Estimated Read Time: 12 min
This story is entirely fictional and has no connection to real events.
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(Alex's Perspective)
This time, no 3D emoji came out of the ring. Instead, a 3D message appeared. It contained a lot of information. Before I could read it all, the ring spoke:
> "Welcome, Master. You have been transported directly to the world of Agnolenia in the Tower of Gluttony via Random Teleport. Consider it your fortune."
I had many questions, so I began asking them one by one.
> "Ring, how did I get here? And how did my body change?"
> "Master, as I mentioned before, my Random Teleport skill has certain quirks. One of them is that it can teleport to a completely random location. I cannot choose a specific place. The second quirk is that using this skill requires energy. You had no Mana, Aura, or Demonic energy in your body at the time, so your Vital energy was used to activate it. Using your Vital energy would normally age your body by many years, but due to the world travel, this quirk worked in reverse, effectively making you younger."
The ring explained things clearly, but I still didn't get an answer to my next question.
> "I see, but why didn't I return to how I was at ten? How did my body change instead?"
> "Master, I cannot explain that. However, your Gluttony skill has the ability to absorb blood and take the form of others—but to use it, you need to unlock 50% of the skill. You currently have only 1% unlocked."
> "So you're saying you had nothing to do with my body changing?"
> "Yes, Master. You have also unlocked a new skill at 2%—Medic. With this skill, you can cure any disease and create immunity against it. It's an active skill, so you can activate it whenever needed."
I was surprised to hear about the new skill, but my curiosity wasn't on that yet. I continued questioning the ring.
> "Ring, am I far away from Earth?"
> "Yes, Master. This place is far beyond Earth's universe."
> "Then you can't send me back?"
> "Master, I am just an ordinary ring from my previous master. I have no such power. However, there are other items in the tower that can send you back to Earth."
> "So I must enter the tower to return? By the way, what kind of person was your master? How did he acquire such powerful items and build such a huge tower?"
The ring gave a simple answer:
> "Master, I cannot provide many details. But I can say this: my previous master, Prince Beelzebub, was not human. He was a Demon Prince."
I was shocked. A demon? Were they the ones who make contracts with humans' souls? Could it be that we've all unknowingly been in contracts with demons? Many thoughts swirled in my mind.
> "Master, I know you have many questions. My advice is simple: become strong. The stronger you become, the deeper you can uncover the truth."
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I was lost in thought when Maria, having prepared several dishes, came upstairs to call me. She silently approached me on the balcony. Startled by her voice from behind, I turned slowly, unable to move my legs quickly. Maria held me carefully and helped me down. Even though walking normally was easy, climbing the stairs still required some effort. Despite that, she and Elmond insisted I stay upstairs because the room was beautiful. Below, Elmond arranged food on the table. Though not unusual, Elmond always cooked, as he believed Maria's dishes, while beautiful, were hard to eat. Maria had previously been an Alchemist, which made her cooking medicinal but difficult to consume. That's why Elmond often took over cooking during our time in the Demon Forest.
> "Honey, was it necessary for you to cook today?" Elmond asked Maria.
> "You think my cooking isn't good?" Maria said, slightly angry.
> "No, honey," Elmond said to calm her. "I just wanted to protect your beauty from the fire's heat."
> "Today is our son's special day, so I cooked myself. The menu is all my special dishes."
Seeing Elmond's concern, Maria softened. I started eating, and for the first time, Maria's food didn't feel medicinal or unpleasant. Compared to my world's five-star restaurants, her dishes today were even better. I couldn't stop eating, which surprised Elmond—he had never seen me eat this eagerly before. Curiously, I asked:
> "Special? Today isn't Alex's birthday, is it?"
> "Haha. You may not know, but earlier someone came by and left a letter. At first, I thought it was a love letter, but when I opened it, you'll be surprised to hear what it said."
> "Something so surprising?"
> "After today's feat at the Capital Gate, Duke Mandella's youngest daughter was impressed and sent Alex an invitation letter to Mefas Academy. Our Alex can enter the Academy without any problem."
> "That's amazing! I knew my son would be like me, but I didn't expect him to impress a duke's daughter immediately."
