Chapter 54: The Enchantress

As a layer of the bottomless abyss, the Pale Forest, though appearing tranquil, belies its true nature. Much like the rolling magma beneath the snowy expanse, any creature, if the slightest misstep is taken, risks being reduced to ashes; within the Pale Forest, dark currents flow incessantly.

The demise of a high-ranking heart-stealing mage, who occupied hundreds of acres of land, in this abyssal layer is evidently no trivial matter. Since the outbreak of the beastly rebellion, many beings have taken notice of this tower. However, the swift quelling of the rebellion has left these entities indecisive; uncertain if they can gain sufficient advantage from those who pacified the uprising, they remain in a state of observation.

Nevertheless, the chaotic nature inherent to abyssal creatures cannot ensure that all denizens dwelling here will act rationally. For instance, residing a mile away from the tower, the enchantress and sorcerer Disandaro, known as a succubus, has exhibited a strong and rebellious personality since her larval stage. Disinclined to conform to her role in the abyss — a trait shared by all abyssal creatures — her personality is particularly pronounced.

Most abyssal creatures default to a male gender identity, hence succubi predominantly assume female forms. However, Disandaro is nonconformist — his physical manifestation is that of a male. While it's not unusual for succubi to assume male forms to seduce women, Disandaro's nonconformity lies in his use of a male guise to enchant men!

In discussing the efficacy of this approach, it is inevitable to first assess his appearance: clad in a V-shaped attire reminiscent of garments suitable for swimming in some extradimensional realm, he bares muscular arms akin to steel, while his abdomen flaunts eight well-defined abdominal muscles swaying rhythmically with each graceful stride. The arching eyebrows and seductive lips conjure an enchanting expression, complemented by his prominent eyebrows, square face, large ears, and a broad nose. With the addition of thick lipstick, it could cause the ocular orbs of any beholder to explode instantaneously.

Such a mesmerizing succubus, occasional failures in seduction spells are understandably overlooked, yet he remains indifferent. Preferring to terrify his targets with powerful demonic explosions rather than intimidate them with his imposing appearance, he has left several former masters at his mercy.

Three years ago, pursued by enemies, he fled his original domain, seeking refuge in a corner of the Pale Forest. Since then, no more pursuers have appeared, prompting him to contemplate establishing a career in this abyssal layer.

For demons, this "career" typically involves seizing larger territories and acquiring greater power.

Now, he is prepared to devour the domain of the heart-stealing mage. He has long coveted the portals that allow passage between worlds, a prized resource within the abyss.

Unaware of the origins of the tower's existence, he has decided to embark on a daring adventure.

As he emerged in this territory, he felt somewhat uneasy. He smirked knowingly, aware that others lurking nearby, equally coveting this domain, were using spells and abilities to probe him. However, he could only sneer and scorn at those fellows. As the first to make a move, he certainly had his own reliance.

Succubi are naturally endowed with the ability to teleport. As a creature of advanced age, nearing a century, Di Sandaro possessed some magical artifacts. For instance, there was a device called the Eye of Enthrallment, crafted by a certain lich, capable of inflicting severe mental damage on individual beings. Adorning his chest was a pendant containing a triggered Sanctuary Spell, allowing him to remain unharmed for a certain period, albeit confined within the protected area. Yet, it provided him with the opportunity to escape via precise teleportation.

This tactic, known in another world as the Invincible Hearthstone Method, revealed the source of his courage. Despite the chaos demons often exhibit, true idiocy among them is indeed rare.

However, this not-so-foolish and daringly adventurous succubus soon encountered a genuinely foolish demon. "Di Sandaro! How dare you appear in this place!" Adi exclaimed in astonishment upon seeing the succubus who had traveled from afar.

"Why wouldn't I appear here?" Di Sandaro licked his lips, drawing out a long whip adorned with barbed spikes. He flicked it twice on the ground, producing crisp cracks. "Adi, you insignificant wretch. Is your heart-stealing master dead? And where is your new master?"

"New master! Are you here to stir up trouble?!" Adi immediately felt a chill, inwardly horrified at the embarrassing incident of being subdued by a mere mouse. He couldn't let other demons know about it. He quickly diverted his attention and dashed towards the tower. However, his hind legs were soon entangled by the succubus's whip. He stumbled and fell to the ground, roaring, "You can't touch me! My master is a powerful demon. If you dare touch me, you will surely pay the price!"

