Champion

"How do you know Akiol?", Travis asked.

Rue grinned, "That's not important. He merely told me to inform you."

"You make it seem like he knew I'd meet you."

"Not meet me, deal with him.", Rue pointed towards Yams.

"He was aware of the sacrifices?"

"I told him."

"Yet none of Six Lights took action."

"I didn't want the fun to be over so soon."

As she spoke Rue's eyes flashed with a demonic sigil. Attempting to use her ability to see through individuals she was surprised to be met with a heavy amount of resistance. The most she could see was this Dot's potential.

A smile formed on her lips. Approaching Yams she placed her hands onto his head. Gray energy viciously crackled as she absorbed the strength of a Third Stage. It coursed through her body and she grit her teeth in response. The might of absorbing a Third Stage was mighty indeed, especially since Yams was still technically alive! She could barely withstand the force it provided!

Travis stepped back, his mask hiding any expression he had. As Yams was finished off she stood up with a shaking body. Slowly she condensed the rampant Demonic Energy to prevent it from destroying her inside out.

Extending a hand out she demanded, "The book."

"I'm not handing it over.", Travis wasn't cooperative.

"I need it."

"For what?"

A crackle of Demonic Energy crackled forth and clapped. Travis sidestepped it and brandished Lumen, "Threatening me?"

"No, I cannot keep this under control. That book will have an answer, I need it."

"If you can't keep it under control why bother?"

Rue looked at Travis as if he was stupid and once again demanded, "The book!"

Averoth appeared and walked around Rue. His arms crossed as an intrigued look crossed his face, "I've got to say anybody connected with this Akiol individual is far from ordinary. I say give her the book."

"Why?", Travis spoke in a hushed tone towards Averoth.

"This energy is Demonic in origin. If I'm correct this sort of thing is only found from the Demon Lord. However to think someone who isn't even First Stage could access it. I think by handing the book over something very interesting will happen."

Immediately after Averoth snorted, "I'm hoping Origin's Last Light provides good things because I'm tired of not remaining mysterious."

"Your promise remains even if it does."

"But at least I'll learn something!", Averoth didn't argue this point and instead walked out of sight.

Stifling a huff Travis pulled out the book. His Eyes of Trinity revealed it to be an Artifact over a weapon. It was named The Demon's Manual. With a bit of hesitation Travis tossed it over, and Rue caught it with ease.

The pages flipped as she rapidly searched through its contents. Finding a specific page she grinned, "As I thought."

Ripping the skin off her thumb Rue flung blood out. Mana swirled as the blood landed in the shape of specific runes. A crude circle was formed and Rue poured some of the rampant Demonic Energy into it. It crackled violently as a portal formed above her. Various hands began to extend out of the portal and grabbed her, gently pulling her up.

She was pulled through the portal, and Travis waited for a moment before almost cursing, "She took the book and fled!"

'She didn't seem like the kind' -Lumen

"I didn't expect her to be so fluent with the book despite just obtaining it. Who even is she?!"

Considering the current date, if she was someone who appeared in his previous timeline Rue Fool wouldn't have nearly enough time to be of significant level. However considering she was aware of Akiol, he had a sneaking suspicion that this was another 'anomaly'!

Eyeing the body of Yams he shook his head, "No matter. Now that the book is out of Rave Guild's hand, the sacrifices should stop."

'This is a good thing.' -Lumen

"I hope so."

Suddenly the portal reopened and Rue dropped out of it. Landing softly she cracked her neck and smiled, "Far better."

"What. . . did you do?", Travis was fully expecting to not see her again.

"Got rid of the restriction of being human."

Travis utilized [Truth: Revealing] on Rue Fool again and was startled to find that her race changed from Human to a Demon! She didn't even change in looks! Usually demon players held some sort of inhuman aspect. Like a pair of wings or horns. Yet Rue Fool didn't change the slightest.

"I can keep this right?", Rue flashed a pleading smile while flourishing the book.

". . ."

Unsure how to react Travis also checked the book. It seems the spell Rue used had utilized all the sacrifices. Allowing her to keep it seemed dangerous. However. . .

Sheathing Lumen Travis finally said, "On a condition."

