380 Death Mage V13 Chapter 307

Chapter 307
Preparation of the Champion and his enrollment


No matter how anxious they were, they had to muster the courage to take the first step.

With that determination, the girls’ decision was swift, and the actions of those who received it were faster than they had anticipated.

"...I'm going!"

"Kuu!"

She, usually bearing a calm and beautiful demeanour, now wore a pale and desperate expression as she confronted the fearsome monsters. Beside her, her close friend, who shared the same predicament, groaned with a sense of frustration.

"I'm going, so please give me a break!"

"This Great Demon King! Muscle mania! And that minion over there!"

She begged with pleading eyes, and her close friend cursed using a mix of insults and subtle words. The monster that confronted the two girls was a Manticore, with features of a head resembling an old man, a body of a tiger, and a tail of a scorpion. It was vigilant, cautiously measuring the distance between his foes while chanting a spell incantation secretly, preparing to strike.

The Manticore is a Rank 6 monster. According to the Adventurer’s Guild, they are considered to be powerful monsters that can only be defeated by B-Class adventurers. However, on this continent, their position is at the bottom of the food chain. An analogy would be that they are far below mice and are more akin to the worms that the mice feed on.

However, even if the opponent doesn't look strong, it’s best to never let your guard down.

"Fuh!"

In fact, the gentle-looking girl's strike was sharp, and the manticore had to hastily lift its foreleg to counter.

"Daah!"

However, the manticore’s side was pierced by the gentle-looking girl with slanted eyes.

“Guaaaah!?"

With her claw-like toes, the girl with slanted eyes, Bestra, gouged out the Manticore's innards, causing it to scream in agony.

"The spell has been interrupted! Celis!"

"Un!"

(Note: Un here refers to うん, which is like a way of expressing agreement through making a noise, similar to ya/yeah.)

Celis forcefully kicked away the front paw of the Manticore and struck its forehead, who now resembled that of an old man screaming in pain and covered in blood.

“Gii!?”

With a punch delivered with Superhuman Strength, the Manticore's skull creaked, and its consciousness wavered. However, it was still a remnant of the monsters created as humanity's natural enemy. Relying solely on instinct, it extended its scorpion tail, attempting to stab and kill Celis with its poisonous stinger.

"Watch out!"

But before the Manticore's poisonous stinger, sharper than the tip of a spear, could pierce Celis' back, it was burned by a sudden flash of light.

And that was the end of the Manticore's struggles. Celis' subsequent punch split its skull, while Bestra's kick tore its throat apart.

Before it could let out a dying scream, the Nanticore collapsed.

"...D-Did we... win?"

"Ah, maybe..."

“There were various dangerous moments, but you guys won in the end."

Vandalieu called out to Celis and Bestra.

Celis and Bestra were nuns at the orphanage in the city of Morksi created by the Pure-breed Vampire Birkyne. They were Subordinate Vampires who possessed the ‘Sunlight Resistance’ skill. They had decided to undergo the surgery that was previously offered to them, and also undergo training to become stronger.

Originally, the plan was just to undergo surgery to remove the scars from the burns they had suffered when they were still human.

However, Alda believers with radical ideologies, and even some Vida believers who were friendly with the Alda’s peaceful action, came to the city of Morksi and started targeting organizations and facilities associated with Darcia and Vandalieu.

These included the shared temple, the Tamer’s Guild they were acquainted with, the food carts on Vida Street in the red-light district, the reckless Starving Wolf Security Office, and the lesson venue rented by Kanako and others.

And so, the orphanage where Celis and others were, which Vandalieu had made donations to and taught tamer skills to the orphans, became a target.

Fortunately, due to preventive measures made in advance and the capture of the culprits, no specific harm had occurred. Celis and Bestra only learned later that they had been targeted.

However, after realizing that they were being protected, the two of them decided that they couldn't continue like this and resolved to become stronger.

"...But even though we’ve been training for a week after the surgery, I don’t think it's a good idea to make us fight against a Manticore. We're really grateful for what you’ve done, but..."

"I agree completely. And on top of that, threatening to expose our appearance to the children if we don't fight... If you weren’t our benefactor, we would be complaining."

