The Great Demon System

Chapter 392: A Tired Return

It had now been a day since Moby and his team were last on that frozen planet of Koban, yet that day felt more like an eternity in their minds.

There were so many official proceedings that they felt dead once it was all over, which included: helping with the investigation, going through lie detector tests, setting up the teleporter back to earth, writing full reports, swearing to absolute secrecy about everything that happened, and much more.

It was now the night of their return, and they were all justifiably beat. The only upside was that they would have no school the next day in order to rest.

Artorias, Elizabeth and Hikari were in their own rooms keeping to themselves while Regrit, Kai, and Moby were in the same dorm room. It was something approved by the principal herself, all in an effort to get Kai and Regrit closer to each other due to the Fatebringer family's request.

"And… Checkmate!" Regrit laughed and puffed his chest.

"Wow… This is a rather interesting game… Chess is what you call this right? It's indeed very complex, I had no idea someone like you would be so good at it…" Kai nodded, looking at his own defeat.

"I'll have you know I was undefeated in chess in my high school days! And what do you mean you didn't think someone like me would be this good!? You tryna say something?" Regrit retorted, only to receive a smile and a casual response.

"Oh nothing really… Why don't we do another match? I feel slightly more comfortable now…"

"HA! You're on! But the outcome ain't gonna change!"

However, before they were ready to begin another match, they heard a creaking from the entrance, and their attentions were grabbed as they witnessed the door open to reveal a man with black hair and green eyes that they immediately recognized, yet what was foreign to them was that small, black and fluffy bundle of cuteness within his hands.

"I'm back," He sighed. "Hope it wasn't too long…" Moby casually walked in and took a glance at Kai and Regrit playing chess.

"Is… Is that a cat? A black cat?" Regrit blurted with a hint of confusion.

"Yeah! Isn't she cute? She kinda reminds me of myself… Black fur and green eyes!"

"Yeah, I can't lie… It is really freaking cute... but why would you want a cat? Is it even allowed?"

"Young fledgeling, you should know that it is a grave mistake to question his highness…" Kai mumbled, crossing his hands.

"Don't worry, it's okay. I would rather not everything be so tense and formal, especially if we're gonna live together. It's best to be casual, I don't mind questions… Even I make mistakes at times..." Moby sighed once more, petting the cat in his hands as it purred with pleasure.

"Understood my lord…" He bowed his head and looked up towards Moby with determination.

"You know… I'm never gonna get used to this… You in my 'brother's' body. I can't believe you actually got past their checks and stuff…"

"Well, my technique is infallible! I am an artist, so I honed my skill in illusion magic so I can always look in the mirror and sculpt whatever I transformed into…"

"Infallible, but you can only stay like that for 8 hours at a time…" Regrit teased.

"Qu-Quiet you!"

"And also, your name is Rupert right? What kind of name is that? It's funny as hell!" Regrit inwardly chuckled, only for Rupert's annoyance to mildly increase.

"Rupert is a fine name!"

"Enough you two! Try and get along will ya?" Moby interrupted, only for Rupert's expression to tense up immediately.

"A-Apologies my lord! I let my emotions get the better of me…" He looked down in shame.

"Never mind that…" Moby sighed again before continuing. "Do you still have contact with your two shalker minions Rupert?"

"Sadly not…" He shook his head. "They have infiltrated and blended in with their kinds now, as for how they are doing I know not… They are too far away to contact, but I have full faith in them…"

"I see… That's good to hear…" Moby nodded, sitting on the couch, fatigue all over his body.

"By the way, Rupert, I have a question for you…"

"Yes my lord! Ask away!"

"What gave you the foresight to keep those shalker bodies that you killed before in the dungeons? I'd think most people would have just destroyed them…"

"I— I don't know my lord… It's just that part of me felt like I might do more research on their corpses in the future… I really did nothing… It was you who reverted their corpses back to their original state after they had rotted using the book of resurrection, without it then I don't know what would have happened…"

"I see…" Moby leaned back and peered up at the empty ceiling."Tomorrow we have a break, I want you two to train together as partners Understood? Regrit, Rupert might be able to colour his black flames orange, but he has no idea how the Fatebringer fireworks, he needs to perfectly emulate it so people don't get suspicious, and don't forget to tell him all that you think he needs to know about Kai. And Rupert, Regrit is a new demon, so it would be nice if you were his mentor of some sorts to help him control his demon energy. I feel like you two would make excellent training partners." Moby spoke, and waited for a burst of outrage from Regrit, but the answer he received was not something he expected.

"That's fine by me… This guy is even stronger than you right now right? Even if he's not as knowledgeable, having someone so powerful as a mentor is really good."

"Indeed, normally I would say you should be honoured, but due to the lord's request, I shall try to be more friendly with you! I hope you can teach me all I need to know about injecting myself in this human society!" Rupert interjected.

"Was that supposed to be a compliment?"

"If you want it to be, then yes!"

Moby looked at the display ahead of him before looking back down to his cat, petting it on the head before speaking.

"I might also get Hikari and Elizabeth to come learn from you Rupert. I have many plans for tomorrow, and I have my own training to do, so teaching demon energy to everyone is not something I accommodate…"

"Understood my lord! It shall be done!"

"W-wait… Hikari too? Why?" Regrit suddenly spoke, and Moby raised an eyebrow.

"Yes? Is there a problem?"

"N-no! Not at all! She seems like she's strong but rough around the edges when it comes to real, stress-filled combat! I'll be sure to teach her a thing or two!"

Moby could not understand the sudden awkwardness exposed by Regrit, and he was too tired to understand as he took a deep breath and stood up with his cat still in hand.

"Where are you going my lord?" Rupert asked.

"To bed, I haven't felt so tired in weeks…" He yawned.

"Really?" Regrit wondered. "For some reason, I don't feel tired at all! Like! Really not in the slightest! Usually, I'd be at least semi-tired by now!"

"That comes with the perk of being a demon young fledgeling. Unlike most mortals, we don't tire as easily to the point that the top echelon doesn't need to sleep other than for fun." Rupert interjected.

"You know, at first I was really skeptical about this demon thing, but I went with it because it was the only choice I had and I was promised power. But now, I'm actually glad I did, and just like promised, I still feel like me… And you're not doing some weird shit to control me… All these added benefits are really amazing!"

"I'm glad you liked it." Moby smiled. "But now I'm going to sleep! See you guys later."

"Hey! Don't you wanna wait a bit? They're gonna announce the rankings for the exam! After all that we did, I bet we got first!"

"I'll find out when I wake up… Staying up won't change the outcome... Anyways, I'm out…" Moby yawned, petting his cat as he left the two 'brothers.' alone once again.

"So… While we wait for the results, want to play another round of chess?"

"You're on old man!"

"Respect your elder fledgeling!"

"Stop calling me fledgeling!! It's annoying as hell you old geezer!"