Chapter 3: Chapter 2: Four Years Later - The Captain of the Miach Familia
"No way, is that him?"
'Yes, I know you're talking about me.'
"Yeah it is, the new Level 6 from the Miach Familia."
'Yes I am.'
"Really? That's him? The Devil?"
'I can't believe the gods actually gave me the alias of the Devil? Why not call me the Swift Snake again? Even that embarrassing name is better than the Devil.'
"Yeah, I heard that he reached Level 6 just a couple months ago. He broke the record by reaching such a high Level in 4 years? That's just crazy!"
'Sure is. I'm one hell of a trendsetter aren't I...I honestly don't know if that was intentional or not, using hell like that. Great, I guess the Devil's work will always follow me.'
"Right? I heard that he reached Level 2 and 3 in one year, Level 4 the next year, Level 5 the year after that, and then now Level 6?"
'Yep, you're damn right about that.'
"And despite that, he's still in just a middle ranking Familia like the Miach Familia? The rest of them aren't really anything special-"
"You know..."
The person who had been speaking of the Miach Familia found himself frozen with shock and fear as an arm was draped around his shoulders, a handsome face of a black haired green-eyed 17 year old teenager suddenly appearing in his peripheral vision as the young man continued speaking with a small lazy grin on his face, the world feeling like it was on his shoulders only for him to be held up by the Adventurer next to him.
"It's not nice to speak badly of a Familia behind their member's back. Wouldn't you think so? You wouldn't want to be caught in my personal radar, now would you? It would be a shame if that were to happen, ya know? Well, are you gonna keep talking? I'm pretty sure you were wagging your tongue earlier, so why are ya stopping?" He asked as his smile started to become a small frown, scaring the stuttering adventurer who was trying to find his words.
"W-Well, you see, I-I u-uh-"
"Yeah. That's what I thought. If I were you, I'd learn to keep my mouth shut before I say something I'd regret. Trash." The Devil Illusionist said with a scoff before releasing the lower tier Adventurer from his hold and walking back to his home at the Blue Pharmacy, watching with no small amount of pleasure as said Adventurer collapsed and fell onto his butt as he walked off.
[Blue Pharmacy - 1st POV]
"I'm back everyone!"
"Welcome back, Captain!"
"Hey there Captain, it's good to see you!"
"Captain! You're back!"
"Hey thanks guys. I'm glad to be back." I replied with a small smile. To this day, I honestly still have mixed feelings about my Familia members. After all, despite how kind they all are and how I get long with them fairly well, almost every single one of them, bar Naaza, will leave the Miach Familia because Miach willingly fell into great financial debt to help the girl get her arm back, and I couldn't blame him because she would have been one of the youngest members of the Familia if everyone else's age said anything, and having a child live without their arm would have been a painful thing to see day after day. But still, there must have been more than just the debt that made ALL of them leave, right?
Thankfully I'm here though, so hopefully I can stop that from happening, but I'm not a god. I don't even know when that'll even happen so I can only hope for the best and should the worst come, hopefully the debt after I help to chip in isn't so large that everyone leaves the Familia. And if they do...well so be it. I know I ain't leaving Miach after what he's done for me.
And speaking of Naaza...
"And where is my adorable little sister I wonder?"
"I'm over here, and stop calling me adorable with you?! I don't know why you keep doing that when I've already grown up!" Cried out the 16 year old Chienthrope as she pushed her way to the front of the group that was there to greet me with a small pout.
"Sorry Naaza, but I can't help it. After living with ya for four years now, you'll always be my adorable sweet little sister." I said to her as I reached out to ruffle the patch of hair resting between her ears, causing the girl to close her eyes in satisfaction, yet she was still pouting just a bit.
"F-Fine then! I don't care!" She said with a huff once I pulled my hand back. How precious. She's always so easy to tease.
"Anyway, Lord Miach is in the back if you want to see him."
"Got it. Thanks Naaza. The rest of you, keep up the good work alright?" I said to the rest of the gathered Familia before I walked off to the back of the Pharmacy where Miach's office was.
[3rd POV]
*Knock knock*
"Come in."
The door to Miach's door opened and in came the god's prodigal child, Cyrus, his katana strapped to his waist as he wore a black button up shirt paired with black pants and a green vest. All in all, he really looked more like someone running a business rather than an adventurer, but by no means does that mean that he should be underestimated. After all, he's not Level 6 for no reason.
