Spiral of Madness: Ascension of the Villainous Dragon Prince-Chapter 52: The Child Of Chaos [2]

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Mirai’s eyes snapped open. She woke drenched in sweat, breathing heavily. Her entire body trembled from the nightmare.

"Wha... What was that?"

She sat up slowly, rubbing her forehead and groaning. It felt like the worst nightmare imaginable.

"Who was that guy? It was just a dream, right?"

She sighed, gradually calming down. She noticed Anastasia was no longer there. Even though they had only spent a few weeks together, she already missed her.

Knock, knock.

Someone new knocked at her door. Mirai turned toward it and called out.

"W-Who is it?"

"It’s me, young lady Mirai."

"Anastasia?!"

It sounded a little like her voice. Still half-asleep, Mirai clung to the hope that it might be her.

However.

"Huh? No, I am not her... I am your newly assigned maidservant, Juliette."

"Ah... I’m sorry. I’ll open the door."

Mirai walked slowly to the door and opened it. A tall woman greeted her—not as tall as an Ice Giant, but much taller than Mirai.

She had long, cascading black hair, a closed third eye on her forehead, and a pair of purple horns rising from each side of her head.

Mirai also noticed her long, pointed ears resembling those of elves.

"Um... hi..." Mirai muttered. "Sorry, I just woke up..."

"It’s quite alright, young lady," Juliette said as she stepped inside and began cleaning the room. "I shall tidy your room and then wash your clothes quickly. Is there something you would like for breakfast?"

"Ah..." Mirai felt overwhelmed by how swiftly Juliette worked. She was used to Anastasia, who moved slowly and loved to chat to pass the time. "Um... I haven’t thought about it... Ah, are pancakes okay?"

"Of course," Juliette smiled while continuing to clean. "Do you need me to prepare your bath? I can add medicinal or aromatic herbs. Prince Louis requested that I tend to all your needs and ensure you are always well taken care of."

"Uh, thank you," Mirai replied with a faint smile. "Is Louis awake?"

"Yes, he’s training outside," Juliette answered. "He said he didn’t want to be disturbed for now, so please refrain from going to see him for the time being."

"Hm, okay," Mirai nodded. She noticed a black butterfly perched on her right shoulder. "Oh, hello there."

She smiled and gently caressed the spirit, feeding it small amounts of her Fantasium. The spirit absorbed the energy as part of their contract.

"I see you’ve contracted a Spirit," Juliette observed.

"Ah!" Mirai yelped as she realized Juliette had suddenly appeared behind her. "I-I... Yes... Are you knowledgeable about spirits, Juliette?"

"Well, you can see for yourself, young lady," Juliette said. She spread her arms, and from her chest emerged a glowing creature, a large bat made of shadows with glowing red eyes. "This is my Natal Spirit. I was born with it. His name is Shadowbane. I have a couple more I could show you later."

"Natal Spirit?" Mirai asked curiously.

"Yes, I possess a Spirit Orb," Juliette explained. "My father is the son of a half-demon from Spiritias, and my mother is an Elf from Yggdrasil. I inherited the combined talents of both."

"Oh wow, Spiritias...!" Mirai exclaimed. "I haven’t heard much about that Fantasy World before... I thought it was mostly connected with the Vultarn High Dominion?"

"Hmmm, well, it’s complicated," Juliette replied. "Although I was born on Earth, I’ve heard from my parents about the current situation there. It is currently divided into two large factions. One supports the Vultarn High Dominion, and the other remains mostly neutral."

"Two factions, so they’re not completely unified under one ruler like Yggdrasil?" Mirai asked.

"No," Juliette shook her head. "There are currently two Supreme Existences within Spiritias. The Great Primordial Spirit Beast King rules over the ’Old World,’ and then there is the Limitless Archdemon Venerable, Ruler of the Great Demon Continent, which was once the Purgatory Realm known as Hell, absorbed by Spiritias in ancient times. The Demon Continent is twice as large as all the other continents in Spiritias combined!"