"Please don't say that. It's actually quite rare for monsters like Manticore to appear in the dungeons of the Demon King's Continent. Besides, the two of you can win against it as long as you’re not attacked while sleeping."

The dungeon they were in was located on the Demon King's Continent. Celis and Bestra, who were undergoing training here, wore the liquid metal bodysuits that were the versatile Transformation Equipments, and on top of that, they were wearing Living Armors Saria and Rita.

Their appearance revealed the lines of their body parts, as their bodysuits clung tightly to their skin, exposing their skin from the neck up. On top of that, they were wearing bikini and high-leg armor, which was, in a way, more stimulating than being naked.


It's hard to believe that Celis's growth has stopped in her late teens, with her curvaceous body, and Bestra's slender figure, which clearly shows their styles.

Just by looking at their figures alone, no one would think they are nuns. Of course, the ‘Great Demon King’ Vandalieu had no real intention of showing this image of the two to the children. It was a lie to motivate them.

"That's right. Both of them were originally Rank 3, and they possess the Superhuman Strength skill. In just one week, they have acquired the Unarmed Fighting Technique skill."

"Indeed, with these equipment, the Manticore's fangs, claws, or even its poisonous stinger won't be able to pierce through. Even if they do, their wounds would be healed right away."

Saria and Rita, who Celis and Bestra were wearing, said so, and that the two girls were not as weak as they think they are.

Certainly, the two were nuns at the orphanage, not adventurers or mercenaries, and until recently, they had no recollection of any combat-related skills. However, unbeknownst to them due to the brainwashing they experienced, they had lived as Subordinate Vampires for much longer than their appearance suggests. And then last year, they drank Vandalieu's blood and transformed into Abyss Subordinate Vampires.

Their attribute values far surpassed those of ordinary people who  only had production-related Jobs. They possessed skills like ‘Dark Vision’, ‘Superhuman Strength’, 'Status Effect Resistance’, and even ‘Rapid Regeneration’. In addition, they had retractable claws that could be used as weapons.

By swinging their arms and legs haphazardly, they could easily scatter thugs in a one-sided manner.

And if they undergo training for a short period of time and acquire combat skills, they can obtain the strength of at least a D-Class adventurer or even greater.

"Also, I am not a minion! I am a dog... a dog of the Demon King! Call me 'dog'!"

The light-attribute Ghost, 'Lunatic Dog' Bellquert shouted discontentedly after being referred to as a mere minion. Bestra made a disgusted face after he asked her to do so, but it was painful for her to refuse after he saved her friend from the Manticore’s poisonous stinger.

 “A-a dog?”

“Yes, that's right! From now on, properly call me a dog―― ”

"Yes, yes, let's leave it at that okay?"

Vandalieu interrupted Bellquert before he could continue shouting. Bestra felt relieved, and Celis forcibly changed the topic of conversation.

"I understand what you're saying, but fighting against a Manticore is too much. They are notorious monsters known for their ferocity."

"Is that so?"

On Earth, the Manticore was a fairly famous monster in games and light novels, but Vandelieu didn't know that it was an existence known to even ordinary people in this world. When Vandalieu asked, Bestra answered instead of Celis.

"Although they are not as strong as dragons, they are famous, or rather known for being formidable monsters that even skilled adventurers struggle to defeat, like Chimeras and Lesser Demons. Perhaps it's because they are often used as enemies that heroes fight against in stories told by bards."

"I see. Even with similar strength, Manticores and Chimeras, which often appear alone, are more boss-like compared to Trolls or Minotaurs that appear in large numbers, right?"

"Lesser Demons may not fit that description, but maybe it's an image thing?"

"I see. Next time, I'll take it up a notch... no, it's fine. Bagnio and the others are next."

Vandalieu was convinced by Bestra's answer, and Rita and Saria's words that supplemented it with their own conjectures, but it seemed that the opportunity to make use of that knowledge would be a while away.

The next ones entrusted with conquering this dungeon will be the Subordinate Vampires that belonged to Birkyne. They already possess a certain level of combat skills, so they are not required to go through step by step.

"Since those people are here... Is the dungeon that difficult?"

