The Seven Demon's Tamer

"You'll be learning some advanced techniques, ones that can help a brown-marked attain enough strength to defeat a red mark."

Mara's eyes widened in shock as the statement seemed to be directed at her. Surprises after surprises—that was all she had been receiving ever since she paired up with Ryder, each revelation more extraordinary than the last. It was as if someone had taken everything she thought she knew about the world and tossed it into a well, filling her head instead with impossible dreams.

The world was so vast, so complex that no one could ever decipher just how much they had no clue about.

If not for the fact that she was traveling with Ryder right now—this walking anomaly who had somehow managed to contract a black-marked familiar without losing his soul to the demon plane—she would never have been exposed to such mind-bending revelations.

A technique that allows a Brown Mark to be able to take on a Red Mark in battle! The very thought made her head spin. What if that technique was being taught to a red-marked summoner? Just what level of power could they reach?

Similar thoughts were running through all their minds as Master Sung and his trio stepped into the portal formed by Koji.

The swirling red energy of the doorway remained constant, allowing Ryder to step in next, his expression calm as if he was already getting used to such means of transportation.

Leo followed, whose usual cocky demeanor had been replaced by no emotion.

Brok stepped through with visible reluctance, looking like a man walking to his own execution.

"This is quite simple, but I cannot get used to it," Brok summoned up the courage to mutter out, given that Master Sung was already at the other side.

And finally, Mara also stepped through, her legs trembling slightly as she crossed the portal.

"Not just you, Brok." Mara couldn't help but bring up an absurd thought from her head—"what if the portal suddenly closes while I'm halfway crossing the portal."

"If my theory is right, such an incident would lead to untimely death."

The portal travel was brief as always, though Mara couldn't shake the sensation that reality had been altered around them. One moment they were standing in the Fan district, hearing footsteps of Red Eastern guild members scrambling to respond to the alarm bell, and the next they were already in what looked like an entirely different location.

The Luo district struck Mara like a physical blow. Although they were teleported right in front of the supreme leader's residence.

Where the Fan district had been impressive in its own right, this place was entirely another level compared to it. The architecture here screamed perfection and power—the wavy rooftops, the dojos stationed at different areas.

Strangely, everything seemed to have been crafted from an entirely foreign material that related to magic. Even the pavement seemed to radiate warm wind constantly.

Thinking back to what Master Sung said earlier, Brok couldn't help but stare at Ryder and wonder. There is a technique that can cause such a significant change in capabilities of a summoner, so much change that there were far more people stronger than Ryder than he had anticipated.

Such significant change in capabilities of a summoner whereby a brown mark will be able to take down a red mark like Master Sung mentioned was absurd.

If such strength boost can be given to a brown mark, then how strong would a red mark become under similar conditions? To think of it made Mara realize—there were far more people stronger than Ryder than she had anticipated.

Techniques that could help a brown-marked summoner—someone at the very bottom of the hierarchy—muster enough strength to take down someone from the top! It was like saying that with the right training, a house cat could take down a tiger.

If such knowledge was taught to summoners already at the top of the hierarchy, such as a red-marked powerhouse like the FSG, then would Ryder even stand a chance? Just how much of a boost in strength would that provide?

Leo, never one to keep all his thoughts to himself, finally voiced what they were all thinking. "You truly want to allow us to learn the secrets of your guild so freely?"

He gestured around at the district surrounding them, his voice carrying suspicion. "Just like that? No strings attached, no blood oaths, no selling our souls to some ancient demon idols or something along those lines?"

"Yes," Master Sung replied with characteristic flatness, as if Leo had asked him about the color of his shirt rather than one of the closely guarded secrets in the Red Eastern guild.

"Such a priceless technique that the whole world has no clue about!" Ryder repeated, his own bewilderment clear. "But why? I thought we were just allies and nothing more. Are you trying to make me change my mind from being just an ally into joining your guild?"

Master Sung simply smiled. "No, I'm not. You really need to learn these techniques if you ever want to harness your full potential, or else you won't be able to show any significance in a battle against the surprise attacks you might receive from enemies in the future."

"Joining the Red Eastern guild as an ally is not something that will remain confidential, but how we announce it to the public," Master Sung explained. "So you should be aware that you'll be having quite some enemies soon, just like this guild has enemies. You have been entangled with our affairs."

Master Sung continued. "To have a black mark familiar is impressive, but still I can boldly break it to you—you are nowhere in the hierarchy of the world's strongest."

"I can mention 20 of my members who are not from the highest classification who could put up a good fight against you and most likely win."

Twenty. Twenty guild members who weren't even in the top tier who could potentially defeat the only black-marked summoner of their generation. The world is truly vast with a lot to learn about.

"You should just quietly accept this gift I'm about to bestow on you with no questions."

Master Sung pushed them open with ease, the massive portals swinging inward without even a creak. Either they were perfectly maintained or enhanced by some sort of magical assistance—possibly both, knowing the Red Eastern guild was never short of surprises.