"Oh..." Mirai nodded. "So your father is...?"

"He’s a descendant of a half-demon who originated from the Demon Continent, migrated to the Old World, and eventually came to Earth," Juliette explained with a smile. "After marrying my mother, an Elven Noble, he was permitted to stay. I was given the opportunity to work as a maid in the castle, and I couldn’t pass it up!"

"I see..." Mirai said. "I’m sorry for not welcoming you properly, Juliette."

"It’s quite alright," Juliette replied. "I was assigned several tasks for you. Among them is teaching you how to wield proper Magic Spells. And since you have obtained a Spirit, I could even teach you some Spirit Cultivation Methods while we’re at it!"

"Oh wow, so you’re like a Magic Tutor too?!" Mirai asked, surprised.

"Yes. It was Prince Louis’ idea to assign me to you because of our compatibility," Juliette nodded. "I couldn’t let go of such an opportunity. The prince is quite busy, so he cannot dedicate all his time to teaching you."

"That’s understandable," Mirai agreed. "Well, thank you so much for coming here, Juliette. I’m looking forward to working with you."

"The pleasure is mine, young lady," Juliette said gently. She walked to the windows and opened the curtains, letting sunlight flood Mirai’s previously dark room. "Let’s start the day, shall we?"

After bathing and eating breakfast, Mirai stepped outside. She found Louis training, constantly exuding an aura of various elemental colors that he refined together while swinging his sword and regulating his breathing.

"What is he doing?"

Mirai watched in amazement at Louis’ incredible discipline. He never stopped working hard. He was apparently cultivating his Heavenly and Earthly Channels and the Five Elemental Roots within him simultaneously while developing his Sword Breathing Method and constantly creating a unique method that merged everything into a second heart made entirely of Mana and Ki.

"Mirai, I know you’re staring. If you’re done, come join me."

"I thought you said you were taking it easy for a bit?"

"I am taking it easy right now."

Louis quickly removed his shirt, revealing his chiseled body covered in scars from countless grueling training sessions. Sweat glistened on his skin, steam rising from him.

"What?"

He raised an eyebrow as he stared at her. Mirai had been frozen, staring silently for several seconds.

"A-Ah! N-Nothing!"

She swallowed hard and quickly walked toward him.

"Good. Let’s fight."

"Eh? Wait, I...!"

Before Mirai could finish, Louis’ aura surged. His hands transformed into long metallic claws as he rushed at her with a barrage of powerful attacks.

"W-Wait! So soon?!"

"You’re strong enough that I don’t need to hold back! I’ve been training diligently. Look, I think I’ve figured out something."

"...?!"

Mirai’s eyes widened as Louis’ metallic claws elongated into spears. Each one glowed with an aura of Ki and Sword Energy.

At the same time, particles of ash appeared around his arms, transforming into bright particles of light that merged into pale white radiance.

"Wait, is that...?!"

Mirai took too long to process what Louis was doing.

Before she could speak again, his claws rushed forward, unleashing a dozen Spearmanship techniques compressed into two devastating attacks, one from each hand.

BOOOM! BOOOM!

Two massive explosions of light and draconic energy engulfed Mirai, sending her flying. She crashed into the castle walls, piercing straight through them.

"Hahaha! It worked quite well! Surprised?" Louis asked with an insane smirk. "I’ve turned my metallic claws, born from fusing the Pugilist’s fists into my hands, into lances! Each finger is a long lance, and I infuse my Spearmanship into each one...! Hah...! Five lances per hand, ten lances total, ten techniques at once! The power of one alone might be easy for you to handle, but ten techniques compressed into two consecutive blows? I would have been shocked if you weren’t thrown back like that!"

