Chapter 100 - Exploded Walls

"Huh?"

CLICK

"..."

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

A thunderous noise echoes throughout the premises, rumbling and knocking anything that was not fastened to a surface down to the ground. Everything that could possibly break had broken. Walls exploded from the never before seen pressure that had erupted from Simon's study.

Waves of energy broke past the walls of the palace and disintegrated a lot of the concrete as they escaped into the surrounding area, only to be snuffed out the empty space of the Demon World. 

However, these waves did leave something of an impact, a huge impact in fact. So huge that the realm would never forget. In the first time in its history, the realm gave birth to a being that surpassed the Magician level.

The sky grew dim as the waves subsided. From within the mess that was once Simon's study, laid a being that could hardly be recognised. 

Charred black waste had become plastered all over the wreck, covering Simon's body. Faint echoes of energy had long since become something unrecognisable. Layers and layers of what used to be Visualisation Power had already turned into waste. There was nothing left except Simon and a rumbling power growing from within.

CRACKLE

A fist punched up from beneath the wreck, thrusting itself to the surface. Slowly a humanoid figure came out from the ground, shining with a l.u.s.tre never seen before.

There were no horns on Simon, physically at least. However,  glowing orange light had planted itself where his horns would have been, taking the latter's form and removing the devil's natural born weakness. Horns formed from his very own power, horns that were unlike anything he could comprehend.

This was the next leap in power.

[Rank increase: Ascended Conception Stage, 2nd Order]

"Nice. Looks like everyone started breaking through and caused a chain reaction. Maybe it was a good idea to upgrade the insulation… Well, at least I do not need to spend the rest of the year training so I can break through. Now I can relax for a while and spend more time with Dahlia." Simon smiled with a sense of accomplishment as he overlooked the mess that his breakthrough had created.

"Well, no one died. But most of the southern side of the palace is in need of urgent repairs. I see this as an absolute win."

The souls of every single Devil ancestor before him turned in their graves. This was just humiliating. Who knew that sticking a bunch of kids in a well insulated room and waiting for them to break through would cause such a mess? This was unheard of, genius in fact. If anyone else knew about this, they would certainly gather a bunch of people at the peak of their rank and start a chain.

However, there was an obvious flaw in this line of thought. If everyone simultaneously broke through and continued doing so in such a manner, they could possibly die from other people's breakthroughs and from the crumbling of their own weak foundations.

This only worked for Simon's subordinates and disciples because they had remarkable foundations that had been built up in the last week, courtesy of Simon.

With this being the end of the chain, everyone that was in the palace rejoiced as if a nightmare had just ended. They had gained a lot from this experience but they were also constantly in fear of the huge mass of energy. Being produced by their chained breakthroughs.

"I might as well check up on everyone. Little Dahlia should have also broken through. I already taught her how to build a perfect foundation in case this happened. I wonder if she managed to go straight to the 5th of 6th rank? No, she takes after me."

"7th rank. She must be. As my daughter, she will be the very best." Simon was very sure about this in his mind. But then he remembered that he originally was very average, and he needed a lot of training to get to where he currently is.

"At least the 3rd rank."

Of course Simon was feeling hopeful. As a parent, he could only hope for the best for his daughter. If he didn't, then he is obviously not a good parent. 

"I should go and check."

Simon disappeared from his position and reappeared at Malece's throne room, completely n.a.k.e.d, as he should be after breaking through to that degree. His study clothes were not suits of armour after all, they were merely handcrafted silk garments. Luxury for comfort, yet useless for self defence.

Then again, his skin is already stronger than the best armour in the realm, so nothing would change.

"Hello there." Simon greeted Malece.

"Darling." She responded, exuding a much more powerful aura than before.

"Might I ask if you know anything about the even that has just taken place in our home?" Malece asked with a sense of urgency.

"Oh, that. Simple chain reaction, we only need to fix up the palace. No one died from it, I can assure you that much." Simon explained calmly as he approached Malece.

"Where are your horns…? And what's with your eyes?"

"Oh, this." Simon 'flexed' his new cosmetic features with pride, exhibiting his glowing eyes and his non-physical horns.

"What is that?"

"Oh?" Simon assumed Malece would know, but he guessed wrong.

"I broke through again. I do not know what you call this rank." Simon said without caring too much.

"Oh, well I do not believe there is another stage after Devil Magician. I do not think anyone has gotten as far as you before." Malece honestly commented.

Simon shot her a look of confusion before asking her a question. "Dear wife, has Dahlia broken through?" 

"Of course." Malece said with certainty.

"To what rank?"

"Peak 1st rank."

"Not any higher?" Simon pressed as he leaned forward and place his hands on Malece's shoulders.

"What do you expect? She took after me and has average talent. She has to work really hard if she wants to break through. Be realistic, Dahlia is barely 2 months old. She might look like she is 3 years old, but we both know that we m.a.t.u.r.e quickly. More so for her, she is maturing too quickly. It must be your genes." Malece explained with an annoyed face.

"Fine. 1st rank peak at only 2 months old is good enough. That means I will have to put special attention on her training regimen. She will definitely live a life where she will be peerless." Simon smiled with certainty.

"The breakthrough shredded my clothes. I must go back to my bedchamber to redress." Malece said with a straight face.

"Oh? It does look like you are n.a.k.e.d, what of it?" Simon asked with a confused expression.

"You abhor the very sight of me." Malece recalled.

"Papa, Mama, what are you doing?" Dahlia appeared from the side and yawned while holding a fluffy teddy bear.

From her point of view, she saw Simon n.a.k.e.d and with his hands sitting on Malece's shoulders, with both of their lower bodies covered by the arms of the throne. 

"Papa was just speaking about how he is going to make you strong!" Malece laughed as she tried to shake off the possible embarrassment.

"Okay Mama. I'm still scared from the boom boom from before. Can you tell me a bedtime story?" Dahlia asked with a cute and innocent face, with her hand folded together.

"Of course dear. Mama just needs to have a talk with Papa, I will be in your room in 30 minutes." Malece smiled and patted Dahlia's head.

"Okay. See you in 30 minutes, Mama!" Dahlia ran back to her room with the teddy bear dragging across the floor.

Malece turned back to Simon and looked him straight in the eyes.

"Is there something you want?"

"No, not really. I was just checking something." Simon got off of Malece and materialised a set of robes.

"Everyone should know that a devil becomes more beautiful as they grow stronger. I am clearly at the peak and yet you do not seem to budge. I was originally quite enchanting, so I would assume I am irresistible now." Simon explained.

"You are. But I know when to restrain myself." Malece smiled.

"I see, I see."

Simon backed off and gently smiled.

"I must say, you are much more different to who you were 2 years ago. I almost didn't recognise you anymore." Simon smirked as his hand touched his chin.

"What has changed?"

"It almost seems like you no longer d.e.s.i.r.e this body. You look at me with a reserved face, I almost could not tell if you still saw me as your dear husband."

"I have learnt to be more restrained."

"Do you want to test that again?" Simon shifted right in front of her.

Other end of the room:

"Mark… what is master and mistress doing?" Tyrone asked.

"I don't know." 

"Oh! He's on top of her now, now they are shouting a lot!" Tyrone quietly shouted.

"CLOSE YOUR DAMN EYES AND COVER YOUR EARS!" 

Lenn suddenly appeared with a bag full of flip flops, pelting them at the kids with all of his might.

"OOOOWWW!"