Being embraced like a friend by Velucan, which was something Land had never experienced in his life, he didn''t know what to do in that situation. He could only stand there rigidly like a statue, portraying himself as a stiff guy in the people''s mind.


    You might normally think that if someone didn''t reciprocate your gesture of friendliness, they either didn''t like you or they were too nervous to react—socially awkward.


    For the Generals, from how steady the flow of Land''s Mana was, Land was by no means nervous. This is the reason why the Generals thought that Land was just an uptight person.


    From theck of ill intent, they, of course, could easily tell Land didn''t hate them, so they never considered Land''s "cold" response as his way to reject them.


    Velucan turned his body around, still with Land in his embrace, to face Ilschevar once again. He gave Land a toothy grin before turning to Ilschevar, which seemed odd for Land since it felt like he was looking at a smiling giant dog.


    "My Liege, you say that this guy needs experience, right?" Velucan gestured at Land. "I will take this guy in my Legion—I will participate in the Conquest Mission."


    Ilschevar slightly blinked his eyes at Velucan''s unexpected words. He had nned to assign someone else to take care of Land, and Velucan was the least person he expected to volunteer.


    He furtively nced at the Second General, Jovenus, the Demon who he had nned to entrust Land to, and clicked his tongue bitterly. It was apparent to him that said Demon wasn''t very fond of Land.


    Still, considering Velucan''s impulsive and chaotic nature, it seemed to him that it was too risky to entrust Land to Velucan. Who knows what kind of a stupidly dangerous thing he might order Land to do?


    "Unfortunately, I have to put you on a rest in this Conquest Mission, Velucan." Ilschevar shook his head faintly. "I have heard how hard you have fought in the war, and I can''t let you, as one of my greatest Generals, overwork yourself."


    "Kukuku. I am deeply grateful for your care, my Liege." Velucan bowed his head humbly. "However, I know my body better than you do. I have had a rough battle—I agree with you—but it is still not enough to tire me out."


    "Actually..." Ilschevar slightly hesitated as he looked at Velucan''s grin. "I already have someone in mind to entrust Land to." He nced at Jovenus and said Demon immediately sighed. "I think that person is more suited for Land."


    "Ah, is that so?" Velucan slumped his shoulders regretfully. "It''s too bad, pup." He turned to Land. "I was nning to teach you about a lot of things, but since you are already entrusted to someone else, you have to learn from that person."


    "..."


    Velucan let go of his embrace, then stepped back to join the other Generals again. Land now became the closest person standing in front of Ilschevar, and he didn''t know what to do next.


    As he was under the influence of his Origin however, his feet still brought him back to Ilschevar''s side, which, again, surprised the Generals.


    They had never thought a newborn Demon would be that bold. Whether Land was educated on manners or not, his identity as a Demon should make him hesitate to stand beside Ilschevar, his King.


    This was the point where all of thembelled Land as an odd duck among Demons.


    "Jovenus, as an experienced Demon, I want you to guide Land so he could be a better Demon. Are you willing to take this task?"


    "About that, my Liege..." Jovenus stepped forward then bowed politely. "May I question this person''s identity first?"


    Ilschevar nodded his head. "He was a human two months ago, but a certain ident made him lose his faith in humanity, and now here he is."


    "This is not the first time such a thing has ured, however, that is not what I am asking about, my Liege." Jovenus'' eyes briefly glinted as he gazed at Land. "I want to know what makes this person so special."


    "An ordinary Demon shan''t receive the opportunity to be guided by a Demon King''s General, is what you are saying?" Ilschevar quirked his eyebrow, and Jovenus bowed his head politely. "I believe he has told you about it already."


    "Pardon me?" Jovenus blinked his eyes in puzzlement. "When did he ever say the reason... Is he really that special?" He looked at Land sceptically.


    Ilschevar smirked then pushed Land slightly forward. "I have tested him myself—why don''t you have a go at him?"


