Demon Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 40: Trials 6

Alex moved first, his body bursting forward as layers of afterimages followed behind him, each one slightly delayed due to the overwhelming speed granted by [Quick-Step].

---------------------------

[Quick-Step Used!]

[ -10 DE ]

---------------------------

The vast amount of stored energy inside him only pushed his excitement further, knowing he could keep fighting without worrying about running out. For once, there was no restraint in how he moved.

"Human..." the Demon whispered, its gaze tracking each afterimage with eerie precision. "Human with Demon Energy..."

Alex let out a small smile, his movements never slowing. "So you sensed it?"

The sound of metal striking rang out sharply as the [Abyss Blade] cut across the Demon’s skin, yet the impact felt empty. The blade didn’t pierce or even leave a mark, as if the creature’s body rejected the attack entirely.

Alex didn’t hesitate, continuing his assault with repeated slashes that came faster each time. Despite the flurry of attacks, the Demon remained still, showing no reaction as if everything Alex did was meaningless.

Then the Demon threw a punch, its movement appearing slow at first glance. However, at the same time, Alex felt his own body begin to slow down unnaturally, as if something invisible was suppressing him.

’My body... feels slow...’

The realization came too late, as his movements became sluggish while the Demon’s fist extended toward his face. It stopped just short of hitting him, yet the pressure alone distorted his senses and made everything feel unreal.

It felt like intimidation taking form, forcing his mind into a false state where even breathing became heavy. That fear didn’t make sense, especially when he knew he was ranked higher.

’Is this the difference between a Beast-Tamer’s rank and a Demon’s?’

Even so, Alex didn’t freeze. "Teleport."

---------------------------

[Teleport Ability Used]

└ -1 [Teleport]

[Remaining]

└ 5

---------------------------

In an instant, his presence shifted across the room, reappearing beside Alexia and Ezra just as the attack finished behind him. The Demon’s punch carried through, crashing into the wall and causing a violent collapse that shook the entire area.

Dust and debris scattered as the damage spread across the structure, leaving Alex staring at the destruction with a tense smile. "What would’ve happened if I stayed there?"

Alexia looked at him, confusion clear on her face as she tried to process everything. "How did you just teleport...? And what is that thing? Scouts!"

"Quick-Step."

---------------------------

[Quick-Step Used!]

[ -10 DE ]

---------------------------

Before she could react further, Alex disappeared and reappeared behind her, moving with trained precision. His hand struck her neck cleanly, knocking her unconscious in a single controlled motion.

"Not being able to accept your situation is a terrible thing to have sometimes," Alex said quietly. "The scouts are dead, nothing of them remained."

Alexia collapsed, her body going limp as he checked her breathing to confirm she was still alive. Once he was sure, he carried her aside and placed her somewhere safe, keeping her out of the battlefield.

Behind him, the Demon picked up one of the bodies and continued eating, completely unbothered by everything happening. "Human... fast but weak. Humans weak..."

Alex ignored it and turned his attention toward Ezra, already preparing to knock him out as well. He didn’t want any interference, especially from someone unprepared.

"Quick-Step."

---------------------------

[Quick-Step Used!]

[ -10 DE ]

---------------------------

He appeared behind Ezra instantly, but something stopped him just before he struck. Ezra stood frozen with his eyes shut tight, fists clenched, and his entire body trembling.

"Don’t!"

The shout forced Alex to pause, his hand stopping mid-motion as confusion crossed his expression. From behind them, the Demon’s voice echoed again, calling for attention.

"Human... come fight me."

Alex ignored it once more as Ezra kept his head lowered, his voice breaking under the weight of his emotions. "I know I’m weak! I know I’m a burden! I know I’m an extra! I know if I fight now, I’ll just get in your way!"

Each word came out heavier than the last, yet he didn’t move from his spot. "But please... just this one time... let me fight alongside you!"

Alex stayed silent for a moment, glancing briefly toward the Demon before looking back at Ezra. He could hear the desperation clearly, but there was something else behind it.

"I know!" Ezra continued, shaking his head. "I know my limits! You don’t need to remind me! I know I’ll never reach that level, but please... even if it’s just once, let me stand up for myself!"

Alex exhaled slowly, finally understanding what Ezra was trying to prove. He placed a hand on Ezra’s shoulder, his usual expression softening slightly.

"Okay."

Ezra’s face lit up instantly, as if that single word gave him something he had been searching for. The relief and excitement in his eyes were impossible to hide.

"But," Alex leaned closer and lowered his voice, "whatever you see today, you cannot tell anyone. Understood?"

Ezra nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

Alex stepped forward, turning his attention back to the Demon while Ezra steadied himself. Despite the cheap knife in his hand, his posture had changed, and his fear no longer controlled him.

"While you face that thing, you do not falter," Alex said calmly as he stretched slightly. "Even if you’re weak, keep fighting. If you can do that much, I’ll make sure you have a spot in the academy."

Ezra tightened his grip on the knife, his determination clear as his beast growled beside him. "Got it."

Alex took a breath before speaking again, his eyes locked onto the Demon. "If you understand, I’ll tell you one way to defeat it... and I’ll only say this once."

The Demon finally stepped forward, its patience clearly running out as its presence grew heavier. "Humans ignoring... me."

Ezra flinched slightly at the growl, but this time he didn’t step back. He held his ground, even as the pressure continued to build.

The tension rose, and everything around them felt as if it were twisting.

"This is really happening right now," Ezra spoke quietly, smiling nervously, "It’s me versus a Demon."

And then Alex began to speak.