Ikol answered. Ufr proved to be the most arrogant being my age I had encountered so far. What a buknarl, looking so far down on Ikol too, but he is just restating facts.

He is ylu ylu, but that is not your fault. I replied as I did full stretches of my leg, not feeling pain. It was a bit stiff, which I knew I had to accept for now.

You're not going to befriend him now? Ikol probed. What the forl was he talking about?

No, why would I? He was so arrogant. I asked, not fully grasping why he asked me about that.

Really? Ikol pressed, shuffling closer to me.

I doubt he and I would get along; Ufr is way too arrogant. I answered wondering why Ikol seemed so concerned.

Are you sure? Ikol inquired. I looked at him as his ears were cocked back in a kind of funny way. Seriously, what is with him?

I'm confident. Why are you doubting that I am? I pressed. Ikol did this odd little shuffle step still looking upset.

Everyone usually befriends Ufr and leaves me behind. Ikol confessed with this ashamed tone that really irritated me for some reason.

I'm not. I assured him, wondering why that fact was quite annoying to me. That was unusual; maybe I was just out of it after battling Ufr.

Ikol lit up, doing his happy little dance in circles around me. Onilin, Vndrglz, and Zagzin all looked at the two of us without saying a word while Ikol was dancing excitedly. I let him finish his dancing before slowly standing up, feeling how stiff my joints all were. This needs serious improvement before fighting something like Ufr again. I began walking to get some of the stiffness out of my joints, not enjoying the sensation in my hips. I pushed it further than I thought I did. My body is going to be stiff for the next several days. Our duel wasn't even that long all things considered. Ikol was happily prancing around me in laps, doing his zatta zatta song and dance while he seemed over the moon. I used <Spirit Magic> on my joints as we moved along to feel some relief. How did I reinforce my body better? Maybe I needed to stretch and work out a bit more, but I did try tirelessly up until this point to get in better shape. Is three years of effort enough? How would I adjust my <Mana Reinforcement>? I feel that is the bigger issue overall.

While I was deep in thought, Ikol stopped dancing and began nuzzling me happily. I glared at him because Ikol was ruining my image. What is with him? Ikol did not grasp that I was giving him a death stare, so he kept happily nuzzling me. I let his celebration continue for another two minutes before pushing him with my tail. Ikol gave me a betrayed stare when I nudged him away from me; he had his big upset eyes going almost immediately, making me feel a bit guilty. He is just celebrating me being his friend. I pointed next to me with my tail, which Ikol joyfully bounded next to me in response. Ikol happily hummed next to me while we kept walking and behind me, I could hear Onilin fighting not to laugh. If I was in fighting shape, I would swat the shiza out of her. Ikol slowly walked closer to me as we kept our trek going. I might be one of if not the only people that remained friends with him after meeting one of his siblings. It wouldn't kill me to let him celebrate being my friend for a little bit.

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What are you snickering at? I snapped at Onilin.

I thought you were nice to Ikol out of fear of what King Miril would do to you, but I am realizing that his blind worship heals you. Onilin teased. The instant I was healed up, someone was getting a beating.

You realize I am still able to fight, right? I threatened her. I had the sneaking suspicion she was willing to get her gip beat for this.

I know you are; I also know you want to recover more from that bout with Ufr as well. Onilin retorted, with what I imagined was a shiza eating grin.

You know I am going to remember this and once I'm fully recovered that I will demonstrate my displeasure, right? I checked. Ikol was basically leaning on me right now; he was not helping my image or point at the moment.

Someone cares about their musclehead. Onilin doubled down. What was with her? Her previous silence and unwillingness to talk back seemed to evaporate. Was it because I was recovering?

What is with you? You seem to be a lot mouthier all the sudden. I snarled at Onilin. I checked my body, seeing if I could attack her if I needed to.

I have decided to go <Pack> Lux. Onilin replied like that clarified anything.

You are already on <Pack> Lux, what do you mean? I checked, not grasping what she meant by that.

I mean fully go <Pack> Lux.; you dueled Ufr and tied. A true, made him admit it was a draw and vow to come back to try and change the outcome draw. Onilin explained. I needed a Phestia translation guide in moments like this.

What are you talking about? I inquired, trying to grasp Onilin's point.