"No, it's not to inflict harsh punishment on them as prisoners. Bagnio and the others are tasked to assist with culling the monsters in the dungeons of the Demon King's Continent alongside the Demon King Familiars and Gartland's warriors."

Bagnio and the others, who defected from the enemies’ side out of fear for their lives, have been doing this for about a year. They are in the midst of what is called a purification process. As part of it, they are planning to conquer a dungeon in the Demon King's Continent.

Working away from the Demon Empire of Vidal, it is to encourage them to reflect on their actions, and atone for the actions they did against the children that they captured. They also interact with the warriors of Gartland in order to acquire social skills.

You may wonder why they chose to go to a dungeon... That’s because the miasma contamination in the Demon King's Continent is severe, and there are Devil Nests where even gravity is distorted. Naturally, the climate is chaotic as well.

For that reason, the interior of a dungeon, where the environment is relatively stable, is often safer. However, depending on the difficulty of the dungeon, it may not always be the case.

Of course, if they were to try to engage in any misbehavior, they would be punished by the supervising Demon King Familiars... in other words, by Vandalieu.

"I see..."

Hearing this, Celis nodded with a complicated expression. The children who left the orphanage and went to Bagnio and the others - Birkyne faction's vampires were treated horribly. However, Celis herself couldn't ignore the fact that she and Bagnio and the others were of the same kind, so she couldn't blame them for being oblivious to it.

Vandalieu knew that Celis thought this way, so he didn't expect her to become close friends with Bagnio and the others. As long as they could reach a certain level of understanding and coexist with an appropriate distance between them after some time, that would be enough.

After all, neither of them has a limited lifespan.

"Alright, let’s finish our training by fighting the higher-ranking species of Manticore nesting in the depths of this floor: the Elder Manticores, and Flame Manticores.”

Upon hearing that they would be facing the superior species of manticore that they had just defeated, Celis and Bestra's faces tensed up.

“ “Y-Yes!” ”

However, the fact that they replied without screaming suggests that both of them are becoming aware of their own strength.

At this rate, they should be able to gain enough power to defeat a Manticore without relying on Rita or Saria by the deadline. Vandalieu nodded in satisfaction.





After the training session with Celis and the others, Vandalieu headed towards the Job-changing room in Sam's carriage.

"This will be the fourth time since then. Since you are going to attend school soon, are you going to choose a more normal Job this time?"

"Well, I'm actually a bit undecided.”

Since receiving the information that Bellwood had been revived, this would be the fourth Job change for Vandalieu.

It was an exceptionally high pace for someone like Vandalieu, who had already changed Jobs more than thirty times, just from thinning out the monsters in Dungeons and Devil Nests.

However, with the effects of the newly acquired Botin and Peria's Divine Protection, as well as the fact that the Demon King's Continent is home to numerous monsters that rival demi-gods and gods of Rank 13 or higher, and the success of gaining a large amount of Experience Points in a short period of time by attaching Demon King Familiars to his companions fighting in separate teams to thin out those monsters, it became possible.

And Vandalieu, who had chosen his Jobs in anticipation of facing in a battle against Heinz, who is now able to descend with Champion Bellwood, who had overcome any obstacle through sheer brute force, had faced countless battles against monsters himself as well.

The first time, he chose ‘Hollow King Mage’ with the aim of improving ‘Hollow King Magic’ that was as powerful as ‘Underworld God Magic’, his signature skill, and further increasing his mana.

The second time, he chose ‘God Spirit Mage’. It was to improve the powerful skill ‘God Spirit Magic’.

The third time, he chose ‘Dungeon Master’. That’s because in the Demon King's Continent, where there were countless high-difficulty A-Class and B-Class Dungeons, there were very few S-Class Dungeons. He chose the Job as he wanted to create an S-Class Dungeon in order to train and strengthen himself and his companions.

Thanks to these choices, ‘Hollow King Magic’ awakened into ‘Hollow World God Magic’. The level of ‘God Spirit Magic’ and other skills have also increased.

Although the growth of attribute values other than mana was mediocre, considering that Vandalieu was primarily a mage and his true strength lay in magic battles rather than physical combat, it was more than sufficient.

