‘…What is this?’
Suddenly, countless messages echoed in my head.
I stood there blankly, trying to make sense of the situation by pondering their contents.
Something similar had happened before when I met Raphaella and talked about creating a new nation, but this time it was a bit different.
The evolution of traits, divine powers, and words wishing me luck.
The messages were filled with riddles.
As I was lost in thought, the same voice from earlier continued in my head.
[You have acquired the trait ‘Absolute Monarch.’]
[You can now use the following powers.]
[Aura of the Absolute: Stomp the ground forcefully to spread mana, rendering nearby enemies incapacitated.]
[Stride of the Supreme: You can walk anywhere.]
[Invisible Hand: You can freely manipulate distant objects using mana.]
‘Oh ho.’
The powers granted to me were like a lavish holiday gift set.
At first glance, each one seemed overwhelmingly powerful.
As I pondered how to use them, Luke, who had discovered my identity, greeted me.
“…I had a hunch, but I didn’t expect to meet you in a place like this. Luke Starlight, eldest son of the Starlight Barony, greets His Grace, Duke Develion.”
Luke, as a noble’s son, paid his respects to the Grand Duke.
I waved my hand casually at the boy of the stars.
“Raise your head. By the way, what brings you to this area?”
“Well, actually…”
Luke hesitated.
It seemed difficult for him to answer the question.
After all, who would believe him if he said he was guided by the stars to save someone in danger?
I brushed my hair back and spoke nonchalantly.
“Speak.”
“It’s… hard to believe, but sometimes the stars guide me to certain places. This time, they led me to this forest far from the academy… Thanks to that, I was able to save some young girls, so I’m very grateful.”
Luke smiled softly as he glanced toward the room where the girls were staying.
He had come all the way from the academy to this remote place, not to gain some great treasure, but simply to save someone. He was truly a kind-hearted guy.
‘But I feel a bit guilty for taking away his growth opportunities…
Thinking about it, from the Yustia kidnapping incident to the elf hunting incident, I’ve been removing the events that were supposed to help Luke grow.
Of course, since it was for the heroines, I don’t regret it, but I still need a plan to help Luke grow.
As I watched Luke gazing at the darkening sky with shining eyes, an idea came to mind.
Why not spar with Luke and test out the new powers I’ve gained?
Luke needs a catalyst for growth right now.
If he can learn even a little from sparring with me, it’ll help him break through his limits.
After all, as a fan of the original work, I know exactly what Luke needs to grow.
And I can also use this opportunity to test out the powers I gained today.
It’s a win-win situation.
I flipped the mask I was holding in one hand and put it on, then spoke leisurely.
“Luke Starlight. How about sparring with me?”
“A spar, you say?”
“Yes. The desire to help others isn’t something easily attained. In that regard, I’ve taken a liking to you. I’ll give you some special guidance.”
Swoosh
With a smooth sound, a longsword slid out of its sheath.
I pointed the gleaming white blade at him and continued.
“Do you lack the confidence to cross swords with me?”
Scared?
If you don’t want to, that’s fine.
But I know you won’t refuse.
A spar with a Swordmaster is like a League of Legends player getting to practice with a Challenger.
For a first-year knight academy student like you, turning down this opportunity would be unthinkable.
“Then, I humbly accept.”
As expected.
Luke’s starry eyes filled with determination.
He drew his longsword, which shimmered like the Milky Way, from its sheath.
We took our positions in the courtyard, keeping a reasonable distance between us.
“What’s this, a duel?”
“Hey, does that look like a duel to you? From the atmosphere, it seems more like a spar.”
“Judging by their fine clothes and equipment, they must be nobles. I wonder how strong they are.”
Passersby glanced curiously at the two swordsmen facing each other with longswords in hand.
It was a bit distracting, but it wasn’t a big deal.
Once the spar began, they wouldn’t even understand what was happening.
I lowered my sword and spoke.
“I’ll let you take the first move. And don’t worry, I won’t use aura.”
“Understood. Then, let’s—”
“Call me Licht.”
“…Licht-sama. I’ll do my best.”
“Even if you give it your all, you won’t be able to touch me.”
It was an arrogant and provocative statement.
But perhaps because the speaker was one of only three Swordmasters in the empire, the boy of the stars simply hardened his expression, determined to win.
“I recommend you don’t let your guard down.”
Luke raised his longsword in an unusual stance, preparing to charge.
It looked more like he was wielding a spear than a sword, a stance for a single-point thrust.
