Chapter CXXV - The Visit (part 2)

"We… should talk about it after we are done with the rock issue. But for now, let's focus on what is in front of us."

Seeing how he also panicked after hearing my words made me a little bit confused. And immediately, I realized the current state I am in right now.

I'm… no longer sitting.

I was so angry I suddenly stood up, so I slowly sat back down.

This old man was a god, someone who should have known about everything regarding this world. And yet, even after knowing about me, he still thinks I'm nothing but trash.

If only we were on different sides, I could have sliced his head as quickly as possible.

But, that was not the case at all.

The old man coughed to clear the air.

"… Sorry for calling you a waste. I have no idea you went through that much. I thought she actually gave you everything you needed, but apparently you were nothing from the start.

I am impressed, other-world human. For you to survive on this heavy land all by yourself."

I see… Even though he is a god, he is not fully omniscient.

At least he apologized… Otherwise I would have ended our meeting while holding a scythe.

Also...

"Who is... She?"

"Ah..."

I knew it. The old man managed to slip up. 

I needed to make him slip up even more so I could get more information, but he changed the topic immediately.

"Let's... talk about this later. For now, let's discuss the situation at hand."

He immediately told me about the things I needed to know regarding the rock that was hidden.

The 'magic' rock was sealed somewhere within the academy, but no one knows where it is exactly, but everyone will know when the seal has been lifted.

As soon as the seal gets lifted, it will release its heavy pressure and immense strength to the air, and anyone with at least the strength of a Beginner tier magic can sense the pressure from a whole mountain away.

Which means the pressure explosion will surely alert literally everyone who is at the kingdom.

"As for where it is exactly, no one knows. But when the seal is lifted, everyone will know. You just need to be ready exactly when the seal is lifted."

"And at what time will it be lifted, exactly?"

"At sundown. One week and two days for now."

One week and two days... It's on Thursday next week.

"What will happen after the seal is lifted?"

I asked the old man, and he simply played with his beard as he answered.

"After the pressure was released, everyone will definitely know its exact location and will immediately rush to it. Especially the demon people who are hiding within the academy right now.

Your job is to get to the rock first, and use the rock to fight off the demon people. If you manage to get your hand on the rock, it should definitely increase your strength multiple fold."

"I… I see…"

The rock was said to be able to multiply one's strength to over fifty times. That means… How strong would I be if I got multiplied fifty times…?

I can't think like that. I need to rely on my own strength for now.

"What other things should I be aware of?"

"Do know that we are dealing with the demon race here. They are the most powerful race in terms of magical prowess, and they are definitely far stronger than any human.

If you somehow failed to obtain the rock, then you will only have a slight to no chance of winning against them. So, make sure you get your hands on the rock. That is your only chance of winning."

"… Don't you think you are underestimating me?"

"No. I'm overestimating the enemies."

"… That's fair."

I guess after my clash with Dice, the demon who was hiding among humans, I learned my lesson that demons are definitely the crown race for magical prowess.

Their mastery over magic, simply any magic in general, are definitely more powerful than humans, and it's almost scary.

The old man is right. My chance of winning is by obtaining the rock. If I don't, then I might not make it out alive against a war with the demons.

The old man took a glance at the skies, and he immediately stood up.

"Our conversation for today must end here. I will return during the day when the seal collapses.

And kid… Don't rely on that power too much. It will literally consume you."

That power? What power?

Before I could ask him, he suddenly disappeared into thin air. I know now that I was talking with a damn hologram, and not a real person.

After being left alone here by him, I quickly headed back to the others at the training mountain. They seemed to be very confused as to what happened, but I simply told them it's an old adventurer friend, and they all trusted me immediately.

While I left everyone else to train, I went back to my previous spot and slept again. And while closing my eyes, I ponder over what the old man has said to me.

What power…? Does he mean the rock's power?

Yeah, that must be it.

Yeah, I shouldn't think too much about it. Thinking too much is a pain.

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Little did I know… that the old man was actually talking about the power of the devil inside me.

If only I heeded his words…

Things… wouldn't have turned out like this…