Chapter 398: Party Time (1)

Moby took a deep breath as he opened his foggy eyes to an equally foggy and wet tube that was soon followed up by white smoke as the hatch ahead of him opened. 

For the past few hours, he was sat in that tube, yet his mind wandered elsewhere in the virtual world where he and Avilia trained. He practiced the elemental magic basics even further, yet what he focused on most was discovering any new techniques to do with his new evolution, and the look on his face told the entire story. 

Just like his dragon half, Avilia was not able to help him learn the skills and magic, after all, she was just as lost as he was. However, now was even worse since Avilia had at least heard about dragons, this "Abyss"' was a complete unknown even to her. 

He now knew and understood the struggle that many demons went through over many years to develop and perfect their moves, all this time, he had the best mentor and cheat code a man could ask for in the form of the demon lord herself, but now he was left to his own devices to uncover the mysteries of his new form.

He sighed as he took his first step out of the machine, and the first thing he noticed was the bright light past the open doors of the training room. 

'Oh, they're all back I see…' He thought to himself, before he felt something soft and fluffy rubbing on his legs.

'What's with that face? Don't get discouraged, with your skill and talent I'm sure you'll soon make a breakthrough,'

'Huh? I don't think you understand who you're talking to! Training is in my blood. I don't mind an extra challenge, I haven't had one in a while!' He chuckled. 'Also, your back in cat form, is it so easy for you to switch back and forth from VR to cat?'

'Yep,' She nodded. 'Only downside is that by doing that, the cat's soul takes control while I'm gone,'

'I see. That's not that bad,' Moby stretched. 'Anyways, as long as I get the hang of all of this by the end of the year, I'll be more than satisfied. After all of this is over, the real quest will begin…'

'I don't doubt that at all!' She purred. 'Speaking of that plan of yours, are you going to tell at least some of it to your minions? I think the new adjustments you made will be very nice indeed.'

'Yeah, I think they have the right to know at least some of it,' He smiled. 'Speaking of letting people know, are you just gonna hide that cat form of yours from everyone other than Rupert or are you gonna introduce yourself?'

'That's— That's none of your business!'

'Huh? Are you shy or something? Never thought that you would be the type,' He teased. 

'No! Of course not! I just don't feel like the time is right! I'll do it on my own terms!'

'Suit yourself,' He shrugged with a smirk, before focusing his attention on the sounds coming from outside the room. 

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"Damn that smells good! Imma dig right in!"

"Watch your manners, I didn't cook all of this for beasts to devour… Hmmm?"

"Oh, Kane's back!"

"Greetings my lord!"

"Hello, everyone," He smiled, taking a seat next to all of them on the dinner table, not taking his eyes off a certain new guest. "Why is Artorias here exactly? Is it not curfew yet? I haven't really been paying attention to the time."

"No, it's not," Regrit replied. "We met him on our way to training, then he just stuck with us,"

"I see…" Moby nodded. "And Rupert, you're once again in your demon form."

"Yes my lord," He deeply bowed. "I only have an hour of transformation time life for today, and there is currently no one watching us so I decided to save it in case of an emergency."

"Oh, don't worry I understand. I was thinking out loud… Anyways, what were you all doing here before I came?"

"We just came back actually, so we just decided to eat. We haven't even had a time to celebrate our first place on the exam, so now seems good a time as any other! Artorias is a great cook!" Regrit responded.

"Sadly I can't do some of the classic family dishes from up above, but I have thoroughly educated myself in the way of human cooking…" He casually nodded, slicing a piece of steak. "Sadly, miss HikariYami could not join us today, nor Elianora due to the gender boundaries. And, we could not go elsewhere to eat because Rupert's transformation timer was running low, and most importantly, there would no real celebration without you being there…"

"Indeed! No party is complete without my lord!" Rupert nodded vigorously. "As for my transformation timer, can you not just give me one of those things that you use to keep yourself not looking like an angel?"

"I've already told you that this item is exclusive for us angels, I wouldn't be astonished if it were to be poisonous for your kind."

"But would it not be possible for the book of resurrection to—"

"I know not," Artorias interjected. "Nevertheless, I only have one that I am solely using, I could not give you another even if I wanted to…"

Moby's smile could not help but widen listening to their conversation— it made for a perfect segway to what he wanted to discuss. 

"There might be times were you'll be in need of your 'Kai' form when your timer had run dry. For example, how would it be possible for you to undertake an exam like our last one when there may be examiners watching us at all times?"

"M— My lord I— I'll try my best to perfect my technique to make it active all twenty-four hours of the day! I promise to try my— "

"No need…" Moby chuckled, and with a simple wave of his hands, Rupert was silenced. "It's not that I don't trust you, but I just have my doubts about your ability to do it. But that doesn't matter, since I have another idea in mind… I think it's about time to explain to you all my plans for the year, and to do that, I think it would be a good time for a proper party with everyone in it. We have three hours until curfew, so, how does that sound?"

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Of course, no one had the right to reject Moby's request, so they all packed their needs into their inventories and rings in order to set out. 

Prior to talking to them, Moby had already set up all the arrangements and informed all who needed to be informed.

There was slight hints of nervousness from Rupert, rightfully so considering his timer. Yet, after a single look into the cat's almost unnatural emerald eyes, he shook those doubts away and even felt disgusted with himself.

They all left the room together, and ventured out into the dimly lit hallways and towards the elevator ride. 

But that was when something rather unexpected occurred… 

"Hmmm? Kane, you coming?" Regrit raised an eyebrow and turned around. 

They had all left the elevator, yet there stood their leader inside of it, looking at his watch with wide eyes filled with what he could only assume to be interest, fear, or astonishment.