"Hello Cyrus. Welcome home, it's good to see you as always. I hope that your time in the dungeon has been fruitful?" The god asked the First Class Adventurer as he stood up and walked over to join his child.
"You know it Lord Miach. The Deep Floors are a pain as always for a solo adventurer, but I was more than confident in my ability to go through them for training and all that." Cyrus confirmed with a lazy smile.
"I swear, you are a truly incorrigible child aren't you. I assume you used your Shunpo to help you navigate the Dungeon and transport what magic stones you could up here?" Miach continued to question with a small and knowing smile to which Cyrus' green eyes seemed to twinkle in amusement.
"Got it in one. You know me all too well Lord Miach. The valis in the Familia's coffers should keep us running for a good amount of time so we can purchase supplies for potions and such. Anyway, enough about the Dungeon, I can tell you more about that later. Can you update my status really quick?"
"Oh? Of course, dear boy. I'm sure you know the drill. Please turn around and remove your shirt. Feel free to take a seat on the chair so I can see your back." Miach instructed with Cyrus nodding before walking over to the seat, where he lifted his shirt up and sat backwards on the chair so that his god would have access to his back.
[1st POV - A moment later]
Name: Cyrus Ardenta
Level: 6
Strength: G233 --> F329
Endurance: G215 --> G272
Dexterity: G267 --> F380
Agility: F310 --> E423
Magic: F365 --> E478
Skill: Bestow [Quincy Cang Du Schrift "I - The Iron"], Bestow [Coyote Starrk Resurrección "Los Lobos"], Hollowfication, Captain's Potential, Reiryoku, Son of Lies.
Magic: Sakanade (Sealed), Bakudō 1-99, Hadō 1-99
Development Abilities: Hunter (E), Mage (F), Abnormal Resistance (G), Swordsman (G), Clairvoyance (I)
"Hm, not too bad. Almost a net 500 point increase to my stats. Not bad...not bad at all. And it looks like my stats have finally hit F at the very least." I murmured aloud with Miach still patiently looking at me with a smile as if asking an unasked question, causing me to briefly roll my eyes
"Yes, I know, it's time for me to take a break for a few." I said while casually waving my arms before using Hadō #31. Shakkahō to create the orb of crimson red energy on my finger before dropping the paper into the orb and watching as it burned away. Kidō is just the most convenient thing, ain't it?
Why am I mentioning taking a break, one may ask me? Well, considering the fact that I pretty much solo the Dungeon on my own and as such my gains are considerably higher than what other Adventurers would get, my Captain's Potential skill aside, that also requires me to also go on longer breaks between Dungeon dives. After all, unlike some people, I'm not a battle maniac or masochist or one of those people who pretty much live their lives in the Dungeon. Sure I enjoy being stronger, considering the fact I also have a real life cheat code, but I also enjoy just relaxing. You know, going to the Hostess of Fertility and chilling there, sleeping, eating, and so on so forth.
Oh, and of course, there's also the fact that I'm a social person. Do you know how lonely it can be soloing the Dungeon, especially considering the fact that it can take many days on end for me to hit the Deep Floors, train there, camp at the safety points, then come back? It gets really lonely, so forgive me if I prefer to stop above ground for a good amount of time to just relax.
Of course, Miach talked to me about getting a party, and honestly, while he makes a point about getting a Supporter or some backup, even amongst our Familia, I'd rather not deal with the nonsense of people knowing about my Reiryoku, Hollowfication, and my Kidō as a whole. I can probably pass off a few of my techniques as Skills, like Shunpo, but I usually try to keep the more...unique techniques, shall we say...under wraps. After all, to this day, Miach is the only person who knows about the true extent of my usage of Reiryuko, while everyone in and outside of the Familia only knows about certain components that I publicly displayed, such as Shunpo and Hadō #31. Shakkahō and Bakudō #1. Sai, for everything else, there was just never a witness.
Not to mention that, no offense to Miach, the rest of the Familia are not strong enough to keep up with me and I can never bring myself to fully trust them seeing as how they were more than willing to leave the Familia after what may happen to Naaza in the future. It was also bad enough that I got attention from the higher ranked familia for setting the current record of leveling up, I can't even imagine the hell I'd be forced to deal with if everyone found out about my literally out of this world abilities.
