2 The Know-it-all

I eventually lost the hunting competition. It was okay. Today would be my day to shine. Many weeks had passed since then, but the defeat was fresh on my mind.

"Mikael after today you shall no longer bully me!" I said.

"After today, this young noble will be a Devil Esquire! I shall strut around the Hudson Estate freely!"

"Little cousin, you are getting ahead of yourself," Mikael said.

"It's up to me to keep you focused and treading the correct path."

"If I allowed you to do whatever you wanted, there's no telling the trouble you would cause."

"You!!!" I said.

I attacked Mikael with all my might!

\u003cMighty Punch\u003e

\u003cDodge\u003e

\u003cMighty Punch\u003e

\u003cGrab\u003e

\u003cStruggle\u003e

\u003cHeadlock\u003e

I found myself in a headlock. One day I will best this prick!

"Little cousin, we've been here so many times," said Mikael.

"You're too weak. You must practice your devilry diligently from now on."

"No, a young noble need not practice devilry. My butler Azon can handle all my problems. Only you bully me within the clan!" I said.

\u003cStruggle\u003e

I struggled to get out of Mikael's headlock.

"Little cousin, practice well. I grow tired of besting you," said Mikael.

\u003cToss\u003e

Mikael tossed me on the ground and headed into the Hudson clan's main hall.

I pursued him. We joined the rest of the clan in the main hall. Soon it filled to the brim with clan members.

Members of the Hudson clan from all over the Xertzul Abyss had come back to the Hudson Estate for this special occasion. I didn't know half of my extended family, but they always showed up today. Something about clan obligations.

It was time for camaraderie and celebration within the clan! Devils stayed busy, but they always make it home for this special day. Today was the Fel Awakening Ceremony for my Hudson clan!

Every five years my clan had a Fel Awakening Ceremony for young devils reaching the age of maturity. Us young devils would become devilry practitioners.

Fel awakening was a very special process. It was the first time we would come into contact with the fel energy of the Abyss and try to connect with an Abyssal Dao.

My mother told me that a Dao is a way, a path, doctrine, principle, or holistic belief, a road to greater strength.

A Dao is the order of the universe whose character one must discern to realize their potential. I didn't understand all that, but I will get a Dao today!

"Hopefully, I get a useful Dao," I said.

"Big brother, why does a useful Dao matter?" said Susie.

"It determines how many free fel shards we get from the clan little sister!" I said.

"If the clan needs a blacksmith and you get a Dao, that's great for blacksmithing, the clan will pay you!"

"Why are they so heartless, big brother?" said Susie.

"The extra resources are to improve the clan. They won't invest in something useless," I said.

"Quiet around the hall!" said First Viscount Vollmus, he was my grandpa and the former patriarch of the clan.

All of us quit our chatter. We had to give him due respect. We devils were a species that valued filial piety, blood ties, and familial bonds highly. It was part of our culture and society.

"Today you young devils shall enter vein opening, the first official stage of devilry. You will become a vein opening, Devil Esquire. A noble devil who has embraced the fel energies of the abyss into their veins," said First Viscount Vollmus, beginning his speech.

"Devil Esquires have the fel energies of the abyss coursing through their veins at all times. They slowly assimilate fel within their veins, deepening their connection to the Abyss. Through this process, they deepen their understanding of Dao."

"Fel is a devil's greatest asset, you must learn to use it well."

"Creatures not born and raised in the Abyss can not properly acclimate such a chaotic power source. It corrupts their pitiful souls."

"By willingly doing such a foolish act, they would have their souls given up to the Abyss and are transformed into the lowest rung of abyssal demon."

"Beguiling mortal souls is one of my favorite pastimes. It is just one way for devils to increase our devilry."

"I'll cut short speaking about foolish mortals and their wanton obsession for power. This is our devil awakening ceremony. For devils, connecting with a Dao through fel energy is part of becoming a Devil Esquire!"

"Each Dao has its strengths and weaknesses. Right now the clan is looking for a good apothecary so Wood, Light, and Water Dao are the ones we hope to see."

"This Fel Awakening Ceremony will allow you, young devils, to leap over the dragon gate where you go from being a mortal devil to becoming a Devil Esquire, a true noble devil!"

"Sister foolish common devils can practice devilry without participating in a Fel Awakening Ceremony," I said cutting my grandpa's speech short.

Grandpas really have to learn not to prattle on and on. I took at as my duty to give the crowd a brief explanation, less grandpa will have us hear all night.

"They have to train arduously and attempt to gain insights into an Abyssal Dao."

"This path is stupid, who is foolish enough to work so hard when a ceremony could solve your problem. Noble devil clans ensure all young devils take part in one. Even the weakest of our descendants can be Devil Esquires."

"James stop interrupting my speech with idle chatter!" said First Viscount Vollmus. As he shook his head in disappointment looking at me.

'Why does my grandson James always have to be a know-it-all,' thought First Viscount Vollmus.

'Why can't James be well behaved and dutiful like Mikael? Instead, he is always so arrogant. Even brazenly interrupting me at this ceremony!'