Moreover, in his previous battle against Heinz, Vandalieu had easily overwhelmed him even in a five-on-one situation. Even if Heinz and his group had grown since then, Vandalieu had also grown, improving with skills like ‘Soul Destruction Fighting Technique’, ‘Transcend Limits’, as well attribute values enhancement and self-reinforcement skills. Paired along with the use of his Demon King Fragments, he believed he could hold his own in the fight.

Although he considered choosing Guider-type Jobs, he ultimately ended up choosing Jobs that provide clear and immediate growth, as he didn't want to risk ending up with a Job like ‘Destruction Guider’ that offered no growth in attribute values.

As for dungeons, he had succeeded in creating an S-Class Dungeon, although due to putting too much power into creating it, Borkus and the others commented that the difficulty seemed ‘bugged’, so it’s hard to call it a success.

The monsters that appeared in Vandalieu's created dungeons were originally like soulless dolls, only capable of following simple commands from their creator and acting accordingly. However, either due to the overwhelming miasma gathering in the Dungeons or for some other reason, they no longer obeyed his commands.



With a murder-machine-like condition that spares no thought for its own safety in order to exterminate intruders, it has become something completely unusable for the kind of training Celis and Bestra underwent.

Vandalieu was relieved that he had created it on the Demon King's Continent just to be on the safe side.

"I'm considering choosing either 'Magic Staff Creator' or 'Artisan: Transformation Equipment' for my next Job... Deanna and those from Gartland, Celis and Bestra etc… Looks like we still don't have enough Transformation Equipment.”

"...I believe Deanna-sama seemed quite reluctant about it, though?"

"Since Talos asked me to do it, I'll go ahead and make them. I’m indebted to Talos after all."

Until he changed the name of his nation to the Demon Empire of Vidal, Vandalieu, who was once the ‘Eclipse Emperor’ of Talosheim, revered Talos just like any other Great God. Therefore, if asked, he would even go so far as to create Transformation Equipment for Colossi, even if it may seem unreasonable to do so.

"However, I'm also curious about what’s happening in Origin… Let’s go with 'Qliphoth'."

"Are you sure?"

"It should be fine. Even if I were to reveal my Status, people in this world wouldn't understand the meaning of 'Qliphoth’. Besides, I would like to eventually take on Jobs related to beings that appear in Earth's myths and legends."

And so, Vandalieu entered the Job change room and completed the Job change.





<< You have acquired the ‘Body World’ Skill! >>





Name: Vandalieu Ark Hillwillow Solder Zakkart
Race: Dhampir (Mother: Goddess)
Age: 12
Title: Ghoul Emperor, Eclipse Emperor, Guardian of the Cultivation Villages, Holy Son of Vida, Scaled Emperor, Tentacle Emperor, Champion, Great Demon King (Changed from Demon King!), Oni Emperor, Trial Conqueror, Transgressor, Black Blood Emperor, Elder Dragon Emperor, Food Cart King, Genius Tamer, True Ruler of the Red-Light District, Patron Saint of Transforming Equipment, Goddess Liberator
Job: Qliphoth
Job Level: 0
Job History: Death-Attribute Mage, Golem Transmuter, Undead Tamer, Soul Breaker, Venom Fist User, Insect User, Tree Caster, Demon Guider, Archenemy, Zombie Maker, Golem Creator, Corpse Demon Commander, Demon King User, Dark Guider, Labyrinth Creator, Creation Guider, Dark Healer, Disease Demon, Magic Cannoneer, Spirit Warrior, Bestower, Dream Guider, Demon King, Demiurge, Whip Tongue Calamity, Divine Enemy, Dead Spirit Mage, String User, Great Demon King, Vengeful Berserker, Destruction Guider, Dark King Mage, Pale Rider, Chaos Guider, Divine Guider, God Destroyer, Hollow King Mage, God Spirit Mage, Dungeon Master

Attribute Values:
Vitality: 860,946 + (51,657) (69,668 UP)
Mana: 15,778,736,081 + (15,778,736,081) (3,513,135,020 UP!)
Strength: 84,418 + (844)
Agility: 78,260 + (782)
Endurance: 88,868 + (888)
Intelligence: 114,878 + (1,148)