By the way, about letting my guard down…
After coming to this world and experiencing real battles and training, I’ve realized something.
This body of Beelzebub is truly broken.
I have no idea how the Luke from the original story managed to defeat it.
I have nothing but respect for him.
So, with Luke’s current strength, he won’t be able to land a single effective hit on me.
The goal of today’s spar is to help him grow enough to land at least one hit.
Looking around, the inn was now dimly lit by cheap lamps as dusk settled.
A brief silence filled the space between us.
Then, as I blinked, Luke kicked off the ground and charged at me with a fierce thrust.
Whoosh!
The longsword aimed straight for my vitals.
That’s a feint.
I wanted to play along and see how he’d react, but I also had something I wanted to test.
‘Hmm, so if I do this…’
As Luke’s sword closed in, I lifted my mana-infused right foot slightly.
When he was just a step away, I stomped my foot down hard.
Boom!
[Power activated.]
[The opponent has been incapacitated.]
“One.”
A massive shockwave reverberated through the ground.
Along with it, a crimson mana spread out in a circular wave.
Thud.
Luke, who had been charging at me, dropped to one knee.
“Ugh…! What is this…?”
“You’re dead once.”
I pointed my sword at his neck as he struggled to stand, his legs trembling.
The power’s effectiveness is confirmed.
Even someone as strong as Luke showed a clear opening in battle.
I’m not sure if it would work on a knight commander-level opponent, but this much is already incredibly useful.
“Hey… what did I just see?”
“That boy was charging with his sword, but suddenly he dropped to his knees.”
“Was he a mage, not a swordsman?”
“I’ve never seen or heard of magic like that.”
People murmured as they witnessed my power.
I looked down at Luke and asked provocatively.
“Will you give up?”
“…I’ll ask for more.”
The boy of the stars gritted his teeth and stood up.
I glanced at the sky and saw it was now filled with stars.
This was his time.
After catching his breath, Luke adjusted his stance and charged at me again.
“Hah!”
Clang!
The sound of metal clashing as our longswords met.
Luke’s attacks came like waves, relentless and precise, aiming to create an opening.
A downward slash aimed at my left shoulder.
A thrust targeting my heart.
Each attack was calculated to break through my defenses.
Sparring with Luke was a learning experience for me as well.
Amidst the flurry of sword strikes, I grew more accustomed to this body.
Luke also seemed to be gaining some insights.
I parried and deflected his attacks one by one, pointing out what he needed to improve based on my knowledge as a fan.
“Don’t lose your own tempo. It’s not just about attacking quickly.”
“Understood…!”
“Accuracy surpasses strength, and timing surpasses speed. Don’t forget that.”
“Yes!”
Luke answered energetically without slowing his attacks.
When he momentarily created distance and swung his sword again, I leaped high into the air, stepping onto an invisible platform.
I wanted to test another power.
‘Will it work?’
I hesitated briefly, but the hesitation was short-lived.
[Power activated.]
[As an omnipotent being, you tread the skies.]
I felt a slight drain of mana as an invisible foothold formed beneath my feet.
I walked gracefully through the night air, enjoying the cool evening breeze.
The view from up high was truly magnificent.
“What the…?”
Luke stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.
Looking down at him, I stretched out my hand.
[Power activated.]
[You can freely grasp objects from a distance.]
Like a famous British economist, an invisible hand reached out toward Luke.
It grabbed the guard of his longsword and yanked it out of his hand in one swift motion.
“Huh! Wh-what is this?”
Luke’s face was a picture of disbelief.
You’re shocked, right?
So am I.
I never expected to gain such overpowered abilities.
“How about it? Shall we continue?”
After landing gracefully, I held two swords in my hands and asked Luke.
He clenched his fists, trembling with frustration.
Hmm.
I feel a bit sorry, but the power test was a success.
However, there’s something oddly familiar about these abilities.
Haven’t I seen them somewhere before?
A step that incapacitates enemies—Heavenly Demon’s Dominance.
Walking through the skies like a master martial artist—Void Treading.
Manipulating distant objects with one’s energy—Void Manipulation.
It’s like I’ve become an absolute being from a martial arts novel.
So, am I becoming a Heavenly Demon?
No.
In the context of this world, it’s more like…
A Demon King?
“…It seems I still have a long way to go.”
The protagonist of the original work bit his lip in frustration and bowed his head deeply.
And in front of him…
I had somehow become the former final boss and the current Demon King.