I'm The Devil - Chapter 236

Chapter 236: Training

The crowd slowly began to disperse, the villagers returning to their morning routines, albeit with much more to talk about. Elandor and Lucian made their way towards Elandor’s modest home, which stood on the edge of the village.

As they entered, Elandor took in the familiar sight of his small, cluttered living space. The interior was cramped and worn, filled with the remnants of his past life. Old, threadbare furniture, dusty shelves, and a few personal trinkets decorated the room. Elandor felt a pang of embarrassment as he looked around.

“This is it,” he said, a hint of apology in his voice. “It’s not much, but it’s home.”

Lucian, now fully settled into his disguise, took in the surroundings with a discerning eye. “This place will not do,” he said, his tone firm yet kind. “You are a celestial mage now, and your environment should reflect that.”

Elandor looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Lucian smiled enigmatically and raised his hand. With a snap of his fingers, the room around them began to shimmer and warp. Elandor watched in awe as the walls expanded outward, the ceiling rising high above them. The old furniture dissolved into shimmering particles, replaced by elegant, celestial-themed decor.

The space transformed into a magnificent hall, filled with soft, ethereal light. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting the constellations, and the floor was a mosaic of swirling stars. A grand, yet comfortable, seating area appeared, complete with plush cushions and a table inlaid with celestial symbols. Shelves filled with ancient tomes and artifacts lined the walls, and a large, intricately carved window now offered a view of the starry cosmos beyond.

Elandor stood in the center of the transformed room, his mouth agape in wonder. “This… this is incredible,” he breathed. “How did you do this?”

Lucian chuckled. “This is but a simple pocket dimension, a space created and sustained by my magic. As a celestial mage, you will learn to manipulate the very fabric of reality. In time, you will be able to create spaces like this, and much more.”

Elandor’s eyes shone with excitement. “I can’t wait to learn. Thank you, Lucian.”

Lucian nodded, a proud smile on his face. “You have much potential, Elandor. There’s no need to worry about consequences. Just enjoy the journey. The stars are yours to command.”

Elandor nodded, feeling the thrill of boundless possibility. “I’ll do my best.”

As Elandor settled into his newly transformed home, Lucian began to outline the next steps of his training. They would start with the basics of celestial magic, learning to harness and control the vast energy now flowing through Elandor’s veins. Each day would be a new challenge, a new opportunity to grow and learn.

Elandor explored his newly transformed space, his steps tentative at first but growing bolder with each discovery. He marveled at the intricate tapestries that depicted constellations, their stars seeming to twinkle and shift as he moved. The mosaic floor, a swirling dance of stars, was a wonder in itself, and the ethereal light filling the room made everything seem almost dreamlike.

He ran his fingers over the plush cushions and examined the ancient tomes lining the shelves, their spines marked with mysterious runes and symbols. Elandor felt a sense of wonder and possibility he had never known, as if the very air around him was alive with magic.

As Elandor continued to explore, Lucian allowed himself a moment of relaxation. With a flicker, he reverted to his true form, his celestial appearance shimmering into view. He lounged on one of the grand chairs, his eyes following Elandor’s movements with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

Lucifer—no longer in the guise of Lucian—let out a contented sigh, his presence filling the room with an aura of calm and power. He picked up the summoning manual that Elandor had used to call him forth. As he flipped through its pages, his eyebrows raised in surprise. The manual was, by all accounts, a simple one. Its spells and incantations were basic, meant for summoning low-level spirits or minor elementals—certainly not beings of his caliber.

“Curious,” Lucifer murmured to himself. “This manual shouldn’t even be able to summon a Nymph, let alone someone like me. What is it about you, Elandor?”

Elandor noticed Lucifer’s thoughtful expression and the way he examined the summoning manual. “Is something wrong?” he asked, concern coloring his voice.

Lucifer looked up, his celestial eyes reflecting a myriad of stars. “No, not wrong. Just… intriguing.” He let the matter drop, giving Elandor a reassuring smile before closing the manual and setting it aside.

The days that followed were filled with rigorous training. Lucifer, or rather, Lucian in the village’s eyes, began teaching Elandor the basics of celestial magic. Each lesson was an intricate blend of theory and practice, designed to build Elandor’s understanding from the ground up.

—

On the first morning, they started with the fundamental principle: feeling the magic within.

“Close your eyes, Elandor,” Lucifer instructed, his voice calm and guiding. “Focus on your breath and let everything else fade away. Feel the energy flowing through your veins. It’s like liquid starlight, warm and vibrant.”

Elandor did as told, his breathing steadying as he tried to sense the celestial magic within him. It took several long moments, but eventually, he began to feel a gentle warmth, a subtle thrumming beneath his skin.

