Rivel stood in the corner of the ballroom drinking what he assumed was this world's version of lemonade, which is sweeter than the ones he had back home.
He watched as the crowd finally started to chatter again, despite the events that transpired just before the rewards were given out.
Rivel took a sip, thinking about how much he wanted this event to end already.
It's not that I don't enjoy events, but after having to deal with being glared at as if I was about to be torn open by a guy even Velmira was scared of—I want to leave.
Between every whisper, every glance, Rivel could feel himself tense. He truly had enough for one day.
Rivel started to make his way around the crowd near the wall sneaking towards the door–
"Rivel!"
Rivel came to a pause, slowly turned around to see Velmira calling him over near a crowd of demons who were now looking his way.
Rivel stared for a long moment before turning back around once more towards the door and took a slight step forward.
Maybe she's calling for a different Rivel
Velmira pouted, throwing her hands behind her. "Rivel! Don't ignore your queen!"
Rivel froze, and spun around walking to Velmira like a kid who was just scolded by their parents. "What is it?" He asked, with a tone of full sorrow.
Velmira pulled him closer by his shoulders, showing him off like a cash won prize. "Don't be such a baby! They want to speak to you!"
Rivel looked at the demon who stood before him dressed in fancy clothing and pricey jewels. Considering every demon at this party is a noble, I doubt they want to speak to me out of plain curiosity. They most likely just want to see if I have any use for them.
The jeweled demon spoke up first. "Now that I have seen you up close, despite the lack of magic resonating from you, you do show promise with your build– though I have seen much better from human farmers.
Rivel's eyes twitch, but he stays quiet.
A demon much shorter than the rest leans into the group. "But you gotta admit. He has guts for even attempting to go against a demon in Siege on his second day here."
Finally some recognition–
"Yea, but wasn't all the work technically done by the soldiers," asked by some younger demon. "If I'm correct he didn't even take out a single person."
Everyone nods in agreement, not even Velmira bothered trying to defend him on that one.
Rivel looked towards Velmira out of the corner of his eye. "Was I brought over here to be bullied for my lack of strength?"
One of the bigger broader shouldered demons laughed. "We're simply joking False Horn. Live a little."
Rivel raised an eyebrow. "False Horn?"
Velmira gasped. "Is that a nickname? It sounds so perfect for you! It matches the descriptions of the fake demon horns… well horn."
Rivel narrowed his eyes attempting to gauge if Velmira was being serious or not. "I'm ninety-nine percent sure "it's" an insult. The one percent is me wanting to believe you."
"Nonsense." she said while wafting her hand at him, truly believing it was a harmless nickname.
Rivel glanced back at the demons who now wore smug expressions of superiority on their faces as they glared at Rivel.
"...Yea– I'm taking this off."
Rivel ever so slightly removed his headband and–
Suddenly a large rush of pressure swept the room, rattling wine glasses and the chandelier, forcing the nobles to flinch in surprise, while a few leaned forward, like a predator who spotted their daily catch.
Velmira immediately put the headband back on his head with urgency.
The Demons who stood in front of them were now staring at Rivel in shock, mouths dropping to the floor.
Velmira let go of the headband, tilted her head to the side while placing her hands together similar to a prayer. "Hehehe! I forgot to tell you that I embedded magic into the headband that hides that aura of yours."
Rivel rubbed his temples. "Do you happen to have short-term memory or something?"
"Nope," she said proudly with her head held high. "I have a perfect memory. It's why I'm able to remember so much magical knowledge."
He stared at her with a face of disbelief.
I'm starting to think that magic is the only thing that rests in your mind.
Out of nowhere Hashi and Sova threw their arms around Rivel.
"Human– I mean Rivel, was that aura yours?"
"HA! I knew there was no possible way such a weak human would possibly challenge a demon noble like that! Nevertheless speak to the demon queen in such a disrespectful manner you do."
Dormire approaches as well pushing past the mouth dropped demon nobles with a yawn. "Does this mean you were hiding your strength the entire time during the Siege?"
Rivel stared at them as if they asked if pigs could fly. "What no I-"
"Exactly!" Velmira shouted, interrupting Rivel.
