[2 years later]
The obsidian floor cracked beneath Sirzechs' feet as he dashed forward, both arms clad in crackling gauntlets of destruction. His spear of revolving crimson energy hummed with lethal rhythm, the spiraling core tearing through the air with a shrill whine.
Venelana didn't move. She stood poised, her expression calm, as nine orbs of destruction floated around her like a deadly halo. The moment Sirzechs closed the gap, she snapped her fingers — three spheres shot forward, arcing like homing comets.
Sirzechs spun his spear in a blurring arc, batting one aside. His left gauntlet caught the second, the impact sending a burst of crimson sparks scattering across the warded arena. He twisted his body, letting the third skim past his shoulder before driving his spear forward in a straight thrust aimed at her chest.
Venelana shifted one step to the side, elegance unbroken, and her hand brushed the shaft of the spear. For an instant, her touch unraveled the outer layer of destruction energy, and the weapon wavered. Sirzechs snarled, reinforcing it with raw willpower, then spun the spear upward in a vicious diagonal slash.
This time, Venelana blocked head-on. A condensed orb formed in her palm, no larger than a fist, yet it held so much compressed annihilation that the air warped around it. Spear and orb collided, the clash exploding in a thunderous shockwave that carved trenches into the obsidian floor.
Sirzechs was the first to move through the smoke. He charged, fists blazing, throwing a barrage of gauntlet-coated punches. Each strike cracked the ground with aftershocks. Venelana swayed between them gracefully, countering with pinpoint spheres that detonated just inches from his body, forcing him to weave through miniature suns of destruction.
Their battle became a storm — spear thrusts, orb detonations, crimson trails cutting through the air. Every strike, every dodge, every clash of power was destruction refined into art.
The sparring hall was quiet now, except for the faint hiss of lingering destruction energy fading into the air. Sirzechs sat cross-legged on the floor, gauntlets dissolved, chest heaving. Venelana, perfectly composed despite a thin line of dust marking her cheek, lowered her handkerchief with a graceful smile.
"You've improved," Venelana remarked with a warm smile, her voice calm despite the minor singe marks on her sleeves. "Two years ago, you couldn't even keep a single ball of destruction stable. Now you're cladding your arms and forging weapons out of it. That's… remarkable, Sirzechs."
Sirzechs grinned sheepishly, wiping sweat from his brow. "Thanks, but you still kicked my butt, Mother. If you weren't holding back, I'd be a smear on the ground."
Venelana chuckled softly. "That's why it's called training. You'll catch up one day."
He slumped back on the floor. "Great. Meanwhile, my bones are writing angry letters to my brain about today's abuse."
Venelana chuckled softly. "A noble devil must cultivate elegance even in defeat. Try not to look like a squashed lizard on the floor."
"Elegance," Sirzechs muttered, rolling his eyes. "I'll get right on that—after my spine forgives me."
Phew… alright, let's recap, Sirzechs. Two years ago, you were a walking magic bomb who couldn't even hold a destruction ball for ten seconds without nearly blowing your face off. Fast forward to now? You've got gauntlets of pure destruction and a fancy glowing spear. Sounds cool, right? Well, sure—until you realize that sparring with your mother feels less like training and more like volunteering to be a test dummy for an elegant executioner.
Lying there, staring at the cracked ceiling, Sirzechs sighed. Two years of training with Mother. Two. Years. And what do I have to show for it? Scars on my pride, a graveyard of destroyed shirts, and the nagging feeling that my future enemies will never be as terrifying as my mom.
Seriously, what kind of mom hurls nine spinning destruction orbs at her eight-year-old son and calls it "practice"? I swear, if this keeps up, I'll need hazard pay… or at least some cookies after every session.
Still, I have to admit… it feels good. Each swing, each clash, I can feel myself improving. The control I once lacked is slowly becoming second nature. And, hey, let's be honest: "Sirzechs the Destruction Spear" sounds a lot cooler than "Sirzechs the Walking Firecracker."
But the real question is… why do I still feel like my mother is holding back 99% of her power? Oh wait—that's because she is. Which means that in her eyes, I'm probably just a baby tossing around glow sticks. Lovely. Guess I'll just have to train until I'm not the comic relief of my own story.
He groaned dramatically. Seriously, if the System doesn't give me a "Survive Venelana" passive skill soon, I'm doomed. Still… she did praise me. That's rarer than Father skipping a wine tasting.
Resigned, he called out to the only comfort he had. "System. Status, please."
[Status Window]
Name: Sirzechs Gremory
Title(s):
Mama's Boy – Older women and Mothers like You more easily and find You very Cute.
Affinity+50, Charm+20.
