The Prince of Demons

Magus Supreme Praecan was looking between Krahinn and I before letting out a heavy sigh. Krahinn still looked ready to vaporize Ryker at moment's notice, but I grasped why my parents wanted him present. If they attacked and fought her it would look bad, but if Krahinn did attack how could they be held accountable? It was thinly veiled, so I imagined Magus Supreme Praecan put it together before me. She rubbed the bridge of her nose as she took a few calming breaths. Ryker kept glaring at me. I am curious what his issue with me is. I had several guesses of what his problem was, but I would like to know for certain. I mean, his life was viciously uprooted at minimum by the fact the Void King massacred countless people. There were probably numerous others like him that suffered as a result of that day, so I should just let him stare a bit as it wasn't harming me. Maybe I should look into setting up some form of relief or help program for the victims of the Void King's actions. It was something worth checking out.

"I would like to understand what happened that day. Many good people died for what appeared to be no reason, and your answer as for the why is the machinations of one individual I have never heard of." Magus Supreme Praecan sighed. From her perspective, I could see how that was a horrible answer.

"I am an <Eternal>, someone who is clearly not from Tenebrae. It is possible to travel between Realms of the Lords with restrictions as the Lords themselves did make <Magic> to protect the Realms from each other to an extent. Beings that have lived sufficiently long learn those restrictions and strive to manipulate them in their favor or out of their way. The Void King is one such individual who seeks to exterminate anyone who meets his criteria, no matter what Realm they are in. His normal game was rudely altered, so when he needed to adapt the game in order to manipulate the restriction for what he desired, the Void King decided to remove everything he ever touched or influenced to make sure his end goal was left intact." Krahinn explained. Magus Supreme Praecan thought it over for a few moments as her eyes were lightly glowing while she looked at Krahinn.

"If, and I mean if, I believe your version of events, there is a powerful Magus with an obsession for killing select individuals, not bound by Realms, that will go to great lengths to make sure to they die. His sick game was somehow stopped on Tenebrae, so to make sure he could do what he wanted, he scraped and restarted. Am I correct?" Magus Supreme Praecan checked. From an outside perspective it truly sounds far-fetched.

"You are correct." Krahinn confirmed. The two looked at each other for a few moments.

"How do you have nine <Arcane Eyes>? That is not possible." Magus Supreme Praecan observed. Krahinn chuckled at that.

"It can be done by <Eternals> who are old enough; I am over a thousand years old after all." Krahinn told her. She looked at him with clear doubt.

"If you are truly not of this world, prove it." Magus Supreme Praecan demanded. Krahinn grabbed me, Ryker, and Magus Supreme Praecan before using me to move us all into Ygdazi. In moments we were standing in the Wastes.

"Where are we?" Ryker asked, sounding immensely distressed.

"Welcome to the Wastes! This is my domain in a Realm known as Ygdazi!" Krahinn chimed sarcastically. Magus Supreme Praecan looked around as her <Mana> probed around.

"Could we meet this, Void King?" Magus Supreme Praecan inquired as her nose crinkled from the smell.

"Not a chance. That man is someone who should be left well alone. This should be sufficient proof of a good portion of my claims. You also have been verifying with your <Magic> I've mostly been telling the truth. I did have to gloss over a few details as I am not going to tell you everything." Krahinn snapped. She grimaced at that.

"Fine, I will concede that you have sufficiently proven at least half your claims. I know you told mostly the truth, and I imagine the details of his game and how he selects his targets you will not divulge." Magus Supreme Praecan verified. She looked annoyed, but willing to drop it.

"You're accepting that ridiculous answer?!" Ryker pouted, looking distraught that she was dropping it.

"King Krahinn told partial truths when discussing the Void King, and the entire truth about his age as well as the Realms which he is proving at the moment. If there was a foreign influence, it explains several events and breakthroughs in the past that at the time surprised me. If I was not the Magus Supreme, I imagine I would have been told firmly to leave given the nature of the attack and game. King Krahinn also possessed Crown Prince Nil there to so effortlessly bring us here, which is a <Magic> I do not fully understand nor have seen. Beings are not so easily meant to fuse like that, which I imagine is a trait of <Eternals>. As unpalatable as the answer is, I feel it is most of the truth, or at least the details that concern us." Magus Supreme Praecan lectured. Ryker clearly wanted to argue the point.

"That they were just a price someone was willing to pay?" Ryker sniffled, looking dissatisfied with the answer.

"Some beings are willing to act with excessive malice to beings they do not view as people. The Void King appears to be one such individual unfortunately. As much as I would like to blame Crown Prince Nil here for the actions of the Void King, I imagine he has a destined match to either kill him or die trying." Magus Supreme Praecan told Ryker, kneeling down to look at him more eye to eye.

"But. But. Auntie." Ryker grumbled as he looked ready to cry as Magus Supreme Praecan pat his head gently.

"We have our other purpose for visiting to discuss with Emperor and Empress Crowthorne still. King Krahinn, could you please bring us back to Tenebrae?" Magus Supreme Praecan replied. Krahinn grabbed me before using my <Arcane Eye> to drag us all back to Tenebrae. My parents looked unperturbed, as they clearly trusted Krahinn to keep me safe.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Hello again Emperor and Empress Crowthorne. I did have a secondary objective to discuss with you today." Magus Supreme Praecan informed my parents who kept their faces neutral.

"For future reference, please inform us entirely of the reason for your visit so we can properly allocate our schedules. We are willing to make an exception given your status and the first reason you visited obviously, but we do have a several reforms we are trying to get through." Dad told her dryly.

