Chapter 340 - The Test
After giving them their mission, Zatiel sent a stream of information that depicted all the customs, behaviors, and rules of Abyss and Baator.
"Demon and devils have a hierarchy and caste system. No master wants ever to see their subordinates succeed and grow powerful enough to threaten their position. That is why Fiend Lords always use contracts and magic tools to bind their followers." Zatiel tone was serious since this part was crucial.
"Ezequiel, you will gain a Count title with ease. In Abyss, these can be obtained by simply killing another Demon Lord, but after that, you will have to sign a contract with a Demon Duke, where he will try to bind you one way or another. Unfortunately, you cannot avoid these pacts since if you don't have a powerful backing, another Rank 6 Demon will attack your city in less than a week."
A troubled expression appeared in the faces of Ezequiel and the rest of the Neo-Demons. The contract that they will have to sign with the Fiend Dukes will force them to some degree of servitude.
However, Zateil's next words made a smile return to their faces.
"Luckily, the Doppelganger Fiend Rune will be the one marked by the power of the contracts, not your True Souls. Despite that, do not just accept any pact thrown at you since it will raise suspicion."
The Neo-Demons blessed the Doppelganger Fiend Runes since it would help them greatly in their mission.
"Dante, Rax, the laws of Baator were modified by the Archdevils. All the people arriving there through a World Gate will appear near a battlefield. Even though you have fiend identities, that doesn't mean other devils would not attack you. We cannot overcome the laws' power, but we can make sure that you arrive in a fight between Rank 4 Devils instead of one involving Devil Lords."
The duo indicated that they understood Zatiel's instruction. Dante already had the magic knowledge, and they only needed to make some modifications to the World Gate.
"You should depart after having conquered the Star Consciousness inside you. Take advantage of this opportunity to hone your instincts and battle style. There is no better training ground than Abyss and Baator. In those planes, death can arrive any second and in many forms. If you lower your guard for an instant, then you can kiss goodbye to your life." After seeing the solemn expression on everybody, Zatiel nodded. The Neo-Demon sent an orb with Sealing Runes to Ezequiel before allowing them to leave.
The Neo-Demons used their Chaotic-Core to communicate with the NRAI and teleport to the Will Forging Sea. The only one that did not leave was Sophia.
The woman gave Zatiel a charming smile before walking to his side and creating a dome of ice to cover them.
The dome remained for four days, and the moans of pleasure did not stop for a second.
After the ice melted, Sophia's eyes were shining with bliss as she disappeared from the Fornes continent.
Zatiel also had a smile as he saw his lover leave. There had been years since the last time he enjoyed some alone time with Sophia.
The Neo-Demon was about to teleport to the Garden of Creation when he heard Dante's voice through the core.
"Father, the Scientia Kingdom has sent a message to the Daybreak Magic Tower. The test's preparations are over, and they are asking if you are ready to take it right now, so they can send someone to escort you."
A thoughtful expression appeared on Zatiel's face when he heard that.
'I was planning to enter secluded training to fix my battle style flaws and increase my power before leaving for Dis. It is better to handle this immediately.'
"Tell them I am ready."
"I will, Father."
Zatiel went to the World Gate and returned to the Magi World. The Neo-Demon appeared at the Daybreak Magic Tower's peak and used his Heart Scan to cover the entire city.
The somber atmosphere that once filled the City of the Sun was gone. All the people were laughing and training, striving to become better.
The Neo-Demon felt warmth in his heart and remained there for a few minutes until a portal appeared next to him, and Gabriel emerged from it.
"Master Demonologist, I have come to escort you." The Second Prince's attitude was respectful, and he performed a bow after seeing Zatiel.
Zatiel stared at Gabriel for a moment before focusing on the portal, which was still open.
The portal Gabriel created was stable despite the immense amount of energy it was needed to form it. This feat proved the Royal's great control over his power and the Law of Space.
"Your Law of Space has reached the Minor Completion level. For someone so young, it is a great achievement."
"Coming from someone like you, that means a lot, but I got help. My Royal Father gave me a treasure that aided my advance past the Initial level."
Zatiel looked at the Second Prince and shook his head.
"No matter how good a treasure is, if you don't have a solid foundation, they are useless. Everyone uses some form of assistance to improve their law comprehension, just like me with my bloodline. The only thing that matters, in the end, are the results."
Gabriel's eyes shone when he heard that. He took Zatiel advice to heart. After all, he knew that the Neo-Demon was someone who had reached eternity.
The Second Prince bowed once again and accompanied Zatiel through the portal. They moved at an unbelievable speed, and in less than a second, they found themselves in a grand hall in the Scientia Kingdom.
The hall was simple and without any unique decoration, but Zatiel did not notice any of that. His entire focus was on the black-haired man in front of him.
Even though the man restrained his power, Zatiel's eyes showed him that the energy inside him was higher than that of a High World's sun.
"Nice to meet you, Zatiel Daybreak. I am John Erick Rebellion, the King of the Scientia Kingdom." The man showed no emotion on his face as he stared at Zatiel.
"Glad to meet you as well." Zatiel also nodded to the man, and his face became emotionless. The Neo-Demon felt how the King was monitoring every single one of his movements.
"Gabriel, you can go." John did not take his eyes away from Zatiel as he spoke.
"Yes, Sir!" The Second Prince responded immediately, and after bowing to the duo, he disappeared.
"Please follow me. I will take you to the place where the test takes place." John began to walk forward after speaking, and the Neo-Demon followed him.
Zatiel felt the eyes of the King still focusing on him, despite this one looking forward.
The Magus and the Neo-Demon entered a small room at the end of the hall. The only thing inside was a statue of an older man with a white beard and ponytail.
The eyes of the Neo-Demon narrowed the moment he saw the statue. Although he never saw him in person, he recognized the appearance of the Rank 9 life form of the Magi World.
John Erick Rebellion displayed an extremely respectful expression on his face as he bowed to the statue, and then he turned to Zatiel.
"The test is straightforward. I will ask you three questions, and you have to answer them right now." John's face was solemn as he spoke.
"And if I refuse to answer?" Zatiel stared at the King's eyes when he spoke and saw how they filled with coldness.
"Then I will have to kill you."
The Neo-Demon's eyes were emotionless as he heard that. He inspected the room and began to think about the test.
"I am a..." Zatiel was going to say the words woman, but he was unable to continue. After a moment, he closed his eyes for a couple of minutes before opening them again.
John frowned the moment the Neo-Demon opened his eyes. He could not explain why, but he felt like he was in the presence of a completely different person.
The Neo-Demon gave a charming smile to the Magus, making the King of the Scientia Kingdom incredibly tense.
"I am a..." Once again, he was not able to finish his sentence. A confused and naive expression appeared on Zatiel's face, but he returned to his emotionless self the next second.
"I see. I cannot lie in this place even if I believe the lie. So the Omega Law of the leader of the Magi World is related to truth."
The moment John heard that, his eyes widened, and a sliver of fear appeared in his eyes. Due to his power and identity, he has had many interactions with Rank 7 life forms, but the way Zatiel behaved made him understand he was once above them.
The King adopted a fighting stance and was ready to attack. The immense difference in power only made his fear grow as he saw the Neo-Demon indifference.
"Relax. Let's hear what type of questions the leader of the Magi World left for those like me."