"Ugh...!" Mirai roared angrily. She slowly rose and walked toward Louis. The surroundings began to melt rapidly as she leaped into the air. Blazing wings manifested behind her as she looked down at him from above. "Prince Louis, you jerk! After we had that date, you don’t even hesitate to hit me?!"

"I told you, Mirai, I am not a prince charming. I am scum," Louis replied, smiling. He spread a pair of skeletal wings and soared into the sky. "I am not ashamed of the flawed man I am! Now face me! Your purpose today is to push me to my limits!"

"Tsk!" Mirai clicked her tongue. "Okay then...! If you want to fight so badly, so be it!"

In the past, Mirai might have hesitated or even cried. But after so many battles against Louis, she had grown braver and more accustomed to bloody combat.

As they clashed, the skies trembled. Demonic flames, holy light, and countless elements surged endlessly across the heavens and the ground below.

Louis’ new Technique, "Tenfold Technique", was utterly ridiculous, making each blow far more lethal than before.

Mirai, who had always easily tanked his attacks, now genuinely felt each one. Small bruises appeared on her body; sometimes she bled a little.

Though Mirai thought Louis had become ridiculously strong after everything, the truth was different.

Louis’ hands were breaking apart. His bones shattered with each strike.

"She’s so damn tough! Is she made of diamonds?!"

Though he managed to push her back and hurt her, Mirai was simply tremendously durable. Louis wasn’t sure what her body was even made of, but she was incredibly hard.

Her bones, let alone her muscles, remained undamaged through their long spar. Only her skin showed a few bruises that bled occasionally before quickly healing.

Mirai was a superhuman among superhumans, the true pinnacle of a Sinner.

She was the Protagonist, after all.

From William’s memories, Louis recalled that the Protagonist of Sinner Academy came with three Passive Skills:

[Demonic Rejuvenation]: Always active, regenerating 5% of Health Points every turn.

[Chaos-Forged Body]: Reduces all damage taken by 30%.

[Explosive Growth]: Doubles EXP earned.

In reality, these three passives translated into Mirai’s impossibly tough body.

Her Demonic Rejuvenation became her insane regeneration speed.

Chaos-Forged Body became her physical durability, so tough that even Louis suffered damage when striking her.

And Explosive Growth...

"She’s learning my techniques and avoiding them...! Damn it, she learns way too fast!"

It translated into an incredible ability to adapt through battle experience. She rapidly figured out his patterns, dodged his attacks, and countered effectively.

Mirai was a true genius.

Thus, their battle was always hard work versus talent.

This was one of the main reasons Louis felt so frustrated when fighting her, and why he pushed himself so far.

He was facing someone who possessed everything he had ever wished for, handed to her effortlessly, yet she did nothing with it.

If only he could have her talents!

If only he could have her power...

But he didn’t.

And unlike the original Louis from Sinner Academy, he had no desire to steal it.

Not at all. Louis was prideful. He would continue growing along his own path.

And one day, he would stand beside her, not as someone she had to go easy on...

But as an equal.

"You’re not taking this seriously anymore, are you?!"

"Wait, that’s not right! I am—"

"Fine, so be it! Time to go all-out. Mirai... don’t you dare insult my pride. Unleash all your power!"

"Aaah?! Wait!"

Mirai panicked as she saw Louis surge with power. He fused with his Incarnation, the Gravewalker, and transformed into his false Dragonoid form.

Ashen frost scales covered him. Large gray horns sprouted. His eyes glowed red. Six giant skeletal wings unfurled, and a new pair of additional arms, made entirely of metal, emerged.

Louis had gone all-out once more!

But that wasn’t all.

BA-DUM!

BA-DUM!

BA-DUM!

His heart beat rapidly, overlapping with his Fake Dragon Heart. His Five Elemental Roots temporarily fused with his current form and with his Sword Breathing Method.

His claws transformed, turning into blades resembling swords. He channeled Sword Aura, ten times, no, twenty times stronger, including the second pair of arms.

