Elara nodded eagerly at Ethan’s suggestion, her red eyes bright with a mix of excitement and determination. For the first time since he had met her, she wasn’t aimless; she was actively trying to grow and understand her own power instead of fearing it.

It was refreshing and encouraging.

Ethan was also excited to see how much she could progress, and the more capable she was, the stronger his free bodyguard.

It was a win-win.

But it seemed as though she had underestimated the strain that using mana had on her, as she began to sway.

At first, it was subtle, just a slight shift in her balance. But then her knees buckled, her body tilting forward as if her strings had suddenly been cut.

Her eyes lost focus, and just like that, she collapsed.

Ethan reacted instantly.

’Partial Assimilation: Talon.’

Swoosh!

His body lightened, vision sharpening as speed surged through him.

The transformation was instant.

In a blur of motion, he shot forward and caught her just before she hit the ground, one arm supporting her back, the other steadying her head.

"Whoa."

He looked down at her, unconscious.

It had only been about an hour since she had successfully used what he had dubbed the Crimson Fist. Given that it was her first time consciously tapping into that power, it wasn’t surprising.

If anything, she had pushed herself way too hard.

Seeing that her breathing was stable, Ethan was relieved.

’She’s probably just exhausted.’

Not only was she inefficient in using mana, but she clearly didn’t understand her own limits yet. And whatever that power was, it wasn’t something forgiving.

He sighed slightly, adjusting his grip on her.

"Yeah... you overdid it."

Ethan expected her to wake up flustered, a mix of embarrassment and gratitude on her face. He was even excited for her to awaken so he could tease her, waiting with a gentle expression.

But instead, her lips curled.

It wasn’t soft or shy, but an arrogant and twisted grin.

He froze.

Her eyes snapped open, and they were completely consumed by an ominous blood-red.

"Ah shit," Ethan muttered. "You again."

The smile widened.

"Not happy to see me?" it questioned in a layered, distorted voice.

Ethan didn’t hesitate.

He released her and jumped back, instantly creating some distance between them, acting on pure survival instincts.

"You two are getting close, aren’t you?"

It said casually, before suddenly vanishing into thin air.

Ethan’s hawk-like eyes darted around instantly.

"And your abilities have suddenly improved..."

The voice was right behind him, a hoarse, devilish whisper that felt like it came from multiple throats at once.

Ethan’s body reacted on impulse.

He twisted sharply, his arm lashing out.

’Gale Rend.’

A sharp, wind-infused slash tore through the air behind him, fast, precise and deadly. It was more than enough to slit someone’s throat, killing them in a single strike.

At this distance, it would be hard for most to dodge or evade.

Yet Elara, no, the demon possessing her, caught it with ease, gripping his wrist tightly. The wind blade dissipated against her palm as if it had struck nothing of consequence.

She was completely unfazed.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed.

’From collapsing to this, how the fuck does that even make sense?’

The difference was terrifying.

But thankfully, the demon didn’t seem to intend to harm him, and if anything, seemed to see him as nothing more than an amusing toy.

"So, boy..." the demon murmured, tilting her head slightly. "Are you thinking that if you can help her master the power I’m lending her, that you can get rid of me?"

Ethan tried to yank his arm free, but it didn’t budge. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Her body was coated in that same crimson energy, granting her overwhelming strength.

’She’s too strong.’

This was nothing compared to the terrifying power he had witnessed in the gate, so he knew there was no point struggling.

So he simply stopped.

Instead, he exhaled slowly and spoke directly.

"No," he said evenly. "I just want your host to be able to protect herself."

He paused and continued with a slight smirk.

"I figured it’d be less work for you if you didn’t have to keep saving her every time she’s about to die."

There was a brief silence where he wasn’t sure what the demon was thinking. Each second was torture for Ethan, who wasn’t sure how it would react.

Then it suddenly burst out into deep laughter that echoed through the private training chamber like a shockwave.

"You’re a funny one," the demon said.

The pressure in the room increased to the point where it was almost suffocating.

"But remember this," it continued, voice lowering. "You and her... are both at my mercy."

Ethan didn’t flinch.

"You also owe me one," it added. "And I intend to have that debt repaid."

He dipped his head slightly and even gave a small bow.

"Of course, sir demon."

Ethan displayed no sarcasm or defiance, just pure pragmatism.

’There’s no pride in front of something like this.’

The demon seemed... pleased.

"Good."

Its grip loosened slightly, but it still didn’t release him.

"Then train her well," it said. "Protect her."

A faint pulse of crimson energy flickered.

"The more she uses my abilities... the closer I get to being able to unleash my full power."

Ethan blinked.

’That’s not even its full power?!’

That thought alone was enough to send a chill down his spine, especially when matched with its evil smile. Imagining the demon wreaking havoc in the city, and even the whole world, was a troubling thought.

But this was an opportunity.

He wasn’t sure if he’d get another chance to speak to it like this, so he planned to capitalise on it.

"What did you mean," he asked carefully, "when you called me a vessel?"

He paused.

"What do you know about my Title?"

Then he added one more question.

"And what... are you?"

The demon chuckled, seemingly amused, then its aura flared violently.

"Know your place, boy."

Before Ethan could react, a single finger tapped his forehead.

’It flicked me?’

The next thing he knew, the world spun, and he was launched backwards.

Even with Partial Assimilation active, even with his heightened speed, he couldn’t react. His vision blurred as his body flipped mid-air.

’Shit-!’

He twisted instinctively, forcing his body to adjust, barely managing to land on his feet while sliding several metres away. But the impact still rattled him, a sharp pain throbbing in his forehead.

Ethan staggered slightly, his vision fading.

But he clenched his fists and grit his teeth, latching onto consciousness with everything he had.

That seemed to impress it.

The demon tilted its head, giving a small, almost approving nod.

"You can ask those questions..." it said slowly, "when you become what these humans call an S Rank."

Its gaze sharpened.

"Until then, don’t get comfortable with your measly power."

Those were Sir Demon’s final words, which stuck with Ethan, adding fuel to the fire that pushed him to work even harder...