What if you are reborn as a demon after a funeral?

Page 142

"...Even the most powerful mage is still a weakling if all they know is fighting; I have seen far too many mages more capable than me persecuted after losing power."

"What do you want to say?"

"The method doesn't matter, as long as the result is achieved; the court mage will do everything in his power, even struggle ugly to the very last moment, and I will definitely pass the test even on the third attempt." Duncan stated his belief without any reservations. He didn't care about the means and believed in himself.

Since he had already said that, Ash naturally couldn't stop him, and turned to the rest of the group: "Is it the same for you?"

“Wait a minute…you don’t mean you want to trade with everyone, do you?” A bad feeling crept into Etilu’s heart: “I don’t have anything else to trade, you can’t go too far.”

"...You were the one who begged me to make the deal, weren't you?" He shook his head speechlessly and sighed.

"Don't worry, I won't make the same trade twice. You and those who traded with me last time can go straight through, but I can't go against my principles for the rest, can I? You and Duncan would definitely feel unfair if I did, right?"

"...To be honest, I'm starting to worry that you might be targeted by the Magic Association." The middle-aged man, Lishita, complained from the crowd, but readily handed over the grimoire containing his earth magic.

After all, this is an exam that requires risking one's life, so everything else is worth it as long as one passes.

Therefore, the others did not hesitate much and one after another gave up the magic books they carried with them.

..............................

After everyone had left, only Rabine remained, watching Ash use gravity to bind the Zanze clone.

Although surprised, she was somewhat speechless at the suppressive power of gravity magic on this melee mage, and even couldn't help but worry:

"Didn't you say that if it's too easy to pass, the third exam might be life-threatening?"

“The situation has changed. It’s not my problem to worry about now.” He reached out and gently stroked the head of the Zanze clone, who was pinned to the ground and barely able to move. He didn’t even turn his head as he did so. “That’s Celia’s problem.”

"why?"

“I know Celia. Although she is stubborn, harsh, and hurtful, she is also the kind of person who would watch so many promising mages perish.”

Ash casually offered his understanding, and after a moment of contemplation, added, "...If she had directly given me Level 1 Mage certification, I wouldn't be worrying about this now, so it's all Celia's fault."

"...I heard that's your master? Is it really okay to say that?"

“What’s wrong with that? Anyway, Celia will definitely say it’s all my fault and put all the blame on me.” He asserted with certainty.

Rabinhaen was at a loss for words after hearing this: "...That guy must be an eccentric one too, right?"

"He's a notoriously capricious guy in the upper echelons of the Magic Association,"

"...No wonder you're master and disciple, you're so alike."

"Actually, I'm still better than Lia in comparison."

"It definitely won't be much better..."

She said that, but she was also inexplicably certain that the legendary great mage born in the mythical era was really different from the aloof and powerful figure she had imagined in the past.

Just thinking about this made her sigh again.

"...Why are you sighing as you look at me?"

"Because I always thought that strong people should look like strong people, but... sigh."

"So don't look at me and sigh, that's so rude! I can get hurt too; after all... isn't the point of becoming strong to do what you want? If I had to do what other people think, why would I even bother becoming strong? What kind of strong person would I be..."

"This... actually makes a lot of sense?"

Rabine thought about it for a moment but was still annoyed. He gave up on the matter and casually handed over the magic book he had recorded and studied: "...It's just a summary of what I learned at the academy. You can have it if you don't mind."

"...Surprisingly willing?"

"Because I also want to go there."

"Actually, since we're so familiar with each other, it's okay for you to let me touch your belly."

"—Go, go die! You pervert...!"

His casual joke immediately reminded Rabinhee of what had happened earlier. Her face flushed, she glared at him fiercely, then quickly fled the scene, leaving him alone with the clone.

The haughty silver-haired girl's embarrassed escape, covering her face with her skirt, was strangely amusing, but...

"It was just a joke, why are you making it sound like I'd actually lift up your skirt..."

Ash watched the girl's departing figure, feeling slightly annoyed that his words, which were clearly meant to be a joke, had been misunderstood.

But there was no one else around, so he could only masturbate Zanze to vent his frustration. Although the clone felt a bit hard and didn't taste good... it was at best a low-quality meal replacement.

..............................