“Good,” Lucifer’s voice was approving. “Now, imagine drawing that energy up, like pulling water from a deep well. Let it rise through your body, filling you with light.”

The first few attempts were shaky. Elandor could feel the energy but struggled to control it, the magic slipping through his grasp like sand. But with patience and encouragement from Lucifer, he began to get the hang of it. By the end of the day, he could draw the energy up and hold it, feeling the power coursing through him with a sense of exhilaration.

—

The next day’s lesson was about focus and control. Lucifer created a small orb of light and held it before Elandor. “This is a simple manifestation of celestial energy,” he explained. “Your task is to create one just like it. It requires focus, precision, and a steady hand.”

Elandor spent hours concentrating, his brow furrowed in deep thought. He would raise his hand, feel the energy flow to his fingertips, but the orb of light refused to form. Lucifer watched with a patient smile, occasionally offering advice or adjusting Elandor’s stance.

“Relax,” he advised. “Don’t force it. Magic is like a river; it flows naturally. Guide it, don’t try to dam it up.”

By late afternoon, Elandor finally managed to create a small, flickering orb of light. It was unstable, winking in and out of existence, but it was a start. Lucifer clapped him on the shoulder, his approval evident in his smile. “Well done, Elandor. It’s not perfect, but it’s a solid beginning. Each day you will improve.”

—

On the third day, Lucifer introduced the concept of celestial runes. He spread out a parchment filled with ancient symbols, each one glowing faintly with otherworldly energy.

“These runes are the language of the cosmos,” Lucifer explained. “They are powerful tools, capable of channeling and enhancing your magic. Learning them will be crucial to your mastery of celestial magic.”

Elandor spent hours memorizing the shapes and meanings of each rune. Lucifer quizzed him relentlessly, ensuring he not only knew their forms but understood their essence. By evening, Elandor’s mind buzzed with new knowledge, the runes’ patterns etched into his memory.

—

The fourth day was about practical application. Lucifer took Elandor outside, to a secluded glade near the village. The morning air was crisp, and the forest around them was alive with the sounds of nature.

“Today, you will use the runes you’ve learned,” Lucifer said, handing Elandor a small, smooth stone. “Inscribe the rune of light on this stone. It will serve as a focus for your magic.”

Elandor concentrated, his hand steady as he traced the rune onto the stone’s surface. He felt the energy pulse through him, flowing into the stone. The rune glowed brightly, a testament to his growing skill.

“Now, use it to create a barrier of light,” Lucifer instructed. “Imagine the light spreading from the stone, forming a protective shield.”

Elandor held the stone aloft, feeling the magic surge through him. He pictured the light expanding, enveloping him in a radiant barrier. Slowly, a shimmering shield formed around him, faint but unmistakable. Lucifer nodded in approval.

“Excellent, Elandor. The barrier will become stronger with practice. You’re making great progress.”

—

As the days turned into weeks, Elandor’s training intensified. Each lesson built upon the last, pushing him to new heights of skill and understanding. Lucifer was a demanding teacher, but also a patient one, always ready with a word of encouragement or a piece of advice.

They practiced in different environments to test Elandor’s adaptability. Sometimes they were in the transformed pocket dimension, other times in the forest or by the river. Elandor learned to summon light, create barriers, and even manipulate small amounts of starlight to heal minor wounds.

Lucifer also stressed the importance of balance and rest. “Magic is a part of you,” he would say. “But you must also take care of your body and mind. A burnt-out mage is of no use to anyone.”

Elandor took these words to heart, ensuring he balanced his training with moments of rest and reflection. He felt himself growing stronger, more confident, and more attuned to the magic within him. He was no longer the village wastrel; he was becoming a celestial mage, a force to be reckoned with.

Each night, as he lay in his transformed home, Elandor would reflect on the day’s lessons. He felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Lucifer, whose unwavering belief in him had sparked this incredible journey. And with each passing day, Elandor knew he was one step closer to mastering the celestial magic that now flowed through his veins.

—

One evening, after an especially grueling day of training, Elandor lay on a plush cushion, staring at the starry ceiling. Lucifer, in his celestial form, lounged nearby, observing him with a mix of amusement and pride.

“You’ve come a long way, Elandor,” Lucifer said, his voice gentle. “But remember, this is only the beginning. There is still much to learn, many challenges to face.”

Elandor nodded, a determined gleam in his eyes. “I’m ready. I want to keep learning, keep growing. Thank you for believing in me, Lucifer.”

Lucifer’s smile was warm, his eyes twinkling like the stars. “The cosmos holds infinite possibilities, Elandor. Embrace them, and you will achieve wonders beyond your imagination.”

As Elandor drifted off to sleep, he felt a profound sense of peace and purpose. His journey was just beginning, and with Lucifer by his side, he knew he could face whatever lay ahead.