"Powerful?" Di Sandaro's clawed foot pressed down on the cunning imp's back. He flicked the whip twice, chuckling as he wiped away the liquid flowing beneath him. "Tell Lord Di Sandaro, how powerful is your master?!"

The sly imp's heart raced, and he began to blurt out nonsense, boasting about the power of his master. "He... he has six arms, two sharp horns, and is ablaze all over... Oh my."

Before he could finish his fabrication, he received a heavy lash on his back. "Six arms? Is he a six-armed serpent demon? Two sharp horns? Ablaze all over? Is he a Balrog or a Flame Demon? What kind of creature is your master? Speak up!"

While the succubus mercilessly lashed Adi, drool dripping from his lips, seemingly entering a state of frenzy, he failed to notice a small creature with white fur lurking in the shadows of the nearby exotic tree. Belen had just awakened from his slumber. Rarely did anyone visit his territory, so he naturally came to take a look. The sight of such a theatrical performance piqued his interest, broadening his horizons.

Although the succubus's tone was impolite, the imp's boasting and distortion irritated him even more. It wouldn't hurt for him to suffer a bit.

Belen wagged his tail, feeling a bit proud. However, after just a few sentences, his pride and reserve vanished into thin air.

"Goodness gracious! Hold on, as Rakras said!" Adi convulsed under the lash, crying out, "It's a mouse with rabbit ears and a dragon tail!"

"A mouse with rabbit ears and a dragon tail!" The succubus heard the imp's words and burst into sharp laughter. "How could such a peculiar aberration appear in the Abyss! Adi, your intellect and memory are indeed—yaaah!"

Before he could finish his sentence, he saw a mouse with rabbit ears and a dragon tail appear less than an inch from his face, its two blue eyes staring directly at his nose...

On the streets of Dehumi, a group of Serl knights gathered age-appropriate children they had collected and escorted them to the town hall for selection interviews. Panne showed indifference to all this, returning to the inn with the idea of ​​closing the doors and windows, preparing to rest for a day before rushing to Janwasher's academy to discuss matters related to the task. However, when he closed the doors and windows and turned around to lie down, he saw a portal formed by a secret spell appear in the center of the bedroom. A middle-aged bald man in a red robe stepped out, looking up at Panne and speaking in a casually mundane tone, "As a wizard, if you don't set up some devices before resting, such a teleportation spell could cost you your life."

"Thank you for your advice," Panne's surprised expression gradually dissipated. He pulled out a chair and placed it under Janwasher, then reached into his magic bag and took out the enchanted head, witnessing the dean's expression turning extremely shocked.

"It seems you're quite surprised, my dear teacher."

"Of course... You must know, I never dreamt you could finish him off. Oh well, in a place as vast as Ferren, anything is possible," Janwasher shook his head, tucking away the severed head. His tone still carried a hint of disbelief. "But, this time, you've stirred up quite the trouble."

"Is it really troublesome?" Panne Sean remained noncommittal. "I don't even know who he is."

"He's called Sutemerk, a trusted aide to the Governor of Sussell Manor, and also a favored disciple of the new Chief of the Elemental School, Veroga." Janwasher chuckled darkly. "Congratulations, if news of his demise at your hands gets out, you'll immediately become the enemy of about a fifth of the members of the Mage Association."

The Elemental School, being the most accessible among the eight major schools of magic, naturally has the largest number of members. Panne's lip twitched slightly. "Would such a thing really happen?"

"It's not certain," Janwasher shook his head. "Who knows, I might sell you out tomorrow."

"In that case, I'll just have to accept my misfortune," Panne shrugged.

"Perhaps I should indeed do so. It would spare you from easily trusting anyone in the future, which might be beneficial for you," Janwasher snorted, gesturing towards the pouch at Panne's waist. "Do not expose this item carelessly. Though it holds little value, there are many envious apprentices around."

"A group of inexperienced individuals," Panne silently commented as he discreetly concealed the magic pouch close to his body.

Janwasher evidently wasn't one to engage in idle conversation, and Panne wasn't adept at initiating topics either. After a period of silence, the headmaster stood up. "For us, this place is no longer safe to linger. Conversation here is inconvenient. Let us move to a safer location."

With those words, Janwasher began to prepare the spell. Panne immediately felt his body being pulled by a force, as if about to enter a different dimension.

"Teleportation is indeed convenient. I must learn it in the future," Panne thought as he entered the astral passage, just before his consciousness became muddled.