Chapter 6 - Chrystal

Azrael, seeing his father charge into the fray, gritted his teeth. Although he wanted to help, he understood the distraction of having loved ones in danger during battle. As he watched his father fight, he was inwardly impressed. Even though he trained with Byrael every day, he had never witnessed him going all out.

The difference in Byrael's speed now, compared to when he sparred with Azrael, was vast. From just a glance, Azrael could tell that his father had a wealth of battlefield experience, using his knowledge and the terrain to counteract their numerical disadvantage.

Despite being outnumbered, Byrael repressed the soldiers with nothing but his strength as an Emperor Rank warrior. The skill difference was overwhelming. But then, the mage entered the fray and immobilized Byrael.

With his movement restricted, Byrael fought desperately, defending against relentless attacks from all directions. Initially, none of the soldiers' strikes could breach his defenses. However, as the attacks continued, they began to wear him down, causing cracks and wounds to appear on his body.

Seeing his father's injuries, Azrael's face twisted in anguish. Years of training had been aimed at protecting his loved ones, but despite his efforts, he was still a seven-year-old child, lacking the strength to fight without using magic. Memories of his past life flashed through his mind.

A ceremony was held by a lake. As they faced each other, a demon and an elf gazed into one another's eyes with affection. Azuel, reflecting on his experiences with the person before him—Chrystal—recalled their first meeting.

Azuel and Chrystal had met six months earlier. While leading his company on patrol, Azuel's unit had been ambushed. The element of surprise and overwhelming numbers caused his soldiers to fall one by one.

Driven by fury, Azuel fought with renewed vigor, using his strength and magic to defeat the ambush party. The battlefield was littered with the bodies of demons and humans, blood staining the gravel.

Though Azuel survived, he was severely injured. Barely conscious, he stumbled forward, determined to survive and avenge his fallen comrades. Eventually, exhaustion overcame him, and he collapsed.

When Azuel next opened his eyes, he saw a wooden roof. Surprised, he tried to get up, only to be met with sharp pains throughout his body. Hearing his pained cry, a girl rushed into the room.

Azuel stared in shock as she entered. She had short blonde hair, a slim figure standing about five foot six, with curves in all the right places. Her slender face, pointed chin, and bright blue eyes reminded him of the sky. Most striking were her pointy ears—she was an elf.

Seeing Azuel awake, the elf girl sighed in relief. With a dazzling smile, she approached to check his wounds. Azuel, startled by her sudden approach, went on guard, causing her to halt.

After a moment, she seemed to understand the situation and flashed a bright smile. She explained that her name was Chrystal and detailed how she had found him in the forest, tending to his wounds, and nursing him back to health over the past week.

Despite his initial wariness—demons were often discriminated against by other races—Azuel gradually relaxed as Chrystal's cheerful nature and kindness won him over. He soon developed feelings for her, and they grew very close. During their time together, Azuel learned that Chrystal had no parents and had lived alone in the cottage for a hundred years.

After five months, Azuel had fully recovered and proposed to Chrystal. Tearfully, she accepted, and they were married by the lake. Azuel's parents, overjoyed to see their son alive, were initially confused by the presence of Chrystal. As they learned her story, their shock turned to gratitude.

As Azuel recalled these memories with a smile, he saw his father finish the wedding vows.

"And thus... I pronounce you husband and wife."

Azuel and Chrystal leaned in for a passionate kiss before reluctantly parting. As Azuel turned to his father, he saw him beam with the largest smile he'd ever seen. But then, tragedy struck. With a sound like tearing wind, an arrow pierced his father's throat. His father clutched at the arrow with a look of disbelief, his gaze fixed on Azrael.

"FATHER!!!"

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

As the scene of his past life’s father’s death merged with the present, Azrael’s anguish erupted into a powerful wail. His mana surged, filling the area with a silvery light.

"YOU LOWLY CREATURES... DARE TO TAKE ONE OF MY PRECIOUS PEOPLE?!?!"

With a final, fearsome look at the soldiers who had stopped in terror, he uttered a single word.

"Die."

Azrael poured mana into his muscles and charged forward. The soldiers, paralyzed by fear and the oppressive aura, began to retreat. Ignoring them, he conjured an image of consuming darkness, swallowing all light in the area where the soldiers and mage stood, and directed it to Samjoko. Understanding his master's intent, Samjoko cast a spell that plunged the area into complete darkness.

While most mages in Xiosu used incantations to understand spells, Azrael’s extensive knowledge allowed him to bypass this need. He visualized the process and channeled it directly to his elementals.

As the soldiers flailed in the darkness, Azrael charged toward the mage. Panicked, the mage fumbled with a defensive earth spell, but his delay proved fatal. Azrael, like a wraith, struck swiftly, slashing the mage’s throat. The mage fell, clutching at his wound before becoming still.

With the mage dealt with, Azrael prepared his next spell. He visualized the ground around him becoming moist and soft, then transmitted this image to Chunyong, who cast the spell. Water seeped to the surface, turning the ground muddy.

The soldiers struggled to maintain their footing. Azrael heard their movements and rushed toward the nearest soldier. Meanwhile, cries of pain echoed through the clearing, a smile forming at the edge of Azrael’s lips.

The softening ground had allowed him to detect enemy movements and provided his father with the chance to free himself. With the mage gone and the darkness spell lifted, the results of Azrael’s actions were clear. Out of the ten soldiers, three lay dead, and the mage’s lifeless body was visible.

The soldiers’ faces paled at the sight. Realizing they were outmatched, they dropped their weapons and surrendered. Byrael, however, remained focused on his son.

"Azrael... yo... you."

As his father spoke, Azrael began to form an excuse when Samjoko's voice echoed in his mind.

'Master... a very powerful presence is approaching.'

Azrael instantly went on alert. Seeing his son's sudden change, Byrael also prepared himself. The area fell silent as they awaited the approaching figure.

As the oppressive mana from the approaching figure reached Azrael, he felt a shiver of dread. The power radiating from this presence was overwhelming, like standing in front of a descending tsunami.

Feeling hopeless and trapped, Azrael could only wait for what was to come.