Heir of Gremory – Natural authority and fondness among Gremory servants. Respect among devils.
Middle-Class Devil – grants respect from lower devils and acknowledgment among peers. Base Demonic energy+1000.
Race: Pure-blooded Devil
Inherent Abilities: Regeneration boost, lifespan extension, Superhuman Strength and Endurance, Enhanced senses (including night vision), Flight, "Language" Ability, Intuitive Danger Sense, demonic magic, Perception Manipulation.
Age: 8
Level: 20
Health: 100/100
Demonic Power: 9000(A energy reserve of high class just short of ultimate)
Physique: B+
Mind: C-
Skills:
Base Skills
Observe – Lv. 10(Improved perception, can identify enemy strengths/weaknesses.)
Cooking – Lv. 5(Able to Make good and nutritious enough meal.)
Cooking had appeared a few Months after I awakened my memories. I really wanted some modern food and looked up a few basic cooking recipes. Just a passive efficiency booster, apparently—it helped me prep meals quicker, made them more nutritious, less prone to error. Nothing game-breaking, but useful.
Running and Exercise though... those were the real gems.
Exercise – Lv. 8(Improves understanding and effectiveness of physical training. Boosts short-term and long-term stat gain potential when engaging in physical routines.)
Running – Lv. 7(Increases cardiovascular stamina, acceleration, and reaction time through consistent use. Boosts the impact of agility-based training.)
When the Exercise skill unlocked on day two, it was like a switch flipped in my brain. Suddenly I understood my own body better. Micro-adjustments in form, posture, breathing patterns, optimal rest windows. I wasn't just following a routine anymore—I was optimizing it. It was like going from lifting blind to lifting with perfect instruction.
Power of Destruction – Lv. 5 (refined control, stable constructs of revolving spear, body coating.)
Demonic Energy Circulation – Lv. 4 (A skill that allows the user to gradually restore demonic energy over time while in a meditative state. As the rank of this skill increases, it multiplies the user's total demonic energy by the current rank; at Rank 2, demonic energy is doubled; at Rank 3, it is tripled; and so on. At higher ranks, Meditation can also serve as a substitute for sleep, maintaining mental clarity and stamina without the need for rest. However, it does not restore injuries or physical damage the way true sleep does. This skill enhances energy quality and control.)
Demonic energy Manipulation – Lv. 3 ( The user has become aware of their inner demonic energy and can guide its movement through deliberate will.This skill allows the shaping, channeling, and controlled release of demonic power, serving as a foundation for all demonic power based techniques. At higher levels, this skill enables external projection of demonic energy, fine-tuned control of demonic power. Demonic energy+1000)
Hand-to-Hand Combat – Intermediate Lv. 3
Spear Techniques – Intermediate Lv. 2
Battle Instinct – Lv. 3(instinctive combat sense, able to learn new combat techniques more easily and have mid–battle progress in techniques)
Body Reinforcement – Lv. 4(uses demonic energy to reinforce the body temporarily in proportion to the energy used)
Venelana watched her son staring into the air with that oddly focused look he always had sometimes. She chuckled softly before stepping closer and brushing her hand through his crimson hair.
"You've trained enough for today, Zechs," she said warmly. "Go freshen up. Wash away all that sweat and dust. Then eat something decent instead of running off with an empty stomach."
Sirzechs blinked out of his thoughts and gave a half-smile. "Yeah, I guess I did go a little overboard again." He flexed his arm, still tingling from the spar. "Not that I'm complaining. Your destruction control is terrifying, Mother. Sparring with you is like juggling a volcano."
Venelana arched a brow, amusement sparkling in her eyes. "Oh? A volcano? You're flattering me. But it seems you still managed to stay on your feet this time. That's progress."
Sirzechs grinned proudly, but she quickly continued, her tone turning gentle. "But don't forget—power isn't everything. Balance and rest matter just as much. That's why, before anything else, you'll eat. After all…" She leaned forward slightly, pecking his lips, "…your friends are coming to visit today."
Sirzechs froze. "Wait… friends?"
Venelana smirked knowingly. "Yes. And it wouldn't do for the heir of the Gremory Clan to greet them looking like a sweaty goblin."
"…I don't look like a goblin," Sirzechs muttered under his breath, but the tips of his ears burned red.
Venelana only chuckled again, turning away gracefully swaying her Perky ass. "Then hurry and prove me wrong. Go, Sirzechs. Wash up. By the time you're ready, they should be here."
Sirzechs sighed, dragging his feet dramatically. "Great. From sparring with the Demon Queen of Destruction to enduring the judgment of friends. Truly, my fate is cruel…"
Yet even as he complained, there was a faint smile tugging at his lips.