21 The DMV

Back to James.

~~~

Not even Empires would cross the DMV as it spanned the Endless Abyss. The Xertzul Abyss was only a single Abyss in the Endless Abyss. The offices in Xertzul Abyss were only branches of the monolithic regulatory authority.

Without a Devil Mark from the Devil Association, you were practicing without a license. Everyone would have peace of mind when dealing with an accredited professional. Devils believed in a lawful society.

The Hudson City branch of the DMV could handle accreditation of most common professions. For rarer professions, people would have to head to larger branches.

The Hudson City DMV branch was orderly. No snacks, food, drinks, or entertainment of any kind could be brought in. It was a hall filled to the brim with people. Long rows of tables and chairs of people miserably waiting.

You were to remain silent while waiting and it allowed no communication talismans of any kind. There were also no bathrooms for customers. You give up your spot in line if you left the building. I thought there was a top-level devil practicing the Misery Dao behind this terrifying organization.

"How may I assist you today?" said the attendant I met after waiting in line for hours.

"I would like to get the Devil Marks for Devil Esquire and Devil Esquire smith."

"Here are forms 1N and form 1BS. After you have finished filling them out return them at the receiving counter and wait patiently until we call you."

I checked out the two long forms I received. The Esquire form was the longer of the two. It asked me the names of my parents, my realm in devilry, my devil clan, the Daos I had pursued, my level of those Daos, and many other random information.

I slowly but surely filled out both forms after an agonizing hour of torture. The form even asked me what he had eaten for the last week. It was a grueling process.

After turning in my forms, I waited 6 more hours until they finally called me for my devilry test. I was lead to a smithing room. A fat old devil lady greeted me. The devil looked over the forms as she sized me up.

"A member of the local Hudson devils. I see you are looking to be getting a Devil Mark for both Esquire and Devil Smith Esquire. All you need to do is to forge a basic Esquire sword and you will receive your Devil Marks," said the fat lady.

I quickly forged an Esquire sword in the forge in front of me, passing the test.

I had to pee, and I was ready to go home. I did not understand why this organization was so backward. I dared not complain to them, however. That was the face the DMV had!

I headed back to my parent's home and rested after the exhausting day. I practiced the [Flint \u0026 Steel Art], as always, before heading to bed. Only through continual practice would someone's devilry level rise. Checking out the artifact would have to wait. I didn't have the patience for learning now.

Waking up, I slowly thought to myself how far I had come. I was an Esquire Devil and even an Esquire Smith. I even had Devil Marks to back my claims. Who dare look down on this young noble?

It was time for me to begin what I had been waiting all day yesterday to do. The Soul Dao was a complex mistress. Sadly, she wasn't getting any love today. It is time for this arrogant young noble to strut his stuff!

I was finally free! No ancestor imposed tasks or mother imposed training. No longer would I be a common devil, working hard to improve himself every day. I took a deep breath and dressed up in my best suit.

I now looked the part. I didn't have any personal lackeys yet, so I dragged my loyal butler Azon as my lackey for the day.

~~~

Azon was a changeling and follower of James' mother, the chief butler of James' family house. Changelings were beings with the ability to shape-shift into other humanoids. His natural form was pale, slender, with pupilless eyes, and metallic silver hair. James had never seen his true form.

He took on the mantel of an old devil sporting a monocle while fulfilling the duties of a butler. He dressed impeccably with white gloves, black pants, black shoes, and a black vest.

He only amounted to being the princesses butler. It was a lowly position for a cultivator to have, but Diana apparently treated him well considering he had been the house butler since James was a youth. He was used to playing the role of a loyal lackey, and he rather enjoyed James' antics.

Azon's care and protection contributed to fostering James' overbearing personality. James had never met a situation where Azon didn't swiftly take care of it. James wasn't sure of Azon's cultivation realm, but somehow Azon never let him down.

No matter who it was Azon quickly dispatched them making it look effortless. He was the perfect loyal lackey to foster an arrogant young noble. Azon had trampled Esquires, Knights, and Barons in front of our devil hero. James had seen no one defeat his loyal butler.

~~~

"Come Azon, we haven't toured Hudson City in months. We must check out my new tavern, this young noble finally has his own business," I said.

"Yes, young lord. This old butler will follow in your steed. I will prepare a grand carriage, several guards, and several maids to attend to the young lord. Your reentry into devil society must be a grand occasion," said Azon.

Azon knew just what I needed to make this young noble happy.