Chapter 51
This is a fictional story by realTensai
Alvis' chest tightened as he could only breathe in a series of quick breaths. Priest Zaini's words replayed in his head.
Young human man with white hair. A vast mana core. Vessel for the Devil's reincarnation.
These were all attributes that only Alvis had. Attributes that made him the anomaly he was.
So this is what you are planning, damned Devil!
His mana burned, raising his body temperature and making him feel like a raging flame. There was no point in denying that he was the one their prophecies talked about. He was the one who would become the leader of the Devil Cult and start the new age of terror.
"H..-H..-hahaha! As if I would let that happen!"
Alvis held his white hair, a devilish laugh escaping from his mouth. Zaini's eyes widened in horror as he saw this sight. Yet Alvis couldn't suppress his insane smile that almost reached his eyes. He wouldn't become the Devil's puppet. The Devil was so sure about his win that he prophesied it to his believers.
He doesn't take me seriously.
The urge to destroy his plans became so big that Alvis had to clench his fist to calm down. As long as he could clear all the levels, the Devil would never see sunlight again.
There is no greater motivation!
With his resolve at an all-time high, Alvis refocused on the task at hand. Defeating Voyzez and clearing this level.
"Excuse me for my outburst," Alvis said, bowing his head. "I just got the feeling that those Devil Cult bastards might think I'm the one they are searching for."
"I'm ashamed to say that, but at first I thought the same. Someone in my position can't have prejudices, yet I couldn't stop my mind from wondering about the possibility. I'm sincerely sorry."
The priest lowered his head, still unable to look at Alvis.
"Don't worry, no one is perfect."
Alvis tapped his shoulder, motioning him to lift his head. This he did with a warm smile on his face as he looked at Alvis again.
"You said that you have found out that every priest has a curse. Do you know how one can counter them?"
He just shook his head.
"Unfortunately, no. The only method I know is having a strong faith. I'm the priest of the Tekka Temple, so my faith should be strong enough to withstand a curse. In this temple, there are only a handful of pious people whom I could imagine being immune to a curse."
Alvis clicked his tongue. He would call himself a devoted Arifuner, but he was by no means on the same level as a priest. In other words, his faith wasn't strong enough to counter a curse.
Guess I have to increase my temple visits.
With this option out of the way, for now, the only other method to resist Voyzez's insanity was a powerful mind protector spell. Alvis already knew an advanced one, so he only had to improve it.
"Do you still have questions? Praying time is approaching, so I have to get ready."
"Actually, there is one thing that has been on my mind since I found out about your blessing."
Zaini tilted his head and leaned in.
"And this is?"
"How can you use mana and fight, even though you are a human and don't have mana?"
"Wow, I wanted to ask you the same question," Zaini said, his eyes shining. "I can answer first. You are right, I don't have a mana core, nor mana, yet I can control it with my blessing. My blessing attracts mana from the surroundings, and I have done a lot of training to control this mana and use it as if it were mine."
"This is incredible! So you basically have a limitless amount of mana at your disposal!"
He just scratched his cheek, chuckling.
"Yeah, you could say that."
Alvis forgot to blink as his head felt light, lifted from a lot of pressure. He had an incredibly powerful man on his side.
"Now is your turn. Tell me how you have a mana core, even though you are a human."
"Do you know about the mana illness?"
"I've heard about it. But wasn't it incurable?"
"Yes, but I somehow made it."
"That explains everything."
Priest Zaini nodded before he stood up in one fluid go.
"It's praying time now. Excuse me."
"I will pray with you," Alvis said, also standing up.
Priest Zaini just smiled.
"Oh, what bad manners I have. I have never asked you for your name."
"I'm Alvis. Alvis Silva."
"Nice to meet you, Alvis." He stretched out his hand, and Alvis accepted his handshake. "Here's to good cooperation."
——
The sound of crackling branches and leaves drowned Alvis' calm breathing as he ran his usual route. He had finished his daily routine within half an hour, a new best time for him. Yet he kept on running, the magical feeling of the forest infusing his mind with fresh ideas.