Thankfully, I think I've done a really good job keeping mostly everything about myself locked away, and while I'm not sure what the hell Freya is possibly doing, if she doesn't know about me, then amazing. If she does know about me, I'll give her a half-assed thanks for not spilling the beans. Crazy bitch.
What can I say? I'm a social person, but I never claimed to be a trusting person.
"So what kind of plans do you have for today? Are you going to be visiting the Hostess of Fertility?" Miach asked me as he returned to his desk and began to continue making more of his potions. Man, the gods who came here and learned about making stuff are really obsessed with their craft aren't they? Soma, Hephaestus, Miach, and so on. Geez, what workaholics.
"Hm...I think so. I think I'm going to go home first and then just take a nap. After that, the Hostess of Fertility, and then afterwards, who knows? I'm sure I can come up with something. Anyway, later Lord Miach. I'll leave you to it." I answered before giving him a small wave as I left, hearing a small 'Thank you' as I closed the door.
Well, I guess that it's time for me to head home first since it's fortunately between the Guild Headquarters and the Hostess of Fertility and get myself cleaned up and nap before heading over to the pub for some dinner. Just a quick and simple plan with no complications whatsoever.
[3rd POV]
"Hey Cyruuuuuuussss- ack! Let go, please let go! I'm begging you!"
"Tch. Just my luck. A troublesome goddess. So much for a peaceful day."
This was the scene that many adventurers would greeted to outside the Hostess of Fertility: Cyrus Ardenta, the Devil of Miach Familia, holding up the goddess Loki by the face as he lifted her up into the air essentially crushing her skull for all intents and purposes. And spoilers, this is not anything new by any means.
"You're so mean, Cy-Cy! Now let go will you?! I didn't do anything this time I swear!"
"Oh really? So tell me then Loki, who the hell gave me the alias of the Devil during the last Denatus and how is it that it was carried out when you were there? I hope you're not lying to me otherwise I might just squeeze harder." He asked, knowing that Miach wouldn't have been able to do anything due to the nature of the god, so he would be hard pressed to argue against a new nickname.
"Forget 'might just squeeze harder'. I think he actually is squeezing harder on her." Tiona Hiryute, one of the Level 5 Amazoness twins of the Loki Familia, whispered to her bustier and older twin, Tione Hiryute, who nodded in agreement.
"It was Apollo! It was Apollo I swear! Most of the other gods and goddesses just agreed is all, I had nothing to do with it!" Loki swore back and forth as her head was still caught in a vice grip and after some few agonizing seconds of Cyrus seemingly trying to contemplate her answer, he shrugged and then dropped the goddess onto her ass, in which Loki quickly got up and then tried to hug the Vice Captain of the Loki Familia, 'Nine Hell' Riveria Ljos Alf.
"Mama! I'm being bullied by the Devil-"
Only to be interrupted by the beautiful green haired elf chopping Loki on the head with her hand, the goddess in question holding her head in pain.
"Did you not just hear his annoyance at being called the Devil? And you still call him that when he's here with us? It's no wonder that you're being bullied by him. You must simply just have it coming to you." The Top Executive scolded with a frown as she looked down at Loki. Meanwhile Tiona was laughing at the hilarious scene that unfolded before her eyes and Tione merely smiled in amusement. 'Braver' Finn Deimne merely watched with a sheepish smile and 'Elgarm' Gareth Landrock was also joining his junior Adventurer in chuckling in amusement at the sight. Cyrus merely opted to just stare at Loki and just let out a small sigh.
"Seriously, are you surprised that you're called the damn Devil? After the War Game with the Apollo Familia, almost every single god or goddess and their Familia are afraid to pull off anything stupid, the freaking weaklings." Bete Loga, the Vanargand, said with a scoff as he pushed past Tiona, the Amazon sticking her tongue out at the Werewolf while everyone else, including the spectating bystanders, had shifted their attention to the Devil in question.
Of course they remembered the War Game between the Miach Familia and the Apollo Familia. Apparently, while the cause for it was unknown, it seemed that Apollo Familia had been the instigator and to make a long story short, the Miach Familia had been challenged to a War Game, with Cyrus making the stipulation that it would be him fighting as the sole representative of the Miach Familia against fifteen of Apollo's chosen Familia members.
