Notes from the demon king, page 235:

GA found an interesting magical object today. They insist that it is something that will help with my condition, but I really think that whoever sold it to them was lying. It can't fix me because I'm not broken. Not to say that I do like this, but in theory, there's absolutely nothing wrong with me. I am from the point of view of the universe exactly what I am meant to be. I've heard it described as a tadpole becoming a frog, even if the frog would much rather be a tadpole, it was always meant to be a frog and so a frog it shall stay, no matter how much it hates its legs or its lungs it is supposed to have them, and they're not going anywhere.

Still, the object is interesting enough, and what am I going to tell GA? No? They went through all the trouble of getting it, and you know the saying, happy spouse happy house. It's worth a shot and when it doesn't work I'll study it for a bit and give it to one of the girls when they're old enough to attempt their first trial. I doubt this thing can undo what's already been done, but maybe it can prevent, and I can die happy knowing that my daughters won't become what I am or at least that if they do it will be a decision rather than a curse.

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Kenn-

Kenn awoke with a splitting headache. Add to that the pain he felt in his center, and it was not the greatest wake-up call. Was that his core?

Wait his core…

What had happened yesterday? The Demon King… Trial... Was that all a dream?

Why was his face wet?

Kenn opened his eyes to find Hailey and the Demon King standing over him. Hailey had been crying, but the demon just looked relieved.

Suddenly it all came rushing back to him.

The fish, the timer. They had no time left and… that's where he lost it.

“Kenn! I’m so glad you’re okay!” The elf reached down and squeezed him in a tight hug. The notable softness shocking Kenn out of the last of his drowsiness.

“What happened? Where are we?”

The Demon King answered “Still in the dungeon. As for what happened I’d like you to tell me. You nearly died of mana expenditure.”

Giel walked over and hugged Kenn as well, releasing him and adding a punch to his chest that made the human grunt in pain “Never do anything like that again, man!”

“I’ll kill you if you die!” Ali voiced her agreement with the beast-kin

Sandy had a different view “I agree, don’t die, double death, and all that, yeah but Kenn, that was so cool! What did you do!!! It was like time slowed down like Pwshooooh and I was like floating and… just what!?”

Kenn frowned “I think… I think that was my time magic…”

The Demon King scoffed “Obviously. That was the cast, right? I’m guessing since you didn't speak a verbal component…”

“I guess,” Kenn shrugged and then grunted as his head and core flared in pain again, his mana channels decided to join by sending a searing agony through his soul “Ugh my head… and everything else”

The demon king handed him a bottle, containing the same liquid he had given them to regain spent mana between rooms, as well as two pills

“Mirnberry elixir should help you regain your mana. Plus some pain-killers for the headache.”

Kenn took the pills and downed the elixir, begging to cycle as soon as he finished it as he’d been taught.

Looking inward with his mana sense Kenn found his time core dim and almost transparent. He shuddered knowing if it had gone out completely that would likely have been the end of him, or at least his chances at being a mage…

“I really messed up didn’t I?”

Hailey looked affronted “No, Kenn! You saved us!”

“Yeah, you messed up!” Ali exclaimed in the same instant, giving Kenn that look that only sisters, mothers, girlfriends, wives, and other women you were close to could manage.

The one that said ‘you’re so stupid That I’d almost rather you’d died so i didn't have to worry about you anymore’ but... like in an affectionate way.

“I see it this way,” said the Demon King “since I was here and would have stopped whatever trap the dungeon had planned, it was stupid. BUT if i wasn't here, well you would have just saved your party’s lives sooo… that’d be a win.”

Ali clarified “But as of now, it was stupid.”

Kenn groaned his pain beginning to fade as he cycled the elixir, it was like cold spring rain flowing through him and soothing his mana system “got it… So what’s the plan? Are we going to finish the quest or am I too injured?”

“Usually In this situation, I would remove you from the danger. Take you back to the guild and have the healers look at you…”

“So we’re leaving,” Kenn asked feeling somewhat disappointed they wouldn't complete the quest.

Giel sighed “About that…” he pointed over his shoulder, his ears flattening with irritation.

Kenn looked over to where the beast-man was pointing finding nothing but an empty wall.

“What am I looking at…?”

Ali huffed “There used to be a door there, stupid!”

“Oh.. that's an issue…”

The Demon King nodded “It is. Dungeons don't usually change like that while there are people inside… in fact, they can't. Which means this wasn't a whim but something pre-made to trap us, or more likely whoever entered next”

“And that just happened to be us,” Ali said suspiciously

“I mean, yes. I know you guys don't trust me. In fact, I encourage it. But this isn't my doing.”

“Okay, but you can get us out of here, right,” Kenn asked “I mean you can teleport”

“I can teleport, but I can't teleport you, not with 100 percent chances of survival anyway.”

“What about just breaking through the wall or even busting straight out…” Hailey ventured

“Sadly, also a no, or more, that it’s a last resort. Dungeons as a whole are tough beasties, it would take effort for me to even break a wall here, I could, but I don't want to. One hole could compromise the integrity of this entire place, and i don't know if you’ve noticed or not, but we’re pretty far underground being buried like that would be an unpleasant experience for me and instant death for you…” the demon stroked his chin contemplating the problem “The best option, really, is to continue. Last time I checked this a few rooms before the boss, though to be fair with all the changes that may not be true, there should be an exit from there.”

“And if there’s not?” Ali furrowed her brow

“Teleport or digging, try your luck.” the demon shrugged

There was no other option.

Kenn was standing before anyone could tell him not to. He was feeling much better after cycling the stuff the Demon King had given him, though his channels were still sore enough that he didn't think he would be casting for a while. Having more parts of himself he could feel just seemed to mean having more parts to hurt…

“I’m ready whenever you guys are.”

Hailey frowned worriedly “are you sure you’re okay…”

“You were hurt pretty bad, man” Giel added.

Kenn waved them off, “I’m okay just won't be using magic for a bit that’s it.” he leaned down picking up Conmael’s sword from where it lay beside him. “Now let's get out of here.”

Hailey looked at the Demon King for support but found none “as long as he doesn’t use too much mana like that again he should be fine. I would just avoid magic all together just to be safe, though.”

Kenn watched as the elf tried to hide her annoyance, eventually, she sighed “okay... I guess I’m ready then.” she turned away muttering under her breath “One day with magic and their already injuring themselves…my poor heart...stupid”

With that final affirmation, the decision was made and the group headed off to the only remaining door.