How many months have passed since my reincarnation?
How many weeks since I started my journey to power?
And how powerful have I already become?
Walking peacefully through the mansion's interior, I could feel dozens of eyes fixed on me at every moment.
Those gazes from servants and maids, nobility and royalty. All of them unmistakably exuded admiration and envy.
They didn't just want to see me from afar, they wanted to touch me, they wanted to see me fight, they wanted to have me for themselves.
As I lay down in the castle gardens, the children soon ran toward me, followed by a noblewoman with a… pleasant figure.
'Damn, I still wish I were human at times like this! So much popularity and I can't even hit on her!'
I suppressed my thoughts with a snort.
They soon petted my fur vigorously while I continued resting peacefully.
People came and went, and everyone wanted a little piece of me.
Ahh, how hard it was to be a celebrity!
My only surprise was that only my biggest fan hadn't appeared until now.
The mad king had been missing for days.
Not that I had lost sight of him, of course.
In fact, everyone had.
The king vanished without warning.
Currently, the kingdom of Axel was a kingdom without a king.
Yet everyone continued their days normally, believing he must just be busy with some secret project.
Meanwhile, I rested peacefully under the warm sun.
Footsteps echoed behind me as I lazily yawned.
"Why come so far?" Agnes asked with a frown. "There are hundreds of more comfortable places inside!"
[ Of course there are. ]
I replied, closing my eyes and resting my head on my paws.
"..."
She waited patiently for a response that never came. Soon she clenched her teeth in growing frustration.
I could feel that she was about to kick me, even if lightly, to vent that frustration — typical of women.
Therefore, I slightly opened my eye as my aura began wanting to manifest.
The tension between us grew as we stared at each other.
However, in the end she just sighed and sat beside me.
[ You are losing your fear of me, that won't be good for you. ]
I found it ridiculous to have to say it; with each passing day, the danger I posed to everyone only increased.
Even if I tried to avoid the path of revenge, the whispers only grew.
And if they didn't seduce me, the power they would grant me could.
Motives were not lacking, nor was the will.
What stopped me was only myself, and a seal that would soon shatter into a thousand pieces.
"On the contrary, I was already becoming a joke among my siblings." She sighed again. "You can't hurt me, only make threats — why should I be afraid, after all?"
I laughed, amused, my fangs deliberately displayed for Agnes, who tried her best not to waver.
[ And isn't that what my aura is? The hundreds of threats I've made and carried out to the end. Ask It if your story will be any different. ]
Agnes trembled slightly; I could see her posture straighter than usual while her whole body seemed like a block of marble.
It seemed so unshakable that it immediately betrayed the opposite.
Agnes wore a mask of confidence while still hiding a terrible fear.
She suddenly coughed, trying to regain her composure.
"Today is a special day." She said, changing the subject.
I immediately sharpened my hearing as I considered whether to get up and pay more attention.
"Since the day the pups were discovered, the king had been preparing a celebration — and of course, to revitalize old ties with other clans and organizations. And that party, of course, is today!"
I quickly closed my eyes as I went back to sleep.
[ No thanks, I don't like humans, even less hundreds of them gathered in a single place like an anthill. I'll pass on this party. But bring me the leftovers to eat tonight. ]
"I don't think you understand." She stared intensely at me. "Your siblings will be there, along with other earthly demons. Others like you — doesn't that sound interesting?"
I pondered the question for a few moments.
Quick flashes reminded me of the conversation I had with the remnants of my mother.
She called us a demonic species and even said we had a language that wasn't taught to me.
Eventually, I would break free from human control and at least take revenge on the mercenary group.
After that, where would I go?
Being a lone hunter would be difficult after hunting humans and being widely known.
Humans wanted me under control and if they couldn't have that, they would certainly eliminate me.
My best chances were with others of my species — the demonic race.
They might accept me after my escape.
Besides, I needed to learn more about the current condition of my siblings.
[ I admit, I'm interested. ]
I suddenly stood and faced Agnes, her eyes shining like stars and her chest swelling with pride.
[ What the hell is that reaction? ]
"You obeyed me! I'm one step closer to taming you!"
I snorted before walking away — I would have to find a new place to rest.
Naturally, it was a difficult job. After all, with preparations for the party, the castle was busy.
Nobles and more nobles came from all sides, filling the castle corridors.
There were no isolated spots with pleasant sunlight.
I soon walked toward the castle dungeons, which were terrible but still better…
It was dark and refreshing, and that was enough…
Suddenly, my eyes widened as I calmly analyzed the dungeon's shadows.
There were boxes, rags, chains, many rotten wooden planks throughout the room, a hundred bits of junk…
And certainly…
An intruder hidden among the shadows…
'If I could speak right now, I'd tell you that you chose the wrong castle to invade.'
I laughed, amused, my aura suddenly expanding like a wave.
WOOSH
A shadow quickly moved in the darkness, alert — two radiant green eyes stared at me, tense.
WOOSH
A second aura counterattacked and pushed against mine, but it did not make mine retreat, nor could mine advance.
We stayed in a stalemate, both trying to draw out more and more strength through gritted teeth, yet even so—
It didn't matter how hard we tried.
Both auras were at the same level.
'In that case!'
We both reacted at the same time, the same plan in mind.
Immediately, both auras withdrew, then like an arrow, her aura shot forward while mine shaped into armor.
'No, that won't work! Destroying is easier than protecting.'
My eyes sharpened like needles as I immediately reshaped my aura into an arrow as well and fired.
CLING
The auras collided, emitting sparks, vivid green and intense red almost alive.
I watched in shock as both auras seemed physical due to their power.
However, my opponent didn't stop and soon sent dozens more aura arrows.
I could see in the darkness a pearly smile staring at me with amusement, even the eyes smiling — no more anxiety or fear.
I swallowed hard, dozens of arrows ready to hit me.
I didn't know if I could keep up with that battle.
But I had to try.
I immediately began creating my own arrows.
CLING CLING CLING
The darkness was forced to retreat as we gained a clearer view of each other through the sparks.
As we traded blows, it became clear — that wasn't a fight.
It was just play.
A greeting.
But what kind of person greets someone with aura?
After a long while, I saw an opening among the arrow formation and attacked.
I finally landed a blow.
The arrow-shaped aura exploded and wrapped around her, weakening her momentarily.
Silence reigned as we stopped fighting and watched each other's reaction.
"Hahahaha" the intruder laughed, amused — and suddenly the scene changed.
The dozens of arrows became hundreds.
The intruder's control was clearly superior to mine.
'Damn…' They immediately struck me without hindrance.
Still, I only laughed, amused, while my body briefly resembled a porcupine.
The intruder's aura enveloped me.
I grew weaker, but no one was cutting my neck this time.
It was just a friendly exchange.
Again, I could barely see in the darkness, but then I heard a sound.
It sounded like a series of primitive grunts, then silence returned once more.
Hearing no response, the intruder fell silent.
"Hmm" the intruder murmured, amused, hesitating as if to approach; in the end the intruder sighed, waved, and ran off.
Somehow, I understood what the intruder meant.
'See you later to you too.'
We would meet again.
And next time, I would win.
I soon looked for a corner and lay down quietly; at some point I even considered chasing the intruder.
However, that was the humans' problem — and if they got harmed, even better.
Even so, it was interesting to witness an aura battle, and even more to know I lost not because my aura was weaker but because Its control was better.
I was still on vacation, but suddenly my heart was overtaken by a single desire.
Improve my aura control.
This was a difficult mission, but eventually I would find a way.