He gaped at her as if she was a crazy woman on the side of the street.
He then dragged her off to the side near a pillar.
"Velmira… what on… ever could you possibly be doing?"
Velmira brought her finger up to her chin and tilted her head. "I'm making it seem like you're some mysterious strong human."
Rivel rubbed his eyes. "By lying?"
"...Wouldn't call it lying… More like…ummm– a trick."
"So a lie?"
Velmira crossed her arms with a huff furrowing her eyebrows. "Look, think of it as a future investment of respect. If at least some demons respect you now, then it'll be for you down the road."
Rivel opened his mouth to refute her words, but no matter how much wanted to talk he couldn't because of how right she was."
"Fine… whatever, but no more. I hate having to juggle lies on my plate."
"Ok! But you should also really stop commanding me so much! I am still your queen after all."
Rivel was already walking away, completely ignoring her words.
"Rivel!"
_________________________________________
Rivel hugged himself in comfort as he was now wearing his original jacket that he arrived in. Now patched up, looking brand new and his jeans dark blue color no longer faded.
"AHHH! I missed the comfort of my jacket so much! I'm never wearing that uniform again!" He quickly zipped up the black jacket, and threw on his hoodie, looking ever so pleased.
The demon maids watched him, as they put away their sewing kits with magic. "We can see that you're pleased with our service."
Rivell looked at them with awe. "Are you serious!? I'm more than pleased. This feels and looks brand new!"
Velmira who was watching the scene from nearby just frowned. "You never showed this enthusiasm for anything else I did for you?!"
"That's because they were all things I didn't want or ask for."
Velmira just puffed her cheeks and pouted while looking away angry.
Wow what a baby. Everyone in the room thought.
Rivel looked back at the maids and pointed towards the headband on his head. "Do you guys think you can fix this broken horn or at least replace it?"
"No, it's not possible." Velmira interjected, not giving the maids time to respond to Rivel's question.
Rivel whipped his head around in confusion. "Why not?"
"Because the headband is something ancient. It was already infused with magic, and with my magic added, it makes it impossible to repair unless it''s the original piece. Even with magic that is."
Rivel stood up slowly, face darkened as he slowly approached Velmira who was still looking away. "You mean to tell me you "placed" an ancient headband that came from who knows where onto my head that already had magic within it?"
"Yep." She answered ever so casually.
"And I ever so happened to die – or whatever you said –, and I wake back up completely healed of all injuries, and so happened to gain a demonic aura?"
"Yea, sounds about right– ohh… I see now."
Suddenly Rivel began to tug on Velmira's cheeks yelling at her
"You idiot! You got me cursed!"
Velmira just whined while holding onto Rivel's wrist. "I'm sowy!"
The maids just watched star struck as a human, a weak human humiliated their queen so easily without repercussions.
One maid whispered, "Is this… normal?"
The other maid whispered back, "Not at all."
Rivel dragged his hands down his face. "It's only day four and I'm already cursed, and there's no telling what it's doing to me!"
What's worse is that if the aura is truly demonic then how the hell am I meant to explain that to anyone who may so happen to catch me with the headband off!
Velmira tearing up rubbed her cheeks. "Well, that may be true– But! Without it you would've died!"
"I wouldn't have died if I was never summoned here in the first place."
Velmira pointed as if she was going to make another claim only to slowly put her hand back down when she couldn't think of anything to say.
Rivel just groaned in annoyance.
You know what it doesn't matter, as long as I stay careful and out of danger of anything that could squash me like a bug then I shouldn't have to worry about the curse maybe.
"Let's send me out there already."
Velmira sprang onto her feet while still rubbing her face. "Okay! Okay!"
Velmira clasped her hands together, then broke them apart.
In an instant a crackle of sounds came from the middle of the room, until cracks started to appear in the air slowly branching out creating a tear in space in the middle of the room.
Rivel watched this in amazement. "This is so much better than special effects."
Velmira stood there proudly after catching a glimpse of Rivel's amazement.
Finally my isekai adventure can truly start