Passive skills:
Super Strength: Level 1 (Awakened from Monstrous Strength!)
Super Rapid Regeneration: Level 8 (UP!)
Underworld God Magic: Level 5 (UP!)
Status Effect Immunity
Magic Resistance: Level 10
Dark Vision
Manas-Vijnana Enticement
Chant Revocation: Level 10
Guidance: Manas-Vijnana
Constant Mana Recovery: Level 8 (UP!)
Super Strengthen Subordinates: Level 8 (UP!)
Deadly Venom Secretion (Fangs, Claws, Tongue): Level 9 (UP!)
Limitless Body Expansion (Tongue)
Augmented Attack Power while Unarmed: Large (UP!)
Super Strengthened Body Part (Hair, Claws, Tongue, Fangs): Level 1
(Awakened from Strengthened Body Part!)
Demon Thread Refining: Level 2 (UP!)
Mana Enlargement: Level 10
Increased Mana Recovery Rate: Level 10
Augmented Attack Power while activating a Magic Cannon: Large (UP!)
Augmented Vitality: Level 6 (UP!)
Strengthened Attribute Values: Reigning: Level 10 (UP!)
Strengthened Attribute Values: Worshiped: Level 9 (UP!)
Strengthened Attribute Values: Demon Empire of Vidal: Level 5 (UP!)
Self-Regeneration: Cannibalism: Level 4
Augmented Attribute Values: Cannibalism: Level 4
Augmented Attribute Values when Enveloped in a Soul: Small (Awakened from Strengthened Attribute Values when Enveloped in a Soul!)
Murder Healing: Level 7 (UP!)
Self-Reinforcement: Murder Level 7 (UP!)
Increased Magic Power while equipped with a Staff: Large (UP!)
Strengthened All Attribute Values: MAX

Active skills:
Blood Rule: Level 4 (UP!)
Transcend Limits: Level 10 (UP!)
Golem Creation: Level 9 (UP!)
Hollow World God Magic: Level 1 (Awakened from Hollow King Magic!)
Precise Mana Control: Level 5 (UP!)
Divine Spirit Cooking: Level 1 (Awakened from Cooking!)
Divine Alchemy: Level 3 (UP!)
Soul Destruction Fighting Technique: Level 8 (UP!)
Greater Multi-cast: Level 8 (UP!)
Surgery: Level 9 (UP!)
Embodiment: Level 6 (UP!)
Group Coordination: Level 4 (UP!)
Super High-speed Thought Processing: Level 7
General Commander: Level 3
Thread-reeling: Level 9 (UP!)
Grudge Throwing Technique: Level 2 (UP!)
Scream: Level 9 (UP!)
God Spirit Magic: Level 6 (UP!)
Demon King Artillery Technique: Level 8
Shadow Group Binding Technique: Level 8
Transcend Limits: Fragments: Level 4 (UP!)
Spirit Therapy: Level 2
Whip Technique: Level 4 (UP!)
Spirit Form Transformation: Lightning
Staff Technique: Level 4 (UP!)
High-Speed Flight: Level 3
Musical Instrument Performance: Level 4
Dancing: Level 2
Muscle Technique: Level 4
Magic Fighting Technique: Level 3 (UP!)

Unique Skills:
God Devourer: Level 10
Deformed Multiple Souls
Mental Encroachment: Level 9
Labyrinth Creation: Level 7 (UP!)
Great Demon King
Root Source
Divine Enemy
Soul Devour: Level 10
Vida's Divine Protection
Earth's Gods’ Divine Protection
Group Thought Processing: Level 9
Zantark's Divine Protection
Group Control: Level 9
Soul Form: Level 5
Demon King's Demon Eye
Origin’s Gods’ Divine Protection
Ricklent's Divine Protection
Zuruwarn's Divine Protection
Perfect Record Technique
Surpass Limits: Soul: Level 5 (UP!)
Mutation Induction
Demon King's Body
Demi-God
Botin's Divine Protection
Peria's Divine Protection
Body World (NEW!)