"S-Such immense power...!" Mirai gasped as she stared at the "new" Louis. Every challenge he had faced had strengthened him further. "I have to unleash all I have as well! I cannot insult his pride...! Louis always puts his life on the line every time he trains... I cannot continue mocking him like this!"

Though she felt frustrated by his intensity, Mirai was the only woman who truly understood Louis the most.

Thus, she went all-out as well.

RUMBLE!

She transformed completely into her demonic form. Louis nodded, and both clashed in the skies. Demonic flames, shadows, thunder, ice, ashes, light, countless elements collided, warping space itself.

Before things could escalate further, a large dome manifested around them. They paid it no attention. Below, Helena had arrived just in time. She had erected a Psychic Dome to contain them and prevent disaster.

"What are they doing now?! Is this really necessary?" she muttered, facepalming.

"P-Prince Louis! I was busy with other tasks and come back to this..." Catrise sighed, returning from the kitchen.

"So this is the power of the young lady..." Juliette observed. "She’s truly like a demon goddess."

"Ah, Juliette!" Catrise said. "It’s nice to see you working here now."

"Yes, it’s my pleasure," Juliette replied. "I will make sure to help the young lady unlock all her talents."

"Thank you," Catrise nodded. "Hm? Master Zorba, is everything alright?"

Zorba, who had been busy creating new zombies underground, stared at the battle, his face a storm of emotions.

Shock, anger, frustration, envy, jealousy, fascination, amusement, disbelief...

"Master Louis...! Oh...! You’re shining so brightly today! But... Nnggh! That damn girl...! Why can’t I be in her place?! If only I WAS STRONGER...! I want to be Master Louis’ plaything too!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Helena, Catrise, and Juliette all heard him clearly. They stared at him with awkward expressions, but Zorba paid no attention to the women. His eyes remained fixed on Louis’ glorious performance.

"You’ve grown so strong! You can do it! Beat her! Beat her, Master Louis!"

He grew more and more excited, raising his fists and roaring. His Incarnation, the Necromancer, cheered for Louis in the same way.

Hearing him, Louis smiled lightly as he clashed with Mirai.

His twenty blades unleashed Dragon Blade Dances consecutively, combining them with the Holy Dragon Lance Style to create Holy Dragon Blade Techniques.

Each strike burned through Mirai’s body. The Holy Light Element proved to be a weakness she had never discovered until now.

Louis was relentless. But whenever Mirai’s blows landed, they were devastating.

"Nnnggh...!"

His body became covered in large wounds, bleeding and beginning to crumble into ashes once more.

He activated Death-Sense and called forth Handy’s power. The Entity began healing him slowly and periodically.

"I am not done yet...!"

"Me neither!"

Mirai and Louis clashed again. Each blow released explosions of energy in all directions.

As they danced through the skies, their spirits faced one another.

A fairy made of light.

A butterfly made of darkness.

Like their masters, they too danced together.

At some point, the maids, butlers, and knights all gathered to watch the spectacle.

It looked as though light and darkness were dancing with each other, a dance of life and death.

But in the end...

"Not enough, huh...?"

Louis found himself standing in a burning crater, his body in shambles.

He looked up as Mirai slowly descended, worry etched across her face.

But Louis shook his head before she could help him. He took several healing drugs to accelerate his regeneration.

"I am fine. Don’t worry about me!" he said.

"Ah! But..." Mirai tried to protest.

"You did well..." Louis sighed. "Let’s keep sparring tomorrow and for the rest of the week, or months, as much as we need to. We cannot waste time. At any moment, something terrible might happen, and we must be prepared, no matter what. Understood?"

"...Yes," Mirai nodded, understanding perfectly what he meant. "But about the Academy..."

"We’ll be able to grow even more in that place," Louis replied. "But even then, I dislike wasting time. So until then, let’s do everything we can to grow."

"Okay...!" Mirai smiled faintly, genuinely fascinated by Louis’ undying resolve and incredible discipline.

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