Chapter 1
The Underworld, 1721 AD
Deep in the countryside of Belial Territory near the edge of old Nebiros Territory, a sleepy village by the name of Riverton rested in a mountain valley. The village was lively as it could be for a crisp early morning, with members only beginning to wake and get ready to tend the local fields and livestock. While the artificial sun began to rise into the purple sky over the mountain peaks.
In one house made from a mixture of worn stone blocks and wooden panels, a young family was extra spirited as they were about to start an eventful day.
"Memphis! Where are you? We're about to leave now!"
A young woman called out into the house as she stood by the doorway. She had long blonde hair tied into a pony tail that rested over shoulder and green eyes. She had a warm beauty to her and looked no older than thirty years. She wore one of her finest dresses, blue and white, tailormade by herself.
The reason for her youth was due to her nature as Devil, a long lived supernatural species created by Lucifer and Lilith, soon after Lucifer had fallen from Heaven to field his armies during the Great War against the Biblical God in Heaven and the Fallen Angels in the Grigiori. Most Devils looked relatively normal compared to humans, albeit gifted with good looks, supernatural physique, magical powers, a minor shapeshifting ability, and the ability [Language] to speak and understand any language.
To her side stood her husband, also a Devil, was a tall man with broad shoulders who also looked no older than thirty years. His hands, rough from years of work with the local guardsmen garrison, passed through his brown hair for a moment as he tried to fix it with a comb. While looking in a mirror, his blue eyes scanned over his chosen outfit, a set of white breeches, a brown waistcoat, and navy longcoat. Once satisfied, he placed a brown flatcap and posed with a hand on his chin and a cheeky grin.
"Faylen. I look good, don't I?"
"Sammoth, stop that."
A hand playfully smacked his shoulder, but he only chuckled. His wife also couldn't help but smile at his antics.
"Yes, you look quite well dear. If only you dressed like this more often."
"Hey, I always dress my best! It's just usually in my guards uniform. You don't like it anymore?" Sammoth leaned in and held his wife by the waist.
Faylen lightly blushed and looked away. "I didn't say that…"
Disturbing their adult thoughts, small feet pattered across the wooden floorboards.
"Mom, Dad, I'm coming!"
The two parents coughed and pulled themselves apart. The two then looked at their greatest treasure.
It was a young boy with sparkling blue eyes and shaggy dark blonde hair. He appeared no older than eight years old. Dressed like his father, he also wore his best clothes. White breeches and shirt, and navy buttoned waistcoat.
The man smiled at his son. "Well if it isn't the birthday boy himself. Do you have everything with you?"
Memphis didn't bother to check and nodded, he began to jump up and down eagerly. "I'm ready! Let's go to the stadium!"
Yes, today was a special day for small Memphis. Not only was it his eighth birthday, but today his parents had saved enough money and bought them tickets to see a Rating Game at the largest stadium in the Underworld, on the floating island of Agreas.
Checking the time on her pocket watch, Memphis' mother nodded and put it back into her purse. "We still have time to make it to the teleportation station."
Sammoth opened the front door and gestured for his wife and son to go first. "Perfect, then shall we? An exciting day awaits!"
Agreas Island Base, Agares Territory
Stepping out of the teleportation station, the young family was startled by the sheer amount of people. Coming from a village of only a few thousand at best, the bigger city in the Underworld was overwhelming. For Memphis' family it was not very often they left their village, and today they needed to use a government-run teleportation station to transfer to Agares Territory or risk being fined for illegal entrance.
Devils came and left. The city was bustling and many dressed in finer, less worn…and more fashionable garments compared to Memphis' family.
Higher class ladies wore premium makeups and glamorous silk dresses; many carried parasols, wide feathered hats, and gloves. While gentlemen wore breeches, decorative waistcoats, frock coats with frilly stock ties, and either carried canes and tophats. For the more numerous Middle-class devils or urban Lower-Class devils, they tended to wear woolen materials from demonic cattle over more expensive silks.
For the city itself, it had tall stone buildings with swirling stone carvings that lined the main street. Coaches with colourful patterns were pulled by demonic horses or sometimes more exotic beasts that trotted along the cobble road. At times, self-propelled mechanical coaches would toot by, releasing magical steam from exhaust pipes that drew the looks of many including Memphis.
Memphis was in awe, pointing at the strange wagon. "There's no horse! What is that?"
Memphis' eyes darted to the next oddity that took his attention.
It was a two-wheeled machine that was powered by pedals, and the sound of a bell rang as it rode by. Memphis pondered how the person could balance themselves and not fall down. "And what is that?"