"My second objective is a type of reform. Speranza was one of the initial backers of the Mage Freedom Act, and the institute of Mages has been severely set back. We are in desperate need of filling the Grand Archmagus positions that were killed, numerous branches were wiped off the map, and we simply do not have the money to properly rebuild as one of our largest financial backers, the Modinar Kingdom, has been going through civil war now that most of the nobility is dead." Magus Supreme Praecan explained. Duke Dawnsfield's estate still wasn't fully built due to material shortages; I could only imagine how difficult rebuilding across the world was.

"Are you asking us to fund the Institute of Mages?" Mom verified. Magus Supreme Praecan made an odd face.

"I would like to establish the new headquarters in Umbra with your backing and funding." Magus Supreme Praecan clarified, looking like she was cringing internally.

"That is a massive ask." Dad stated while he was clearly thinking it over.

"We can discuss the idea over several meeting of course. I simply wanted to propose the idea today." Magus Supreme Praecan replied quickly. Just how expensive of an ask was that?

"So that we can discuss it internally, what is your initial proposal? You are asking for a substantial amount of funding, land, and other resources." Mom inquired as she pulled out a pen and paper.

"Speranza will allow us to use the previous land where the Umbra location used to be in order to establish a new headquarters, provide the funding to properly re-establish the Institute of Mages, and the manpower necessary to carry out our endeavors as we do not have sufficient staffing. In exchange, in order to improve <Magic> as a whole, the Institute of Mages was originally developing an international academy that would be attached to the headquarters. To run such an institution, I would extend one of the vacant Grand Archmagus positions to Archmagus Nez Beelze Crowthorne so he would be dean. Our ability to offer things in return is quite limited, so please come up with terms you would find agreeable to discuss." Magus Supreme Praecan informed my parents.

"For clarity, as Archmagus Nez would be running the academy, Speranza would have premium access to graduates in this deal?" Dad probed. I could see Uncle Nez being the dean of an academy, but he was my teacher. It probably is an amazing offer for him.

"That is correct." Magus Supreme Praecan confirmed.

"We will discuss your proposal. Where are you and your ward staying in the meantime so we can contact you when we want to discuss the idea moving forward?" Dad checked. Her face let me know her finances were likely more dire than she wanted to let on.

"My ward and I will visit each day to see if you would like to discuss it." Magus Supreme Praecan attempted. She might have been homeless or at least staying somewhere not luxurious to save on costs.

Could they potentially stay as guests in the meantime? I asked Dad. His face immediately informed me the answer was more than likely no.

I doubt she would accept our charity given what she is asking for. Dad retorted in a stern voice.

I looked at Luna, who was standing at attention and properly next to her dad. She would likely want me to do the right thing. I guess I should try and act in a way more becoming of royalty. Would this be a good opportunity? I looked at Ryker, who was clearly upset by the previous answer and how the events were turning out. Magus Supreme Praecan was his acting guardian from what I could tell. She might not want to say yes, but it would be better for Ryker. This was likely be a large move if I extended the olive branch to them. They were a casualty of my unfortunate match with the Void King. This might pay off in the future though. Her being the Magus Supreme and him being someone who was able to fight me last life would be good allies to have. But how to get her to say yes? I looked at the two of them which caused an unpleasant memory to come to mind. It was a tactic I was loathe to use, but it would probably work. Maybe pass it by my parents before so as to not blindside them.

I would like to offer at least. I informed my Dad.

You are more than welcome to try. Dad replied in a tone that let me know he thought I stood little chance of succeeding.

"The two of you could stay as my guests in the Imperial Castle. It would allow for a more open discussion of such a large idea moving forward and be more convenient for someone as important as the Magus Supreme." I offered. Magus Supreme Praecan looked a bit surprised that I was the one who offered.

"I cannot accept such an offer. That would be improper." Magus Supreme Praecan declined politely. I mean, I had an idea. This feels dirty.

"I just assumed it would be better for Ryker. Sorry I thought that you wanted him somewhere safe like the castle." I apologized. I felt filthy as the words left my mouth. Mom, Dad, Luna, Duke Dawnsfield, Helga, Nautilus, and even Krahinn all stared at me, clearly fighting to keep their faces neutral. Magus Supreme Praecan had a complicated expression as she glared at me.

Need a shower after playing that dirty? Krahinn taunted me. I hated that tactic; I would make it up to them. Ugh. I despise that I remember the phrasing too. Magus Supreme Praecan looked like she was struggling with forming a response.

"I was just hoping I could make a new friend." I sighed, giving her my trying to get out of trouble puppy dog eyes as I continued.

Oh, I hate myself. This tactic is getting reserved for when I absolutely cannot think of another way. This felt so revolting. How could my birth givers talk like this and feel good about themselves after? Ryker looked a bit stunned at me, before looking guiltily at Magus Supreme Praecan. She looked at my parents as she was clearly torn on accepting the offer. I was not pushing it any further because I might hurl if I did. I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry. I will make this up to you I promise this way of talking and acting is not being done I will ask Duthane for lessons on this matter. This was definitely an area I needed to work on.

"Are you two okay with Crown Prince Nil's offer?" Magus Supreme Praecan checked. My parents blinked a few times as they mentally got back to the topic at hand.

"If you would like to, we can allow you two to stay as guests. You are the Magus Supreme wanting to discuss the future of Tenebrae and the Institution of Mages; it is not an imposition at all if you would like to stay as guests. We can sympathize with wanting to do what is best for the children you care for." Mom explained in a kind tone.

"Then I will accept the offer. We greatly appreciate your hospitality." Magus Supreme Praecan accepted as she and Ryker bowed.