The moment Ryuji''s eyes focused on the arcane beam, his arms barely moved. A feeling ofplete exhaustion and satisfaction flowed through him. However, before the beam could touch him, someone stepped ahead of him, holding out a golden sword with white wings.


    "Yo! Ryuji. It looks like you''re in trouble."


    A whirl of magic created from ethereal light tinged in silver, and the violent purple arcane elements flickered behind n''s figure. The magic sucked into his golden sword. Yet n didn''t seem to struggle. He looked at Ryuji with a sincere smile.


    "A-n!? You weren''t a weakling!" Ryuji''s low voice echoed, causing n''s lips to twitch. He then flicked his sword in a circle, turning both energies into a ball of pure violence.


    "Hey, brother... Do you have to say it that way? I''ll be hurt, you know!"


    "n-"


    "Besides- **Arts of Holy Moonlight Execute, Piercing Beam!"**


    Before Ryuji could interject. The light condensed and pulsated with shockwaves flowing around him, which created ripples in the air. n''s de then shot the most beautiful beam Ryuji had ever seen! He watched as n shed at the central pir of the training ground, creating an explosion.


    **BOOM!**


    n then sheathed his sword, looking back at Ryuji while winking. Then, without even ncing at the witches who were coughing and picking themselves from the rubble, he extended his hand.


    "Brother. I saw your will to surpass the strong and your immense talent as a magic caster." n stated seriously. Ryuji widened his eyes as n''s blue gaze gleamed on the training ground, like the clear skies after rain.


    "So once again, let me offer my hand. Not as the duke of Grigor, but as n, just n, I want to be friends with you, without lies and secrets. I want you, Ryuji!"


    "..."


    Though Ryuji found n strange, this time, it felt like a confession of love and made him apprehensive.


    "A-n-"


    "Little n, you made it sound like you were courting the poor boy when you want him to be your best friend, no?" Velvet''s husky voice sounded as she stepped out of the broken walls carrying Ruby and Lapis.


    What amazed Ryuji was the central pir that n struck didn''t take any damage, not even a scratch! n ignored Ryuji and instead pouted, causing him to look cute.


    "Muu, Aunt Vel, what did I say about twisting my words? Also Ruby! Lapis, good work, in making him bring ''it'' out. Finally, I can approach him as an equal and form a different path from my ancestors."


    "You''re so stupid. Are you really going to risk everything just because you like him?" Velvet''s eyes looked filled with worry, but there seemed to be a tinge of excitement that twinkled in her eyes.


    Ryuji felt n grab his hand and then his shoulder, ignoring Velvet''s cold mocking. "Ryuji! No, the future Demon King I want to be your first friend as Humanities future hero!"


    "Friend...? Hero... You!?" Ryuji muttered. n''s big smile shone. Yet, right as they were about to shake hands, their ears twitched as the broken pirs shook, releasing loudughter.


    "Uhahaha! Look at little n trying to act tough. He''s so stupid!" Ruby''s cackle echoed before Lapis covered her lips. Yet the blue witch also seemed to find it amusing.


    "Ruby dear, shut up; little n is earnest, unlike you." Velvet pped Ruby''s shoulder, sending her body flying into the dirt like a rag doll, smothering her face in the sand.


    "Ah!? Aunt Ruby, are you okay!" n pretended to worry, watching Velvet poking her face with the edge of her high-heeled boots.


    At this time, Ryuji furrowed his brows. He felt far too much happened, though he felt something strange about n from the moment they met. Sometimes, his strength seemed like an unsurmountable wall; others, he felt like a weak little schr. However, watching him joke with the witches made Ryuji rx his shoulders.


    ''The cat is out of the bag, so why hide it?'' There didn''t seem to be a reason anymore to hide or hold back when speaking with n, and for Ryuji, that felt amazing.


    "Oi, n."


    "Hm? Ryuji, you finally rxed and called my na-MmmmM!" n turned around, blinking his clear blue eyes. However, right as he did, a monstrous grip caused him to turn his neck.


    "Who asked to be your best friend -even more-ept my fist as eptance of our friendship!"** Ryuji roared, his cheeks slightly red. n found that look very charming as his lips remained in a smile.


    "Mmhhmm!"


    With a loud thud, the witch sisters, the future Demon King, and the future hero shed.


    Meanwhile, Velvet just shook her head while she watched n and Ryuji acting like fools with their sudden mood swings. She seemed to be lost in thought while watching the movements of Ryuji. Velvet wondered why he used his body and neglected his magic despite having arge amount stored in his body.


    "This isn''t bad, right, Sister? Can this interesting boy and n find a different path?"


    Her voice echoed, likely for another person to hear. Yet only silence greeted her as she gave a bitter smile.


    Inside her hand was an open locket, which showed a family picture with a small n, Liana, Alice and a beautiful woman hugging them all with a huge smile. It seemed she was Velvet''s ''sister'' although their faces seemed quite different. One fierce Velvet and the other like a silk sheet.


    "If not, the world n was born might be hell; well, let''s bet on little Ryuji, shall we, sister?" Velvet pocketed the locket as her softugh sounded watching n and Ryuji chasing each other with wooden sticks.


    "Well, seeing them smile like this isn''t so bad..."


    ****


    After they spent hours messing around, Ryuji returned to n''s mansion side by side with the troublesome duke, only to find Liana''s carriage waiting for them outside.


    "C''mon, Ryuji, show me your demon form; I''ll give you some candy." n whistled while Ryuji kicked his shin, causing them both to stumble because of n''s tough defence.