It was the third day of his third loop, and, as for now, he couldn't confidently say he would make it this time. Alvis had talked with Priest Zaini and had the Tekka Temple on his side. Their fighting power would make a tremendous difference. Priest Zaini, with his immunity to Voyzez's curse and his limitless supply of mana, would be a great help. This wasn't all. He had also reassured him that he would send out some mages to cast a barrier to block the fireworks from destroying the festival.
One thing less to worry about.
However, Alvis knew better than to relax. Even with less battle power, his chances this time were higher, yet still not high enough. Only priest Zaini, his few devoted comrades, and perhaps Alvis, with his mastered mind protector spell, could resist Voyzez's insanity. Dane and Lia not.
Alvis had racked his brain about bringing Dane and Lia to the battle, but in the end, he realized he had no other choice. Even though he had let them die twice, he knew his chances of winning were still higher if they were there. Their strength was just too great. Lia was the one who took out an entire army in the last battle. And Dane was the one who hurt Voyzez.
I'm sorry, but I will have to rely on you once more.
If Alvis could design a grand plan, outsmarting Voyzez in every area, they could win. But it was unlikely. There was a missing piece to complete the puzzle and clear this level. One key player was lacking. After losing to the Priest of Insanity twice, Alvis knew damn well what they lacked.
We need more battle power.
Their lineup, consisting of priest Zaini and his comrades, Dane, Lia, and Alvis, was strong. Strong enough to corner Voyzez if Alvis did everything right. But he knew they still needed one more powerful person. A person with a power level over 3000. Someone as strong as Lia, who could fend off an entire army. With someone like that, Alvis could forge a plan that could take down Voyzez. It was the last missing piece.
And Alvis already had two people in mind who could become this key player. The only two people who also had an estimated power level over 3000+.
Gilsymbato and Ms. Myth.
One of them was enough. Getting one of them on his side would skyrocket his chance of winning.
But this is the hard part.
Alvis had laughed out loud as the thought of trying to get Gilsymbato on his side had first crossed his mind. It would be the same as a lamb trying to tame a lion. An impossible task. However, having to defeat the Priest of Insanity, who could control others and negate mana attacks, was just as impossible, so Alvis would at least try his luck.
Ms. Myth may be easier to talk to than Gilsymbato, but that didn't make it any easier. She wasn't someone who would believe Alvis if he came to her and told her about the Devil Cult's attack. After three years of lessons with her, Alvis could take an oath on that. And if he couldn't say it to her upfront, he had to somehow convince her to go to the festival without knowing what would happen there. A hard task indeed.
Alvis would try to speak with Gilsymbato first. The chances of him saying yes were almost non-existent, so dealing with him first would take it out of the way. Alvis would use the rest of the time to convince Ms. Myth. He also had to learn a few more useful spells for the final battle.
Sunrays shone on Alvis' head and he lifted his hand to block them.
Guess I will head back.
——
"Yo Gilsymbato."
"… What is it, human boy?"
"——"
Wait what, he answered??
Alvis blinked several times, his mouth unable to close. It was the evening of the fourth day of the class trip and something sensational just happened. Alvis had spent this and the last day trying to initiate a conversation with Gilsymbato, but he never answered. He already wanted to give up after this day, yet he responded for the first time.
"Are you so perplexed that a life form like mine answers to a lowly human peasant like you?"
"Yeah, you could say that."
Gilsymbato chuckled.
"Now, express your demand with your kindest words."
"I would like to talk to you about something."
Alvis locked the door of their room, even though he knew Dane and Sekki were downstairs playing card games.
"Fuhahaha~ why are you acting so top secret? Doesn't this giant boy already know?"
Alvis' eyes widened for a split second before he regained his composure.
"You don't even know what I'm about to tell you."
"Fuhahaha~ stop kidding me, human boy. As if you could hide something from my greatness!"
Gilsymbato spread his mighty black wings, their wingspan almost as wide as the room. His arrogant smile never left his face. Yet Alvis stayed indifferent, not reacting to his acts.
"I see you don't believe me. Guess I will have to prove my claim."
Within a millisecond, Gilsymbato stood next to Alvis, who got overwhelmed by his speed. He then whispered something into his ear.
"You want to fight the Devil Cult, don't you, human boy?"