In spite of his Level at the time and his reputable skill, Cyrus was still only one person, so it was no surprise that most of Orario had bet on him losing to the Apollo Familia. After all, a new Level 4 facing off against an assortment of Level 1s and 2s and a Level 3? People pegged this as a battle of attrition to see whether or not the at the time 'Swift Snake' would collapse first before he could defeat the Apollo Familia.
Unfortunately for those who bet against him and those who faced him, even though no one was killed, it could have been easily called a massacre. The War Game lasted less than 5 minutes, and even then it wasn't even 3 minutes as Cyrus had for the first time publicly displayed his 'Skill' of Shunpo and left all fifteen members of the Apollo Familia on the verge of death. It was as if he appeared where they were at in the blink of an eye before taking his katana and cutting them down, making sure not to kill them but causing no small amount of damage. As a result, the Apollo Familia had to shill out a lot of valis as compensation for bothering the then Vice-Captain of the Miach Familia, and it had solidified the alias of the 'Swift Snake' as it put him in contention with other names as being the fastest Adventurer and started the beginning of the alias of the 'Devil', especially since the other lower ranking familia made it a point to stay out of the teenager's way.
"Tch, Apollo again huh...I should pay his Familia and the Familia of the other gods a visit and just start up some more War Games out of principle alone if they don't give me a more dignified alias when I hit Level 7." Cyrus said with a small grin as he tightened his grip around Sakanade and used his thumb to pressed against its tsuba to slightly unsheathe the blade, causing many faces around him to go pale at the thought of their god or goddess possible being one of the deities to agree with the Alias.
"But enough about that." He said, sheathing the small bit of Sakanade that had been drawn, much to the relief of those watching before walking over to Tiona and patting her on the head, causing the Amazon to giggle and press her head against his hand as he address the Amazoness twins.
"How are ya doing Tiona, Tione? Have you two been doing okay?"
"Yep, we're doing great, thanks Cyrus!" Tiona responded with a grin as she enjoyed her headpat.
"Yes we are, thank you Cyrus." Tione answered with a polite smile.
"Good, good." Cyrus smiled as he removed his hand, much to Tiona's displeasure before he turned to the three Executives.
"Finn, Gareth, Miss Riveria. You guys doing alright?"
"Yes, we have been well, thank you for asking." Riveria politely answered with a small smile.
"Of course." Finn answered as he looked up at the the newest Level 6, trying to ignore the the slight throbbing of his thumb.
"We're doin' alright, thanks for asking young'n." Gareth said with a small chuckle.
Cyrus nodded before looking over to Bete with a nod.
"Bete."
"Cyrus." Bete merely responded with a small nod of his own.
"And where is the Sword Princess I wonder? Don't tell me that she's still in the Dungeon or something?" Cyrus asked as he looked around.
"Nah, Ais is just a bit worn out from training today and wanted to sleep is all. She'll definitely be coming with us next time though!" Tiona quickly piped up in his peripheral vision, causing him to give her a nod.
"Gotcha. Thanks Tiona."
"No worries!"
"Well anyway...we've been standing outside for a while now. How about I join you guys today since the Sword Princess ain't coming?" Cyrus asked them, leading to a myriad of positive responses as they all began to walk into the Hostess of Fertility, having momentarily forgotten why they were there in the first place.
"Hey you're not gonna say anything to me?! No 'Hi, Loki' or anything?!" Loki exclaimed as she stood up and glared at Cyrus who briefly stopped to look over his shoulder.
"...Tch. Troublesome goddess."
And then he walked in while Loki's Familia continued to ignore her outburst.
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CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
NovaAias
NovaAias Alright guys, here is the third chapter right here, just a brief timeskip of Cyrus making his way to the top of the Miach Familia as its captain and a few details about what he has done in the four years since joining the Familia, such as a War Game as he pulled an Aizen on the Apollo Familia, as well as an interaction with the Loki Familia and the next chapter will be with him just chatting with everyone.
As you know, I did add Romance as a tag to the story so comment in the chapter comments on who you want his romantic partner to be. Something to keep in mind is that he'll be 19 by the time canon hits.
Thanks for the support and I hope that you guys continue to support the story.
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