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Ash, who guards the entrance at the deepest part of the building, is almost like a ticket seller, providing convenience to others while also benefiting himself, but he is also willing to give them the opportunity to challenge him... The only pity is that no one wants to challenge him at all.

Therefore, when Zanze, Frilian, and Philen arrived at the deepest point, they were completely stunned by what they saw. They could only stare at the familiar figures not far away, speechless, tilting their heads.

Frillie rushed forward, shouting, "Why do you always lie to me! And you actually...!"

"—Wait a moment." He silently raised his hand to stop the girl's questioning, and said seriously:

"I still believe in you, it's just that you didn't believe me first, but you still believe in me, right?"

"—Stop lying! You're clearly trying to kick me when I'm down!"

"So do you have any evidence? Or did you see something with your own eyes? Ultimately, if you consider this a deception, are you convinced that you'll definitely be bitten by the mimic?"

His stern and righteous criticism left Frillie momentarily at a loss as to how best to refute it.

She pursed her lips in resentment, trying to think of a way to refute him, but soon picked up her wand again, intending to solve the problem with force.

Seeing this, Ash calmly reached out and pressed down on his wand, saying solemnly:

"Frilian, have you forgotten what Vlame taught you? You can use force when facing demons, but what humans need to overcome is not magic, but—dialogue!"

"...Lately, I've been wondering if you're even human."

"If everything is resolved by force, then peace will never come! ...Have you forgotten that these are all teachings of Vlame?"

"But even now, even if we defeat the Demon King, a true era of peace hasn't arrived, has it? That means Master lied to me again—just like you, you bastard!"

Somewhat difficult to refute, Frillie stared at him unhappily, muttering resentfully.

Believe me, there are still more good people than bad in the world.

"But that definitely doesn't include you."

"Well, speaking of which... what should we do about the third round of exams?" To change the subject, he silently looked at Zanze, who was still in a daze.

This made Zanze purse his lips, and he said with a troubled expression, "...Before answering this question, shouldn't you tell me exactly how many people you let through?"

"A tiny bit too much."

"Is it really just 'a little bit'? Really??" Zanze questioned as he moved closer to him, hoping his small stature would put some pressure on him.

But he silently turned his face away and changed the subject again: "...Moreover, I think it's a good thing that you used to always let others be completely defeated, but now even a little bit more can improve your reputation, right?"

"...That's only if it's just a tiny bit of yours, really just 'a tiny bit'." Zanze sighed deeply, as if pouring out all his emotions, gazing into the deepest part of his mind, and murmured helplessly, "...Lady Celia will definitely be angry..."

"It's okay, I believe in Celia."

"...and I'll still get angry with you."

"What a coincidence, that's what I was thinking too."

He smiled and nodded without any sign of panic, clearly indicating that he had made the necessary preparations.

The Burial of Frilian: The Officially Beginning Journey: Chapter Thirty-Eight - The Second Round Ends - Like father, like son? - Three Rounds of Shooting

Ash's calm and composed demeanor was completely different from how he had been chased by Seria, which puzzled Zanze.

"So... you've already figured out how to face Lady Celie?"

“Of course! I don’t do things I’m not sure I can do.” He pondered for a moment, patted the head of the clone beneath him, and solemnly decided, “Let’s leave here tomorrow.”

"...You caused trouble and then ran away? How could you do this to Lady Frillien!" Philen was dumbfounded and couldn't help but lecture her.

"Running away won't solve the problem, but it can help you escape it!"

"...So, you're planning to cause trouble and then just leave me to face it alone?"

Before the future, in which Celia might be angry, arrived, Zanze's expressionless face first revealed an unhappy look.

"How could I abandon you? Right now, all I need to do is elope with you, right?"

"...Elopement?" The girl, who had been slightly unhappy, was startled by his sudden suggestion.

But this made Philon unable to bear it any longer. He looked down at the clone sitting on it and cast a cold gaze at him:

"—Lord Ash, I don't restrict your jokes, but there has to be a limit, otherwise it's sexual harassment, isn't it?"

"Given my relationship with Zanze, this level of issue is absolutely not a problem~"

"What did Lord Zanze say?" Philon turned to look at the legal loli.

Zanze was taken aback by what he heard, his gaze shifting nervously before he lowered his head in apparent distress: "...I'm a little troubled..."