Curses:
Experience gained in previous life cannot be carried over
Cannot learn existing jobs
Unable to gain experience independently





After making the selection, Vandalieu obtained a skill that he didn't fully understand.

"...Body World? Is it different from Shadow Group Binding Technique?"

Shadow Group Binding Technique is a skill that allows him to store and equip allies within his body or shadow. He wondered if there was any connection between the two skills, but he couldn't reach a conclusion.

"I'll equip Eisen, Privel, and the others, and ask them later if there's anything that’s changed compared to before."

With that decision in mind, Vandalieu left the Job-changing room.





In the middle of March, during spring, Bellard, the head of the Adventurer's Guild branch in the city of Morksi, found himself sweating nervously.

"Um, regarding the entrance exam for the Adventurer's School..."

In front of Bellard who began his explanation, Vandalieu, Pauvina, and Darcia stood in line like students attending a class.

(Why are they so interested in the entrance exam for the Adventurer's School? It's not that big of a deal... Well, I guess it's because I took the initiative to get involved.)

Darcia and Vandalieu simply wanted to know what the exam at the Adventurer's School was like. However, due to Bellard overthinking and speculating, believing that something significant was happening at the Center's Adventurer's School, the branch head went on a business trip to the capital. In the end, he ended up taking on a task that could have been handled by a receptionist.

Although Darcia was an honorary noble, she was still a noble in the end. It might be challenging for a receptionist to explain it to her casually. Not to mention, Darcia and the others haven't stopped by the Adventurer's Guild enough to be called familiar faces.

"While we call it an entrance exam, its purpose is not to screen applicants but rather to assess their aptitude and abilities. Unless they have an extremely weak constitution, anyone can enter the Adventurer's School."

The Adventurer's School is set up to reduce the mortality rate among novice adventurers. It is a facility that offers basic combat training, techniques on how to dismantle animals and monsters, camping skills, and basic reading, writing, calculation, and other technical knowledge under the guidance of former adventurers who serve as instructors.

Therefore, pretty much anyone can enroll, unless they have an extremely weak constitution such that they can’t even pick medicinal herbs outdoors.

The entrance examination is designed to assess the individual's abilities and categorize them accordingly, serving as a guideline when forming parties.

After all, if those who have already acquired martial arts skills but wish to learn about monster dismantling or herbal knowledge, and those who have knowledge and expertise but feel uncertain about combat skills were to enroll in the same curriculum class, it would result in a lot of wasted effort. The examination is held to prevent such inefficiency.

"However, there are exceptions to this: the Adventurer's School in the Capital of the Orbaume Kingdom. It is a school where the fourth or younger sons of nobles, young children of high-ranking adventurers, and truly talented newcomers study. It's commonly known as the Hero Preparatory School. Well, it's not like a large number of heroes are being produced, but many students of the school grow to become adventurers of C-Class or higher. That's why, depending on the exam results, not everyone can enter, and some may end up going to a regular Adventurer's School instead... Um, do I really need to explain this?"

Bellard couldn't help but ask, and it's understandable.

"Yes. It’s very interesting."

Vandalieu, the extraordinary Dhampir boy who has tamed Orthros (Fang) and newly discovered monsters like Maroll and the others, found it interesting.

"Yeah! I want to know too!"

Pauvina, a three-meter tall girl with golden hair and blue eyes, replied. Judging from her appearance alone, she gave off a strong feeling that she was not an ordinary person.

"I believe that their results will be fine but..."

"Right? I think so too. If it’s your son and daughter, there's no doubt they'll pass."

Bellard fully agreed with Darcia's response.

"But, I'm worried that if they stand out too much in the exam, it might be troublesome. That's what concerns me."

However, it turned out that Darcia and Bellard were thinking in completely different directions. Darcia and the others weren't afraid of failing, but rather they were worried about standing out too much by achieving excellent results.

“I-is that so... Well, the exams are generally the same at any school. First, there's a simple endurance test, and for those with martial arts experience, there's a mock battle with an instructor. If you can use magic, there is an additional test for that. As for non-combat skills like dismantling prey or tracking footprints, those are often not included in the exams. So, first of all, the contents of the endurance test is――.”

Bellard's explanation continued for a while.