Memphis' mother quickly pulled herself out of her own daze and swatted Memphis' hand. "Memphis, no pointing. It's bad manners, so be mindful of your appearance."
Memphis timidly nodded. "Yes, Mom."
The Agreas Base City in tandem with its second half on top of the enigmatic floating island, had developed many centuries ago under the rule of the Old Satans, and was always a popular tourist destination. However in more recent times, it became even more lively due to the construction of the Agreas Dome that hosted many Rating Games.
His mother grabbed his hand, and the family walked into a large plaza. In the centre of the plaza was a large elevator that rose high into the sky.
Guarding the elevator were armoured guards wearing uniforms of the Agares Clan. Each wielded a standard issue enchanted spear, and wore a breast plate, bracers, rimmed helm, and greeves.
Memphis also noticed a few of the guardsmen carrying muskets and flintlock pistols which he recognized. They were similar models to the one his father's regiment used, and he remembered that they fired Demonic Bullets. A long range method for those with lower Demonic Power by instead of using a Devil's innate magical energy, they used crystals saturated with Demonic Power that were mined or hunted from demonic beasts throughout the Underworld.
Approaching the gateway, a young lady oddly dressed in breeches and a themed buttoned vest uniform, had called out to them.
"Good day to you, Guests. Will you be riding the lift up to the island?"
Memphis grinned. "Yep!"
The lift worker smiled in response. "Then tickets, please."
"Pardon me, one moment." Faylen ruffled through her coat purse withdrawing three tickets, and handed them to the lady. "Here."
Memphis watched as the lift worker took the tickets and poked a small hole into each of them with a bronze hole puncher, before handing them back. "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Themos. And I hope you have a wonderful stay at Agreas Island!"
The lift worker lightly bowed as the Themos family stepped inside.
Inside the main lift chamber waited many other guests and families who eagerly waited their turns in line.
Ding ding.
The sound of a bell went off as massive gears turned and the gondola rapidly descended before slowly to a smooth stop.
The door automatically opened, and another uniformed worker had stepped out. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the next shuttle is ready."
"Oooh nice timing. Maybe it's a lucky sign my favourite team will win." Sammoth had rubbed his hands in thought.
Faylen covered her mouth with a hand and giggled at her husband's antics. Meanwhile Memphis jumped up and down. "Yeah! Dad's team is definitely going to win!"
"All aboard!" The lift worker shouted as everyone piled into the gondola.
Agreas Dome, Agares Territory
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
A voice enhanced with magic boomed across the stadium as cheers erupted in response.
"C'mon, c'mon, it's starting." Said Sammoth as he carried a big bag of popcorn, while helping small Memphis shuffle through the stadium seats.
Sammoth, Faylen, and Memphis finally managed to find their seats and collectively sighed in relief. The stadium was packed today as many competing Peerages were entering into the semi-finals.
Rating Games.
Rating Games had become a very popular sport in Devil Society, where two Peerages fought each other in combat. The rules changed from match to match, with different game modes to different landscapes. Recently, the sport had even been gaining popularity outside of the Underworld too with the recent invention of the camera. So many cameras were broadcasting the event with rolls of film reeling away.
With the invention and introduction of Evil Pieces in the 1520s by Ajuka Beelzebub after the Devil Civil War, High Class Devils were granted their own set of Evil Pieces to reincarnate other species into Devils as a means to boost the Underworld's declining population.
Initially, Rating Games were introduced by New Satans as a constructive method for the many noble families who had gained Peerages to show off their prowess and settle disputes without warring with each other. Then some nobles suggested showing off the games to the public, and it gained immediate traction. Soon after, Rating Games became incredibly popular.
Rating Games also became a convenient method to gain achievements and climb the Class System. Even a Low Class Devil, if they worked hard enough, showed their might and wit, had the chance to become High Class and gain their own lands and Peerage.
Thus, a new sport was born.
A figure dressed in golden robes and golden dust powdered into his hair, stepped out onto the stage, and a magical projection zoomed in onto his figure. Next to him was a young man with wavy lavender hair and wore an avant-garde purple tailcoat.
The man in golden robes spoke again into a copper trumpet that was connected to a wire. "Welcome to the Agreas Dome! This is your host, Eternus Berith! And joining us today for the very first time is young Naud Gamigin!"
Joining with the crowd, Memphis and his Dad cheered.
"Dear, don't hog the popcorn."
"Oh, my bad. Here, Fay Fay."
Settled into the mood, Faylen briefly lowered her lady-like "mask" and ceremoniously grabbed a handful of popcorn.
Memphis noticed this and felt happy that his Mom was able to have fun too.