"Oh? Do tell~"

"Become my champion."

"Champion?"

Indeed! Just like how Flinnder had chosen him previously to be a Champion, Travis was doing the same! Considering the promotion event for Barons was approaching Travis originally didn't want to invest in a champion. He fully intended to just be a spectator and not bother promoting himself. However individuals tied to Akiol were usually incredible, and Rue fulfilled the conditions! 

"You become my Champion in a battle arena. Fighting several others. Win and I increase my ranking. In exchange I will invest in your growth, helping you level and obtain equipment. I can add that book as an advance payment and investment.", Travis explained.

"Intriguing. . . are my opponents strong?"

"Depends on the other Royals. How much they've invested into their Champions is not known to me, nor do I care to figure that out."

"Sounds amusing.", Rue tossed the book upwards and it disappeared in gray sparks, "Why me?"

"You're connected to that Akiol. Not a single person who personally knows him is ordinary."

This earned a beautiful laugh from Rue. A smile formed on her face, "He knows how to gather capable people doesn't he?"

Travis wisely kept his mouth shut. Truthfully this gave him an excuse to learn more about these anomalies. If by chance he could figure out the source of their strength through then he wouldn't mind investing! 

As for Rue, she was very interested in someone who held Akiol's interest. To have her pass on a message made her think this 'Dot' individual wasn't ordinary. She wouldn't mind being this Champion or whatever as she studied Dot. 

"Accept my friend request. I'll come by in the future, there's some matters I need to handle first. In the meantime. . . gain some levels.", Travis opened the system and sent a friend request.

< Player Two Tries sent you a friend request! >

Rue tilted her head at this and was unsure how to handle it. After a bit of hesitation she pressed accept and added her first friend in A World's Legacy. As for Travis. . . ironically it was also his first friend ever since his regression. 

"Very good, don't lose that book.", Travis nodded.

As Rue looked towards him she found that he already vanished without a trace. Sensing no signs of teleportation a look of interest formed on her face. Now alone Rue examined the ruined village and felt disappointed. After all the time she spent having fun, it was now over?

Also. . . how does one 'level up'?

Rue scratched her head and decided to explore, she'd as Akiol her questions later.

With a flourish Rue placed her glaive near her back. A crackle of demonic energy kept it afloat for easy access. Summoning The Demon's Manual she flipped through the pages until spotting a summoning circle she needed. Energy crackled and a portal formed in front of her. A steed stepped through, its body infernal. A black and purple flame made up its mane and tail, and it snorted impatiently.

Yet as Rue approached it lowered its head in respect, allowing her to climb upon its back. The black and purple flame turned gray in response. Rue smiled and controlled it to move forward. The Demon's Manual acted like a shortcut for Rue's abilities. Using it drastically reduced the requirements to fulfill certain techniques and activations. To summon a mount normally would require a larger amount of Demonic Energy, but with this book she needed only a fraction!

The steed broke into a sprint and ran off into the forest. A path of smoldering gray flames followed its path. . .

~ ~ ~

Averoth shielded his eyes from the sun and smiled, "I have to say picking her as a Champion was one of the few smart things you've done."

"You make it seem like I only make foolish decisions."

"Foolish? No. Brash? Yes."

"I know what I'm doing."

"I really wonder about that sometimes.", Averoth looked towards Travis and smiled, "So this Akiol fellow. You seem to hold some animosity towards him. He's the slime, and the one who bested you."

"That's the one."

"So he and that group of his. What's your issue with them?"

"I thought we agreed I'd let you in on this information if Origin's Last Light proved to be worth my time."

"Hmmm, so Akiol, and those he surrounds himself with, are the reason for you scoffing at the new generation."

Travis scrunched his nose. He hadn't expected Averoth to make this connection with such an off-handed comment. He decided to watch his words in the future.

"Partly.", Travis didn't try to convince him otherwise.

"Very interesting. Wanna tell me why?"

"We're not at Origin's Last Light."

Averoth rolled his eyes dramatically, "Okay you stickler!"

Disappearing from sight Averoth didn't comment further. Travis continued his travels to Origin's Last Light. As the treetops became a blur he considered one bit of information.

What did Akiol want to talk about?