Do you know how strong Ufr is? Onilin checked. I mean, he definitely was the strongest being my age I'd fought. Thinking about it, Ikol was fairly strong, but I knew how to fight Ikol.

Similar to Ikol but is more well rounded than him. Ufr also thinks more on his feet. I answered. Onilin seemed surprised by my answer, which only added to my irritation.

Ufr is considered monstrous and extremely talented by many which is augmented by the fact King Miril is his mother. You managed to not only hurt him but also damaged his pride enough to make him want to rematch to change it to a win. Onilin replied. Why was she repeating that? Was it that important?

You are harping on that, why? I pressed, trying to grasp what Onilin was saying.

Because you might actually be able to take the title of strongest in this <Journey>. Ufr is widely considered to be one of the contenders for that title. Onilin clarified. What was the expression the nerd used, seeing is believing?

What, suddenly a believer in my ability to win it? I asked as I connected the dots.

More of confirming my belief. Onilin tried. I pat Ikol with a tail as we walked; he understood my greatness without confirmation.

You could learn from his loyalty. I pointed out. Onilin let out an awkward cough at that.

I don't think I can be as loyal as him. Onilin stated plainly. To her credit, that was a fair point as Ikol was immensely loyal to my greatness.

You can try to match at least a bit. I informed her. I could feel Onilin deadpan stare at me.

You are so blind. Onilin shot back.

How am I blind? I challenged, not grasping what she could possibly mean.

I am not explaining it to you if you cannot comprehend what is so breathtakingly obvious. Onilin retorted. I turned my head so I can glare at her, seeing Vndrglz and Zagzin were hiding behind Onilin, nodding her on.

Why are they hiding behind you? I inquired. Onilin was giving me a toothy smile in response.

They wanted me to be the spokesbeing on <Pack> Lux and their willingness to serve. Onilin explained. What was with this sudden shift in tone? Did dueling Ufr mean that much to them?

So, what, you all want to be in my <Pack> now? I challenged. I could see her relay the information to the others, where they all nodded along in agreement.

You were all members of it before. Now you all want to be members now? And why are you relaying the discussion? I pressed, wondering what was going on.

They fear you now; especially Vndrglz as you have utterly terrified him. Onilin answered with an assuring head nod. Not before, but now? I wished I knew how Phestia worked a bit better as my only points of reference were Hoggdin, Miril, and Ikol.

How? Basically, nothing has changed. I retorted. Onilin looked at me and shook her head.

A lot has changed; I do not think any of us realized how devastating your one <Technique> is until Ufr couldn't just heal it away. Onilin informed me.

It really needs refinement; I want it to be better than it currently is. I shot back. I knew it wouldn't work on who I wanted it to more than anything. Onilin went wide eyed at me after I said that.

BETTER?! WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT OUT OF IT?! Onlin cried, not grasping why I would want it to be better.

It can be better as who I want it to work on this current version is not going to be effective against. I know it can be much, much better. I informed her. <Channel Distruptor> could be improved to be more effective.

Who? Who would it not work on? Onilin checked, sounding scared by the answer.

Miril for starters. It never worked on her, it just really, really angered her. There is a counter to it that I need to work around. I explained. Onilin looked relieved that the answer was a King.

Oh, that makes sense. I thought you were going to say someone our age. Onilin sighed while looking like a weight was taken off her shoulders.

I mean, there's one who comes to mind. My current goal is going to be to claim the title of strongest of this <Journey>. I informed her. I absolutely was going to sit on the throne of strongest no matter what it took.

Ufr did manage not to keel over from it. Onilin concurred. I guess this was improvement overall, but I wanted to be even better. Stronger than I was now because I was far from my current goal.

Do not worry, I will be a generous ruler as I prepare to put Ufr in his place. I assured Onilin as she gave me such an unamused stare in return.

We wait with breathless anticipation. Onilin replied sarcastically.

You should, I am such a benevolent ruler. I shot back. I looked out, seeing the grass was starting to thin a bit, and get rockier. In the distance, I could see the faint outline of some mountains.

What is after these blasted plains? I inquired, wondering what the next territory was.

We should reach the Kniclad Mountains. Onilin informed. I mean, that was the domain of Ilrymax if I recalled correctly. The one I need to do second, so we should be near Elijiah. It felt good to make sweet, sweet progress finally.