Alkazhi could see the fog become active as if excited about something when those eyes gazed at him. He could also tell that there was something ominous about this shadow, something dangerous even. But how dangerous could a mid-rank demon be? He had been one before and had experienced the empowerment of the evolution to a high-rank demon, that's why he has confidence in his victory.
Apart from confidence, he has responsibility and longing as two motivations for this fight. He had the responsibility to bring that spatial artifact to his lord. It is an order that he cannot betray. He also has the longing born from the intuitive knowledge that killing Aeternus will grant him a boon like no other.
This longing didn't cloud his wisdom, it instead made him wary. If Aeternus has something that he wants and could make a high-rank demon stronger, then Aeternus will not be easy to deal with at all. Alkazhi is a demon that works well with other demons in a prolonged fight but he has been sent to prove himself as the new commander. It shouldn't be a problem for him to take care of a mid-rank demon but he needed to be careful since he is alone and isn't in his best environment.
So he tried diplomacy first. A high-rank demon is smart enough to pretend to be civil and try other methods of problem-solving apart from violence.
"I am Alkazhi, the 11th commander of the house of Salazar. You have something that my Lord wants. Hand over the spatial artifact and I'll let you go. Choose wisely, your decision could grant you the favor of a noble house or it could lead to the retribution of the full might of a noble house."
A heavy divine sense reached into Alkazhi's mind. Alkazhi turned around warily searching for an ambush. He thought another high-rank demon had approached him without him knowing.
The mental transmissions of a chuckle and amusement were sent to him. Then a voice boomed in his head. "So you're after my storage space. I had thought you were after my sword. Then again, you won't know something good if it hits you in the face."
Aeternus found it funny that all the ruckus was about his inventory. All of these demons want it for various reasons but the only thing he is using it for is to keep his chaos vessel. He had drawn so much attention to himself because of something he took for granted. He could only imagine how far up the demon hierarchy the news has traveled if they sent a high-rank demon to take it from him.
Alkazhi's attention returned to Aeternus and there was shock on it.
"Did you just use a divine sense to talk to me?"
Aeternus didn't reply. The answer was obvious. Instead, he continued walking towards Alkazhi. He had not stopped since he encountered this high-rank demon.
Alkazhi nodded as if he understood something profound. "I see. You have been able to access upgrades above your sin rank during your evolution. That will explain your strength and what's giving you confidence."
He believed he had cracked the mystery of Aeternus's source of strength. He was impressed and his anticipation also increased. Acquiring strength during evolution may be expensive and having access to higher-rank evolution doesn't mean you can afford it. Still, he wanted the opportunity to have higher-rank upgrades during evolution.
He was already thinking about where to get resources when he succeeds in killing Aeternus. The cost of upgrades increases with each rank. Or else, why will esteemed demon lords fight the high elves for life essence? A single drop of life essence is worth 1 billion units of biomass.
He stopped daydreaming when he noticed that Aeternus was coming dangerously close to him.
'First thing first. Kill the demon and take his power for myself.'
He took out his spell grimoire.
"Give up the spatial artifact. It is not yours anymore. The might of a demon noble is not to be scoffed at."
Aeternus cracked the rigid bones of his neck He was less than 20 meters away from his target now.
He replied. "It's okay. Growth needs adversity."
"That is a bad decision. I hope you reconsider." Alkazhi said but he had already opened his grimoire and began to flip through its pages.
"Too much talking. Are we going to fight or what." Aeternus said before he shot forward.
NAME: Alkazhi
RACE: Demon of Vainglory.
BLOODLINE/SIN: Vainglory.
DEMON RANK: High-Rank Demon.
HEALTH: 100%
STAMINA: 100%
MANA: 9136
SIN ENERGY: 3328
ATTACK RATING: Physique:84. Spirit:175. MAGIC:180+100.
DEFENSE RATING: Physique:87. Spirit:170. MAGIC:180.
SIN RANK: High-8%
STRENGTH: Mid-28
CONSTITUTION: High-29
ACTIVITY: High-28
AGILITY: Mid-28
MAGICAL POWER: High-36
PHYSICAL RESISTANCE: Mid-29
MAGICAL RESISTANCE: High-30
SPIRITUAL RESISTANCE: High-34
SPIRIT: High-35
PERCEPTION: High-33
OTHERS
MANA AFFINITY: 49%
CHAOS AFFINITY: 1%
SIN ABILITY: Fake Power of Vainglory(RARE)- +6 Boost to whatever stat you use the more you use it.
Mana Bank(EPIC)- Ability that Increases Mana Storage by 2 times)
POWER FROM OATH OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Tempo Of Destruction (LEGENDARY)- +14 boost to whatever ability you're using the more destruction you cause with it.
STATUS: Anxious.
Despite the seemingly unworthy benefits of making an oath of allegiance, some still go ahead to make it. One of the reasons why they do it apart from prestige, reliance, and wealth, is a match in ability. The boost from the LEGENDARY rank Tempo of Destruction tis already half the stats of a high-rank demon.
Alkazhi is a mediocre high-rank demon when it comes to physical stats. He sacrificed most of the resources he gained as a mid-rank demon to upgrade his magical stats and acquire an EPIC sin ability that improved his mana capacity. He even maxed out his magical power and opted to let the other grow stronger as he eats.
His decision to prioritize his mind power over his body has made him unique. His two sin abilities enhance each other. The more mana he uses, the higher his capacity and regeneration become. And the more he casts spells, the higher his magical power increases. The increase in mana makes sure he will be able to last longer in battle and cast more spells.
Add in the boost from his oath of allegiance then he will become an unstoppable spell caster. The three abilities are flexible but when their effect is focused on a single aspect, his maximum boost will make his magic power reach 280. That has already left the range of high-rank demons level of power and almost into the domain of demon nobles.
A normal high-rank demon has a state of existence of 5 and a power rating between 140-180 while demon nobles have power ratings between 296-360. This Alkazhi demon can defeat every high-rank demon he comes across as long as he gets his full boost.
He is a dedicated magical cannon. Why else would he carry a heavy evil-looking grimoire? He needs Variety and many options for all that mana. His ability isn't infinite. It needs to be fueled by sin energy but the returns on the consumption of sin energy are higher than normal. His abilities are why he was accepted by the demon noble of destruction. As long as he had protectors, who will guard him and help him stay longer in a fight, he would be able to exert his full strength.
The moment Aeternus saw the stats of this demon he knew he couldn't allow the fight to be prolonged. That is just asking for trouble. So he brought out his full power to end the fight as soon as possible. The fog of chaos around him thickened and he coated his claymore in chaos flames. The wind howled and the air he left darkened to form a trail of corruption. Even the very air he passed by didn't escape the influence of his chaotic flames.
His evolution made him capable of using up to the 2nd step of weapon mastery. He still couldn't sense the momentum of the world because of the chaotic energy he possesses. Using the 3rd step and higher required world harmonization, something that can't happen easily with how chaotic he is. So he was confident of killing Alkahzhi if he can get close to him.
A fire Lance about 2 meters long appeared beside Alhazhi. He shot that toward his approaching opponent while more began to materialize around him. He also began to levitate. He intends to maintain the high ground while he rains down destruction on his foe. He won't even mind if his opponent dodges the lances because he will get their boost as long as he destroys something, the ground included. Unless his opponent can fly too then this fight is already his.
Aeternus conjured a shield that blocked the fire lances. He noticed his opponent rising into the air so he threw bolts of chaos at him. He mustn't allow his opponent to fly or he will be doomed. His recent evolution didn't make him capable of flight.