"So Naud, how do you feel about today's match?"
Once the cheering died down. Taking his own copper trumpet, albeit with some stiffness, Naud smiled to the crowd and then to his senior. "Thank you for having me Sir Berith. In today's match we will see the rising-rookie Ruval Phenex compete against Lord Mammon! Indeed Sir Phenex has been rapidly rising in the ranks lately and is a new fan favourite, but how will he fare against Lord Mammon's Bishop Rosenkreutz and his terrifying psychological warfare? If I were to bet, I would certainly place them on Lord Mammon and his Upsetting Sorcerer!"
A mixture of cheers and boos sounded from the crowd, with Memphis and Sammoth joining the boos.
"Booo!"
In the Themos household, they were proud Ruval Phenex supporters!
Eternus Berith heartedly chuckled. "The crowd is lively today! Then without further ado, today's match gamemode will be [Board Collapse]!"
A magic circle with the Berith Clan symbol shined underneath Eternus Berith and Naud Gamigin before they were teleported away and retreated to the commentary booth. The projections changed and the image focused on the Peerages entering the field, which caused a chorus of cheers.
Then as the teams lined up and the cheers simmered down, a silence permeated the arena.
A lone hand rose, then dropped. "Let the game begin!"
Memphis greatly enjoyed watching the Rating Game. Being honest, it was the first Rating Game he had ever seen in person. So far he had only followed the end results from the village's local newspaper, since he was not old enough to join his parents when they last saw a match.
But, but this..Blew his young mind away! If Memphis had to choose, this day would be one of the most memorable days of his life.
To little Memphis, it was like time slowed down. He was in awe.
The rush of battle.
The cheers of the crowd.
The glory.
Memphis eyes dilated taking in the sight of magics and warriors infinitely beyond him.
In the depths of Memphis' mind, an unexplainable feeling shot through his body. An intense desire, a dream had been born.
Memphis promised to himself that, one day, he would become High Class and rise to the top of the Rating Game ladder.
Five years later
In a forest outside of Riverton, Belial Territory
Hidden in a quiet forest grove, Memphis Themos stretched his legs.
In the last few years, he would come out here almost everyday to train himself in hopes of getting strong enough to pass the Middle Class Promotion Exam. Despite his still tiny frame, his height had significantly grown, his muscles became more toned, and his Demonic Power had greatly risen.
The others in the village thought he was eccentric for a Devil, considering that most Devils tended to not train themselves, and instead relied more on their natural born gifts or relied on their Demonic Power to increase naturally as they got older.
But Memphis was different.
He had a dream! Places to be! That one day he will become a High Class Devil and fight in Rating Game tournaments with his own Peerage, and not only that, from his future fortune he will help take care of his parents!
Especially his mother, who had gotten very sick recently from a strange sickness that's been spreading in the local villages…
Coming out to this empty grove, it was also an easy excuse to collect some wood and sell it down in the village.
Feeling like he stretched enough, Memphis stood up. "Okay, that should do it."
Memphis soon entered a state of sharpened focus as he built up his Demonic Power and held his fists up.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Reaching a threshold, his Demonic Power began to shoot off from his body as he covered himself in a blue aura.
Memphis leaned forward for a second, compressing his leg muscles before he kicked off like a spring and dashed towards a large tree.
His arm pulled back before punching into the hard bark, as he did his Demonic Power increased the weight of his fist and broke into the innards of the tree. But Memphis wasn't finished as his fist continued to split open the tree. and with a thunderous bang Memphis' Demonic Power burst into a wave and blew the tree trunk apart!
BANG!
"W-what-!"
A new voice suddenly yelped before the sound of someone falling and rolling into the clearing was heard.
Startled, Memphis turned his head to check out the noise.
Standing up and padding themselves off, it was a young girl who looked maybe a year or so older than his thirteen years judging by her height. She was very pretty, even for Devil standards Memphis thought. She had light blue hair that was tied into a fancy braid, and two long side bangs.
Once she dusted herself off, her intense red eyes contrasted with her pale white skin, and glared at him. She fixed her hair and Memphis noticed her pointed ears, which was uncommon for Devils, but like horns, tails, and other features it was not unheard of.
Memphis pondered if he had seen such a memorable girl before, and one so pretty…but once he noticed her elegant red and black dress. It immediately clicked to him that somehow he might have stumbled upon the daughter of a big merchant family or noble.
What should he do!? What should he say? He had never met important people before, so he was a tad nervous.
The girl huffed, placing a hand on her hip, and pointed at him.
"You didn't see that!"
Memphis mind froze.
"...What?"
And the sound of the tree he punched fell over with a thud.