Elmond patted my head and said gently:
> "I knew you wouldn't fall short of me, Alex. But there's still much for you to learn. Father will teach you gradually. Soon, you'll see girls lining up for you."
Blushing, I kept eating silently. Elmond, reflecting on his youth, thought of the fact that in this world, people generally live up to 200 years, with youth lasting around 100. Elmond himself was around fifty. Learning this, I was slightly surprised but not overly so. There were still many mysteries between Elmond and Maria, but I wasn't curious about them. Instead, my interest was drawn to the Academy, which I had never heard of. Maria explained:
> "Alex, the Academy is special. Mostly noble children attend. Your entry will be easy with the Duke's daughter's letter."
> "What kind of place is this Academy? Is it like a school?"
> "School is ordinary, meant for commoners. Academies exist in each kingdom's capital and sometimes in important cities. While school and Academy share goals, their teaching methods differ. Commoners must pass several tests to enter, and nobles, while easier, aren't exempt."
> "Can I learn magic there?" I asked curiously.
Maria and Elmond exchanged a glance before Maria explained:
> "Alex, to use magic, you must be a Mana or Pran energy user. Pran allows you to be an Alchemist or Healer like me, while Mana lets you become a Mage and use various attribute spells. But—"
Elmond interrupted, gently stroking my neck:
> "Alex, Mana and Pran are bad for you. I know you will use Aura energy like me. Don't worry—you'll become a legendary Knight."
> "You, a legendary Knight? Don't make me laugh," Maria retorted.
> "Let Alex take the Academy test first; then we'll see if he uses Aura or Pran."
Our discussion ended as I finished dinner. Calmly, I asked:
> "Test?"
> "Entering the Academy isn't easy, even for nobles. Commoners must pass multiple tests. However, with the Duke's daughter's letter, you only need to pass the energy test to enter."
Unaware, I had fallen asleep while listening to their explanations. Maria carried me to my bed, covered me, and turned off the lights. The room still had a few bright candles, brighter than normal lamps. She left quietly. Elmond and Maria then discussed:
> "Honey, why did we have to send Alex to the Academy? We need to return to the family."
> "Look at his curiosity. Can we deny it? He needs friends his age, which he can easily make at the Academy."
> "But I can't wait. Can your friend fix his leg? I can sense Aura energy in him and want to start training."
> "You know Chasli's abilities. I think Alex will fully recover in a week."
> "And maybe our family thinks we're dead. Let's leave it that way for now. Time will reveal everything."
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Meanwhile, a grand function was held at Duke Mandella's mansion for Duke Mandella von Respon and his wife's anniversary. Nobles from the kingdom attended. The event was set in the mansion's expansive garden, with hundreds of tables and dishes prepared by top chefs. Discussions among guests mainly centered on the next king, as the current ruler's life expectancy was short. Many knew the crown would likely pass to the first or second prince.
Duke Everest couldn't attend, so his daughter, Elin von Weyxkul, represented him. Elin sat at a separate table, attracting attention for her beauty—ranked second among the kingdom's top five beauties. Myra von Respon, the Duke's youngest daughter, approached Elin with two juice glasses:
> "Elin, it's been ten years of friendship. Let's celebrate with this drink."
> "I wish the princess were here today," Elin said, slightly disappointed.
> "I invited her, but the king's condition keeps her with him."
> "It feels empty without her."
> "The second prince is crazy about you. Marry him and you'll live in the royal palace, seeing the princess every day."
> "Enough. I'm not looking for a prince. The point is, we enter the Academy next week. Aren't you curious?"
> "Curious? Of course. To enter the Tower, we must join the Academy."
> "Do you think we'll pass the Tower's tests?"
> "Of course. The Academy exists for exactly that purpose."
> "We both use Mana energy. Hopefully, we unlock the same attribute."
> "Why haven't you tried the Mana Stone?"
> "Waiting to use it at the Academy. By the way, did you have an invitation letter? Can I see it?"
> "You're late. I already gave it to a commoner today."
Elin guessed it must be someone strong who had received an Academy invitation from Myra. She hadn't gotten one, but wanted a maid's daughter to have access, knowing she used Pran energy. Elin's anger wasn't toward Myra but toward the commoner who got the letter—an unusual sentiment for a duke's daughter.
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To Be Continued…
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