I wake up with Noemi sitting at the feet of my bed. She looks very satisfied but other than that she also seems... different somehow? It looks almost as if she was glowing with a gloomy light that would make her body seem much more attractive than usual.

(Devouring monster)

' It's no that... There's something else... '

She looks at me and smiles as brightly as the stars while mumbles some words to herself. I only understood "reflex" and "something" as my thoughts became clouded by the shine. She then got up and left the room while partially hiding her blushing face.

(Devouring monster)

I wanted to ask why but when I felt the hostility, I stopped myself. He doesn't seem too fond of her... Why?

I get up and get into some decent clothes. I was still wearing battle clothing so it was getting uncomfortable. I take of the light armor and then the clothing under it.

' So much happened in this short while... I defeated a dragon and a chimera... '

 (Devouring monster)

Why does he feel so... selfish now? So weird.

I get out of my room and take just a few steps before being stopped by a group of people... Led by Galgo and Mirim.

« You're back! Where have you been?! » (Galgo)

I look at the big group with a shocked face that seems to be reflected in each of their faces. Did he become the leader of this group in these past 5 years?

«Uh... Boss? Who is this weakling? » (???)

Galgo looks at him with the eyes of a madman and is stopped by Mirim who lightly holds his hand. The message was given nonetheless.

«This is Jim. He was missing for the last 5 years. So Jim... DID YOU GO OFF TO TRAIN and get stronger?!!?!?!» (Galgo)

Galgo almost lunges at me but contains himself because Mirim is still lightly holding his hand. I guess if he does anything rash, her hand will slip away. It's actually quite amusing to watch how their relationship progressed.

I giggle lightly and clear my throat.

«Not really. I went on a quick mission that ended up in a time-space barrier where the 5 hours I spent there were the same as 5 years outside.» (Me)

Everyone seems dumbfounded by the announcement. The silence is later broken by Noemi who comes back in a set of clean clothes. She grabs my arm and pulls me across the group and into the training fields. The group later joins in.

In that field, there's basically no one. just a few lonely students.

«Why is there no one?» (Me)

«Because there are a lot of generals and a few warlords here training the students. Here there's no one like that so nobody really comes here.» (Noemi)

«What about the teachers? What about classes?» (Me)

«The teachers are all with them and because of that, there are no classes. Just combat training.» (Noemi)

«That's kinda sad...» (Me)

We do some basic body exercises and sparred with the members of Galgo's group. In such sparring, I noticed the thing I am lacking the most.

Range.

I seriously lack anything that can hit from afar.

On the other hand, Noemi uses a bladed wheel that she throws and moves using chains. It's incredibly powerful.

We ended up winning every sparring match we had and ended up winning everyone's respect as well.

Most of the combats would go the same way. They go in, get countered and then defeated. They are all more muscle than brain but I can't deny that they are quite strong if their opponent does the same as them. Most of them are earth users like Galgo and fire users but, surprisingly, there were quite a wind and water users as well and even some mud and sand users.

«He didn't use any magic yet he could defeat so many of us... No wonder Galgo respects him so much.» (Someone?)

«You're talking about the one that made me retreat in the heat of battle! He is very strong!» (Galgo)

Everyone started whispering to one another and then all of them kneeled. They said nothing and just waited there with their knees on the stone floor of the training field.

«He is not used to such things. I believe there's no need for you to kneel.» (Noemi)

With those words, Noemi turns around and leaves. Her eyes were clearly clouded in complicated thoughts that I wouldn't be able to grasp. Probably something related to her family and the Demon King.

 (Devouring monster)

' I'll go in a bit... '

« You've become stronger! right now, you are as strong as when you defeated me but without using that second form... » (Galgo)

Before he could keep going, he started shivering while looking at me.

' Huh? why is he shivering? '

 (Devouring monster)

seriously?> (Kit)

He gulps and his hand is pulled by Mirim. He immediately stops shivering.

«Something's weird. Let's go.» (Mirim)

They whisper something and then start walking away. I wryly smile and try to loosen up things.

«Good luck to the two of you.» (Me)

With those words, it was clear that Mirim started blushing and lightly tightened her hand on Galgo's. Galgo looked back at me and then at Mirim and then noticed what it was and hid his face with his other hand.

 I then went back and took a bath... To be honest, I don't know what that second form is or...

I start getting a headache.

 (Devouring monster)

I get back to my room to find Kit patiently waiting for me.

' Weren't you with me a few minutes ago, training? '

(Kit)

What a sweat fox... Would you not be a boy and I would probably not be able to contain myself and end up cheating on Noemi...

 (Devouring monster)

' What do you mean? '

 (Devouring monster)

' I didn't fall in love with her though? '

 (Devouring monster)

' How do you even know that? '

 (Devouring monster)

'Oh... yeah. Anyway, Kit. Tell me about that other dimension you were in.'

(Kit)

' Try not to scream too much, please... My headache is still here. '

< SORRY MASTER! > 

 I end up giggling lightly at Kit's attitudes. I guess pets have this kind of overwhelming loyalty.

(Kit)

' So basically, there is a plane that it's everywhere and nowhere that rules existence by manifesting its energy on our dimension... I think I get it. '

 (Devouring monster)

' So it's called the limbo? I somehow already had an Idea about it but I don't really know where it came from.... '

Kit shows a bright, satisfied smile while the devouring monster mumbles to himself. He sounds both mad and confused.

I then go get something to eat. Lately, I haven't been eating properly with everything that's been happening. I get some roasted meat and sit down. A few minutes later Noemi sits in front of me and everyone stars looking at us. Quite a lot were already looking at me but when Noemi sat down and locked her legs around mine, everyone was already looking. She's one of the biggest geniuses and the daughter of the demon king so of course, she would have a lot of attention on her. The thing is all that attention seems very... negative. She seems to be very moody as well and I can hear a lot of gossips. I look her in the eyes and a single tear comes down her face as she hesitantly opens her mouth to talk. Her voice is kind of weak as well...

« Everyone is against my father... He just wants peace and for everyone to live happily yet... All they want is war and to destroy humanity... They are trying to get him out of the throne no matter what it takes... they have even been sacrificing lives in rituals and then blaming him for their death when it's proven ineffective...» (Noemi)

' I guess she is not only sad and worried that her father might lose but also has been getting treated very poorly as well... I guess that burst of happiness I saw was just because I had just gotten back... '

(Kit)

 (Devouring monster)

' You know very well it has to do with me. Don't try to trick me... '

I cut my own words short. Something is wrong with the devouring monster... Hopefully, he is unable to hear this kind of thoughts. He sounds really mad but I don't think it's because he heard that. I guess I can hide some thoughts from him.

I put my hand on top of Noemi's and smile at her like someone who says " everything's gonna be alright "and lightly caress her hand. With her other hand, she wipes her tear and smiles back.

« Once we can... Let's just run away from here... » (Noemi)

I don't know why but... that smile... deeply moves me as if she had the power to light a fire deep in my soul... I want to protect this smile of hers...