    "Idiot. I refuse! However, give me that candy!"


    "See, let''s transform and fight to the end!" n eximed, his eyes shining with curiosity, causing Ryuji''s serious expression to crack.


    "If we fought to the end, you know I would beat your ass."


    "Heh, really? I think I showed my power today!"


    "I bet it''s all that gold sword, you little cheater." Ryuji snorted. Only n remained ignorant, smiling and nodding.


    "Big cheater, if you may! Anyway, Ryuji, I wonder how demon transformation feels; not even Aunt Ruby knows, but you''re a half-blood, so you must know and can control it. Right?"


    n inquired, his childish personality gone. Ryuji scratched his cheek. Not that he didn''t want to transform. The issue was more that he felt if he transformed beside this idiot, then they might end up fighting all night since he could tell. The feelings n kept hidden were his love for battle and fighting powerful enemies!


    "If I transform, you damn brother will try to hunt me!"


    "Oi, Ryuji, can you not bring my brother into this? You idiot. Besides, You should just do as I asked. Ryuji transform, transform."


    "n."


    "Trans~Trans~~Transform~~"


    "..."


    At this moment, Ryuji felt that n''s bright smile, handsome face and blue eyes were annoying. Sometimes, it felt like n could look into him. Able to understand his thoughts and worries.


    However, before n could get his wish granted, a noise echoed, and the door mmed open. Then came a sudden head of crimson hair that shot past n and jumped into the demon lord''s chest.


    "Ryuji! Take responsibility!"


    "!?"


    n and Ryuji both fell silent.


    The moment Liananded in Ryuji''s arm, n''s face cracked like a pane of ss in a winter storm. His entire existence looked like he had lost the will to live.


    "Responsibility!? What kind!?"


    "This kind!"


    With a powerful force, the bodies of n and Ryuji were pushed apart; from the back of Liana''s back, two beautiful arms made of scarlet mes flickered, but what made Ryuji feel danger were the two ws! Each w created a bolt of ck lightning that flickered ferociously!


    Then, as if not finished, Liana snapped her fingers, causing her eyes to transform from blue to bright red, with scarlet runes inscribed on her iris with ck sclera. Her hair flickered with mes as she created a small arrow of mes.


    "You understand, right Ryuji, n?"


    Both Ryuji and n remained stunned as a powerful sense of pressure descended, and the pair understood the pressure and what exactly it resembled.


    ''She changed like Alicia, though it might be even more than her...''


    "Ryuji... my little niece, when did you poison her?"


    ''n'', Ryuji thought, and a sigh escaped his lips, yet before he could defend himself. Liana tilted her crimson arrows, pointing their tip to n.


    "Dearest Uncle, please don''t me Ryuji; otherwise, I would be troubled."


    "!?"


    "n, Liana, can you calm down?"


    Before Ryuji could state the misunderstanding and that Liana did all of this by herself. Her mes burnt hotter; her lightning flickered frighteningly and covered his mouth with both of her scarlet arms.


    For a moment Ryuji felt panic, worried his face might melt. However, the mes were gentle and cool. He realised her magic couldn''t damage him, making his guilt even more clear.


    "Uncle n, Ryuji is innocent, and he hasn''t touched me yet; in fact, thanks to him, my mes became gentler and mana purer, so please don''t trouble him, okay?" Liana didn''t seem like she would part from Ryuji, so he could only nod to her words.


    "Yet...." n fell to the ground, hitting the ground with a wail of sorrow. "Why, why did you taint my cute little niece!"


    He then stood up and pointed the golden sword towards Ryuji, "Now, foul demon, show me your true form!" His lips twitched as if struggling to keep his serious face while Kathryn stood beside him, waiting for his remarks before she pped his head with her sword''s hilt.


    "n, please behave yourself. Even if you are jealous, I believe that Ryuji''s actions and Liana''s growth are for the best. So stop your act and let them go. I know you feel d in reality." Kathryn tried interjecting, only for n to ignore her. So she clicked her tongue in annoyance.


    n ignored the pain, shaking his fist.


    Ryuji felt a little bad for him and shouted over. "n, I''ll show you next time we''re alone and hidden from other eyes."


    n widened his eyes, turning to face Ryuji. It looked like he never expected him to ept, and it seemed the gesture meant a lot to him.


    "Thank you. Ryuji."


    n''s expression was sincere and grateful, making Ryuji feel strange, but he returned it with a brief smile. "No problem. You need toe up with an excuse so I can use it in public, though."


    "!?" n looked stunned that Ryuji would n to use his form in public. "No, that''s just like you. Damn, Ryuji. Alright, give me some time. I''ll find a way."


    "Sure. See youter." Ryuji waved n goodbye.


    He ignored her raised eyebrows because he didn''t need to worry about her. Because Liana was on his side now! The next moment, Liana''s magical arms released a gentle warmth.


    "Bye, Uncle. Aunt Katheryn, make sure you take care of dearest uncle."


    Ryuji carried Liana into the mansion like it was the most natural thing in the world, causing n and Kathryn''s faces to twist, their eyes darting to the door and mouths hanging wide open.


    "What, n-no way! Ryuji!?" n''s shout resounded, causing Kathryn to snap out of her reverie.


    "Princess Liana!? W-Wait for me!" Kathryn panicked while n clutched his head, scratching his silky blonde hair.


    "Is Ryuji a Casanova? Heh... no way... He''s a damn thief! No, a demon thief fits! Return my little niece!"