    Upon hearing Ilschevar''s words, Land immediately clicked his tongue in irritation. This was already his second time of being pushed forward for the day, and he could picture what kind of an unpleasant thing would ur soon.


    Looking at Jovenus with his strangely calm gaze, he could easily tell said Demon really wanted to kill him. If a fight really broke out between them, he was absolute he would be the one who died.


    "Very well, why don''t I see it for myself of how good of a Demon he is?."


    "I guarantee you, he will not disappoint." Ilschevar turned to Land with a smile. "Will you, Land?"


    ''You, son of a bitch, just what kind of trouble you have put me into?! Retract your words, bitch! I don''t want to die young!'' was what Land wanted to respond Ilschevar with, however, "You can bet on me," came out of his mouth instead.


    Ilschevar and Valeria lightly smiled at the response Land gave. With a silent wish of luck, they sent Land to his doom—I mean, to his spar with Jovenus.


    Since there was enough space between the Generals and the army they led, clearing it up to turn it into a battle ground was easy. In just a couple of seconds a temporary arena with an area of 700 square feet was created.


    Both Demons—Land and Jovenus—stood on the opposite side of each other, meanwhile the spectators—the Generals, Ilschevar, Valeria and the soldiers—stood 12 feet away from them.


    "Fighting a newborn Demon is already a disgrace for me as an experienced Demon and a General." Jovenus frowned his thin, ck eyebrows. "Therefore, I will seal 95% of my power. You can rest assure—you won''t die uselessly here."


    "I thank you for your consideration. I have yet to see the world, and I will hate to die early," Land responded calmly with his deep voice. He was genuinely grateful that Jovenus had some sanity to seal his power.


    sh!


    A short sword appeared in Jovenus'' hand as he shouted, "Take out your weapon, youngling!"


    "This will do." In response to that, Land merely raised his fists.


    "Huh? Are you joking?"


    "Kuhahaha! I like this pup even more! Give him to me, and I''ll make him the leader of a pack in a week!"


    While Jovenus wasn''t amused at the least by Land''s decision to fight with his bare hands, Velucanughed his heart out. Said Garou was simply too ted that he had found someone who acted like him.


    As the person who was unintentionally provoking Jovenus'' irritation however, Land was cursing his mouth and his Origin. He didn''t choose to fight with his bare hands because he wanted to, but because he wasn''t left with any other choice.


    If he decided to take out his Blue Rank greatsword, which he didn''t name yet, to fight Jovenus that was using a short sword, it would only provoke said Demon to do the same.


    He didn''t want Jovenus to fight him with a greatsword. Putting the experience Jovenus must have in wielding greatsword aside, he wasn''t well-versed in greatsword yet—he knew nothing beside swinging it like a dork!


    He really wanted to fight Jovenus with Daggers; s, Valeria didn''t provide him any. Aside from the armor set he was wearing and the Indigo Rank mask, he didn''t have anything on him—not even a Spatial Storage.


    Valeria had told him to gather the rest of everything he needed in his journey, so he didn''t even have a cheap weapon to use in this kind of situation. This is why he had to fight with his bare hands.


    s, instead of saying he didn''t have any weapon on him, his mouth decided to say some provocative words instead.


    "Hmph! Very well. I won''t convince you otherwise." Jovenus casually swung his short sword to the side, carving a short trench on the ground.


    "..."


    Land merely sighed at that disy, then prepared himself to take the initiative to attack. He had no other choice than fight Jovenus anyway, so it was better to do his best.


    Whoosh!


    Right after he channelled his Mana into his feet, he swiftly dashed toward Jovenus. Said Demon slightly widened his eyes at Land''s speed, but was prepared to block Land''s attack.


    nk!


    Land''s hand that had been strengthened with Mana shed against Jovenus'' sword, and it produced a metal against metal sound, showing how sturdy his hand had be.


    "Attacking your opponent without a warning—don''t you have shame?"


    "Shame only belongs to those who have pride. As a Demon, I don''t."


    Jovenus smirked at Land''s response, and the spar continued.