Unlike the Fan's supreme leader's residence, which had been impressive in its own right, there was a significant and immediately noticeable difference between this and that.

Both the architecture and quality of this building and all the other structures in the Luo district were on another level compared to the Fan.

This palace-like structure where the Luo supreme leader resided was a blend of modernized and traditional styles, seamlessly weaving together the best of both styles in a way that should have been disorganized but instead felt perfect.

The interior design spoke of careful planning and unlimited resources, from the polished floors that reflected their images like a mirror to the soaring ceilings that seemed to reach toward infinity.

Even the chandelier lights hanging above after they entered what looked like a throne room were works of art in their own right. They cast warm, golden light that seemed to make everything it touched more beautiful, warming the room like sunlight as well.

Just like the Fan supreme leader's residence, this palace-like structure was eerily quiet, with no one present except guards lined in the massive room like a tradition to welcome his arrival and lastly, a particular figure sitting at the far end on what could only be described as a throne.

As soon as the figure noticed Master Sung, he stood up with such speed and precision that neither Mara nor Brok could register the movement.

One moment he was seated in majestic composure, and the next he was on his feet, moving toward them with slow steps of someone who had fear and respect towards the guests—Master Sung to be more specific.

But not so much fear as the Fan supreme leader.

*Swoosh*

One moment, he was approaching with slow steps; the next, he flashed toward them with movement too quick and seemingly abnormal for even a summoner, covering the distance between his throne and their group in what seemed like a single step.

Without hesitation, he bowed deeply before Master Sung, his voice carrying absolute respect as he began. "You are most welcome, Master."

With a nod, Master Sung requested him to raise his head.

"If I may ask, Master," the Luo leader continued, his voice careful to show respect in his words, "what brought you here to pay me this surprise visit?"

"Hinata Luo, we have new allies," Master Sung replied. "And I would like them to learn a few things from you."

Placing his hand on Ryder's shoulder, Master Sung continued. "This man over here is a black-marked summoner, and the first for this current generation."

Hinata—for that must be the Luo leader's name, they all realized—remained silent for a long moment.

The information was clearly news to him, and overwhelming news at that.

His expression shifted from disbelief to shock to calculation, and finally settled on acceptance.

That was clearly information that sounded so unreal, so impossible, that under any other circumstances he would have laughed it off as some fancy joke. But coming from Master Sung himself, it had to be accepted as absolute truth.

The silence stretched long enough to become uncomfortable before Hinata finally responded. "It will be my utmost gratitude to teach whoever you wish any of the Luo's advanced techniques, Master."

Turning toward Master Sung with curiosity, Ryder questioned, "Is it possible to learn the technique right now? Aren't we going to visit the other districts as well?"

"Do not worry about that," Master Sung responded. "You do not need to learn the technique; he is only going to show you a display of how the technique works."

Turning towards Yuki, he smiled. "We'll see this tour till the end."

Ryder tilted his head, reasoning for a brief moment, but shortly after, he finally figured out what Master Sung meant.

Of course. Yuki's familiar affinity could simply allow her to embed the knowledge of how to perform the techniques directly into their minds, bypassing years of manual study into complete understanding.

"Please allow me to escort you to the combat room," Hinata spoke as he bowed respectfully.

With that gracious invitation, he accompanied them deeper into his residence, leading them through corridors that were themselves masterpieces of ancient architectural design. There were even statues of several different beasts embedded in the wall that seemed to make little impossible movements now and then.

The combat room, when they reached it, was unlike anything they had ever seen. It was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate a small army, with high ceilings that would allow even the most difficult aerial maneuvers and walls reinforced with visible magical barriers.

There were several seats arranged in tiers around the central platform, clearly designed for observers to watch training exercises or duels at a safe distance. Master Sung and the three exclusive Red Eastern members who didn't have any direct benefit to gain from the upcoming lectures simply sat and waited as Ryder, Leo, Mara, and Brok all headed for the central platform at the center of the spacious combat room.

They all climbed onto the platform along with Hinata, waiting in a cluster at the edge of the square platform while Hinata was at the other far end.

Finally, as he found himself at quite a distance from Master Sung's presence, Hinata finally mustered enough courage to speak more freely. The change in his demeanor was subtle but noticeable—still respectful, but more relaxed, more conversational.

"You all do not look or act like typical Easterners," he observed, "but surprisingly, you are all able to speak Japanese so well."

Brok's eyes shot wide open as he finally paid close attention to Hinata's speech.

"Sensei Sung ga irassharu node, hanashi suru jikan ga nai desu ga, dōyatte gakushū shita ka shitte hoshikatta desu."

He wasn't speaking English! Not just him, they weren't speaking English as well since they got here. They have all been communicating in Japanese without even realizing it since they got here. The language felt so abnormally natural.

Brok was pulled out of his inner monologue as he heard, "Take your stance now!"

This order came from Hinata!